The Life of Try

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“Sometimes magic is just someone spending more time on something than anyone else might reasonably expect.” – Teller

In 44 episodes of producing the How to Share podcast, I realized that while I’m passionate about how to share, what I’m really interested is trying. Trying is a little upstream from sharing. We try experiments in our life, we learn, and then we share.

Trying feels right to me because matches my background as an engineer and consultant. Also, I see it in my kids as they develop new skills. And I’m fascinated by how we conduct experiments as foundational part of building confidence.

So I’ve spent some time reswizzling the podcast as The Life of Try – a podcast focusing on where innovation, reinvention, personal growth, and discovery begin with one simple choice: to try. Even when it’s uncomfortable. Even when you’d rather not. Even when life makes the decision for you.

The Life of Try will feature conversations with authors, scientists, athletes, researchers, coaches, and more to help inspire your personal try-cycle. And I’m debuting a brand-new segment—one that “reverse engineers” what world-class trying really looks like.

In this episode our case study is professional climber Alex Honnold, whose headline-making feats—from free soloing El Capitan in Yosemite to scaling the Taipei 101 Tower this January—offer a masterclass in what it takes to attempt the extraordinary.

I break down the real ingredients behind big outcomes: preparation, learning from others, and staying steady through setbacks—and how those same principles apply to the goals we’re chasing every day. Whether you’re gearing up to speak in public, throw a pitch, or learn a new song, you can borrow these lessons and put them to work in your own try-cycle.

This is The Life of Try.

Here’s a teaser clip that shows a bit of what I think is so compelling about Alex Honnold:

Here are some ways you can listen and watch this inspiring episode:

Please listen, watch, provide feedback and subscribe.

47-From Stuck to Momentum: Thomas Edison’s Method for Progress (Try, Learn, Improve, Repeat) – The Life of Try: Personal growth, one try at a time.

Feeling stuck? This episode of The Life of Try uses the story of Thomas Edison to reframe progress: not as one perfect breakthrough, but as a steady practice of continuing to try. Behind the famous light bulb moment is a mindset of learning from what doesn’t work, building momentum through small improvements, and staying in motion long enough for your next step to appear.You’ll hear five practical lessons—be systematic, don’t do it alone, keep improving, apply what you learn across areas, and rest (yes, naps count)—plus a bonus insight on the tension between creativity and control. If you’re working on a project, a habit change, or a long-shot goal, this conversation is an invitation to get unstuck by taking the next try.Get unstuck by focusing on the next controllable stepMake progress through iteration—small wins that compound over timeKeep going with support, structure, and restCreate more, control lessThe Life of Try is a personal growth and self‑help podcast about getting unstuck, navigating uncertainty, and choosing to try—even when it’s uncomfortable, inconvenient, or not your idea.Hosted by Wynne Leon, the show explores how real growth, reinvention, and discovery often begin not with confidence or clarity—but with a single attempt. Through thoughtful interviews, reflective conversations, and real‑world case studies, each episode examines what it looks like to keep going when doubt shows up, plans fall apart, or life forces a change you didn’t ask for.This podcast is for anyone who:Feels stuck or uncertain about what’s nextIs navigating change, burnout, or reinventionWants to live more intentionally without pretending growth is easyBelieves progress starts by trying—again and againThe Life of Try isn’t about hustle or perfection. It’s about learning as you go, surfacing what matters, and sharing what you discover along the way.If you’re ready to surf the uncertainty, outlast the doubts, and step into your own try‑cycle, you’re in the right place.Links for this episode:From Stuck to Momentum: Thomas Edison's Method for Progress show notesThe Genius of Patience: Five Lessons from Thomas Edison transcriptEdison by Edmund Morris Thomas Edison on WikipediaAfter the Super Bowl, Seahawks Coach Mike Macdonald Kept Repeating 2 Words. It's a Lesson in How to Win on Inc.com
  1. 47-From Stuck to Momentum: Thomas Edison’s Method for Progress (Try, Learn, Improve, Repeat)
  2. 46: The Quiet Transformation That Changes Everything
  3. 45: The Life of Try: Alex Honnold Case Study
  4. How to Share a Reimagined Sci-Fi Trilogy with Dr. Wayne Runde
  5. How to Share Advocacy with Sam Daley-Harris Part 2

Links for this episode:

The Life of Try: Alex Honnold Case Study transcript

⁠Free Solo: A National Geographic documentary⁠

⁠Alex Honnold Free Solo Climbs Tapei 101 Skyscraper⁠

(featured photo is of El Capitan and sourced from Pexels)

72 thoughts on “The Life of Try”

  5. Love the “Life of Try” as a new moniker and concept, Wynne! And the reminder that we need people around us to give feedback, help us understand our goals, accomplishments. So much is missed when we have our individual blinders up…dear ones so often bring clarity I miss. 💝😊💝

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  7. I’m really looking forward to this as I have learned most everything in my life via the trial and error method as I’ve mentioned before in reference to many things. I’m so proud of you for trying this!!!!

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  8. I love this, Wynne! It’s in trying that we gain our confidence and strength. It’s also where we build our faith. I’m currently in the “trying” phase of something. It’s something so simple, yet the amount of willpower it’s taking me to do it, is insane. I’m only four days in. My goal is 30 days. I needed this as motivation to keep going! Thank you!!💗🌺🌷

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  12. I think the Earth just shook Wynne. I’m serious. It feels like an important seismic shift. Ten years from now you’ll look back and go wow, that really hit home. It does for me anyway. Life is about trying. We focus so much on failure. That’s the wrong message. It really should be about trying and what we learned. I can’t wait for future podcasts and the Wynne best seller on how trying makes a difference. Love it. Thanks for the simple but important message!!!!!

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      1. I may be an encourager, but you’ve definitely hit gold with your focus on trying and sharing. We focus way too much on failure in our culture. Failure fails to take in the whole picture. Trying is much more productive and a bigger part of ghe journey!

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  13. Oooo, I love the title The Life of Try, Wynne. Congrats on the “reswizzle” and different focus. I look forward to insights on trying. It’s a critical step again and again for all of us as we navigate life (even young children learning to climb stairs.) Trying is constant. You will have no shortage of content!! 😊 I like your friend’s quote that he is an open book, but he needs readers to help him find the best pages. Boy, trying is easier when you’re not doing it alone. Wise words!

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  17. I love the opening quote Wynne! It’s so much what propels us forward and trying is truly a recipe for moving forward. Alex’s story is inspiring and we all can try. Try and try again and eventually things come into fruition. Love Life of Try!!!❣️

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      1. You probably felt I wasn’t done on my bandwagon. I almost said and will now, I often say to people, “try to pick this up” and they pick it up and I say, “see you did it”. You either do it or you don’t and it’s the same with everything. Only I say there is no trying, you just do it and if you can’t you try until you can. xxx🤗🙌🏽💕

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  18. Life of Try is a great name for a podcast! Breaking down those key ingredients are going to be so valuable for all of us in our try-cycle. I’m looking forward to all the episodes. Thank you for this. 💞

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  21. the first thing I thought of when I saw the theme of this post was Teddy Roosevelt (and his essay about being in the Arena ) It’s the willingness to get into the arena and fail/ to look stupid, and not be one of those timid souls that knows neither victory or defeat. The first time I went roller skating, I was in my early 20’s took a group of 8th graders…I knew going into it, I was going to look like a complete dufuss ( I did) and the kids loved it. I was WAY out of my normal comfort zone. I think pride (fear of looking foolish) is a huge reason people don’t try, in all sorts of situations.

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    1. Oh, you hit on so many important points here, Doug. It’s the willingness to get into the arena — yes, yes, yes. And our pride and fear get in the way. So well said. Thank you, my friend!

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  24. I like the title “The Life of Try “

    and I enjoyed the snippet you shared here – and I must apologize for not going over to listen to the full podcasts – but I am super busy this season and podcasts do not work for me – but blogging still has a place and so I am glad that I can still read some of your posts! cheers to trying!

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  26. I love it. The life of Try. You got me thinking…what am I willing to work on repeatedly until I master it? I think this includes relationships, creating, and for me learning to let go of the ropes and allow things to flow. Hugs, C

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