Do your own needs sometimes take a backseat to the needs of those you support and care for? Don’t miss this conversation with Dinée Dorame, host/producer of the Grounded Podcast. 🌟

Dinée Dorame is a citizen of the Navajo Nation and also of Yaqui descent. She is Tábąąhá (Edge of Water Clan) and born for Naakai Dine’é (Mexican People Clan). Her maternal grandfather’s clan is Tótsohníí (Big Water Clan) and her paternal grandfather’s clan is Naakai Dine’é. She is an avid runner born and raised in Albuquerque, NM (on Tiwa ancestral lands).

Dinée always loved running, but as she listened to running podcasts she noticed the underrepresentation of Indigenous runners’ rich stories and experiences. She started the Grounded Podcast to share the stories she wanted to hear. The show quickly grew in popularity, and Dinée found a thrilling purpose and impact in her new work. At the same time, though, she was working full-time in a complex and emotionally demanding role. She was stretching herself too thin, and something had to give. Her love for running and her mental health ultimately took the hit.

“I knew as I was approaching 40, 50 episodes that I was not okay... It was getting so tiring to do this unpaid work that I knew was helping people. But at night I was crying… trying to make the deadline. I hadn't pulled all-nighters since college and I was pulling all-nighters because I was going to my job at 9 a.m. and working till five and then finding time to record an episode and edit it. I was putting pretty much everything I had into it…And it was just too much to handle. I don't think I had felt my mental health crumble like that ever before. I finally determined I needed a big break.” Dinée Dorame

The ground covered in this conversation:

• The story behind the creation of the Grounded Podcast.
• The challenges of balancing a full-time job with a passion project.
• Insights into recognizing when it's time for a much-needed break.
• The importance of mental and emotional well-being on Uplifters’ journeys.
• Finding happiness without compromising commitment to the community.

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Episode Summary

-Introducing Dinée:  Dinée Dorame is a citizen of the Navajo Nation and also of Yaqui descent. She is Tábąąhá (Edge of Water Clan) and born for Naakai Dine’é (Mexican People Clan). Her maternal grandfather’s clan is Tótsohníí (Big Water Clan) and her paternal grandfather’s clan is Naakai Dine’é. She is an avid runner born and raised in Albuquerque, NM (on Tiwa ancestral lands) and the Host/Producer of the Grounded Podcast with Dinée Dorame. With nearly a decade of career experience in college access/higher education, Dinée now focuses on the intersection of sport and culture from an Indigenous lens.

- Inspiration Behind "Grounded" Podcast: Dinée talks about her motivation to start the "Grounded" podcast, which stemmed from her family's involvement in sports and her cultural appreciation for running as a Navajo person. The podcast's mission is to provide a platform for indigenous voices in the world of sports and running.

- Balancing Running and Podcasting: She discusses the challenges of maintaining her running routine while running a podcast. Initially, the physical act of running became intertwined with her podcast, making it challenging to find a balance. The podcast's growth added extra responsibilities and disrupted her self-care routine.

- Taking a Hiatus and Prioritizing Mental Health: Dinée shares how she decided to take a hiatus from the podcast to prioritize her mental health and well-being. The decision was prompted by her realization that she had been working relentlessly without taking a significant break since high school. The hiatus allowed her to address her mental health, injuries, and trauma accumulated over the years.

- Finding Balance and Sustainability: Dinée discusses her commitment to maintaining a healthy work-life balance and personal happiness as a priority. She acknowledges the need to focus on her own happiness while continuing to support her community.

- Responsibility to Set an Example: She expresses her sense of responsibility to set an example for other Native women by prioritizing happiness. She believes that personal joy is a crucial element that many Native women do not get to experience often.

-Taking Back Responsibility for Her Happiness: The next chapter in Dinée's life is about returning the responsibility for her own happiness. She wants to honor her truth and integrity, free from external expectations or constraints.