Climbing El Capitan at 66: Why It’s Never Too Late to Reinvent Yourself

Most people believe reinvention is something you do in your twenties or maybe thirties, when the world still sees you as flexible, capable, and full of potential. But what if that belief is completely wrong? What if the truth is far more empowering—that it’s never too late to chase a new dream, learn a new skill, or become a completely different version of yourself? Dierdre Wolownick didn’t just question that belief—she crushed it. At 66, she climbed the legendary 3,200-foot granite wall of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. A woman who had lived a relatively quiet, academic life suddenly became the oldest woman ever to scale one of the most intimidating rock faces on the planet. But her message isn’t about climbing. It’s about courage, commitment, and change. In her book Success in 7 Steps, Dierdre shows us that age is not a barrier—it’s often the very reason to begin again.

Before becoming a climber, Dierdre had spent most of her life on the ground. She was a mother, a language teacher, a writer, and an orchestra conductor. Her days were filled with responsibilities—lecturing in classrooms, raising children, editing manuscripts. Athletic achievement wasn’t on her radar. So what changed? Her son, Alex Honnold, became one of the most famous rock climbers in the world, known globally for his ropeless climb of El Capitan—documented in the Oscar-winning film Free Solo. Watching her son risk his life climbing inspired something in Dierdre: not just curiosity, but determination. She didn’t want to stand on the sidelines worrying—she wanted to understand. So at age 59, she started climbing. Seven years later, she stood on top of El Capitan. This wasn’t about defying age. It was about redefining it.

In Success in 7 Steps, Dierdre takes readers through the mindset and method that helped her—and can help anyone—reshape their lives. Her philosophy is simple: you’re never too old, too inexperienced, or too late to become the person you imagine. “I wasn’t born an athlete,” she writes. “But I learned. And if I can do that, you can learn whatever it is you dream of doing.” Her approach isn’t about instant transformation—it’s about steps. The very first step? Believing that change is possible. Then, breaking your goal into a repeatable system built around three questions: What do you need to know?  What do you need to have? What do you need to do? It’s not about being fearless. It’s about being organized. With each step forward, you gain confidence—and with each success, you expand what you believe is possible for your life.

So often, society sends the message that past a certain age, your biggest adventures are behind you. But Dierdre’s story proves the opposite. She argues that age brings focus. Wisdom. Resilience. At 66, she didn’t have time to waste on excuses. She used her life experience to learn efficiently, stay disciplined, and remain committed—qualities many younger people struggle to master. Instead of thinking “it’s too late,” she reframed it: If not now, when? Many of us push dreams aside because we feel it’s no longer “our time.” But Dierdre’s journey reminds us that the time is whenever you choose to start.

One of the most powerful parts of Dierdre’s story is how much she embraced discomfort. Reinvention isn’t easy. You’ll doubt yourself. You’ll hear people question your choices. You’ll be tempted to stop. But in those moments, she urges us to not give up. She explains in the book: “Embracing an outrageous goal is a sort of folly—a warm and fuzzy kind of madness.” But that madness is what leads to breakthroughs. You can’t transform your life by playing it safe. Whether it’s climbing a mountain, writing your first novel, starting a new business, or moving to a new country—every reinvention begins with risk. But every risk is a doorway. You just have to walk through it.

The story of climbing El Capitan is remarkable. But the real triumph lies beneath it. Dierdre’s journey is about reclaiming the narrative of what a woman in her 60s can do. About proving that past roles—mother, teacher, writer—don’t limit your next chapter. About showing that bold, new beginnings aren’t reserved for the young. They’re reserved for the brave. Her 7-step method isn’t just about setting goals—it’s about becoming. Becoming the kind of person who takes action. Who learns. Who adapts. Who dares. And most importantly, someone who no longer sees themselves as stuck or finished—but just getting started.

You don’t need to climb El Capitan to reinvent your life. But you do need to ask yourself: What am I putting off? What have I convinced myself I’m too old, too late, or too scared to try? Dierdre’s story teaches us that there’s nothing more powerful than choosing yourself—even at 66. Reinvention isn’t about changing everything overnight. It’s about taking one small step toward what excites and terrifies you. So whatever your dream is—start climbing. One foothold at a time. One step at a time. Because it’s never too late to become who you were always meant to be.