Lessons from Mount Whitney (and life).
It’s been over a week since my adventure on Mount Whitney, and I’ve finally been able to thaw out my thoughts. Mother’s Day could have been the most emotionally triggering day since my Mom’s passing, but instead it was a day of growth, experience, laughing and memories with two amazing friends of mine. We climbed Mt. Whitney in some of the toughest conditions, but we were still granted absolutely magical sunshine. In truth, I have no words to describe what it was physically like or how beautiful it was, but I’ve spent some time mapping out the lessons I learned throughout this process and I think they’re important to share.
On the Mountain: Put one foot in front of the other.
In Life: Just do the next right thing.
If you get too far ahead of yourself by looking into the future, you’ll realizing how far away the goal seems. The distance between you and your goal might surprise you, disappoint you, and cause you to quit. But you are getting there. If you look back, you’ll lose your footing for the next step. In my online bootcamp group, I tell my girls not to weigh themselves or take measurements for at least the first week of the 21 days of the program. Just put one foot in front of the other and do the next right thing.
On the Mountain: Listen to Richard (our guide).
In Life: Find & listed to your mentors.
Success leaves clues. Find the people who are doing the things that you want to be doing, on the most expert level. Watch what they do. Listen to what they say. Seek out help from the pros and do what they say so you don’t fall off the side of a cliff. I will never take for granted how lucky I am to have the mentors I have and I will always attribute my knowledge, experience and success in my business to following their lead.
On the Mountain: In snow you’ll need crampons, gaiters, mountain axe & additional gear.
In Life: Be prepared & don’t half ass things.
On the mountain, our success and quite literally, our survival, depended on coming prepared and then letting go of what the outcome would be. If we go to hike a mountain and we haven’t prepared for the weather, our lives are at risk and our success is threatened. In the same way, going into the experience of a fitness challenge, start of a business, or making a decision that impacts your life or your family, the outcome will be in your favor if you do your research and prepare. Whether it’s making food, creating a schedule, putting funds away, or any other method of preparation, the process will be easier and more fun if you show up prepared.
On the Mountain: You will always need your Mom.
In Life: You will always need your Mom.
Because my Mom raised us to be fiercely independent, from teenage years on I haven’t felt like I’ve “needed” my Mom. Loved her, yes. Confided in her, yes. Within the first quarter mile I audibly took that sentiment back talking to her for the next 18 hours. There were 3 distinct times on the hike that I was scared. Really scared. Each of those 3 times a bird flew by to let me she had it under control.
On the Mountain: Stay focused and clear headed.
In Life: EVERYTHING is mental.
Only 160 hikers are allowed on Mt. Whitney each day. On our trek there were 13 including us. Why only 13? Because no one in their right mind would have hiked an already strenuous 14000ft mountain with 2-4 feet of snow on it. The difference was that we had in our minds that it was doable and it was. So often, we see a challenge, be it financial, a business goal, or a physical challenge, and we think it’s beyond our scope. We need to change our thoughts and tell ourselves that it might take preparation and hard work, but we can do it.
On the Mountain: God or whatever you call the higher being is 1000% real.
In Life: God or whatever you call the higher being is 1000% real.
The pieces that fell into place to make that hike possible are too many and too surreal to list here. NOTHING about my skill level should have allowed me to complete what we did. When we walked down the mountain very little looked familiar and I’m certain that it was because going up was an out of body experience that I can’t claim responsibility for. Regardless of your beliefs, when you see the beauty of Mount Whitney, standing tall among the clouds, covered in snow, reflecting the California sun… you will be convinced that there is a higher power and although I do believe we are in control of our fate, this higher being might be a little bit responsible for the moments of grace in our life.
What in your life has seemed insurmountable until it’s done?
What lessons came from the journey?
Would love to hear your takeaways!