1. Goal I accomplished last week…
I set out this year to work on four habits (one per quarter), do at least six significant “field trips” (one every two months), and one Misogi… which is defined as one big year-defining, life-impacting event, so hard it might not be able to be completed. Well… last week I completed the Misogi. I climbed Mt. Rainier. It’s in the state of Washington, is an active volcano, is the most glaciated peak in the contiguous U.S., and stands at just over 14,400 ft. We were the first group up this season… so no path, no trail, no footprints to follow. It was snow-covered, 30-50mph winds, and 10-15 degrees below zero with the wind chill. Simply put… it was BRUTAL! Hands down, the MOST difficult thing I’ve done in my life. Amazing trip! When I reached base camp 1 (Camp Muir Saddle) the first day, I was broken… physically, mentally, and emotionally. It took me to a place I had not been. We spent two nights on the mountain. Due to terrible weather, dangers of crevasses, and high avalanche conditions, we were unable to summit, but the experience was nothing short of incredible. I want to thank Matt McClone for turning me on to this climb and for the use of all of his gear… Alpine Ascents and their lead guide, David Gottlieb, for leading the trip… my wife, Lana, for helping me train and being super supportive of this adventure… and for Dr. Vince Hassel for joining me on this challenge. Matt had told me… “The mountain speaks to you.” Well… he was right. I’d never missed Lana so much… and my dad (who passed away six years ago) was SO heavily on my mind this whole trip. Words cannot explain an experience like this. Glad I did it… glad it’s over… and glad I’m home. As Vince and I parted ways for the airport Monday morning he told me… “Don’t call me, I’ll call you! I’m picking the next trip.” Haha! See some pics below… and a quick video to give you an idea of what the weather was like MOST of the time…
2. More on Misogis…
The word Misogi refers to a Japanese purifying ritual. I heard entrepreneur and author, Jesse Itzler, talk about it as a once-per-year significant challenge that pushes you, expands your mind, tests your limitations, and reminds you that you are ALIVE. There are two rules… (1.) Make it REALLY hard… and… (2.) Don’t die! I encourage you to consider doing a Misogi yourself. It can be whatever you want it to be… run a marathon, start a new side business, lose 30 pounds, go on a backpacking trip, learn to ski, get certified in scuba, or anything that really pushes you. Give it some serious thought… then GET STARTED! And below is a short video of Jesse Itzler on Instagram talking about some possible Misogi ideas. (Remember to turn on sound.)
3. One of my favorite poems…
I’ve posted it before, but it is worth reposting. I came home Monday from the climb, and Lana had hung some congratulatory signs and pics and streamers (very cool!). Among those was one of my favorite poems called “Man In The Arena,” by Theodore Roosevelt. You can see it below, and she highlighted my favorite line in that poem… “so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
