meet paul wayne
Paul’s story is one of family, perseverance, and rediscovering passion. He met his wife, Wendi, at Washington State University before pursuing his law degree at Gonzaga. After welcoming their first daughter in Montana while working for a Federal Judge, Paul and Wendi settled in Boise, where they built both a business and a family, raising four children together.
Much later in life, when Wendi faced a life-threatening cancer diagnosis, Paul stepped into the role of caretaker — a journey that changed him forever. Her recovery was a table set for one, as he fell into an emotional collapse so prevalent among caregivers following the battle. As part of his healing process, Paul returned to writing, a life-long love that gave him the space to process, reflect, and share the lessons he learned about resilience, caregiving, and finding your way back when life takes you off course.
pre gut punch highlights
Paul Wayne Pennington is the author of Gut Punch, a memoir chronicling the emotional collapse and steadfast resilience of a caregiver during his loved one's battle with aggressive cancer. A law school graduate and entrepreneur, Paul has started companies, worked alongside private equity and held leadership roles with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Idaho and the Gonzaga Law School Foundation Board. He currently serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Idaho College of Law. Paul and Wendi split their time between Idaho and Scottsdale, Arizona, where they enjoy their found children and three grandchildren.
