Moving Mountains: Perspective and Possibility from Brain Injury and Vision Loss to the World’s Highest Peaks
Thankful for the Canadian Concussion Legacy Foundation who asked me to share as part of their Inspiring Stories features.
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Ice Fall
Once upon a chilly February morning, two eager friends raced the sun rising in Banff National Park in search of a frozen waterfall to scale.....the plot quickly twist and the happily ever after will take a minute.
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Feeling Fractured
Unanswered messages, emails and texts from companies who had been ‘on my team’ as I climbed atop some of the world’s most pristine peaks, having my story withdrawn from a magazine publication and a mention of insignificance, I am human; it hurts yet with that strength, fractured, I climb on.
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Acceptance and Alchemy
Letting go of what could have been and finally embracing what is, acceptance, the most direct path to inner peace, challenged me for years following traumatic brain injury which resulted in loss of 70% of my eyesight. Through what felt like endless chapters of uncontrollable events, I struggled to cultivate inner balance through acceptance.
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Eye Shoulds
New shoulds, eye glasses, and response.
Craving the serenity, simplicity and solitude of life in the Himalayas, where I am disconnected yet connect deeply: inner peace should not be altered. I have work to do.
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The Corona Blues
When Mother Nature sent us to our rooms, the imposition was all too familiar. Thoughts of being alone with only the voices in my head was daunting. I welcomed an unanticipated energy surge, yet nothing lasts forever. The Corona Blues are deep yet a spark flickers.
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Hooked: Peace on Ice
Something powerful takes over when hanging by an axe hooked into ice, crampons and a collection of carabiners. Presence is where I find inner peace.
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Falling into Place
I once thought that my TBI and vision loss meant my life had fallen apart, yet today I feel it beginning to fall into place.
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Letting Go of the Trail Behind
When I create space for new possibilities, I flow with renewed courage, thankful for the strength I have learned from my scars.
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Impermanence of Luminance
Heading towards a Swiss peak long before the light of day, a dark trail became a bright, reflective classroom. The teacher, a headlamp.
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The Power in Pause Plus Perspective
Tears flowed throughout this tale which depicts the power of intentions, perspective and pausing in the art of conversation.
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Waves in the Wilderness
When I thought I was on solid ground, an unanticipated wave rocked me. I work to ride the waves, each one an opportunity to learn from.
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A Trail of No Comparison
Life is not about dwelling or craving change. Embracing life is about being the best I can possibly be right now.
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The Trail Exposed
Vulnerability has led to conversation, connection and immeasurable growth that would not have unfolded had I kept my falls and fears within.
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Seeing Light
An open heart and an open mind, opens doors and light appears. An unanticipated week in the hospital with pneumonia, I found light.
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Breathing through a Stormy Trail
Up five stitches, down a front tooth, the sky was laughing at me as tears fell through the wrath of thunder on a new September 3rd.
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A Trail of Learning: Lessons from my TBI
Deep, dark emotions that held me in misery, have become lessons. The more I learn, the less I fear.
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Prevailing Winds of Worth
Though physical scars are permanent, self-belief changed. From hospitals to mountains, I am healing, rediscovering, not fixing, myself.
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The Trail of Vulnerability
Vulnerability has led to new connections, experiences, growth and gratitude. Opening up has sparked new light on my trail.
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The Story Continues: Extending the Trail
13 massifs during 1 trip arounds the sun: 12 months later, I am just getting started. Run, reflect, and grow through what I go through.
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Where Gratitude Grows
From going to bed hoping to not wake, to being stoked about my trails ahead, though my eyesight has narrowed, my perspective has widened.
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Fuelling Beauty on the Trails
North America triggered reminders of TBI losses. I struggled to find what I needed in my toolbox.
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The Trail that Cracked
An unanticipated crack of a baseball bat in Flagstaff was nothing any therapy had prepared me for.
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Running Trails through Thought Traffic
Arrival in the USA was accompanied by overwhelm. Rather than letting stumbling stones trip me up, I chose to let them strengthen and motivate me.
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Sight Unseen: Blind Empathy
Sharing my story with a team of blind and visually impaired runners, the inspiration that transpired shone far brighter than the stars in the evening sky.
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Silent Trail towards Acceptance
After years of one-to-one care, I cherish being alone in silence. Challenging days of stillness and silence proved to be powerful movement.
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Rocky Trails
My body was on death’s doorstep such a short time ago. Now, being kind to it seems so straightforward yet through rocky terrain I struggle.
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Limited Eyesight not Limited Expectations
Bloodied knees and hands and another smashed pair of sunglasses. At times I can laugh off falls. Today, getting back up was difficult.
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Navigating a New Relationship
New relationships can be challenging. In my case, the new relationship is with myself. Like any relationship, it takes work.
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Picturing Acceptance
What I cherish and celebrate in others at times is a challenge for me to appreciate in myself. I strive to focus on the look of inner strength.
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Far from a Fairy Tale
A fairy tale might include a pretty alpine picture with my face glistening in the setting sun. Though many rainbows and golden stars, this story is real.
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An Unanticipated Uphill: Andorra to the Alps
Transitioning from the Pyrenees to the Rhone Alps, nostalgia took a surprising toll. The learning curve is all uphill.
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TBI in Common Language
A glimpse of acronyms intended to make sense of my injuries, diagnoses and complications along the way.
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A Collection of the Latest
Keeping my community updated with how I am navigating life's trail, where I am finding light and the goals I am working on.
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Teaming Up with Mountains of My Mind
As a visually impaired adventure athlete, along with unique content and inspiring goals’, contagious energy is fabricated into my story, which I would be grateful to have allies become part of.
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A Story of Serendipity
From the first set of stairs to adventuring in the highest of the Himalayas, come along on a visual story of serendipity.
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Lost on the Trail (6/6)
After more than 2 years, 3 countries, 7 hospitals, I was dropped at Denver airport with no direction. 70% blind, it was up to me to create a vision.
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The Overseas Trail (5/6)
The comorbidity my TBI served stirred confusion within. From Germany to Canada to Colorado, no vacation, no hope.
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Running on Empty (4/6)
Skull fractured and brain severely damaged, I needed fuel to heal yet I had none to give. I withered.
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The Puzzling Trail (3/6)
From intensive physical training, teaching and coaching to being bedridden in an instant; how could the puzzle pieces ever come back together.
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The Complex Trail (2/6)
With a Black Eye, I went home trusting the doctors. My head felt like it was going to explode. I was not too far off.
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The Trailhead (1/6)
A brief synopsis of the day that started like any other; then my life changed in an instant.
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Kanchenjunga: Keepin’ the Story Interesting
The world’s 3rd highest peak, my 3rd 8000er, was going to be different. The stories my mind was telling were daunting yet deep within knew that there was potential for greatness to surface from change. It did.
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Digging Deep on Dhaulagiri
Climbing atop the 7th highest mountain on earth, Dhaulagiri got off to a jagged start. My second 8 000 er was far tougher mentally than physically. I climb on.
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Ice Fall
Once upon a chilly February morning, two eager friends raced the sun rising in Banff National Park in search of a frozen waterfall to scale.....the plot quickly twist and the happily ever after will take a minute.
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Manaslu Expedition Part 1: Embodying the Soul of the Himals
As I prepare to climber beyond 8 000m, I reflect upon the healing I have found in the himals of Nepal, and how I strive to personify their characteristics.
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Part 2: Magical Manaslu ~ a brief look
A glimpse into my first expedition beyond 8 000 m, to the true summit of Manaslu
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A HEAVY LOAD: FROM AMA DABLAM TO THE ANNAPURNAS (PART 4)
Grief is an enigma. Ups and downs, twists and turns, it hides in crevices before it surfaces again without warning.
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A Heavy Load: From Ama Dablam to the Annapurnas (Part 3)
Room for anything but mindfulness does not exist when maneuvering amidst renowned technical terrain, anchor after endless anchor with frigid fingers and without depth perception, one breath at a time I climbed in body and mind.
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A Heavy Load: From Ama Dablam to the Annapurnas (Part 2)
Ama Dablam comes with an extensive packing list; a strong mental game tops the most essential gear as she leaves no space for a wandering mind. Most variables on the mountain are beyond my control yet which direction the voices take is up to me.
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A Heavy Load: From Ama Dablam to the Annapurnas
Having been forced down from the Annapurnas and locked out of the mountains, following 8 challenging months, things were looking up. Embarking upon the most technical test of my vision, physical and mental strength, when an avalanche hit.
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Success Gets Personal on Ama Dablam
With the weight in my mind heavier than that of my pack, I teetered on the trail and in thought. Rescuing myself from fleeing feelings of failure, success became personal.
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A Little Eyesight, A Lot of Insight: A Dance on Island Peak
Among a panorama of giants in the Imja Valley, insight was stronger than a tempting dance between doubt and dark thoughts as I climbed Island Peak.
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Padlocking Peaks and Unlocking Opportunity
Backcountry skiing among the highest of the Himalayas felt blissfully surreal. In an instant, the peaks were padlocked and an internal storm was triggered.
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A Himalayan Detour: More than Trail Running in Nepal
Pneumonia could have knocked me down. Instead it led to higher trails, new connections and a chapter more dynamic than mountain weather.
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Seeing the Trail as it Really Is
A 10-day Vipassana sit was a whole new endurance experience that created new thought patterns and built strength in stillness.
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Trails in the Land of Fire and Ice and the Midnight Sun
With ravishing waterfalls among enchanting geothermal mountains, trails taught lessons in geological contrasts and the warmth of Icelanders.
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Trails from my Eye: Anecdotes from America
Making the most of what I can do, I checked in with my medical team in Denver and hopped out to trails throughout Colorado. Arizona and Utah.
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Trail Running Peru: When Plans and Trails Collide
Spectacular trails throughout the Andes, Peru moved mountains within.
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Southern Growth: Trail Running Argentina
My Andes’ adventures, the pearls of Patagonia and colourful gems of Jujuy made for a 6 week magical story of growth.
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Trail Running Tales and Musings from Middle Earth
Running ridges above Wanaka, dodging clouds and chasing rainbows, beech forests, mountain peaks, glacial lakes, all mythical, magical, Kiwi memories.
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Nepal: Manaslu Mountain Trail Race
A concoction of uncomforts blended smoothly to make for a most memorable run around the world’s 8th highest mountain.
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Nepal: Annapurna 50 km Trail Race
Registering to race was huge. I started and finished with a smile as big as the Himalayas yet I was not finished with Nepal.
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Nepal: Annapurna Analogously
With more than 11 000 m of elevation gain over 220 km, running the Annapurna Circuit reflected the journey of my recovery.
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Not Finding Love in Ladakh
Introducing myself to India and the Himalayas by way of running was a challenging first date. I look forward to trying a second time.
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Serenity in Slovenia
A gem in the Julian Alps, with thousands of trails and hundreds of peaks Slovenia had me striding and smiling.
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Dodging Demons in the Dolomites
A stunning Italian backdropped yet I struggled on foot and in mind. Rocky came along for a rugged run in the Dolomites.
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Apprendre en France
Building confidence on the trails and in my body, I reflect with gratitude following a month in France.
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Pyrenees Andorra
Just 6 months out of hospital, my first real trail running since the accident provided an opportunity to challenge demons and discover strength.
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