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Why Not Almost There? I had never run a long race in my life, but here I am, in the middle of the 2015 Chicago Marathon. I’m feeling fantastic, even thinking I could go double the distance. Just being in this race was a mini-miracle. I had heart surgery and back surgery a decade earlier. I could barely stand back then, let alone run. Nonetheless, I’m fired up and feel better than ever. Then I see right in front of me— a sign that nearly stops me in my tracks, NOT ALMOST THERE. I try to brush it off but can’t stop thinking about those words. Every step seems heavier, harder, and then I start cramping up. I begin to walk and complain inside and out. I struggle the entire second half but finish (barely) with everything I have after being physically and mentally crushed. I have never stopped thinking about that sign but that’s fueled a quest to understand the power of the mind, body, and spirit. To understand how we accomplish things. To understand how we become better in the race against time and ourselves. Who am I? Southside Chicago kid. Young Father (20). Assembly line worker. Found 15 seconds between building cars to study. Graduated. Took 5 years. Created a few companies. Sold two. 800 employees. Created Refuel and Not Almost There to help others.
Episodes
Sunday Oct 24, 2021
Sunday Oct 24, 2021
Lucy Westlake is the youngest person to climb all 50 high points in the United States, she is an adventurer, explorer, endurance athlete, runner, triathlete, mountaineer, and motivational speaker; she dreams big, sets goals, and works hard to accomplish them. Lucy has been climbing mountains since she could walk. She has a deep love for the outdoors and pushes her physical and mental limits to new heights. Lucy began her high-pointing adventure, climbing to the top of every state’s highest mountain, at the age of seven when she and her family visited Black Mountain in Kentucky. Looking at the US geological survey marker on top of the mountain, Lucy and her family began to wonder where other state highpoints were located. They spent the next four hours while driving home looking up and reading about state highpoints. For the next five years, Lucy and her family traveled throughout the United States climbing each state’s highest mountain.
IN THIS EPISODE … Joe talks to Lucy Westlake about her climbing adventures. It is unusual for a young person to be so determined and focused from such a young age. Not only has Lucy accomplished hiking all high points in the US, but several difficult mountains in the world including Elbrus, in Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia. She doesn’t stop with her physical goals and challenging herself, she also has a huge heart and humanitarian side. Lucy is wise beyond her years and partnered with Waterstep to make sure there is safe water for people to drink in underserved areas.
🔍 Breakdown with Lucy Westlake:
Chapter 1 (0:00): Introduction
Joe introduces Lucy Westlake and sets up the episode.
Chapter 2 (1:07): Hiking all 50 high points
Lucy and her dad set out on a mission to climb all the highest points in the 50 states. She shares with us how they were able to do that.
Chapter 3 (2:07): Starting at a young age
At the age of 4, Lucy completed her first 5K with her family and they didn’t look back from there. As a family they traveled and began hiking.
Chapter 4 (10:54 ): Difficulties and dangers of climbing
Climbing is not something you can just decide to do and scale some of the hardest terrains. There is a lot of planning and training that surrounds a safe experience.
Chapter 5 (12:48): Techniques for climbing and running
Lucy has had breathing coaches and various trainers that have helped with her speed in running at the high school level competitively as well as on her climbs.
Chapter 6 (18:56): The complete Denali story
The first time Lucy and her father tried to scale Denali they failed. They had to turn around. They came face to face with the reality of just how dangerous this expedition was.
Chapter 7 (33:40): Lessons learned from these experiences
Lucy has learned so many life lessons along the way from training and hiking the states and mountains.
Chapter 8 (34:47): Training for climbing
There are many ways to train for an intense climb. Lucy shares what she does to get ready and the importance of breathing.
Chapter 9 (40:07): Partnership with Waterstep
WaterStep manufactures and provides products that make water safe to drink. They’re available for sale to mission teams, humanitarians, disaster relief agencies, and survivalists
Chapter 10 (54:35): What is next for Lucy
The explorer’s grand slam is Lucy’s next goal. There are only 5 women who have accomplished this goal, and the youngest is 20 years old.
Chapter 11 (1:06:16): Wrapping Up
Joe wraps up the episode with Lucy
Material Referenced in this interview:
→Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
→https://highpointers.org/
→https://www.sevensummits.com/
→5 Week Leadership Challenge by Patrick Leddin
📞 Connect with Lucy
→https://www.instagram.com/climbyourhighpoint
→https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100015661451642
→https://twitter.com/lucy_westlake
→https://lucywestlake.com/
👊 To learn more about Not Almost There by visiting this link
→ Not Almost There http://notalmostthere.com/
Connect with Joe on social here:
→https://www.instagram.com/notalmostthere/
→Facebook https://www.facebook.com/notalmostthere/
→Twitter http://twitter.com/joechura