Meeting Edurne Pasaban

This woman beside me, Edurne Pasaban, is the first woman in the world to have climbed and conquered all fourteen 8,000m mountains (including Mt. Everest and K2) in the world!

I've listened to many motivational speakers in my life... but I would probably say this woman is at the top of my list. Climbing a Mount Everest is a feat in itself... but climbing 13 more mountains of similar heights after that is just plain amazing!

But what I guess was the most compelling thing I found interesting about Edurne is that her story was very real. Real in the sense that she talked about hardships she faced with her family, difficulties in funding her expeditions as well as the enormous problems she had to face during her climbs.

Give recognition to whom it's due and depend on good people

There's a part of her presentation that I particularly admired... and this was the part where she mentioned all the "invisible people" who have helped you in your own personal journey. These are people who work in the background... whose contribution, though small, have made it possible for you to achieve your goals. That personally made me think for a moment and appreciate what I've had in my life.

Another thing that struck a chord in my heart was when she was sharing one of the biggest obstacles she faced during one of hr last climbs. After reaching the top, on her journey back to camp (on Camp 4... which was the nearest camp to the top), she felt extremely in pain (she indicates she could only take 100m more and that's it. Her body has technically reached its limit). The climb down from Camp 4 to Base Camp usually takes about 8 hours. But in her condition, she needed to be assisted / carried back down. It took them 2 days to get back down.

Listening to that made me imagine all the unimaginable physical and mental difficulties she had to overcome. Wow... majorly intense. She then showed us a video clip of her after returning to Base Camp... and you could see a battered but grateful individual on the verge of tears. I particularly took note of the orientation of her eyebrows as she was crying while thanking the people who helped her come back down. The specific visual image personally moved me the most~ especially if you see her now: strong and accomplished - a complete contrast but a perfect sign of humility and humanity.

So yes, the ball goes to her for that. I'm personally thankful to have listened to an inspirational talk from her. Best workshop I've had here thus far!