Where do I even begin? It’s true what they say—we all have a mountain to climb. Looking back, my own journey has been a winding trail, full of challenges and unexpected beauty, leading me to this moment.

The land has always been a magical, healing force in my life. In my twenties, a tumultuous time in my life, nature provided the grounding I desperately needed. I’m not sure I’d still be here without it. As someone who battled chronic depression through my teenage and early adult years, it took resilience, many stumbles, and a lot of learning to reach a place where I can now say: I am thriving, and grateful to be alive.

Life has a funny way of nudging us where we’re meant to go. Almost a decade ago, I met Ben and Suzanne—two incredible humans who have brought inspiration into my life. When they sent me a text out of the blue: “Want to climb Mount Kilimanjaro?”—it cracked open a doorway I hadn’t even realized I was ready to step through.

This climb will push me in ways I’ve never been challenged before. But I know it will also be a transformative journey—one filled with reflection, growth, and meaningful connection. As a student of life, I am eager to absorb wisdom from the land and the people I will encounter (and no, it will not be easy but it'll be so worth it). I look forward to practicing these lessons through service, stewardship, and shared community.

I’ve always believed that what we create can be a powerful force for good. This climb feels like an extension of that belief—an opportunity to foster relationships, embrace growth, and make a meaningful impact.

Thank you for considering supporting this fundraising campaign to help make this trip possible for me and this group. Your generosity means the world to me and will carry me every step of the way up that mountain.

with deep gratitude,
sway

= a peek into my first Mt. Whitney journey (and yes, I talked about food 😂) = 

= in memory of Anthony Orrigo, I will be thinking of you on this trip, my friend. =