Brave, By Definition
A few years ago, a glass of wine and a Facebook post led me to a friendship I never expected. My realtor in California saw a photo I'd posted from a winery near our new home in Tennessee and realized she was building a house nearby. That small coincidence grew into a community: a group of women, all transplants from Santa Clarita, who now share lunches, pickleball, and each other's lives.
One of those women is Bonnie Marquez. Her son Peyton was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a disease that slowly takes away the body's ability to move. I had the opportunity to interview Bonnie for my podcast, DunnWise Perspectives, and learned even more about Peyton and his journey to fight the disease.
Duchenne works by attacking dystrophin, the protein that works like glue and holds muscle fibers together. Without it, every tear the body would normally repair on its own instead breaks down for good, until muscle separates from bone and mobility goes with it. It eventually affects the heart as well, since that, too, is a muscle.
Bonnie first noticed something was wrong when Peyton was six, and his younger brother was starting to catch up in size. She imagined he needed some growth hormones and took him to the doctor. They drew eight vials of blood. He never flinched or cried. Looking back, Bonnie sees that as a preview of his future bravery.
During our conversation, Bonnie shared many of the medical details Peyton and his family had to endure: clinical trials, a $3.2 million gene therapy, fighting the insurance company, a recovery that tested the whole family.
What stood out the most throughout the conversation was Peyton’s joy, stamina, and bravery. At one point they needed to decide whether to go through with a risky treatment or not, knowing a child had recently died from the same procedure. Peyton’s answer said it all, "I know what my life is gonna be like if I don't."
That's resilience at its core. Peyton fights back with every cell of his body, and he celebrates each win, because none of the wins are small.
While many families save the big adventures for someday, Peyton's family decided someday is now. They travel frequently, say yes whenever they can, and make sure Peyton experiences as much of the world as possible.
One very memorable trip was climbing Half Dome, a trek that most able-bodied individuals wouldn’t try, but when Peyton made the request, his father found a way, recruiting family and friends to help carry Peyton to the top.
They turned their grief into Peyton's Project, a nonprofit with a mission to fund medical equipment for families and medical research at UCLA and Vanderbilt.
When Bonnie shared a desire to host a charity gala in Nashville, the SCV Squad stepped in and launched the Barrels of Strength event in Middle Tennessee. 2026 will be the third year with a goal to exceed what we’ve raised in prior years. We hope to fill the room at Magnolia Farm in Eagleville, Tennessee on Saturday, August 29. Visit the Barrels of Strength page for more information on sponsoring, attending or donating a silent auction item.
Bonnie used one word more than any other in our conversation: brave. Peyton is brave. His brothers are brave, in their own quieter way. And Bonnie, though she'd never claim the word for herself, is the bravest of all, choosing hope on the hard days because the alternative isn't an option she's willing to take.
If this story moves you the way it moved me, I'd encourage you to hear it in Bonnie's own words. Our full conversation is available now on the podcast. You can find it on my website, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
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My podcast, DunnWise Perspectives: Stories of Resilience and Shifting Mindsets, is now live. I’d love for you to take a listen.
If you’re looking for clarity in your business or career, visit my website: dunnwise.com.
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