We recently connected with Laquita Dian and have shared our conversation below.

Laquita, appreciate you joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Oh my goodness, my entire life has been shaped by my risk-taking. Some risks have been more calculated, and others have been out of my perceived necessity. Taking risks is often seen as taking a reckless step into the unknown, but for me, it’s also one of the most effective ways to grow, achieve, and influence change.

This question inspires me to share one of the more audacious risks I have taken in my life, which truly provoked the most impactful, life-altering change for not only myself but my two young children as well. I’ll go way back to the mid-80s when I was newly divorced and a single mother. I was certain that by broadening our horizons and embracing new possibilities, our heartache would be healed. I moved the three of us from California to Bali, Indonesia.

Bali offered a chance to begin anew, away from the shadows of our past. It was an opportunity to rebuild our life on my terms, free from the constraints and expectations I had left behind. I believed that exposing my children to foreign cultures, values, differences, and traditions would give them a broader, richer perspective. Bali’s emphasis on community, spirituality, and simplicity was the foundation I wanted for their upbringing.

I also saw the move as an adventure that would teach Aaron and Arielle resilience, adaptability, and an appreciation for diversity. I wanted them to grow up with memories of exploring different ways of life as well as beaches, jungles, and temples – not confined by our previously conventional way of life.

It did indeed turn out to be a transformative journey. By taking this bold step, I demonstrated to myself and my children the power of bravery and belief in the unknown. That move has become a cornerstone in my family’s story – validating that the risks we take can enhance our love, growth, vision, and the possibility of creating and experiencing something extraordinary.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My world, as an international importer of antiquities, fine art, and oriental rugs was reshaped in 1999 when my young son suffered a catastrophic, disabling spinal cord injury. I immediately retired from my career as an importer to become a full-time caregiver to my son, Aaron Baker.

I had no idea what our future looked like. I only knew that the doctor’s prognosis of my son having a “one in a million” chance of ever feeding himself again would be true if I did not take action to help him.
The following years were solely dedicated to his recovery process, which began with tiny increments of improvement and flickers of movement.

We incorporated riding a tandem bicycle (a bicycle built for 2) in 2003 to further his recovery process. I was the captain (front seat), and Aaron was the stoker (back seat). In the beginning, we could only ride for 5 minutes at a time, Aaron would collapse into my back due to his inability to hold himself upright. We diligently turned the 5 minutes into 10, then 20, and so on. 2 years later, we competed in bike marathons. We decided to set out on a cross-country bike tour in 2007 to continue the progression. I managed the tour and rode aboard the tandem bicycle with Aaron. We aimed to embark on something audacious, invigorating, and challenging, with a healthy dose of fear mixed in. Our recovery process became a mission to showcase the power of possibility after suffering adversity. Once this tour concluded, we did it again the following year, only this time Aaron was on a specially fabricated trike, with me behind him on my own bike. A few years after the second tour concluded, we opened a restorative exercise gym center that specialized in disabling conditions. Our goal was to provide the necessary environment and opportunities vital for recovery. We sold the gym to our business partner just months before Covid struck in 2020.

In another redefining period following the sale of the gym, and two decades of work, progression, and rebuilding our lives, Aaron and I both wrote books. We have dedicated our lives to sharing what we have discovered along the way. My book is titled “Rise Together – The Art of Climbing Out Of The Ditch”. The subtitle is definitely not metaphorically speaking; I was in several ditches along the way. I lifted the curtain in the book in ways I never had, sharing the good, the bad, and the ugly – raw and unfiltered. The book chronicles my life before, for context, and our path after injury. I give special emphasis on the art of caregiving. Most of us, at some point in our lives, will be faced with major decisions and plans regarding the care of a loved one. Whether it be caring for a child or a spouse in ill health, or an aging parent – it is an inevitable part of our existence. It does not have to be as exaggerated as my experience to be highly impactful on your life and your state of well-being.

Rise Together isn’t just a story of struggle, it’s a story of hope and full of practical and actionable insights based on my decades of hands-on trauma recovery that can apply to any difficult situation. Aaron’s book, “The Rebellious Recovery – Transform Your Adversity Into Adventure” is a brilliant accounting of his recovery process, as a young athlete, and all he has masterfully cultivated as a student of his body, mind, and spirit.

After the release of “Rise Together” in April 2024, it has found eager readers in a multitude of places; from hospital rooms where patients and medical staff alike felt comfort, motivation, and direction, to becoming a voice at law conferences offering fresh perspectives to professionals and a deeper understanding of the needs of those they represent. It has also become a centerpiece at home book clubs, sparking inspired conversations with others facing adversity. I am proud to serve as a speaker, consultant, and mentor, roles that allow me to inspire and guide others. This new chapter in my life is filled with promise and possibility as new doors open to meaningful opportunities and connections.

I believe that if one heart can be touched by my experiences, then every challenge I have faced has found its purpose.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

The most important aspect that has impacted and guided me the most, in everything I have done and do, is to A.C.T. – Action, Changes, Things.
When a project, event, or change feels overwhelming or I don’t know how to respond or where to begin, I revert to my basics:: to A.C.T. It reminds me that progress begins with a single step, no matter how small the step is, just begin. This can be applied to any field or circumstance.

-ACTION: The first step. It’s the decision to stop waiting for circumstances to improve on their own and to take control of your narrative. Action isn’t always grand – it can be as small as deciding to put one foot in front of the other, making a phone call, or reaching out for advice. The next step is setting a goal, and then determining the incremental steps to achieve that goal. Whatever you do, take action to move forward.

-CHANGES: Every action sets change into motion. Even the smallest effort can shift momentum, creating opportunities, altering perspectives, and opening doors that once seemed locked.

-THINGS: The results of change may vary – new solutions, unexpected growth, or even a fresh sense of hope. The “things” in life that feel immovable begin to shift when we take consistent, purposeful steps.

A.C.T. ACTION CHANGES THINGS is much more than a simple motivational phrase; it’s a call to embrace the power we have to influence our lives and the world around us.

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Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

After Aaron’s injury, I did not accept his dire condition – I chose to become his strength where his body fell short.

One day, 4 years after his injury, Aaron spotted a tandem bicycle (a bicycle built for 2) hanging on the wall of the gym center we attended for his rehabilitation process. He asked his therapist to take it down to see If he could ride it with the therapist riding on the front seat. Upon completion of a short ride, Aaron looked at me, smiling, saying “You’re next”! Of course, I said YES! At that time, my ability was what enabled him to do things his paralyzed body could not.

In theory, we painstakingly made our plans to ride the tandem together. Once it was time for execution, an unexpected surge of self-doubt came over me. My hands were cold and wet from nervousness and I was visibly shaking, which caught Aaron off guard. He was dependent on me and my ability to maneuver the bike safely. I saw the look of despair and defeat in his eyes, which suddenly fueled my ability. I needed to navigate the bike with him strapped onto it with confidence and strength. I demanded it of myself and I found a treasure trove of willpower and resilience I wasn’t aware of or connected to until then.

We went on to compete in 5 biking marathons and completed 2 cross-country bike tours, The Rise Above Tour. A mother and her son, a recovering quadriplegic.

This was no temporary effort – our process of recovery was over many many years. Consistent dedication proves that resilience isn’t a one-time act, but a daily choice to persevere, to do the work, and to show up… no matter the odds. By channeling my pain into purpose, I discovered an extraordinary capacity to adapt and thrive under pressure.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.laquitadian.com
• Instagram: @laquitadian
• Facebook: Laquita Dian
• Linkedin: Laquita Dian
• Twitter: Laquita Dian @LaquitaD88032

Image Credits

Melanie Manson