"My younger self would be proud of my choice to leave behind a career, a title, and a paycheck to forge my own path."
In Profile: Dina Bell-Laroche
In Profile is a monthly segment of We’re All Getting Older, where we explore living joyful and meaningful lives so we can die happy later.
knows something about one of those life quakes that changes the trajectory of your life and creates a “before and after.” Dina’s baby sister died of a rare cancer in 2001, and that experience changed her life. She has returned to university several times since then, traveled to Nicaragua to build classrooms in honor of her sister, launched Grief Unleashed, and wrote a book of the same title.
Dina is the mother of three beautiful adult children and the wife of her high-school sweetheart. (“He still makes my heart go pitter-patter.”) She works in the field of elite sport. From 1992 to 2000, she participated in five Olympic Games as part of the Team Canada Mission Staff.
Dina and her family live in Kanata, Ontario, Canada. You can learn more about Dina through her Substack publication, The Grieving Place.
IN WHICH GENERATION DO YOU BELONG?
Gen X: 1965 - 1980
DO YOU WORK? IF SO, WHAT DO YOU DO?
I am a Partner with Sport Law, a boutique sport management firm that offers legal and leadership support to sport organizations. I launched Grief Unleashed in 2021 to advocate for grief and loss literacy and traveled to various parts of Canada to promote my book and offer training to foster grief and loss awareness.
WHAT WOULD THE 25-YEAR-OLD VERSION OF YOU THINK OF YOU TODAY? HOW ARE YOU MOST DIFFERENT FROM HER?
I think my 25-year-old self would be astonished that I am focusing more of my time on grief and loss. It only came about because of my lived experience with a traumatic loss. However, I think she would recognize my deep commitment to follow my heart and the courage to say YES to life. I also think she'd be so proud of my choice to leave behind a career, a title, and a paycheck to forge my own path. I've continued to work in sports, just differently. I think I'm more patient and gentler with myself now.
WHAT HAS NOT CHANGED ABOUT YOU?
My commitment to holistic sport and to standing up for things that I believe in. I was focusing on healthy, human sport way back in the 90s when I first started in sport. So, it's not surprising to me that I'm still fighting for a person-centered sports experience. I've continued to be loyal, compassionate, and courageous. Those things have not changed.
GOOD OR BAD, WHAT ABOUT YOUR STAGE IN LIFE HAS SURPRISED YOU SO FAR?
What has surprised me the most is how much I've enjoyed slowing down. I feel more integrated and aligned in my body.
WHAT ONE HABIT ARE YOU ACTIVELY WORKING ON THESE DAYS?
My word for 2025 is TENDER. That means being gentle with myself and accepting the changes in my body and what I can and cannot do. Instead of forging ahead, I'm learning how to be with what is. One way I do that is to ease into the morning with meditation and yoga. That helps me get centered for the rest of the day.
WHAT COMES TO MIND WHEN YOU HEAR THE PHRASE ‘FULFILLING LIFE’? HOW HAS YOUR PERSPECTIVE ABOUT THIS CHANGED AS YOU GOT OLDER?
For me, the word fulfilling means meaningful. It means accessing joy. It means aligning with my core values of courage, compassion, and community.
As I’ve matured, I find that different things now make me feel fulfilled. For example, when I turned 50, I woke up and made a list of things I wanted to experience — not do, but experience. As I started to write things down, I realized I wanted to engage in 50 different meaningful events that would bring me joy.
Simply making this list was such a fulfilling experience. On this list was baking cookies with my kids, a sunset kiss with my husband, visiting the site of the ancient and modern-day Olympics in Greece, completing a Grief Companioning Course with Dr. Alan Wolfelt, and so much more.
I loved how this list made me realize how fortunate I am and continue to be. And that I have the power to name and then realize the things that bring me joy.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED ABOUT THESE DAYS?
My husband and I are building our dream home together by the water, and this is a project that is keeping us fulfilled together. I’m also excited about launching into my Grief and Loss work more fully. I've collaborated with several partners and love training coaches and healthcare practitioners on the art of companioning the bereaved. This brings me deep joy.
IF YOU COULD GIVE SOME WORDS OF WISDOM TO SOMEONE 20 YEARS YOUNGER THAN YOU, WHAT MIGHT IT BE?
Get to know yourself. Work on self-love. Give yourself permission to make and learn from any mistakes. Be kind and generous. Take walks in nature. Learn how to breathe. Speak a daily mantra out loud. Write your dreams in a journal. Do something that brings you joy every day.
AND THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION: WHO WAS YOUR FAVORITE SINGER/BAND GROWING UP?
Air Supply! Could not get enough of them.
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"I also think she'd be so proud of my choice to leave behind a career, a title, and a paycheck to forge my own path."
This line really struck me. It speaks to the courage it takes to step outside of our comfort zones and pursue what truly calls to us. It's scary to leave behind the security of a career and a paycheck, but Dina's story shows us that the rewards of following our hearts can be immeasurable. It's a reminder that sometimes, the greatest risks lead to the greatest rewards.
I’m curled up on the sofa reading this and enjoying hearing what you have to say. Soon it will be supper and activities and the hustle of the evenings but thank you for the pause x