No-one inspires me more than Tommy Caldwell. A professional rock climber with an incredible story to tell, he’s faced trauma, physical and mental, and turned it into a drive that has conquered the unconquerable. Caldwell is a professional mountain climber. Years ago, he and friends travelled to Kyrgyzstan to establish new routes when civil war broke out. Caldwell and his friends were captured by rebels and spent days practically imprisoned in the mountains, growing more desperate. They only escaped when Tommy pushed a guard off a cliff (at the time it was thought he died in the fall, they later learned he’s survived). After he returned to America, he completed many great routes in Yosemite valley before disaster struck again, he cut an index finger off during a DIY accident. The climbing world mourned, thinking that was the end of his career, but he had other ideas. He turned this event and his divorce with his wife into motivation that was unrivalled, and he threw himself at an impossible task, The Dawn Wall in Yosemite valley. He spent years abseiling down and looking at every nook and cranny of this basically blank 3000 ft slate of rock. Climbing partners came and went, as did the years, until a couple of years ago, Tommy Caldwell and his new climbing partner Kevin Jorgenson spent 3 weeks on the wall, agonisingly working their way up one of the most mesmerising rock faces in the world and came out as victors, the first people to conquer The Dawn Wall. A monumental achievement made even more special by what came before.
Looking at his achievements, it makes me believe that whatever setback you face, you can overcome it. Suffer a harrowing event, make it the fire behind your passion. Physical injury that should end your career; Adapt, overcome, let that injury just be an extra reminder of what you can do regardless. Show that you too can overcome any adversity, and spark the fire in millions of others.
(Seriously watch The Dawn Wall or read his book, The Push – both incredible)
Looking at his achievements, it makes me believe that whatever setback you face, you can overcome it. Suffer a harrowing event, make it the fire behind your passion. Physical injury that should end your career; Adapt, overcome, let that injury just be an extra reminder of what you can do regardless. Show that you too can overcome any adversity, and spark the fire in millions of others.
(Seriously watch The Dawn Wall or read his book, The Push – both incredible)
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