Peak Of Epiphany

To conquer new heights, you must embrace discomfort, discovers Sanya Podar on a trek to Mount Kilimanjaro, the world’s tallest freestanding mountain.

- Sanya Podar

ONE DAY IN July 2023, my husband and I ditched modern conveniences and went off to climb the world’s tallest freestanding mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. For over two gruelling months, we dedicated ourselves to rigorous strength training, climbing countless stairs, and sacrificed our weekends with early morning hikes in preparation. We were met with the curious question from friends, “Why?” Our worried but well-meaning parents asked, “Why not go scuba diving again?” Others suggested, “Europe this summer could be fun?”

Even as we started climbing, the persistent question lingered; it became an icebreaker among our hiking group, allowing us to connect and understand each other’s motivations. We listened to fellow climbers share their compelling motivations, such as a father-daughter duo embarking on their third hiking trip and a couple determined to maintain their fitness to be able to hike well into their eighties. I came up with a funny enough response to what became the most common inquiry—“We’re doing it for our dog”. But as I walked up the mountain every day, the real reason dawned on me.

It was an ancient stoic philosophy I stumbled upon known as ‘voluntary discomfort’ that intrigued me. The idea of voluntary discomfort involves breaking free from our familiar and comfortable routines, to become more present and aware. Picture this: you’ve enjoyed warm showers every morning for years, but one day, the water turns icy cold. At that moment, you’re acutely aware, feeling the chill penetrate your body. It’s an unfamiliar situation that demands your complete attention. This awareness inspires us to intentionally seek out similar experiences.