9TH RALLY EDITION: OCTOBER 10 – 19, 2024

#166

Heck Yeah!

We’re a couple of best friends determined to get the most out of what’s left of our lives! We might seem like an unlikely duo because of our diverse backgrounds — the owner of a construction supply company that’s out building bridges and roads (@kwonn6) and a former resort president on the Las Vegas Strip (@rwest702), but we share a common core that has forged an unbreakable friendship – we both love adventures and we aren’t afraid to make mistakes and take risks. Showing up to the rally last year with almost no practice under our belt and a vague understanding of navigation felt like getting a sip of water from a firehose! If you only look at the stats, our lack of preparation showed. But for us, we stay true to our core and crushed our goals – “stay friends, have fun and finish.” This year we’re recycling those goals with the expectation of doing it all better! Although it’s hard to pinpoint how, Rebelle changed us- maybe it’s simply realizing that life is now and even when we don’t feel ready, our answer is always Heck Yeah!
Sponsored By:

Just us – Team Heck Yeah

Renee West

Switching roles

I used to be a hard-charging, schedule and budget driven CEO on the Las Vegas Strip. Today, my favorite people call me Nana and I spend my time having fun and lingering with the people I love the most. Nothing excites me more than an adventure with "loose" plan because then EVERYTHING is possible!

Occupation:

Retired Sr Executive, MGM Resorts

Residence:

Las Vegas, NV USA

Favorite Quote:

"The Purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience." --Eleanor Roosevelt

Fun Fact:

I spent a night tending bar and pulling pints in one of the oldest pubs in Dublin, Ireland.

Why the Rebelle? Why now?

We had a blast last year - in spite of being painfully unprepared and ill. Some people advised us to wait until we were actually "ready." At this stage of life, I didn't want to take a chance on missing this opportunity - it may not come around again. Our goals were to stay friends, have fun and finish. Mission Accomplished! This year, I'm grateful I can have an opportunity to take another swing at this - we plan to take more showers, stay healthy and finish better!

Who, or what, inspires you most?

I'm inspired by people who have successfully reinvented themselves throughout their lives to remain relevant. For example, after a childhood spent in poverty, Louis Hay started her career as a model, however, decades later, in her 60s she founded Hayhouse publishing and ran it until her death 30 years later. What a pivot!

Top three favorite podcasts / books / shows

The Doctors Farmacy
Cheaper Than Therapy
The Drive

Greatest adventure to date?

I've walked the 500 mile long Camino de Santiago twice. I trekked alone in 2016 and then again in 2019 with my grandson. Both Camino journeys were life changing!

Prior Years Competed:

2022

Awards Achieved:

Karen Wonnenberg

Switching roles

I founded and operate a construction supply company that is part of just about every road and bridge project in the state of California. I'm married and have 2 beautiful, grown daughters and I'm an eternal optimist! No matter what the challenge, I just know that somehow I can figure out a solution!

Occupation:

Business Owner

Residence:

Eldorado Hills, CA USA

Favorite Quote:

Do what you have to do so you can do what you want to do! --kwonn

Fun Fact:

When I was 8 years old, Gene Cernan, Apollo 10 astronaut/pilot of the lunar module and the last person to walk on the moon visited our home in the Oregon sand dunes. I got to drive him around in the sand in our buggy to help him prepare for driving on the moon. He got stuck, I didn't.

Why the Rebelle? Why now?

We are not promised tomorrow - the passing of my mother earlier this year has really brought this home to roost for me. I had planned to spend a lot of time with her this year - I thought I had time. Pancreatic cancer had different plans and she died on January 1, the first day of the year and my birthday. When you're in the game, Rebelle requires your full attention. It would be easy to wait until there was time for all of the preparation, but we don't have time - life is now.

Who, or what, inspires you most?

Even in death, my mom continues to inspire me. Through the difficult and painful days and nights of cancer, she was always sweet, lovely and interested in other people. Just because you're not having your best day, doesn't mean you get to be unpleasant to others.

Top three favorite podcasts / books / shows

Joe Rogan
Prince Borghese’s Trail
Shameless

Greatest adventure to date?

Rebelle Rally 2022! Completely unprepared and sick, we met our goals - stay friends, have fun and finish!

Prior Years Competed:

2022

Awards Achieved:

Vehicle

2012 Toyota Tacoma