Dee Anna: From Survivor to Disabled Adventuress – Finding Strength in Nature.

Dee Anna's story is one of resilience, adventure, and refusing to let society define her limits.

Born with a genetic mutation that affected her mobility, she faced a lifetime of challenges—from intensive physiotherapy as a child to being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2022. Along the way, she also navigated severe autism, trauma, and life-altering setbacks that could have stopped her in her tracks. But instead, she turned to the outdoors.

In this episode, Dee shares how thru-hiking the South West Coast Path became the turning point that changed everything. With no home, no job, and facing immense personal struggles, she took a leap of faith and embarked on a 71-day journey that helped her reclaim her life.

We talk about the power of movement, nature’s role in healing, and why adventure should be accessible to everyone.

Now, as a scientist, outdoor journalist, and founder of The Introvert Magazine, Dee is on a mission to inspire others to embrace nature, break barriers, and live life on their own terms.

This is a powerful and deeply moving conversation about survival, self-discovery, and the courage to forge your own path. Don’t miss it!

*Please be aware that this episode contains discussions of suicidal thoughts, severe trauma, and sexual assault.

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Listen to Dee Now!

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Show notes

• Who is Dee

• Disabled Adventuress, scientist, outdoor journalist, writer, naturalist and photographer 

• Living in South Wales, surrounded by wonderful nature

• Being born in Poland and growing up in Sussex

• Her early year and growing up with severe autism and being mute

• Not socialising with other people but spending time in the outdoors 

• Being interested in the natural world from a young age

• Feeling safe in nature 

• Studying biology and chemistry at a high level 

• Being born with a genetic mutation 

• Being severely disabled and going through intensive physical therapy to be able to walk 

• Building internal resilience and mental strength

• Her first big solo adventure in 2023

• Walking the South West Coast Path 

• Dealing with severe trauma and complicated medical conditions

• Losing her job, her house and partner and having no where to go

• Wanting to end her life, after being sexually assaulted while at work

• Fighting to get her case heard

• Wanting to be alive

• Trying to fit in and realising that life hasn’t being build for her and deciding to live the life she wants to live

• Deciding to go for it and making a decision overnight 

• Focusing on a goal 

• Dragging herself to the train station to get to the start of the SWCP

• How her body started to become stronger while walking 

• Spending 71 days on the trail and why it was the greatest adventure of her life

• Why it was a healing experience 

• Movement, nature, animals and being exposure to nature

• Meeting good people on the trail 

• Walking every day and noticing the positive changes in her body 

• The theory that people who have ADHD are people who come from hunter gatherers 

• How the trail will provide

• Starting The Introvert Magazine 

• The impact of stress on her body

• Working on an Adventure Guide 

• Wanting the book to be as inclusive as possible

• Wanting to bring as many people as possible to experience nature

• Interviewing people and taking over 200 photos for the book

• Going snorkelling with the Scottish Wildlife Trust 

• Looking at it as a life project

• Having a shorter life span compared to others

• Wanting to work on projects that are a passion

• Embracing her life as a gift and a blessing 

• Wanting to be grateful for every moment

• Wanting to giveback to society 

• Building her instagram community 

• What can people expect from her social media

• Sharing her life as it is

• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 

• You have to be tolerant with others but strict with yourself  - Marcus Aurelius 

• Feeling isolated and alone

• Advice for women with autism and ADHD

• Struggling to get outside and advice and tips to do so

• Meet ups?

• Women’s Safety 

• Planning or not planning for adventures 

• Being pulled in 2 different directions

• Allowing flexibility on the adventure 

• Finding out what works for you

• Women’s safety while on the trail 

• Her 10-year career in the police 

• Words of advice 

• Why its about believing in yourself 

• Don’t compare yourself to others

• Start small  

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Social Media

Website www.deecrute.com

Instagram @deedee.reporter

Facebook @dee.crute

YouTube  @dee.crute 

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