Well, if I had been given the advice to stop wasting energy and stand up, I never would have gone up the hill; I would have been crying in the middle of the road. I gear down and spin up 15% grades, seated. Sure, I'm not fast, but I get up them and have since the beginning.
Your story *is* inspirational, but I would have fallen over in the road if I geared up and stood on a climb...
Everybody is different.