Client Spotlight: A Flawless trek up Kilimanjaro

It was late afternoon on a Monday in mid-July. I was sitting down at a cafe enjoying a matcha when I read this text from Steve:

“The mountain hike was flawless. All the training really paid off.  …Every time I had to make a big step up or down while balancing on a rock I thought of how you were able to prepare me for the journey. You were such an important part of getting me to the summit.”

This text was accompanied by this joyful summit photo.

My heart sang with joy. He made it!! 

Flawless, he said!

This is why I do this, I thought.

Our training approach

Four months prior to Steve’s 8-day trek up Kilimanjaro, we began working together to build strength for the hike. 

We worked together once per week on Zoom, plus I programmed two additional days of strength & mobility for him to do on his own. He rocked it. In addition to our strength work, Steve did cardio sessions each week and several long hikes leading up to his trip.

Steve's mindset: journey over destination

Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest peak in Africa at 5,895 m (19,341 ft) and it’s the tallest free-standing mountain in the world (not part of a range).

It’s a common bucket-list item and quite an accomplishment. So what does it really take to do something like this? From watching Steve, I’d say, first just the decision to do it, then one step in front of the other…

“I went into the trek of Kilimanjaro more about the journey than reaching the summit.  …More than some Herculean courage it’s really accepting that there’s a challenge that lays in front of me. Completing the challenge starts with taking those first initial steps. From there, I keep moving until I I get to a problem. At that point, I solve the problem and keep moving on. This rubric serves me well.”

The mountain isn't always what you see...

Having known Steve for a couple of years now, I know that he’s traversed some challenging metaphorical mountains, and I can’t help but think his leaning in and staying open to life has lead to a type of strength and resilience that also prepared him for this journey. 

I love supporting my clients in building physical strength & resilience because I know it works in tandem with our emotional and psychological capacity.

Whether you are climbing to the peak of Kilimanjaro or simply trying to move through your days with more presence and ease, the work is the same. 

No one gets out of here without the challenges of life. We do have a choice in how we are supporting ourselves in showing up to them. Strength and kindness usually works well…

And while I’m totally stoked Steve made it to the Peak (I kinda already knew he would), I was so happy to hear that his in real life Suitcase Carries at the airport felt notably easier and more balanced. It’s those little wins that truly light me up.

Go, Steve!