That time I thought I was going to lose my hand — but was going to summit Everest anyway. 🤷🏻♂️👆🏼
Moral of the story: Don’t get caught up in the noise. All you have to do is focus on your end goal. And trust that the rest will take care of itself.
(via @joerogan)
Day 54: FINISH LINE!!! I did it! The Impossible First ✅. 32 hours and 30 minutes after leaving my last camp early Christmas morning, I covered the remaining ~80 miles in one continuous “Antarctica Ultramarathon” push to the finish line. The wooden post in the background of this picture marks the edge of the Ross Ice Shelf, where Antarctica’s land mass ends and the sea ice begins. As I pulled my sled over this invisible line, I accomplished my goal: to become the first person in history to traverse the continent of Antarctica coast to coast solo, unsupported and unaided. While the last 32 hours were some of the most challenging hours of my life, they have quite honestly been some of the best moments I have ever experienced. I was locked in a deep flow state the entire time, equally focused on the end goal, while allowing my mind to recount the profound lessons of this journey. I’m delirious writing this as I haven’t slept yet. There is so much to process and integrate and there will be many more posts to acknowledge the incredible group of people who supported this project. But for now, I want to simply recognize my #1 who I, of course, called immediately upon finishing. I burst into tears making this call. I was never alone out there. @jennabesaw you walked every step with me and guided me with your courage and strength. WE DID IT!! We turned our dream into reality and proved that The Impossible First is indeed possible. “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” – Nelson Mandela.
#TheImpossibleFirst #BePossible
18 months after being burned in a fire in rural Thailand and being told I’d never walk again normally, I not only finished but WON the Chicago Triathlon, to my complete and utter surprise.
By forcing me to tap into deep reservoirs of potential inside of myself, that initial horrific event set the course of countless extraordinary experiences and achievements to follow.
I attribute it all to what I now call a Possible Mindset™ – “an empowered way of thinking that unlocks a life of limitless possibilities”.
It’s a mindset my mother helped me cultivate in that hospital bed almost 15 years ago. She got me to visualize achieving something that seemed out of reach.
I committed to DAILY incremental steps that were challenging but non-negotiable; built into my lifestyle over the course of the year and a half to follow.
If you feel broken, I want you to close your eyes and visualize yourself whole. What do you see? What are you doing? How does it feel?
Our potential to thrive is limitless with the right mindset.
#BePossible #possiblemindset #mindsetforsuccess #impossibleisnothing
18 months after being burned in a fire in rural Thailand and being told I’d never walk again normally, I not only finished but WON the Chicago Triathlon, to my complete and utter surprise.
By forcing me to tap into deep reservoirs of potential inside of myself, that initial horrific event set the course of countless extraordinary experiences and achievements to follow.
I attribute it all to what I now call a Possible Mindset™ – “an empowered way of thinking that unlocks a life of limitless possibilities”.
It’s a mindset my mother helped me cultivate in that hospital bed almost 15 years ago. She got me to visualize achieving something that seemed out of reach.
I committed to DAILY incremental steps that were challenging but non-negotiable; built into my lifestyle over the course of the year and a half to follow.
If you feel broken, I want you to close your eyes and visualize yourself whole. What do you see? What are you doing? How does it feel?
Our potential to thrive is limitless with the right mindset.
#BePossible #possiblemindset #mindsetforsuccess #impossibleisnothing
18 months after being burned in a fire in rural Thailand and being told I’d never walk again normally, I not only finished but WON the Chicago Triathlon, to my complete and utter surprise.
By forcing me to tap into deep reservoirs of potential inside of myself, that initial horrific event set the course of countless extraordinary experiences and achievements to follow.
I attribute it all to what I now call a Possible Mindset™ – “an empowered way of thinking that unlocks a life of limitless possibilities”.
It’s a mindset my mother helped me cultivate in that hospital bed almost 15 years ago. She got me to visualize achieving something that seemed out of reach.
I committed to DAILY incremental steps that were challenging but non-negotiable; built into my lifestyle over the course of the year and a half to follow.
If you feel broken, I want you to close your eyes and visualize yourself whole. What do you see? What are you doing? How does it feel?
Our potential to thrive is limitless with the right mindset.
#BePossible #possiblemindset #mindsetforsuccess #impossibleisnothing
18 months after being burned in a fire in rural Thailand and being told I’d never walk again normally, I not only finished but WON the Chicago Triathlon, to my complete and utter surprise.
By forcing me to tap into deep reservoirs of potential inside of myself, that initial horrific event set the course of countless extraordinary experiences and achievements to follow.
I attribute it all to what I now call a Possible Mindset™ – “an empowered way of thinking that unlocks a life of limitless possibilities”.
It’s a mindset my mother helped me cultivate in that hospital bed almost 15 years ago. She got me to visualize achieving something that seemed out of reach.
I committed to DAILY incremental steps that were challenging but non-negotiable; built into my lifestyle over the course of the year and a half to follow.
If you feel broken, I want you to close your eyes and visualize yourself whole. What do you see? What are you doing? How does it feel?
Our potential to thrive is limitless with the right mindset.
#BePossible #possiblemindset #mindsetforsuccess #impossibleisnothing
18 months after being burned in a fire in rural Thailand and being told I’d never walk again normally, I not only finished but WON the Chicago Triathlon, to my complete and utter surprise.
By forcing me to tap into deep reservoirs of potential inside of myself, that initial horrific event set the course of countless extraordinary experiences and achievements to follow.
I attribute it all to what I now call a Possible Mindset™ – “an empowered way of thinking that unlocks a life of limitless possibilities”.
It’s a mindset my mother helped me cultivate in that hospital bed almost 15 years ago. She got me to visualize achieving something that seemed out of reach.
I committed to DAILY incremental steps that were challenging but non-negotiable; built into my lifestyle over the course of the year and a half to follow.
If you feel broken, I want you to close your eyes and visualize yourself whole. What do you see? What are you doing? How does it feel?
Our potential to thrive is limitless with the right mindset.
#BePossible #possiblemindset #mindsetforsuccess #impossibleisnothing
I’M GOING BACK TO ANTARCTICA.
This time, I’m attempting to break a speed record for a 715 mile route from the Hercules Inlet to the South Pole.
5 years ago, I completed the world’s first crossing of the landmass of Antarctica solo, unsupported and human powered. That crossing was a 1000 mile journey over the course of 54 days.
This time, I have to cover 715 miles in 24 days.
Think I can do it?
Thinking about quitting something? This will help you change your mindset in less than 60 seconds. 👊🏼🙏🏼
UNBOXING
Back in October, I opened boxes of Antarctica gear for the first time in almost 5 years…! Took a trip down memory lane while also simultaneously assessing what I might want to use for this upcoming speed record attempt.
This time, it’s all about carrying as little gear and weight as possible so that I can move quickly.
What gear is still in good shape, what gear needs to be replaced or left behind…
I was able to answer some of these questions by taking new and old gear on a training expedition to Iceland at the end of October with my dear friend and expedition/climbing partner, @drjonkedski
GOING DARK. Unlike past expeditions, this time I will not be receiving any communication from the outside world – no dialogue, no texts, no incoming information…
You will hear from me, though! I will be leaving daily voicemail messages that my team will post here, overlaid with footage from past expeditions. A daily audio journal.
You’ll also see my childhood best friend @squnge popping onto stories from time to time.
My team will also be answering questions in the comments and sharing updates via email and on my YouTube channel – sign up + subscribe if you aren’t already!
EXPEDITION AUDIO JOURNAL – Union Glacier!
Colin will be leaving daily voicemails from Antarctica each day during this expedition, and we’ll be sharing them here. Here’s his first update from Union Glacier, which is known as Antarctica’s “base camp”.
** all footage you see in the audio journals is from past expeditions, not current. Colin is not sending any photo/video, only voicemails**
Between these daily voicemail journals, we’ll continue posting “flashbacks” to his preparation leading up to the expedition.
WHAT’S CALLING ME BACK?
Antarctica brought me to the depths of suffering, despair, and challenge. It’s also where I’ve experienced some of my peak life moments. The 1’s and 10’s are most alive for me in this harsh white landscape.
I’m feeling called to go back now at a new stage in my life, to push myself in a different way — but most of all, to go deeply inward.
We spend our time fearful of experiencing discomfort, but what if instead, we chose to fear living in the zone of comfortable complacency every day?
What if what we really should be afraid of is the baseline condition of “just fine” and “okay” or “good enough”?
I’m sorry, but “good enough” is just not good enough.
Not for me.
Not for you.
Feeling alive in moments of pain is far more interesting than just existing in the numbness of the middle.
It’s fine to visit your comfort zone from time to time.
In fact, it’s necessary — to refresh, recharge, refocus.
But let’s be clear: Growth happens outside the comfort zone.
It happens in that insanely cramped stern cabin in the middle of an unrelenting storm.
It happens when you risk everything to start your own business.
It happens when you step back and watch your daughter cross the street by herself for the very first time.
It happens when you embrace a Possible Mindset by leaving behind the zone of comfortable complacency and entering more dangerous waters, telling yourself that the discomfort you’re taking on can be navigated and that the greatness you seek does lie up ahead.
WALK WITH ME in solidarity on the first Saturday of January!
The @12hourwalk was originally inspired by my days in Antarctica, so no better time to reignite a Global Walk Day!
Those intentional days in movement and solitude make me a better version of myself, which is why I continue to push myself and pursue these expeditions. Do you want to lean in and meet yourself in a new way for this new year?
I hope you’ll join our Global Walk Day community! Sign up and register to get emails, community group links, and more.
What if a tent pole breaks during the night?
This happened in Iceland last month. I hope to never be in this situation in Antarctica where the stakes are higher, but it’s important to the think through solutions and action steps. It’s a rough situation, no matter how it plays out.
With this expedition, my sled needs to be as light as possible, so I’m not bringing backups of most gear… However, in this case I will be bringing a spare tent pole!
Full packing video on YouTube! Link in bio!
Our prehistoric brains are hardwired to be negatively triggered by criticism.
Why?
When we lived in caves, the feeling of shame or not belonging was a warning sign that we wouldn’t survive if the tribe abandoned us.
Despite this dependency on the group no longer being as extreme in modern life, our DNA still triggers the fight-or-flight response as a defense mechanism to criticism.
It’s about time we flipped the script and dared greatly.
Will you?
This is your life. You have the power to decide exactly how you want to live it.
I thought telling my grandma that I quit my job was hard.
Years later, I found out what hard really was when I started telling people that I planned to walk across Antarctica alone.
Imagine how many versions of “that’s a terrible idea,” “don’t do that,” “it’s impossible,” and “you’re going to fail” I heard when I announced that expedition.
Countless.
But that didn’t stop me from trying.
When I returned home from my successful solo crossing of Antarctica, I quieted the critics who originally told me it was a bad idea.
However, an entirely new group of critics raised their hands, saying disparaging things like my crossing was “achievable” and “contrived.”
You’ll rarely, if ever, be criticized by someone who’s living their best life.
Chances are, those people will know — and respect — the challenges of your pursuit.
More often, criticism comes from those who are disappointed by the outcomes of their own lives and need a target for their frustration and insecurity.
Is there a time and place to listen to constructive criticism, advice, or feedback?
Yes, absolutely.
The key is learning how to discern constructive criticism from destructive criticism.
The best thing about fear?
You can use it as motivation.
You can use it as the fuel you need to accomplish whatever task you have at hand.
It doesn’t matter if you’re in Antarctica in the middle of a storm with -80 degrees wind chill.
Or if you’re in the office.
Or in the classroom.
Use your fear as the strength you need to keep going.
Embrace it.
Being fearless is overrated.
(via @impacttheory & @tombilyeu)
Your internal monologue goes something like, “I’m not living my best life because . . .”
“I don’t have enough time.”
“I don’t have enough money.”
“I don’t have the right friends.”
“I don’t know what to do.”
“I’m afraid of failing.”
“I hate being uncomfortable.”
You accept these stories as truths, but what if I told you that they were lies?
Lies, excuses, defense mechanisms – call them whatever you want.
I’m choosing to call them limiting beliefs.
They’re just that, beliefs, and beliefs can be changed, adapted, and overwritten.
Choose your story.
READY TO RIP.
Gear assessed ☑️
Decisions made ☑️
Food packed ☑️ (future videos to come on this)
Truck loaded ☑️
Full Packing Video is up on Youtube!
Colin is off to Antarctica!
We’ll continue bringing you along the journey with flashbacks like this, so you can follow along!
Coast to Pole, let’s go! I’m calling this project FASTEST SOUTH.
I’m attempting to break a speed record in Antarctica, pulling my sled 715 miles from the inner coastline (Hercules Inlet) to the South Pole… in under 24 days.
The record was set in 2011 by Norwegian polar explorer, Christian Eide (24 Days, 1 hour, 13 minutes). No one else has even come close.
The women’s record was broken last season by Caroline Coté (34 days). Caroline’s partner and accomplished polar explorer, Vincent Colliard, will also be going for the record this season.
It’s an honor to step into Antarctica’s sacred arena.
The beautiful thing about adventure is that it’s not a zero-sum game.
It’s about learning what you are truly capable of.
Moreover, the very lessons that can be learned in sub-zero temperatures can be applied in all aspects of life.
It’s about embracing the struggles, riding with the ups and downs, and using them as the fuel for your successes.
By sharing my story, I hope to inspire you to paint your own masterpiece. 🙏🏼
(via @richroll)
Unpopular truth: There is no such thing as a “Winning Mentality.”
Winners don’t have some innate quality.
Winners LOSE the most – because they are willing to try new things.
Not all things will work out.
Guess what?
That’s okay.
Success is made up of two things: Failure and perseverance.
Keep moving forward!! 👊🏼
(via @builthow)
