“Everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about.” - Brad Metzler
In 2022, I eagerly signed up for Summit Push, a trial run for an event I planned to undertake later that year at Snowbasin in Utah. Despite never having delved into endurance events before, my passion for hiking drove me to seek out opportunities to expand my boundaries. The day I picked up my registration packet, a surge of nervous energy gripped me as I realized the gravity of what I had signed up for. "This is really happening," I thought as I returned to my car.
On the morning of the event, my stomach churned with nerves, amplifying my concerns about how I would be perceived by others. This marked my first venture into endurance events, and I was apprehensive about standing out as a novice among seasoned athletes. I couldn't shake the feeling of being an outsider in this unfamiliar environment.
The report time was 6:00 am, and it was pitch black out as we gathered at Snowbasin. I felt a mix of excitement and uncertainty as the anticipation built. The energy around me surged, and soon, I found myself positioning towards the front of the crowd. Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” blared through the speakers, adding to the mounting excitement. When the air horn went off, the rush of over 200 people climbing up the mountain created an intense atmosphere.
There's much more to this story, which I will detail in another blog post, but suffice it to say I had a lot of “what was I thinking” moments. I found myself comparing my progress to others, noticing the hikers passing me effortlessly. One of the coaches, Coach Chris, particularly stood out. After my final ascent that day, I found myself riding down the mountain with the same man who had effortlessly hiked this very steep mountain with a cup of coffee in hand. I shared my experiences with him and confessed my struggle with comparisons. Then, Coach Chris said, “Everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about.” That statement has remained etched in my memory ever since.
The lesson I took from that day was a powerful one: what may appear easy to me could be very hard for someone else. We all fight private battles within ourselves, and it's important to remember that appearances can be deceptive.
MOUNTAIN MINDSET:
Always remember that when we compare ourselves to others, it often results in us feeling inadequate and dissatisfied. Each person's path in life is completely unique, and we can never truly understand the challenges they may be encountering behind the scenes. Instead of comparing ourselves to others, it's much more beneficial to focus on our own personal growth and progress, while also providing encouragement and compassion to those around us. By embracing our own individuality and being aware of the struggles others may be facing, we can contribute to creating a more empathetic and understanding world for everyone. Celebrate you!
