Limiting Beliefs

How one woman’s epic disaster can help you chase your dreams.

by Jen Westra

Have you ever set out to do something you thought you were ready for . . . only to discover that not only are you NOT prepared, you are, in fact, are in WAY over your head? (As business owners, I’m guessing you can relate…)

For two years, my friend Sarah and I have been planning for an “epic hike,” mostly as an excuse to train and travel together! Our goal: a thru-hike of the Enchantments in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness outside Leavenworth.

And finally, three weeks ago, the day of the hike arrived!

Everything started according to plan: an INSANELY early wake-up call (I need to find new hobbies that don’t involve getting up at 4 a.m.!), setting out by daybreak, and getting to the first checkpoint, Colchuk Lake, by 9 a.m. for “lunch.”

Then came what we knew would be the most physically demanding part of the hike: the climb up and over Aasgard Pass (gaining over 2000 feet of elevation in less than a mile, and reaching a max altitude of nearly 8000 ft! ⛰️).

And it was just as bad as it sounds: due to all the bouldering, bear crawling and wayfinding, what we thought would take us two hours ended up taking almost four. But at least we could feel some relief, because the worst was behind us, right?

WRONG.

The farther and higher we went, the worse I started feeling: I was getting more and more light-headed, which made it hard to see straight, and was suddenly nauseous, which meant I couldn’t fuel or hydrate the way I needed to be.

And the scariest part was that I had NO idea what was happening to me. I felt like I was in an alien body that couldn’t follow simple requests, with no apparent cause. I could barely make it half a mile before having to stop to rest and catch my breath and started doubting my ability to make it much farther. Other than waiting to be rescued by helicopter or take up permanent residence on the mountain, though, our only option was to keep moving. So that’s what we did, even though moving so slowly meant that rather than finishing before dark, we watched helplessly as the sun sank lower and lower in the sky, eventually disappearing and leaving us in total darkness.

They say that a night spent under the stars is a chance to reconnect with awe and wonder, but what I remember most about that night is feeling helpless to do anything but sit down on a rock and cry in the dark. I’d lost my faith in my body’s ability to keep going. The only thing that got me up and moving again was Sarah’s continued reassurance that we could do this, and that all we had to do was take it one step at a time.

Much, MUCH later, as we watched the sun rise and got back down into lower elevations, I gradually started feeling better and some of the vertigo and nausea lessened.

As I slowly started to feel slightly more coherent, I finally realized there WAS something that explained ALL of my symptoms: I had gotten altitude sickness (0/10, do NOT recommend)!

Originally, we’d estimated that it would take us 12-14 hours to complete our hike (how optimistic and naïve we were). Eventually, 23 miles, 10,000 feet of elevation change, and 27 hours later, we finally made it to the end of the trail.

Where We Go From Here

But why am I telling you, a badass female entrepreneur, a story about a hike gone horribly wrong? Because, while the circumstances are different, owning your own business almost never goes entirely to plan.

Even when we’ve done everything “right,” there will be times in your business that feel like a long, tear-strewn slog through the dark, and you’ll start to believe you’re in over your head.

So if I have any wisdom I can share from this experience, it’s this:

Takeaway #1: Your brain (and your limiting beliefs!) are lying to you! You CAN do hard things, and you’re capable of more than you think. Don’t let the stories in your head keep you from chasing your dreams. 

Takeaway #2: Don’t go it alone. If it wasn’t for Sarah, I might still be up on that mountain! So whether it’s a friend, other Vested members, or a coach, find the people that help you remember WHY you’re doing this, and can keep you moving forward, even if it’s just one step at a time.

Takeaway #3: No matter how prepared you are, sometimes you’ll face circumstances beyond your control (like altitude sickness!). So have grace and compassion for yourself as you weather unexpected storms. You’re doing the best you can, and that’s ENOUGH!

And, of course, the obvious moral to the story: do NOT hike the Enchantments! ;)

If you’re ready to tackle some of your limiting beliefs in your life or your business, download my Unlearning Limiting Beliefs workbook. In just four steps (inspired and tested by my own limiting beliefs!), it will help you tackle your own mountains to get to your unapologetic, unstoppable life . . . NO altitude sickness required.

Wishing you a smooth trek up any mountains you face as you reach for your wildest dreams, surrounded by people who will remind you just how amazing you are!

About the Author:

Jen Westra is the coach and owner of Life on Purpose Coaching. She’s on a mission to help women who’ve spent their lives being who they think they’re “supposed” to be reconnect with their unapologetic, inner badass. When she’s not coaching, you can usually find her running or sitting in the sunshine with a good book (ideally with a glass of bubbly in her hand!). You can find Jen on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, or her website.