We recently had the chance to connect with Annette Whittenberger and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Annette, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
What I am most proud of building — that nobody sees — is the strength to start over when life as I knew it completely fell apart.
I’ve lost pieces of myself, relationships, and dreams I thought were permanent. I’ve walked away from things I poured my whole heart into, only to find myself standing at the bottom again, questioning if I had it in me to rise one more time. What nobody sees are the countless nights of doubt, the private tears, the prayers whispered into the dark, and the moments when giving up felt easier than moving forward.
What I’ve built in those unseen moments is resilience. I’ve rebuilt my voice, my confidence, and my ability to trust myself. I’ve created a foundation made of courage, authenticity, and faith that even in starting over, I am never starting from scratch — I am starting from experience.
That invisible strength, the one that keeps me showing up despite it all, is what I’m most proud of.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Annette Marie Whittenberger, a retired U.S. Army Major turned entrepreneur, storyteller, and advocate. After 17 years of service and navigating the challenges of transition, mental health, and starting over, I created A Wild Ride Called Life™ — a storytelling and media platform that bridges the gap between the military and civilian worlds.
What makes my work unique is that it’s rooted in authenticity. I don’t just share the highlight reel — I talk about the struggles, the heartbreaks, and the messy in-between moments that often go unseen. Through my company, I’ve expanded into AWRCL Media, where I use music, podcasting, writing, and live media coverage to amplify voices, share stories that matter, and create safe spaces for conversations around healing, resilience, and growth.
Right now, I’m working on building AWRCL Media into a hub for connection and impact — from covering major events and interviewing artists to producing creative projects that shed light on mental health, military life, and personal transformation. My journey has been one of loss, reinvention, and faith, and I hope that through my work, people see that starting over isn’t the end — it’s the beginning of something powerful.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memory of feeling powerful was during my time in the Army when I was entrusted with leading soldiers for the very first time. I remember standing in front of them — nervous, unsure if I was ready — but realizing in that moment that they were looking to me for guidance, protection, and strength. It wasn’t about having all the answers; it was about showing up, being present, and carrying the responsibility of their trust.
That memory has stayed with me because it taught me that true power isn’t about control or titles — it’s about impact. It’s about the ability to inspire, to lead by example, and to create a space where others feel seen, heard, and valued. That same sense of power continues to guide me today, whether I’m building my media company, sharing my story, or starting over after loss. It’s the reminder that even in the hardest seasons of life, I can still stand tall and lead with purpose.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes — more than once. After retiring from the Army, I went through some of the hardest seasons of my life: battling my own mental health, going through a divorce, and losing pieces of the life I thought I had built forever. There were moments when the weight of it all felt too heavy, when starting over from scratch seemed impossible, and when I questioned if my voice or my work even mattered.
But every time I reached that breaking point, something in me refused to quit. Sometimes it was my kids, sometimes it was the memory of those who never got the chance to keep going, and sometimes it was just a small flicker of faith that tomorrow could be different. I realized that giving up would mean silencing not just my own story, but the stories of others who needed to know they weren’t alone.
So yes, I almost gave up — but instead, I chose to rise. And that choice has led me here, building something greater than I ever imagined from the very pieces I thought were broken.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes — the public version of me is the real me, but it’s not the whole me. What people see online or on stage is the same person who’s been through loss, transition, and rebuilding — the veteran, the mother, the storyteller. My posts, my interviews, and my work are rooted in authenticity because I never want to create a false highlight reel.
But like anyone, there are parts of me that are private — the quiet moments of doubt, the behind-the-scenes work, the tears that nobody sees. The public version of me is the version that has chosen to be brave with my story so others know they’re not alone. It’s not a performance; it’s my real life, shared with intention and purpose.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I think the biggest misunderstanding about my legacy might be that people will only see the highlights — the books, the media company, the speaking engagements — and assume it was built with ease or certainty. What they may not realize is that so much of my story has been built from struggle, loss, and starting over when I thought I had nothing left to give.
My legacy isn’t about perfection or having it all figured out. It’s about resilience, authenticity, and choosing to use my pain as a platform to help others heal. People might misunderstand and think it was about ambition or spotlight, but in truth, it has always been about service — creating space for voices that often go unheard, and proving that even in brokenness, you can build something powerful that lasts.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.awildridecalledlife.com
- Instagram: @a_wild_ride_called_life
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annette-whittenberger-a-wild-ride-called-life-/
- Twitter: @awildridecalledlife
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annette.whittenberger
- Youtube: @awildridecalledlife
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-364414244
Image Credits
I have rights to all images
