There’s a point on every climb, literal or metaphorical, when you hit the wall.

For me, that moment came 90% of the way up Mount Kilimanjaro.
Altitude sickness hit hard. My head pounded. My body refused to move. Every step felt impossible.

I found a small cave, collapsed, and told my guide to leave me.
I was done.
I wanted to quit.

But as I sat there, nauseous and defeated, something quiet but powerful surfaced:
not yet.  Resilience was my saviour

Through the fog, I began to gain some clarity. I had come too far to give in now.  I started to cash in on some of my bank deposits.  Reminding myself of all that I had already achieved.  All that I had trained and prepared for.  I can do this.

So I stood up. I took one small step.
Then another.

Hours later, long past the planned summit time, I made it to the top of Africa.

The Real Lesson

That climb taught me more about leadership and character than any MBA, course, or coaching book ever could.

Resilience isn’t tidy. It’s raw, uncomfortable, and often lonely.
It’s about finding strength after you’ve convinced yourself you’ve got none left.

Leadership Parallels

In leadership, your Kilimanjaro moments aren’t mountain peaks, they’re boardroom pressures, critical projects, and days when the fog rolls in so thick you can’t see the path ahead.

I wrote more about how leaders regain clarity in those moments in Why Clarity Isn’t Just a CEO’s Superpower — a reminder that perspective is often the difference between giving up and pushing through.

You’ll face times when:

• The pressure feels unbearable.
• The summit seems out of reach.
• The easiest option is to quit.

But here’s the truth: imperfect perseverance still moves you forward.
It’s not about being fearless, it’s about being relentless.

The leaders I coach, such as whether surgeons, barristers, or founders, all share one thing in common: they keep climbing when most would stop.

The Reflection

I nearly gave up that day.
But I didn’t.

And because of that, I stood on top of Africa, and not just proud, but changed.

That’s the power of resilience.
That’s the mark of leadership.

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Key Takeaway

When you’re in the waves, you can’t see the coastline.
That’s why every leader needs a lighthouse.

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I’m Laurence Loxam – I’ve pushed limits in business, on mountains, and at the finish line.

Now I help elite professionals do the same, pushing past the point most people stop.

I coach CEOs, doctors, lawyers, and founders who’ve hit success, but still feel there’s more.

Together, we unlock clarity, sharpen confidence, and lead with conviction.

🔗 loxamconsultingltd.org

📩 Ready for your next leadership breakthrough? Let’s connect.