Let’s face it: I’m sheepish around heights.
So when my awesome friends (and fellow stunt folks) Matt Berberi and Tara Macken asked me if I wanted to go rock climbing, I was slightly hesitant. They said that if anything, I could hike with them to the rock wall and just enjoy the day outdoors. So in the spirit of living every moment of my life as a new adventure, I accepted with open arms.
We met up with our guide, stunt rigger and climbing legend, Jeff Constine. Upon introduction, he fitted me for a harness and had me carry rope up to the climbing spot. Once we were there, there was no backing down…get on that wall!
My friends are so tricky.
The first climb was rough, shaking off nerves mostly, but after that one was out of the way, climbing some of the other routes was somewhat of a breeze. Then came the real challenge…Jeff set up a route that spanned a hundred foot vertical, and it was no breeze.
The first 50 feet was extremely difficult. A nearly vertical incline, it was mentally taxing because you really had to make solid moves. The next 25 feet was slightly simpler but physically exhausting. At 75 feet above the ground, my body wanted to give up. At this point, all the ghosts of my past, my pains, and my inner critic tried to flood my mind and make me give up.
But my friends weren’t going to let me. I wasn’t going to let me. Never back down...gotta live fearless! So after fighting and defeating my inner demons (and a couple fist pounds to the wall), I took it one step at a time. Focus on the moment, look at what’s in front of you and make your educated moves with faith in something greater and believe in yourself. Get a good footing, don’t look back, just keep climbing up toward the sun. I stayed centered and took one great leap of faith to grab a stronghold, and as I pushed up, I noticed I was at the top of my line. I had reached the top.
Hanging off the side of a gloriously challenging rock wall 100 feet above the earth tested my outer and inner strength. As I exhaled and relaxed my body, I opened my eyes to what I had just accomplished and took in the view. It was breathtakingly beautiful.
I never thought in my life I would have done anything like this, but with the support and encouragement of really great friends, an awesome guide, and an unstoppable spirit inside me, I did it. I can do anything!
So when my awesome friends (and fellow stunt folks) Matt Berberi and Tara Macken asked me if I wanted to go rock climbing, I was slightly hesitant. They said that if anything, I could hike with them to the rock wall and just enjoy the day outdoors. So in the spirit of living every moment of my life as a new adventure, I accepted with open arms.
 |
| take a moment, just breathe... |
We met up with our guide, stunt rigger and climbing legend, Jeff Constine. Upon introduction, he fitted me for a harness and had me carry rope up to the climbing spot. Once we were there, there was no backing down…get on that wall!
My friends are so tricky.
The first climb was rough, shaking off nerves mostly, but after that one was out of the way, climbing some of the other routes was somewhat of a breeze. Then came the real challenge…Jeff set up a route that spanned a hundred foot vertical, and it was no breeze.
 |
| look up, smile at the sun... |
The first 50 feet was extremely difficult. A nearly vertical incline, it was mentally taxing because you really had to make solid moves. The next 25 feet was slightly simpler but physically exhausting. At 75 feet above the ground, my body wanted to give up. At this point, all the ghosts of my past, my pains, and my inner critic tried to flood my mind and make me give up.
 |
| keep climbing up toward greatness! |
But my friends weren’t going to let me. I wasn’t going to let me. Never back down...gotta live fearless! So after fighting and defeating my inner demons (and a couple fist pounds to the wall), I took it one step at a time. Focus on the moment, look at what’s in front of you and make your educated moves with faith in something greater and believe in yourself. Get a good footing, don’t look back, just keep climbing up toward the sun. I stayed centered and took one great leap of faith to grab a stronghold, and as I pushed up, I noticed I was at the top of my line. I had reached the top.
Hanging off the side of a gloriously challenging rock wall 100 feet above the earth tested my outer and inner strength. As I exhaled and relaxed my body, I opened my eyes to what I had just accomplished and took in the view. It was breathtakingly beautiful.
I never thought in my life I would have done anything like this, but with the support and encouragement of really great friends, an awesome guide, and an unstoppable spirit inside me, I did it. I can do anything!
