Finding Your Summit

Akshay Nanavati is a Marine, entrepreneur, author and ultra-runner. His life was simultaneously saved and challenged when he joined the Marines. He saw purpose in serving in the Marine Corps Akshay found something that worked, Fearvana. He defines Fearvana as the bliss that results from engaging our fears to pursue our own worthy struggle. By redefining his fears as opportunties for growth and he realized that the discomfort was actually based in fear and actually the path to health, wealth and happiness.

Mark, recently bagged summit six, the Vinson Masiff. Vinson is probably the most challenging mountain to get to in terms of logistics, weather and temperature. Vinson is located on Antartica. Here’s a list of things that live on the continent–penguins–that’s it, nothing else, no plants, not trees, not even bugs. Suffice to say, the South Pole is an inhospitable place to spend a few weeks outside.

Bernie Swain, his wife and Harry Rhodes Jr co-founded the Washington Speakers Bureau. It took 8 years of working, gathering speakers, building their business to get to the moment when they truly arrived. They'd met with a speaker they wanted to sign. Everyone in DC wanted him, Swain's company wasn't a front-runner; there were bigger more established firms. President Reagan's Chief of Staff called Bernie. President Reagan selected the Washington Speakers Bureau to represent him. Bernie had done it.

Ta'u Pupu'a is one of nine siblings. His family originally from the Kingdom of Tonga emigrated to Salt Lake City. Ta'u at 6'5", earned a full-ride scholarship to play defensive line for the local Weber State University football team. His football career continued to provide promise. In 1995 he was drafted by the Cleveland Browns (soon to be the Baltimore Ravens). Unfortuantely, that's as far as he got.

Kristy Sobel is a Prize Fighter. The Prize she battles for is life. Her world was completely changed when she was hit in a car accident. From this crash: her unborn daughter died, she had her spine crushed, a subsequent procedure failed and nearly killed her again. She lost her marraige. On the edge of life or death, she pointed her car towards certain death and hit the gas. Moments before the end, she realized, she had what it took to make a comback. The Prize Fighter was born.

Powder Matt Mosteller’s life changed in the mountains. Sitting in a station wagon alone, waiting…Matt wanting some fresh air opened his car door. A ski instructor on the way up the mountains saw Matt and said, “Come on, I’m about to give a lesson, come with me and I’ll teach you how to ski.” Matt’s life began to change at that moment. He didn’t have gear, he didn’t have a real reason or guide until that instant. Then on the mountain, the magic words, “You can do this!” Matt believed

Mariel Hemingway Mariel as a child, experienced tumult constantly, yet grew up surrounded by beauty in Ketchum, Idaho. Being part of the Hemingway family meant exposure to drug and alcohol abuse, mental disorders; plus, seven separate suicides within the family. Everyone was damaged and self-medicating to cope. Mariel made a documentary Running From Crazy that chronicles that tumultuous upbringing.

Rebecca Rusch is known as the Queen of Pain. She was given that nickname by her peers who've marveled at her determination and focus despite the challenges presented in a given moment. Rebecca is a 7 time world champion across a number of disciplines.

Stephen is a mountain climber. In 2010 he ascended El Capitan. That feat by itself is a challenge, but something done by thousands of people. However, Stephen has Cerebral Palsy making his ascent a singular accomplishment From a young age, Stephen's neurological disorder earned him no special treatment at home. His parents treated him just like his four siblings. His life changed at nine years old when he attended a wilderness survival camp. He began to see that his disability primarily existed in his mind.

Tim Kennedy is a warrior of the first order. He's a Ranger, Special Forces, sniper, Green Beret, 19B (Weapons) soldier with several deployments. He's also a championship grade UFC fighter, at one point he ranked as high as 5th in the world, who’s twice fought for the title. Growing up, Tim's parents exposed him to a variety of pursuits. He learned to cook, shoot, fight, wrestling and play piano. Always full of energy, throughout his life Tim has constantly improved his performance in a variety of ways.

Everyone knows Shelley is a pro. When life creates adversity, Shelley gets simple. She creates a plan and keeps working. Smith defeated cancer. When she lost her hair from treatments, she appeared on camera bald, enjoying not having to worry about the wind messing up her hair. While covering the Warriors, Shelley had a stroke in the team's locker room. When her mom passed, she got back to work on the sidelines in Denver where her mom and her had gone to games; and Shelley pushes through.

Todd Orr is an outdoors man. Oct 1, 2016 About two weeks prior to the open of Elk season, Todd went in searching for prime hunting locations. Just before dawn, about three miles away from his truck, armed with a pistol and bear spray... He sees a mother bear and two cubs. She turns and heads up the hill, thinking this is a good bear that doesn't like humans, Todd gave her a minute to get away, he turned and went in the opposite direction; not expecting to ever see her again. He heard a rustle...

Mike Hamill - Climbing The Seven Summits Mike Hamill is the founder and lead guide for Climbing the Seven Summits. His company focuses on the 7 summits, and a few other select mountains that Mike finds special. Mike gets clients to the top over 90% of the time, more importantly, he always gets his clients home safe. Mike cut his teeth climbing in the White and Adirondack mountains of the northeast. On these climbs, Mike, built his resume, while finding his passion and calling.

Pirie Jones Grossman is our featured for this episode of Find Your Summit Rewind Since her last visit, Pirie was diagnosed with the Epstein Barr virus. Grossman's version of the 60 know types was debilitating. Her illness is similar to Mononucleosis, except in her case, it's much more intesnse. The western medicine standard of care is 3 months of rest and lots of fluids. Of course, single mom's who run their own business don't have time for that.

Growing up in Kenya, Ken's dad had 2 wives. Nsimbi had 9 siblings. His dad, a dentist was an outgoing and gregarious fellow who had a full and lively life. Moving to Seattle to share a 1-bedroom apartment with 3 brothers, in the US was a hard transition, "It felt like a downgrade." "When I look back, my mom's decision to bring us to the US was the best thing ever."