“Did You Die?”: Turning Misadventures Into Lessons on Resilience

How laughter, flexibility, and a little bit of chaos can strengthen your resilience muscle.

Ever wanted to know what happens when two professional women swap power suits for ponchos? In this spontaneous and joyfully chaotic episode, Pam and Natalie take us into the woods—literally—as they relive their most memorable camping misadventures. From soggy tents to survival challenges, this episode reminds us that resilience doesn’t always come in the form of a major life shift. Sometimes, it looks like duct tape, a good sense of humor, and a lot of mud.

Pam and Natalie share candid (and hilarious) moments from their outdoor adventures and unpack the unexpected ways these experiences shaped their understanding of resilience. What was supposed to be a typical interview turned into an impromptu storytelling session—proving once again that some of life’s richest insights come when plans fall apart.

Key Highlights:

  • Pam recalls her childhood camping "lesson" where she was given only a tarp and string to create shelter.

  • Natalie shares her midnight flood story and waking up in a puddle.

  • The pair introduce their tongue-in-cheek mantra: “Did you die?” — a cheeky but grounding reminder that if you made it through, you're stronger for it.

Themes & Takeaways

1. Flexibility as a Superpower

Camping forced them to relinquish control. No WiFi. No backup plans. Just grit, teamwork, and tarps.

2. Humor as a Coping Tool

Even in the face of chaos, laughter lightened the weight of discomfort. Humor became a form of emotional regulation, connection, and perspective.

3. Embracing the Uncomfortable

The most growth happens when we’re just outside our comfort zones—sometimes soaking wet and shivering.

4. Sisterhood in Struggle

Whether it's bug spray or emotional baggage, it’s easier to carry when you’ve got someone by your side. Pam and Natalie’s chemistry shows how sharing space—physical or emotional—makes everything more bearable.

📜 Proclamation Reflections

Stand Strong Against Challenges:
Waking up in a flooded tent or building a makeshift shelter teaches you how to stay calm when things (literally) collapse.

Make Resilience a Superpower:
These stories are proof that resilience can be practiced in the mundane—and muscle memory starts in the mud.

Learn through our Journeys:
Pam and Natalie didn’t set out to teach a lesson, but their personal stories offer relatable wisdom.

Turn Challenges into Opportunities:
What began as a no-show guest episode turned into a vibrant exploration of adaptability and joy.

Build Strong, Supportive Communities:
The duo's friendship is a testament to how connection amplifies resilience.

Prioritize Well-Being:
Camping, for all its discomfort, brought stillness, laughter, and presence—core components of holistic well-being.

Learn from Setbacks:
Every soggy sleeping bag came with a lesson—often funny, always formative.

Cultivate Emotional Intelligence and Empathy:
Understanding how different people respond to stress (like camping) builds awareness and compassion.

Lead with Integrity and Authenticity:
This unscripted episode models honesty, vulnerability, and humor—real stories from real women.

Pursue Knowledge and Self-Improvement:
Every experience, no matter how muddy, is a chance to grow—and maybe keep a dry pair of socks in your bag next time.

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🌱 Tools to Resiliency: Practical Applications

  • Try Something Uncomfortable (On Purpose): Step out of your routine. Go on a hike, say yes to a last-minute trip, or cook without a recipe. The unexpected is fertile ground for growth.

  • Create Your Own Resilience Mantra: Pam and Natalie use “Did you die?” as a playful check-in. What simple phrase helps you reframe your challenges?

  • Laugh More, Worry Less: When things go wrong, challenge yourself to find the funny—especially in hindsight.

  • Be the Friend Who Brings the Tarp (and the Snacks): Community support is a cornerstone of resilience. Show up for someone—even when conditions aren’t ideal.

Thank you for joining us on this unexpected—but unforgettable—journey through the wild (both literal and emotional). As Pam and Natalie remind us, resilience isn’t about getting it all right. It’s about embracing the mess, telling your story, and asking: “Did you die?” (If not—keep going. You’ve got this.)

With strength, humor, and sisterhood,
The Reignite Resilience Team