Participating in 29029 was a dream that I didn't even know I had.
A dream to climb the vertical height of Everest...just because.
A dream, a DESIRE…that didn’t make any rational sense.
And yet, a dream that I could not un-know.
A dream that I could not un-dream.
A dream that felt like an exclamation point to my journey of self-devotion and self-trust.
A dream that would require a whole new level of devotion.
A dream that felt so…powerful. So important. Like an arrow had landed smack in the middle of my heart.
Ok, maybe I’m exaggerating - but not really. It felt that TRUE.
This dream to participate in what is known as a 29029 Everesting event in Whistler, Canada – where you hike 31.2 miles, and 31,000 feet – the equivalent of the vertical feet of Everest - over the course of 36 hours...felt audacious.
🌄 As in you hike up the mountain, ride the gondola back down, over and over 8 times until the hopeful last and 8th ascent where you are then crowned with a “red” hat.
Or not.
Because it isn't really about the red hat.
What matters most according to 29029 co-founder, Jesse Itzler – is to LEAVE it ALL on the mountain.
How this dream came to me isn’t really important, other than it wasn’t from my brain.
This was one of those times that there was zero overthinking and 100% Hell YES energy.
Apparently, I wasn’t the only one who felt this way.
Because in late 2024 when registration opened, I found myself refreshing the page every few seconds starting at 11:58 am (registration opened at 12:00 pm)...until at 12:01 I was staring at a SOLD OUT banner on the page.
What is crazy is that as “new” as this dream was, I was DEVASTED that I didn’t get it.
And even after putting myself on the waitlist…I found myself sitting there wondering, “Well, now what?”
It took me a few hot minutes (maybe a bit longer) to be with the disappointment. Eventually, I turned to my journal to get curious about what this was really about.
Because honestly, none of it made any sense to me.
Fast forward two months...
I've been working out to playlists created by past 29029 participants.
I bought a "Cimb the damn mountain" t-shirt from 29029.
I've listened to the 29029 podcast.
The dream never really went away.
And then, I had a conversation with a friend about her first 29029 experience – which led to me to read about the Kyle Pease Foundation and it's 29029 team.
It was as if I could see the puzzle pieces come together.
Because now, I'm thrilled to embark on this journey as part of the KPF team – which was founded in 2011 by brothers Kyle and Brent Pease after completing their first triathlon.
Their mission is to improve the lives of people with disabilities through sports and beyond. Funds raised through events like this support scholarships, adaptive equipment, and medical care for individuals in need.
Mine wasn't a disability- but I ran my first marathon in 2001 to prove my oncologist wrong after he said that my chemo-induced lung damage would make it impossible to run 26.2.
He was of course - wrong.
That was years ago, and while I don't run marathons anymore, the idea of overcoming perceived "limitations" and barriers became part of who I am. It's part of my work to help women move beyond survival mode and write their own thriving story.
I invite you to take this journey with me and support the work of KPF to help individuals move beyond limits – and create opportunities and improve the lives of those with disabilities.
Just like every step counts on the mountain, every dollar counts to support not just me – but KPF. I'd be honored, delighted, and grateful to have your support.
Because friends...it's time. Time to say HELL YES to our thriving. And to say hell YES to climbing the damn mountain, and push beyond our limits.
