I have always pushed myself in life and encouraged others to do the same. Whether it’s to overcome fears or to test my limits, these challenges teach us invaluable lessons about ourselves.

Over the years, I’ve run marathons, competed in Ironman events, and tackled stages of the Tour de France, but Kilimanjaro nearly defeated me. This photo of me from 2017 captures one of the many moments when I had to stop and sit down. At this point, the guides were urging me to descend. I was just 200 meters from the summit—but I could not give in after coming so far. By then, I had already left my mark on the mountain several times, thanks to nausea and a pounding headache (it felt like the worst hangover imaginable!).

Having suffered from migraines since the age of four, I have learned to manage pain and sickness. But on Kilimanjaro, it was the sheer lack of energy that truly drained me. In the end, the compromise was that one of the guides carried my bag—a tough pill to swallow, especially since my wife was powering ahead with her rucksack firmly on her back. She never fails to remind me of that!

I was also fortunate to have my wife (a doctor) by my side, and not just for her medical advice, but her presence and mental support made it possible to make the right decision: to press on and attempt the summit.

We made it. After snapping a quick photo at the top, we began a swift descent. I often wonder if I hold the record for the fastest descent—I could not wait to leave that unforgiving mountain.

What Did I Learn?

I learned that persistence is everything. Whether in business or life, there will always be moments when giving up feels like the easier option. Those moments define us, because pushing through challenges—not despite, but because of their difficulty—brings growth and strength.

On that mountain, every step became a battle of willpower over weakness. There were countless reasons to stop: the altitude sickness, the sheer exhaustion, the voice in my head saying, “Why bother?” But I realized that perseverance is not about ignoring those voices—it is about answering them, one step at a time.

In business, just like on that climb, there are times when it feels like you’re moving uphill with every obstacle trying to drag you back down. Progress can feel painfully slow, and you’re tempted to throw in the towel. But as an entrepreneur, you learn to adapt, find compromises, and make decisions in the face of adversity. That’s what keeps you moving forward.

Kilimanjaro also taught me the value of support. Surrounding yourself with the right people—a strong team or even just a steadfast partner—makes all the difference. No one climbs a mountain alone, and no one builds a business alone.

Finally, while my lifelong goal to make it to Everest is now unlikely (due to my challenges with altitude), that does not mean I cannot set new goals that align with my strengths. Resilience means embracing setbacks, learning from them, and finding new ways to move forward.

As Rocky Balboa famously said, “It ain’t about how hard you hit—it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.” That’s a lesson I carry with me every day, in life, business, and beyond.

All the best, Laurence