Rolling Through Life's Challenges: A Conversation with Jenna Udenberg

Kimberly Benoy
1 day ago
3 min read

Hey there, lovely ladies! This week I talked with an incredible guest: Jenna Udenberg. Jenna is a powerhouse—an advocate, educator, author, and a shining example of resilience. Let’s dive into her inspiring story!

Meet Jenna

Jenna lives in the beautiful North Shore of Minnesota on Lake Superior, where she has faced her own challenges with grace. Diagnosed with juvenile arthritis at just seven years old, she was in a manual wheelchair by age eight. Despite these hurdles, Jenna thrived as a music educator for 19 years, inspired by her eighth-grade band director, who saw her as more than just a trumpet player.

Fun Fact: Jenna is still friends with that influential teacher today!

A Pivotal Moment

During the COVID pandemic, Jenna faced a major pivot in her career when her school district decided they could no longer accommodate her work-from-home request. This was a tough time for her, as her invisible disabilities became more pronounced, and she felt a significant loss when she couldn’t say goodbye to her students with a final concert.

Reflection: Sometimes life throws us curveballs, but these moments can lead us to new paths.

From Music to Advocacy

While the end of her teaching career was challenging, it also opened new doors. Jenna became a 2020 Bush Fellow, which gave her the terminology of “accessibility educator.” She founded a nonprofit called Above and Beyond with U and published a memoir titled *Within My Spokes*.

Inspiration: Jenna’s journey shows us that sometimes life’s most difficult moments can lead us to our true calling.

Navigating Life with Juvenile Arthritis

Jenna shared her early experiences with juvenile arthritis, including the challenges of being diagnosed and the journey through various medical opinions. Her story about learning to navigate the healthcare system as a child is both eye-opening and profound.

Key Insight: Children with chronic conditions often face challenges that many adults don’t understand, including navigating complex medical jargon.

Finding Strength in Community

Jenna’s journey has taught her the importance of community and connection. She emphasizes that women in midlife must support one another, and she encourages everyone to engage with those who have disabilities, breaking down barriers and creating a more inclusive environment.

“Leave places and spaces better than how you found them.” This mantra can shape how we interact with others.

The Power of Advocacy

Jenna’s advocacy work is fueled by her desire to create a world where people with disabilities can thrive. She believes in the importance of community conversations and calls for a shift from “doing for” people with disabilities to “doing with” them.

Action Step: Ask questions and engage with those around you—especially those with disabilities. This helps build understanding and empathy.

Embracing Midlife

As Jenna navigates her midlife journey, she recognizes the power of authenticity and self-reflection. She encourages women to lean into their experiences and share their stories, fostering connections and support within their communities.

Wisdom: “Have as much grace for yourself as you have for others.” It’s a gentle reminder that we all face challenges and deserve compassion.

Listen Here

Final Thoughts

Jenna left us with a beautiful reminder to reach out to the women around us—especially those who have walked the path longer than us. There’s so much wisdom and support to be found in connection.

If you want to learn more about Jenna and her nonprofit, check out Above and Beyond with U. You can also find her memoir, *Within My Spokes*, and support her advocacy work.

Ladies, let’s continue to lift each other up and embrace the journey together! What’s one small step you can take this week to support a fellow woman? Let’s chat about it!