4 YEARS. 4 MOUNTAINS.

My life revolves around timed and untimely chaos. Some days, I ask myself what the hell I'm doing. But no matter how chaotic the days become, I know I must move forward. And upward. 

In summer 2012, I had just moved to Denver and knew I wanted to get up a mountain. With the help of a team of 3 friends (Eddie, Michael, and Connor), we made the full trek up Mount Evans (14,265).

Again in 2015, and with my favorite adventurer, Mikayla, we hiked up and around Lake Lugano, Switzerland, I came to realize the views are worth the trek.

In my selfish pursuit to (temporarily, possibly) leave Earth at some point in my life, I first feel I must take in a few more of the magnificent views from up top, here within this small planet.

Now, just days before my 30th birthday, I sit here and prepare for my biggest personal, non-venture-related challenge yet. So, here it is.

4 Years. 4 Mountains.
Official Hashtag is #4yrs4mts

In 2018, and with the commitment from my favorite adventurer, Mikayla, we will trek up a Colorado 14er to kick off this challenge on home soil. 

In 2019, and also with the commitment from Mikayla, we will together climb Mt Kilimanjaro (19,341). 

In 2020, and with a team, the tentative target is Denali (Mt McKinley), the highest mountain peak in North America (20,310).

In 2021, and with a full team, it's Everest (29,029). I need that view from my own eyes. Once accomplished, having been at that point, closest to outer space with my own 2 feet on the ground, I'll be ready when the time comes, to get out of our gravity.

Preparation. Goodbye, Alcohol and Sugar.

"Fitness is the first step to greatness," states Justin Kan, Founder of Twitch.

In the day-to-day, helping run multiple ventures, every moment can seem demanding. That's because it is. I've stated before, boxing helps keep my mind and body (in that order) in check. To really ramp up my fitness and preparation for all ventures to become more demanding, and the mountains kicking my ass, I'm committing to the following fitness and dieting, beginning July 20:

• Continue boxing and coaching--this includes 3-5 practices per week.
• 2 5k jogs per week, with the target being 100 5ks completed per year.
• ​More lifting. 
• No added sugar foods until I summit Everest. This is going to kick my ass.
• No alcohol until I summit Everest. This is also going to kick my ass, and save me $800 per year (average spent on alcohol in past 3 years).

I'm in good shape as I hit 30, and I'm thankful for a body able to take punches, stress, pressure, cuts, scrapes, bruises, stitches, and still without major broken bones. I'm thankful for a mind able to understand and deal with depression and anxiety, and the understanding that most of the best results in life come from the toughest decisions.

If you believe the view is worth the climb, don't quit.