Site Map

Mount Everest

Adventure Coaching Blog

Determination is not enough

Ever heard of Cho Oyu?... no? How about Tibet? yup.. well that is where I am heading in about a month's time. The thing is that in order to climb a big mountain I have to climb a big mountain. Sound weird? And what's that got to do with me? I hear you saying...

When we set ourselves a big goal, we launch into it and get excited. Then reality hits - we need to face the pain of getting fit, or we need to have a challenging conversation, or maybe we simply need to ask for help. At that point we are faced with the question "do i really want this? I mean REALLY?" At that point many of us crumble.

Those who keep going are determined. But being determined is not enough.

We can be determined, AND going backwards and not even know it.

Its like a few months back when I was training like crazy. I was determined that I was going to be fit enough to climb Everest and I was throwing myself into it. The problem was that I was not actually training, I was wearing myself out! There was a key ingredient missing and I didn't even know it.

I was missing a way of measuring where I was relative to my goal. When I started working with an awesome Osteopath called Lawrence Cartmell (based in Wellington New Zealand) and using his advice at "The Gym" (the best and friendliest gym ever in Waikanae) things took a whole new turn. I had an amazing team helping me to objectively measure my fitness and give me feedback.

So what has that got to do with Tibet?

In discussion with Guy Cotter from Adventure Consultants it became clear that I need to measure my performance at altitude before I put it to the test on Everest. Again, just being determined is not enough. So I need to go really high - above 8000 metres - to measure how I do. So, I am heading to the world's sixth highest mountain, Cho Oyu which is 8200 metres high.

It will require ALOT of determination, courage and warm socks.

Sarah and Cho Oyu

Here is a pic I took a few years ago with Cho Oyu in the background - little did I know at that time that I would be climbing it!

I will be leaving for Tibet at the end of August so things are really ramping up now. Make sure you stay tuned to hear how things develop, and as I learn lessons that might also be powerful for you and your goals.

Make sure you sign up to get the enews when it is hot off the keyboard. And you can join me on my facebook group.

Wishing you a life of inspiration and adventure
Sarah Wilson
Adventure Coach

Posted by Sarah Wilson on 21st July, 2010 | Comments | Permalink
Tags: Adventure, Everest

Breaking the Silence

It is time. I have some big news and I'm gagging to tell you about it.

I have not hounded you with emails, newsletters or actually any communication for a while now (ok, I don’t want to admit how long it has been). I guess I got tired of being hounded and got crystal clear that blogs are best when there is something useful to say.

So.. What's up?

I have started 2010 with a fierce determination to make a difference. Both in my own life and in the lives of the people I have the privilege to be involved with – including you J

OK – so what am I actually DOING? – well... I have set myself a goal so big that it keeps me awake at night. This is probably too much information but I actually get into a cold sweat when I think about what I am committing to.

It is spine-tingling fear, incredible anticipation and an over-whelming awareness that I cannot do it alone.

This time next year – March 201- – I will be on a flight to Kathmandu with the mission of climbing to the summit of Mount Everest and returning safely.

I am a mountaineer, so I understand the challenge of climbing the world’s highest mountain.

I am under no illusions that it will be a test of endurance, courage and determination beyond anything I have ever done.

And.. I am a lot like YOU.

Like you I have fears, bills, and the need to feed myself and my family.

Like you I want my life to count.

And possibly like you I dream big and want to make a difference. In particular, I want to inspire others – maybe like you – to go for gold, to stretch out to those things that you think are beyond you, to not “settle” for what others expect or to simply ‘get by’. We are capable of so much more.

So that’s why I am aiming for the summit of the highest mountain on the planet. So that you might catch a glimpse of what is possible when an ordinary person sets a goal that is extra-ordinary.

If you want to follow me on my journey and be inspired to act on your own dreams...

then join the “Everest Dream Team” on Facebook, by clicking here

And let me know what you think in the comment section below.

Let the adventures begin!

Posted by Sarah Wilson on 28th March, 2010 | Comments | Permalink
Tags: Goals, Challenge, Everest; Adventure

What would you do... if?

Recently I was giving a presentation to a group of savy property managers.

I asked them one question:

"What would you do if you knew you could not fail?"

I also told them about my most recent climbing expedition to the depths of Fiordland and showed them pictures of snow, white-out and climbing on the front points of my crampons. In fact, I am just about to write more about that - with pics - in my next eNewsletter so make sure you are on the list to get it.

But it was what happened AFTER I had left that really blew me away.

Here is the email that the Manager sent me a week after the presentation (the person's name is changed so that she doesn't freak out too much!):

"Hi Sarah

Many thanks for the awesome presentation – the team loved it. You are a remarkable person.

You’ve touched Helen's life – she came into my office after the meeting and said, “That was great – I’ve always wanted to tandem skydive but I have been too scared to try it – I think I’d like to try that next year”.

When she left my office, I hopped on the internet and booked her an 8,000 ft tandem skydive which arrived on her desk the next day with the message “Dear Helen, Go For It”. The look on her face was priceless! Anyway, her boys are saying that if you don’t do it mum, we will. There is no way she is letting them! Haha! - Professionals, Oxygen Property Management"

How cool is that?? It certainly made my day.

So what about you? What would YOU do if you knew you could not fail? And if you knew that the only thing holding you back from doing it was fear?

Let me know what comes up!

Wishing you adventurous holidays
Sarah Wilson

Posted by Sarah Wilson on 17th December, 2009 | Comments | Permalink
Tags: Adventure