I have a fear of heights.
It started when I fell off the glacial northeast face of Table Mountain (elevation 11,111 ft) in the Grand Teton Mountain range at age 18. This past weekend, I took this picture of that glacier on Table Mountain from Lower Saddle of the Tetons.
Several months ago, I hired a virtual nutrition and fitness coach, Cecily Stoddard. It was an affordable option that gave me tremendous flexibility to work around my crazy schedule. I've never met her in person, but she designed nutrition and fitness plans and pushed them to a fitness app to follow. For the first time since high school, I've been doing deadlifts and reverse lunges in my workout routine. I'm in the best shape I've been in since high school.
My supportive wife and best freind, Nicole, went on walks with me constantly. I hiked on trails almost every day averaging about 16,000 steps a day for several weeks. On my hikes in mountains in Idaho and Colorado, I would stand next to cliffs and meditate until I could keep my balance and focus without freaking out. I practiced bouldering. I took a lead climbing course at the local climbing gym.
I talked with experienced climbers that summited the Grand, like Gary Cooper. Gary has summited the Grand over 50 times. He told me there wasn't anything I couldn't do on that climb and I started to believe him. He told me how. One thing he said was to make sure I lather up my parts with Vaseline and leave my fly open for venting. I didn't do that, but I did everything else he told me to do.
Gary said if I could climb the football stadium stairs 20 times in 30 minutes with pack on, I could climb the Grand in 14 hours. I finally made the 30 minute time a week before.
I was the weakest in our group. Two 25-yr old high school friends and hard-core mountaineers, Van Stott Silver and Kesler Hortin. (I'm confident they saved my life about 10 times on that mountain) Then, me and my high school friend Chris Waddell, both from the 1900's. We visited the art gallery in Jackson Hole before we hit the trail and Chris gave me a lesson in the arts. I was inspired for the trek. He's a brilliant artist and sculptor, one of the most talented and kind people I know.
Somehow we made it. It took a humbling 22 hours. There were many moments I felt like we were in big trouble. Like when I had to stretch around a boulder, gripping with my fingers and toes as I scooted around the Belly Roll hanging out over a 2,000 ft vertical cliff. (see photo) We prayed focused and fought through the challenges one at a time. I knew my family was praying for me. I had studied hours of videos and read books about the climb and still with all the preparation, I had to experience it all to know it.
@jimkchin was on the summit with his daughter and Jimmy smiled at me while I was stepping up. As if I made it to heaven and God was smiling at me to say, "See, I told you it would be worth it." It was surreal at the summit. I wept for 10 minutes as I looked down at Teewinot Mountain (elev 12,330 ft). The Grand Teton ascends to 13,775 ft).
I'm not scared of heights anymore.
When I was a young boy, our family traveled for the holidays to Ventura, CA to visit my grandparents. They had a backyard pool. My ambition and enthusiasm to swim exceeded my ability. Instead of waiting for the others, I ran out to the pool and jumped in the deep end. I remember panicking as I was sinking to the bottom, helpless. My Mom must have heard the splash. She ran out, jumped in and saved my life.
I’ve continued pursuing things beyond my ability, but Mom has always been there to give me the space to do crazy things and inspire and help me to keep going when I feel overwhelmed or in over my head.
Looking back, I realize how many times in life she has rescued me, not just physically, but spiritually, and mentally. She taught me to believe that growth comes from trying things that seem impossible at first.
Happy Mother’s Day, to my incredible Mom. Thank you for always being there when I needed you most.
🎥: Former @BYUfootball DT Khyiris Tonga on the role his LDS faith plays in his life
“It’s everything to me. That’s who I am, and that’s hopefully something that I can be when someone looks at me.”
Full story on his road to Super Bowl LX:
https://t.co/HITfZTckUU
AJ Dybantsa came to BYU because it felt like a place he belonged.
From Brockton roots to Congo lessons to Provo love — it’s his turn now.
Championship or bust. 💙🏀 #GoCougs