I reached the top of the mountain. There were faces that I'd seen throughout my journey. There were high-fives and photos. Jesse was there.
I took that final gondola ride down, and I realized that I had done it. I had reached 29029 feet.
I was back.
I had set a goal and achieved what may have been considered impossible just a few short years earlier. That moment still sits with me. It was a revelation that I've been through the hardest part and that anything is possible.
I grew up heavy and overweight. By the time I reached 20, I was north of 250 pounds. I recall going on a family cruise. We took a million pictures, and I remember looking at the photos, and I decided that I didn't want to be that person anymore. I was at a stage where I couldn't walk around the block without being winded. I made some significant decisions and lifestyle changes and, as a result, lost over 100 pounds. It wasn't easy, but I am so glad that I took control of my life at that moment.
To celebrate turning 40 and keeping the weight off for 20 years, I decided to challenge myself. I signed up for Ironman Canada and dedicated myself to the training to prepare my mind and body for the most significant athletic achievement I could think of. I crossed that finish line and was so proud of myself. I had come so far and was able to celebrate that I changed so much. I was ready to really step into myself. I went from a place where I couldn't make it to the end of the street to moving 140.6 miles in one day, under my own power.
I was in a car accident on the Lions Gate Bridge in Vancouver. I was at a dead stop, waiting in traffic, and the car behind rammed into me at full force. He didn't even brake. All the muscles in my neck were torn, my back was all messed up, and I had a significant head injury. I went from peak physical fitness to not making it past noon without having to lie down.
My daughter was two years old at the time, and I couldn't pick her up anymore. I couldn't put her to bed. All of the things you take for granted were taken from me. It was a pretty dark time in my life that lasted for almost seven years. I quit my job in 2018 in an attempt to finally heal. Sitting at a desk and traveling a ton were holding me back from that.
Around the same time, I came across 29029. I had just started walking on the flats again and had taken some small hikes. The event seemed daunting, but I was intrigued, so I sent a note to some friends, suggesting that we take on this challenge together. My friend Jen signed up with me, and we had 8 months to prepare. I hadn't done anything like this for a long time, but having a goal and focus, gave me hope.
Having a date on the calendar really lit a fire for me. I focused on that day in August, and it gave me the impetus to prepare to climb Snowbasin Mountain 13 times. It was a signal that I was no longer couch-ridden or restricted to easy walking. I now had permission to chase a goal again, to do more than I thought I could. It was the spark that I needed. I could make my way back to health. I knew that it wouldn't be easy and that I would have to conquer many Everest's along the way.
Once the goal was set, I contacted Coach Brent. I knew that I wouldn't be able to run as much as his training program suggested, given my past. But I did have a huge advantage, I live in possibly the best place on earth to train for 29029, Vancouver, BC. The local mountains are incredible for hiking. The trails are well marked, there's lots of elevation, and we even have a gondola to take advantage of. We have the Grouse Grind and the BCMC. Both are around 2.5 miles and gain about 2500 feet of elevation. I remember a day where I did the BCMC, back to back, 6 times. I started at 7 am, I had a trunk full of food and supplies and set off for the day. It was an excellent simulation of what I would experience in Utah. The trail included a lot of natural terrain to cover. Rocks, roots, sticks, a similar distance, and elevation gain to Snowbasin. It gave me a lot of confidence to finish that day successfully. I capped off that weekend with another 3 trips up the BCMC on Sunday.
At that point, I knew I was ready.
I arrived in Utah a few days ahead of 29029. I had a sense of calm. I knew that I had studied for the test! I had trust in the process and the work that I had put in. There was an incredible level of energy and excitement. It was so great to meet the other participants. Everyone was there for their own reasons and had their own story to share. It felt like 250 people ready to cheer for each other.
I remember standing on the start line and listening to Jesse make his opening speech. I mean, Jesse could read the phone book and make it exciting! But he did a fantastic job of topping off the energy. My goal was to complete the first climb, assess my energy level, take in some nutrition, and make my game plan for the next few climbs. I got to the top as the sun rose. It was a fantastic moment that I had to capture! I had the opportunity to meet and chat with so many incredible people on each and every climb. It was nice to share my story and to hear what brought them to the mountain. There was such a sense of community. Whenever I needed a kind word or a cheer, there was someone there to offer it. And I was proud to provide that same energy when someone needed it from me.
Getting to my final climb was an epic moment. To don the Red Bib, to signify my final ascent was a moment I'll never forget. It was the culmination of all of the training, all of the blood, sweat, and a lot of tears. Seven years post-accident, and I was almost back.
It was the realization that whatever my next Everest would be, this is where it was going to start.
I flew home from Utah, and my kids had waited up for me to arrive. They had made cards, posters, and set up balloons. They were so proud of me. It was so lovely to feel that and know that my son had seen me bounce back from my accident. He was five at the time, and I was so active, and then all of a sudden, I couldn't get off the couch.
I am genuinely grateful for the opportunity to show them that you can achieve anything with the right focus. Earlier this year, we took on a couch to 5km program together. We ran three days a week together, some days were great, others were not! But in the end, we were able to look back at just how far we had come. It helped instill a sense of accomplishment in them, realizing that anything meaningful in life will require some hard work and dedication.
29029 unlocked that in me again. It allowed me to set a seemingly insurmountable goal. It helped me realize that nothing is impossible. It seemed like a big task, and it was a big task, but it's not impossible. It's true for many things in life. You don't have to do it tomorrow, or next week. You just have to make a commitment to yourself and set small goals and eventually, you make it. One step at a time!
My goal was to walk 2 miles on flat ground, then a small hike, and then a little more. I'm proof that if you don't give up, you will get there in the end. 29029 got me there. And now I know I can take on my next Everest. And the same could be true for you. You just have to start.
Episode 009 - Tales From The Mountain | Leigh Sojonky
© 2026 29029 Everesting
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