Triumph on Everest: Pushing Beyond Limits

Standing at Everest Base Camp, I realized that sometimes, triumph isn’t about reaching the summit. For me, getting to Base Camp was enough of a battle. It was a journey that tested every part of me—mentally, physically, and emotionally. I didn’t have the right gear, I wasn’t fully prepared, and the idea of reaching the actual summit seemed impossible. But I’ll tell you this: even at Base Camp, it felt like I was standing at the top of the world.

Facing the Unknown

Going into the climb, I didn’t have my own gear. I had just come from a safari in Africa the month before, lugging all my warm gear there. So, when I arrived in Nepal, I decided to rent my equipment from a local shop to keep things light.

Big mistake. I found myself constantly questioning whether I’d brought enough layers or if the gear was sturdy enough to handle the mountain. There’s a quote I love, and it became my mantra during this trip: “You’re always going to be in the wrong gear.” Whether in life or on the mountain, you’re never going to feel completely prepared. But you move forward anyway.

Pushing Beyond the Breaking Point

There were moments when I wanted to quit. The altitude was unbearable. I felt like an outsider in my rented gear, out of my element. I kept criticizing myself, thinking, What was I doing here?

But I learned to talk myself through it—to use positive self-talk to drown out the doubt. I focused on the boots of my Sherpa in front of me, one step at a time, narrowing my vision to get through each moment. Tunnel vision became my strategy, and it worked. I just had to trust that following my leader would get me through the toughest parts.

There were times I got lost, and my brother went solo ahead. I became so introverted, so focused on survival, that people started to worry about me. I barely spoke because every ounce of energy was focused on breathing, moving, and keeping my mind in check. Then, my brother got dust in his eyes, and we all had to stop and help him. It was these moments of teamwork and solidarity that kept us going, even when things felt impossible.

The Power of the Journey

The tea houses along the way became my safe havens. The food was simple—mostly noodles—and I had to become a vegetarian for the trip, which was a challenge in itself. But sitting down after a long day of hiking, wearing layer upon layer of clothing, I began to appreciate the simplicity of it all. The struggle, the challenge, the moments of silence—it all became part of the journey. The altitude, the cold, and the uncertainty didn’t disappear, but I adapted.

In those quiet moments, wrapped in layers, staring at a bowl of noodles, I realized that it wasn’t about conquering the mountain. It was about conquering the voice inside that said, You can’t do this. And every day, step by step, I proved that voice wrong.

Growth Through Struggle

There’s a saying that growth happens when you’re uncomfortable, and that couldn’t have been more true on Everest. I was uncomfortable every day—physically, mentally, emotionally. But that discomfort pushed me to grow in ways I hadn’t imagined.

It wasn’t just the mountain that challenged me; it was the self-doubt, the fear of failure, and the moments where I felt completely out of my element. But I pushed through. I kept moving forward, even when I didn’t want to. And that’s where real triumph happens—not at the summit, but in the struggle.

Above: One of the proudest moments of my life with my brother recording a video to send home to mark the victory and let our mom know we're safe