Get to know: Gini Dietrich

You know the Trust Insights team for the work we do. Did you know that there are humans behind the machines? Believe it. We thought you’d enjoy getting to know us on a more personal level. Here are some things you might not know about Advisor Gini Dietrich:

Do you believe in ghosts?

OF COURSE I DO! When I was a teenager, my grandfather died. He was my bestie. A few days after he died, I had a really bad dream (I’m prone to nightmares) and he was sitting on the end of my bed, talking me through it. To this day, I feel spirits around me and I think my small child may actually see them. No joke.

How many bones have you broken?

I had never broken a bone in my life until about 10 years ago. Then I started riding my bicycle competitively and, because I am super competitive and I like to ride REALLY fast, I’ve broken a few in crashes. My favorite broken bone story is I had a really, really bad accident a few years ago. I broke my hip—and I have a hematoma (yes, have…because I’m too chicken to have it drained) named Toby. Last year, I went to have Toby x-rayed to see if he needed to be drained. The orthopedic came into the room, put the x-rays on the screen and said, “When did you break your pelvis?” Uh…no clue? I guess it was during that bad accident, but they missed it in the emergency room. And I just kept riding through it.

I also got a compound fracture in my foot when a TV fell on it during a satellite media tour. Nothing like trying to put a brave face on for your client with a bone sticking out of your foot.

Do you eat oreos as a sandwich or do you open them up?

Oh, open them up! Lick the cream out and then eat the cookies with milk.

Dogs or Cats?

Dogs! We have a 15-year-old Weimaraner named Jack Bauer. True to his name, he’s very crafty…and he loves to open the fridge and help himself to butter and chicken. We’re also quite nervous because everyone close to Jack Bauer dies. When will it be our turn?

What superpower would you have?

I would be able to fly! Not in a vehicle or plane, but on my own. Like Superman.

Twizzlers or Red Vines?

Totally unfair question. Are the Twizzlers nibs or are they ropes? And do Red Vines include the licorice ropes you get at the ballpark? I need more information!

One little-known fun fact about you?

This one is hard! I’m a pretty open book. I grew up in Utah and am the oldest of six. I was raised Mormon, which people always find fascinating. I don’t think it’s all that interesting. It’s not any different from any other religion, but you will see things come through in how I talk (I don’t swear—well, not very often anyway) and I say things such as, “Dang it!” But I also love a great glass of wine so that gives you an indication of where I stand in the religion (they don’t look kindly on that at all).

Go to Karaoke song?

Oh heck no! I don’t sing in public. But I will sing “Top of the World” at the top of my lungs if it comes on the radio. OK, let’s be real. The Carpenters are never played on the radio anymore. I’m not sure they ever have been in my lifetime. But it does come up on my Spotify!

What is your spirit animal and why?

I realize this isn’t really a spirit animal, but I love, love, love orangutans. I have a dream of having one come to visit me and we’ll go next door to Dairy Queen, buy an ice cream cone and share it, as we walk down the street holding hands. (And yes, Dairy Queen really is next door. I live in the city.)

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

You know, I go back and forth about this a lot. I would love to live in the Rocky Mountains, preferably on a ski slope with ski in/ski out access. But then I think about all of the conveniences (and Dairy Queen next door) of Chicago and I change my mind. So, while I like to dream, I’m pretty sure Chicago is my one and only.

What do you do on your days off?

I race my bicycle every summer. I’m not the fastest or the strongest, but I have more endurance and I work harder than anyone I know. I also spend a lot of time on my endurance during the winter, when most people take time off. So that allows me to win a few right out of the gate while everyone else is getting back into shape.

I also have a five-year-old who keeps me on my toes—and who loves to play tag or ride on the back of my bike. So I get a lot of exercise in that way, too.

Secret talents?

I can make myself sneeze on command.

Do you speak any other languages?

Does pig latin count? I speak enough French to get around the country, but not enough for them to think I’m not American.

Guilty pleasure?

I am going to preface this by saying that I have an English degree with a focus on creative writing. I’m a literature snob. And my guilty pleasure is John Grisham. I have read everything he’s written. I mean, everything. It’s kind of embarrassing. My college advisor would be so embarrassed for me.

Favorite band/genre of music?

Maybe I should have answered this one under guilty pleasures. I love Top 40s. I know, I know. I have great taste in many other things. Just not in music.

One article of clothing you can’t live without?
Oh! Hmmmm…I guess I’d have to say padded shorts/leggings. Without them, my butt would be in sad, sad shape.

Favorite weird word?

I don’t know if it’s a weird word, but I love the word “serendipity”.

Least favorite food?

Broccoli. Disgusting. And my kid LOVES it. So I have to have it in my house, which grosses me out.

Biggest pet peeve?

Oh, I have many! If I had to choose just one…people eating with their mouths open. I tell my small one to chew with her mouth closed (it feels like I say it on repeat). The other day she was eating apples when I asked her to please chew with her mouth closed. She said, “But apples are crunchy so you will hear me even if my mouth is closed.” Sigh…

Favorite celebrity encounter?

When Michael Jordan lived in Chicago, he owned a great little restaurant in the West Loop. I had a friend who was the bartender there so I’d go and sit at the bar and have dinner. One night, MJ and his entourage came in and sat at the other end of the bar. He ordered a cosmopolitan. Truth be told, I was SHOCKED that Michael Jordan—MICHAEL JORDAN—was drinking a pink drink. So I may have started making fun of him to my friend. Well, he heard me and came over to defend himself. He said there is more alcohol in a Cosmo than any other drink. Blah, blah, blah. It’s still pink and you’re Michael Jordan. I continued to tease him and he invited me to his table at another restaurant a couple of weeks later. That was an experience! That summer, it felt like everywhere I went, he was there. I would say, “Are you following me around town?” and he’d just grin his MJ grin. I doubt he even remembers me/that summer, but I do!

Favorite book?

That is like asking me my favorite child. I will not do it! I will tell you the best book I read in 2018 and that was A Little Life. It was life-altering. I still mourn the loss of those characters in my life. It was so good that I had it on my phone, my iPad, AND in my ears. I’d switch between the three, depending on where I was. So good.

Favorite quote?

“It’s not how many times you get knocked down that count, it’s how many times you get back up.” —Vince Lombardi

How do you like your eggs?

Every way possible. I love eggs. I would eat them for every meal, if I could. It does not matter to me how they are cooked. I love them and will eat them.

Do you collect anything? If so, what?

I probably shouldn’t put this in writing because if my husband sees it, I’ll have to finally admit it’s true. So let me whisper it to you… (bicycles). I might have five bikes—two road bikes, a mountain bike, a stationary bike, and a Peloton. I also prefer bike 6 at SoulCycle.

Best thing about working with Chris, Katie, and John?

Having access to their brains everyday is crazy beneficial. They are highly intelligent and I get smarter just by being in the same room as all of them. Plus, they’re fun to be around and are great at nerdy conversation.

Any last words?

The work that Trust Insights is doing is very badly needed for marketers, in general. When you bring them a challenge, they can almost always solve it. I’ve learned so much in watching them work—and have also hired them to do some work for Spin Sucks. They’re smart, they’re fun, and they will analytically solve any business challenge you have.