Episode 68: Holly St John Peck is Finding Love and Life on the Other Side of Loss
Episode 68: Holly St John Peck is Finding Love and Life on the Other Side of Loss
When I was 46 years old, my young husband died suddenly from a heart attack. He died in my arms, and I couldn't save him. This tragedy put my life on a different trajectory...one that could've spelled disaster for my own life for years to come. I wanted to cry in a corner, being catatonic and not interacting with the world. Actually, I did for several months after his passing. I had a business to run - being self-employed, with two teenagers to raise, a home to take care of, and, ultimately, I realized, a life of my own to live. I chose not to die along with my late spouse...but rather to live life passionately and with purpose to honor him, and to model for my children how to live. Sometimes, in the early grief, the only thing I had to be grateful for was the day itself - just waking up. But, with courage and support from friends and family, I kept going, not gracefully at first - with many mistakes along the way.
When Holly St. John Peck lost her husband suddenly, her world shattered. She chose to honor her late husband by living life to the fullest - and boy, has she ever! Now 60 years old, Holly is a kite-surfing, mountain-biking, scuba-diving force of nature who inspires others to find joy through play and adventure.
In this energizing episode, Holly shares her journey from devastating loss to rediscovering love, passion, and purpose. She opens up about the challenges of dating as a widow, finding a new partner who encourages her playful side, and taking up extreme sports in her 50s. Holly's infectious enthusiasm for life and down-to-earth wisdom will leave you ready to tackle your own challenges and pursue new adventures.
5 Uplifting Lessons from Holly
Help others to heal yourself - channeling grief into service can be transformative.
Rediscover play - try new things and approach life like a fun game to boost your mood.
Show up authentically - vulnerability and being yourself attracts genuine connections.
Take things in "teeny tiny doable chunks" - small steps lead to big changes.
Schedule self-care and play time - prioritize filling your own cup to have more to give others.
Whether you're facing loss, seeking more joy, or just need a dose of inspiration, Holly's story will lift you up and remind you that it's never too late to live life to the fullest!
Announcement: I'm running a little experiment with ways of sharing the podcasts in these newsletters. Going forward, I'll include embedded players for Apple and Spotify so you can easily listen to the episode too. Let me know what you think by commenting or replying to this email!
Listen on Apple Podcasts
Listen on Spotify
The Great Web of Uplifters
Holly was nominated by Gerilynn from episode 53.
Today’s opening features Ashely Cox Collins.
Holly reminds me that we can weather even the toughest losses. Who do you think of when you need to channel your strength?
Let’s keep rising higher, together!
Aransas