Overcoming The Mountain

17/10/2024

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in all the adversity and hard times I have faced is that no matter how bad your day has been you have to find something good in it. Otherwise you’ll get swallowed whole.

04/08/2024

I keep meeting people who think rank is their passport to a lighter workload. They live in this delusion that they’re somehow entitled to kick their feet up and bark orders at others, while doing nothing themselves. When you choose to become a leader you give up early nights and an easy workload. You have to do your job AND you have a responsibility to ensure your subordinates can do theirs. A method that works for me is training my team during the day so they have my full attention while they’re learning, then I work on whatever I need to after I send them home for the day.

25/07/2024

The last two weeks at Annual Training I have been the First Sergeant, the Operations NCO, and the CMOC Chief. There were many moments I felt completely under water, thinking I wasn’t doing a good enough job. I thought I was going to let down the Battalion. Then I got this text from a Soldier who isn’t even in my Company. This is worth more to me than any award.

15/07/2024

27/06/2024

There are so many things happening in my life lately. Some I’m excited for. Some I’m absolutely terrified about. I don’t know how things are going to turn out. I don’t know if new chapters are beginning or if some books are about to end. All I know is that I am going through it and that I’ll come out the other side. We’ll see what kind of shape I’m in after this portion of my journey.

24/06/2024

Yesterday I got the opportunity to summit my very first 10k+ peak. That might sound strange since I’m a military mountaineer and because I spend so much time in the mountains. But prominent peaks just haven’t been a priority. After 4600 feet of total elevation gain, 19 miles, and 13.5 hours of walking with my rucksack I can tell you I wanted to give up after the first mile and almost every step after that. I even considered spending the night up there to get some rest. I consumed every drop of the 7 liters of water I brought, along with 3 RX bars and half a bag of beef jerky. My food choice probably contributed to my fatigue. What can I say? Maybe I’m a glutton for punishment.

As I reminisce I’m reminded of a quote by Sir Edmund Hillary, the first person to reach the summit of Mount Everest “It’s not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves”

04/03/2024

You are what you repeatedly do. Therefore excellence ought to be a habit, not an act. - Aristotle

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked “Why do you spend so much time at the Zero Range?” “Your zero is good. Why don’t you go to the Qualification Range?” Or other questions along those lines. Well, I have two reasons:

1. Let’s just say that shooting puts me in a different state. It pumps a LOT of adrenaline through my body. I have found that my score dramatically increases when I shoot just a few extra rounds before going up to qualify.
2. I want my zero to be as good as I can possibly get it because the better my zero is the more likely I am to hit my targets, especially the ones at greater distances.

Everyone I see at the range tries to zero as fast as possible so they can “qualify” and then be done for the day. Most of them, in the Reserves, have a hard time qualifying. Meanwhile I very rarely don’t shoot at the expert level on the qualification table. Why is this? It’s not because I’m just some innately great shooter. No. It’s because I take my time, I practice, and I am methodical and consistent about the different stages of marksmanship before going to the Qualification Range.

29/02/2024

🏔️✨ Sometimes, amidst the hustle and the relentless pursuit of goals, we forget the power held in simply enduring. In the journey of climbing our personal mountains, where each step can be a battle, remember: **”Sometimes survival is victory.”** 🌟

In those moments when you feel like you’re barely hanging on, when the peak seems too far, and the path too treacherous, know that your resilience in facing each day is a victory in itself.

We often measure success by the heights we reach, the milestones achieved. But isn’t there incredible strength in the quiet moments of perseverance? Isn’t there immense courage in facing another day, despite the storms within? 🌦️

Let’s redefine victory. Let’s celebrate the courage it takes to survive, to keep moving forward, even when the only audience to your struggle is the mirror. Here’s to finding triumph in survival, to recognizing the warrior within. 🛡️✨

25/02/2024

“Overcoming the Mountain” represents conquering the challenges and hardships we encounter on our daily path. It’s about pushing through obstacles, whether they be physical, emotional, or mental, and emerging stronger on the other side.

“Destination Never” symbolizes the relentless pursuit of exploration and growth, where the journey is perpetual, and the possibilities are endless. It’s about embracing the adventure of life’s ever-changing landscapes and navigating through its twists and turns with courage and determination.

So, as we journey through life, let’s remember that “Destination Never” isn’t just about reaching a specific place or goal—it’s about “Overcoming the Mountain” and the continuous process of self-discovery, resilience, and personal growth. It’s about embracing the ups and downs, the highs and lows, and finding beauty and meaning in every step of the way. 🏔️✨

17/02/2024

Life’s obstacles may seem like towering mountains, but remember, every peak conquered brings strength and resilience. Just like scaling a summit, overcoming life’s challenges requires determination, perseverance, and a willingness to push beyond your comfort zone.

In the great outdoors, we find solace and inspiration. Nature teaches us that storms will pass, and the sun will eventually break through the clouds. So, as you navigate the rugged terrain of your own life, remember that each step forward brings you closer to the breathtaking view from the top.

Embrace the climb, for it is in the struggle that we discover our truest selves. Together, let’s conquer our mountains, both literal and metaphorical, and emerge stronger, wiser, and more resilient than ever before. 🏔️✨