A few nights ago, I did what I’ve done a hundred times before – I watched 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible featuring the indomitable Nims Purja. Each time I watch it, I feel this itch to live better and to the fullest, pushing me to believe that we are capable of so much more than we think. Nims didn’t just climb mountains; he shattered limits, conquering all 14 peaks over 8000 meters in record time (6 months and 6 days!). If that isn’t superhuman, I don’t know what is.
Climbing out
Rewind a few years, and I was in a dark place. Personal issues had me spiralling, and I remember clawing my way out, one small step at a time. Eventually, I reached a point where the darkness lifted, and I could see a positive path ahead. But something was missing – a spark, a purpose.
Despite a fulfilling life, I felt something was amiss. Life seemed to be slipping by, leaving me merely going through the motions.
Waking up
Then, fate intervened. I stumbled upon 14 Peaks, and watching Nims Purja with his fearless determination and boundless ambition stirred something deep within me. It was as if he reached through the screen and handed me a lifeline – a reminder that life is short, and fleeting, death is inevitable, and there’s no time to waste – so, we must seize every moment.
That documentary was a wake-up call, a voice screaming inside me, “WAKE UP AND START LIVING!” It reminded me of a quote from Douglas Adams, author of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (an excellent read, by the way): “There is an art, it says, or rather, a knack to flying. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss… Clearly, it is this second part, the missing, which presents the difficulties.”
For me, this translated into throwing myself fully into life and letting go of fear. I decided to plunge into the unknown, to say “yes” more often, and to embrace life with the same fiery passion I saw in Nims.
Embracing the journey
I started pushing my boundaries, meeting new people, learning new things, and saying yes to adventures I’d once shied away from. This culminated in a life-changing journey: trekking to Everest Base Camp. The experience was both, humbling and exhilarating. The mountains have a way of calming your spirit while reminding you of your insignificance. They strip away the illusion of control and ground you in the present moment.
The present and beyond
I will forever be grateful to Nims Purja for igniting a fire within my spirit, allowing it to take flight and soar. I dream of the day I’ll return to that snow-clad terrain, surrounded by the majestic peaks of Everest, Lhotse, and the mighty others. It’s among those towering giants that I feel closest to the divine, enveloped in pure bliss. If that’s not standing in the presence of gods, I don’t know what is.
Boundless and Unfiltered 