The event that nearly killed me but made me stronger!

29 May 1960 Sir Ed & Tenzing Norgay Conquer Everest.

29 May 2009 Glenn Marvin Conquers the Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon.

That was 15 years ago today, and it is a very special day on my calendar.

This event was a turning point in my life that made me realise that the mind can push your body far beyond what you think.

It took a 15-day trek to Everest Base Camp to get to the marathon's start line, and I was sick. (Boy, was I sick).

In those 15 days of hell, I lost 12.5 kilograms with a nasty bug and was just so weak.

I was, however, so determined to run this thing that each morning, while other competitors had breakfast, I set off at a sorry snail's pace and began trudging up the mountain trails.

A couple of days before the race, there were snowstorms with massive dumps and sub-zero temperatures.

The day of the race, starting from Everest Base Camp they had to send porters out to create trails in the snow so we knew where to go to get below the snow line and stay safe.

Now for me, my typical marathon time was around 3hrs 40min (not fast but not super slow).

That day started well; the hype, the nerves and the excitement kept me going well for the first two hours.

Then the wheels fell off. My body hit the wall & fell off the cliff (figuratively). I was a total mess.

There were times I was curled up in a ball on the side of the trail, not knowing if I could ever get back up or if I would need to be rescued. They didn't last long, but my pace was glacial.

One foot in front of the other.

Relentless forward motion.

I will never forget "Botson Bill" who found me in a heap on the trailside at around the 30km mark.

It was at that point he gave up his race to ensure I finished.

He stayed with me, every painfully slow step of the way for the next 12 km.

My finish time?

Nowhere near the 4-5 hours I was hoping for.

9 hours and 34 minutes of the best pain I could ever have hoped to endure.

I pushed myself so much further past any limit I believed I was capable of, and from that day onwards, in life and in business, I knew anything was possible when I set my mind to it.

I am forever grateful I went on that trip.

The people I met, the friends I made and the lessons I learned were for life.

Cherish the time you have but please, don't underestimate what you are capable of and if you need a "Boston Bill" in your life or business..... I am happy to be there for you every step of the way to achieving your dreams.