What's Your Why?

Compilation - Part 1

By 29029 Everesting

March 29^th, 2021

29209 is more than an event. It's an experience; it's a community - a group of like-minded people forging themselves through adversity. Read any of the stories about 29029 participants shared before this one. Every single person had their lives changed for the better because they made a deliberate decision to lean into the challenge when their instinct said otherwise. It's easy to remember a moment on the mountain when they made that choice. But what about those moments away from the mountain? Those times in training when they were tired, or sore, or worse. Those micro-moments, alone, on the side of the road, miles from home. That's where the drive to be better is developed.

A simple way to find out is to ask:

"What's your why?"

The answer to that simple question is your guiding light, your north star. And while the question is simple, the answer is not. For some, the answer never changes. For others, it's an evolving process that takes time and energy. Over the next few months, we'll be highlighting many 29029 participants and finding out what their why is. If you're yet to find yours, that's ok. All you need to do is listen. Every time you take a step forward when you don't feel like it, each time you complete just one more rep, or you get out the door when everyone is asleep. Just listen, the whisper will grow louder, and before you know it, you'll be on your way to your 29029.

Karin Tilberg

I am doing this for a very personal reason – my husband, Chris, who was diagnosed with ALS a few years ago, passed away on Jan. 18th just a few weeks ago. It is a devastating loss, and I am reeling from it and miss him terribly. My friend Jenny Ward really encouraged me to sign up for this, and I did so to give me something to focus on in the future. The experience of grief is often to feel there is no future, no meaning, and drifting feeling. Now that I am signed up, I feel like it is a handhold in the future to pull me along, give me some structure, and try to take care of myself.

Jeff Johnson

My why is to push myself to do something excellent and beyond my current reach. I signed up for 2020 Idaho after having Jesse speak to our group of entrepreneurs and realized I wasn't pushing myself enough in this area of my life. Then I did virtual Idaho last year with my 18-year old daughter (2 times up a mountain in the Smokies in 2 days), and it energized me and left me with a real purpose. I also want to inspire my daughters (16 and 19) that they can do much more than they think they're capable of. While out for a hike with my oldest daughter in November of last year, she asked me if I thought she could do 29029. She wasn't even asking if I would sign her up, just pondering if she could actually accomplish the feat. We talked about it further on the hike, and I encouraged her that, yes, of course, she could do this (and other really hard things) if she committed herself. I got to surprise her with a spot with me at Idaho - we're now training together to reach 29029.

Susan Tormollen

My Why is to prove to myself I am stronger and more fit and to have fun.

I did 2019 Vermont and my WHY that year was that I had just sent my kiddo off to college after being a solo parent for 17 years. I wanted to do something just for me -- a little present for myself.

It was a great experience, but hard as HELL. I've never been so cold for so long. Hiked pretty much by myself once nighttime came, from 6 pm to 2 am in the dark, got 3 hours sleep, felt sick to my stomach the next morning, but carried on. And I had an amazing day! Finished around 4:30 and made some amazing friends that second day on the mountain.

But, I remember listening to some endurance athletes who were doing the event -- they were talking about how they called it at 8 pm on Day 1 and went and had a steak + beer dinner and were going to get massages at 1 pm on Day 2 when they finished up. WHAAAAATTTT?

They had time for a real meal and a massage!??

So, while it is highly unlikely that I will do that, my goal is to get 5 hours of sleep and finish in time to get a massage and cheer people on at the top. And have that darn steak and beer perhaps on the evening of Day 2! Another part of my why is that I have started 2 businesses in the past year and I really want something like this to just shake up my always-thinking-business mindset.

Matthew Berthot

My why is that I want to be the best version of myself and share my light with the world.

My dad passed away from a heart attack last year on June 20th. It shook me to my core. I had panic attacks. I thought I was having heart attacks.

I’m here to be the best I can be for the rest of my life to pass down a legacy.

Alisha Nowlin

I am participating in the 29029 Utah #2 endurance challenge and, frankly, going through ALL the emotions at this point. This is the first time in my life that I have ever done something just for me. I am doing this to challenge every negative thought in my head that holds me back from being the best version of me. This is about loving myself, owning my faults, embracing my greatness, knowing I am so much more, and most importantly, being a leader of me.

The journey to the mountain will be arduous and will focus on overcoming self-inflicted adversities. I am ~155 lbs. overweight with two titanium knees, no thyroid, and low Vit. D. I struggle to find energy, have poor sleeping habits, and in a constant cycle of self-sabotage. I do, however, have the desire and WILL to get ready to take on this mountain and intend to conquer it. When I burn the 13th stamp on the scoreboard, I will have left all negative experiences and self-talk on the mountain. This will be the precipice of my life where my new journey launches. I am also planning something silly but fun for this very moment!

There is so much more to this journey that I want to share with others. It is my hope and desire to inspire people to take control of their lives so they may experience happiness too. Regardless of circumstances, where there is a will, there is a way. It truly is a mindset shift and takes a great deal of continuous work.

The other aspect of this journey is to learn to live (my new journey) – I am alive but have only “lived” life a few times in all the years I have been on this earth. God has granted us this amazing gift of life with beauty all around. I no longer wish to live in my self-imposed prison. It is time to let go of judgment and embrace the world!

Noah Pines

I’m doing 29029 for me.

I love my job, but the nature of what I do is filled with negativity. I often see people at their worst or lowest. Some are charged with horrible crimes, some are facing deportation to a country they haven’t lived in since they were children, and some have been injured at no fault of their own. And while I like the challenge of solving other people’s problems, it comes with a lot of stress-which I take with me to the office, to court, and to my home.

29029 is an opportunity to leave all the negativity and stress at home. To focus on the positive. To spend time with like-minded people with a common, simple, goal. To compete against me.

While it’s not going to be easy, it’s simple. It’s walking; that’s it. All I have to do to get a red hat is to put one foot in front of the other, over and over again, until I’m done. Simple, but not easy. Who wouldn’t want to do it?

Jennifer Demba

My name is Jennifer Demba and I am a first-time participant who will be in Sun Valley in June. I decided early last year (pre lockdown) that I was going to focus on improving my health, mainly by having a better diet. A preventative cardiologist had stressed that I needed to lose weight and exercise which would hopefully reduce my elevated blood pressure. I began eating smaller portions and healthier foods in late January 2020 and lost close to 20 pounds in the first 30 days. In March, I began exercising daily (an hour walk or Peloton ride). By August, I had lost about 25% of my body weight or about 45 lbs.

I had been focusing on my career and my family (husband and 3 kids) for the past 20 years and had not made my personal health a consistent priority. The pandemic lockdown certainly motivated me to keep going. The ability to work from home and not be on the road for business travel certainly helped me be consistent and focus on my goals.

Fast forward to early January 2021: I was speaking to a longtime friend of mine about how I wanted to have a big goal for 2021. She told me she had heard about 29029 and asked if I would be interested in learning more. I was intrigued but hesitant as my last endurance event was a half marathon at least 15 years ago. We scheduled 2 phone calls with Matt who patiently answered all of our annoying questions. My friend, Eli, and I are now part of a large Atlanta participant group. I am still nervous, but I know it will be an incredible experience.

See you on the mountain!

What's Your Why?

Compilation - Part 1

Do One More

No Emotion, Just Motion

Brian Goldstein

The Foundation for the Summit

Tom Turcich

Higher Together