"There’s No Straight Line To Anything Worth Having."

This week on WORDS MATTER, Deanna Ley, The Catalytic Coach, shares a story that begins at 10,000+ feet — and climbs from there. This episode's quote proves that you can keep going even when the path disappears, the progress feels slow, or the descent is just as hard as the climb.

“There’s no straight line to anything worth having.”

This episode walks you through the literal and metaphorical journey of hiking Quandary Peak — one of Colorado’s 14ers — and the profound realizations that came with every step. You’ll hear the truth about uneven progress, inner doubt, and the kind of strength that isn’t flashy, but faithful. It’s an invitation to honor your way forward — no matter how winding it may be.

What Listeners Will Learn:
• Why we crave mountaintop moments, but change is built along the way
• How to shift your mindset when the path disappears or detours
• The science of Cognitive Flexibility and why it matters when life doesn’t go to plan
• How Chris’s “50 steps” system helped them reach the summit
• Why the descent was harder than the climb and what it taught them
• How to give yourself credit even when progress feels invisible
• Why presence, persistence, and self-trust are the real markers of growth

Memorable Quotes:
• “There’s no straight line to anything worth having.”
• “Anything worth having is hard work.” — Deanna Ley
 • “Even when you can’t see the peak, the steps you’re taking still matter.”
• “No up lasts forever and no down lasts forever — as long as you keep moving forward.” — Chris Ley
• “You're not waiting to be ready. You're becoming ready by walking the path as it is.”
• “There’s no wasted step when you keep showing up for yourself.”
• “It’s not supposed to be straight, friends. It’s supposed to be yours.”
• “There’s always the way forward.”

Whether you’re climbing something physical, emotional, or spiritual, this episode will meet you in the middle of it and remind you that slow still counts, rest is not retreat, and you’re doing better than you think.

Your WORDS MATTER, because YOU MATTER.

❤️❤️❤️