Climb Kilimanjaro 50

climbing

Kilimanjaro 50+

You can see each woman’s inspirational story on www.kiliclimb2016.com

Seventeen Women: One Incredible Journey by Heather Montgomery

If you were asked to climb 19,341 ft. to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, what would you say? It's a question I originally dismissed outright when I learned that on September 17th women from across the country, and from all walks of life, would be heading to Africa to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. No, they are not mountaineers, or fitness gurus; they are every bit like you and me. What do they have in common… the desire to make a change in their lives. Little did I know when I agreed to write this story that I was about to become one of the women on the mountain. Each of us was inspired by the mission to celebrate and empower women everywhere and the goal of supporting each other along the way. I almost forgot to mention that one of us is turning 50 on the mountain! You can see each woman’s inspirational story on www.kiliclimb2016.com

Soon to be 50, Amilya Antonetti joined forces with No Barriers Guide and mountaineer Jeff Evans and former “New York Housewife” TV actress Heather Thomson. No Barriers is a non-profit organization that facilitates life-changing transformations at high elevations. Expedition leader Jeff Evans is no stranger to danger and learned early in his career that barriers are broken, lives are changed, and new understandings are unveiled to us when one is surmounting the obstacles, braving the elements and depending on our “ropes team” for survival and success on a mountain.

In our interviews with Heather Thomson, Amilya Antonetti and Jeff Evans, we asked each of them to share with us their passion and motivation for the movement and expedition. Their love and excitement resonated as each one shared his or her unique wisdom, hopes and dreams as they related to the empowerment and transformation that occurred when obstacles and challenges are met head on and overcome together.

Heather Thomson - Designer & Former RHONY

Team Leader, former Real Housewives of New York’s Heather Thomson has had her share of triumphs and challenges. She has been very open publically about her son Jaxes health struggles and her emotional struggles as a mother. She is real, she is fantastic, and she is now leading a team of women up the mountain to be the change she wants to see in the world.

Fab 50: What is your motivation for coleading this expedition?

HT: We have chosen to climb a mountain because it’s the perfect metaphor for the challenges that women face in society. Our culture is full of unrealistic standards for how women should look and behave. Women deserve realistic standards, encouragement and social support to put us first and move self-care to the top of that daily list. I saw this as a perfect way to bring tens of thousands of women with us on this journey into self-discovery and empowerment.

Fab 50: You mentioned that you are not 50 yet but that you are on deck! What in your first 46 years have you learned about transformation?

HT: In order to be happy, you first have to be happy with yourself. Wellbeing happens when you let go of guilt & shame and release fear and judgment. We have to dig in to breakdown inner barriers. We have to put ourselves first so that we can be the best wives, friends, mothers, daughters and role models. We must be the change we want to see in the world. In September these women will face their mountain TOGETHER and break through their barriers. We will lead a movement for women, around the world, with one simple message: together we are stronger than we could ever be apart, and we are stronger than whatever is in our way.

Amilya Antonetti - The Next Great Success

A 50th birthday is something of a rite of passage, an honor, and a privilege. It is a chance to enhance one’s life journey by taking the very best lessons and experiences from the first 50 years and design the next 50. Amilya’s journey as an entrepreneur, author and TV expert has always been built upon supporting others to be the best they were born to be. Having started her entrepreneurial journey at 17, she went onto employ over 49,000 people and knows all too well the pressure involved to balance work and family. We asked Amilya why she decided to do the climb and what lessons she learned in her first 50 years that will shape her next 50.

Fab 50: Why did you decide to do this climb?

Amilya: I am turning 50 and I wanted to do something totally different from anything I had ever done before. If I had told my friends I was starting a new company or hosting a new show, they would say, of course. But telling them I plan to climb Kilimanjaro to help lead a movement for women to break through the barriers that get in our way, is something to get excited about.

My personal goal is to have better muscle tone in my 50s than I did in my 30s and to use that newfound tone and strength to reach the summit. In our attempts to shed a few pounds, many of us inadvertently sacrifice one of the most valuable weapons for weight loss and well-being, our muscles. Being involved with the entertainment industry, I know first hand the damage short term restriction of food and weight loss can have when not done with muscle health in mind. Too often I felt the pressure to make quick short-term decisions for fast results that ended up having negative long-term effects on my health. The pressure of being a woman in today’s world is insurmountable alone. By having a community, the right tools, and a commitment to make one change at a time we can turn a painful failure into a lifetime achievement.

Fab50: What have you learned in your first 50 years as a woman in business that you would like to share with other women?

Amilya: The whole journey is so raw and growth enhancing. I am getting an interesting look at my reflection of who I am and what really makes me. My life has never been smooth or easy. I have accomplished many things but as high as I go, it is the same depth going down. The magic happened when I learned to see both ends of the spectrum as a gift. I have learned to move through life with a WE mentality. The more I embraced and celebrated the women and sisters in my life, the deeper and more fulfilled my life grew. It is why the climb is so important because I want to put a spotlight on that magic and invite women to join us. We all have challenges and fears, but when we are authentic and vulnerable with the women around us, we meet one another on common ground and open the door to healthy adult female relationships. What I know for sure, is when you have strong women on your team supporting you, cheering you on…it changes you.

A 50th birthday is something of a rite of passage, an honor, and a privilege. It is a chance to enhance one’s life journey by taking the very best lessons and experiences from the first 50 years and design the next 50.

Jeff Evans - Mountaineer

Speaking with Jeff was about as easy as Sunday morning. He spoke kindly from the heart and when he spoke about Kilimanjaro there was a special sweetness to his words. He said, “Africa is a very special place. It is the oldest place on earth. I always feel like I’m going home to where it all began, like I am coming full circle.”

Fab50: Why did you organize this climb and agree to be its expedition leader?

Jeff: I wanted to create a group dynamic that would be an empowering experience. This is my 17th time leading a Mount Kilimanjaro climb, and I wanted this one to be unique and special. I always like doing climbs where I can help elevate people to have transformational experiences. It brings me great personal joy, and it is exactly what I wanted to be a part of!

Fab50: What makes you unique as a team leader besides the fact that you are the only man?

Jeff: As a doctor and a 30-year mountaineer, I have done many search and rescue missions on mountains that have a higher number of danger factors than Everest! My experience as a high altitude specialist and my years of experience climbing mountains gives our team a high degree of expertise. In October the Travel Channel will be airing a show called “Everest Rescue” that shows what I do.

Fab50: How does climbing a mountain mirror the challenges we all face in dayto-day life?

Jeff: Mountaineering requires us to knuckle down. It reminds us that we need to have a support system and be comforted by our team, and not just any team but the right team. It truly is a unifying event that reminds us that it is bigger than we are. In the end we need each other and it’s a good thing to feel connected.

Where in your life could you use some support and encouragement? If you knew you had the support, what change would you make to improve your life? Take the #empowerpledge and join us online at www.kiliclimb2016.com for friendship, encouragement and support. Just like climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, take the first step, keep putting one foot in front of the other, connect to your team, and you will be on your way to overcoming and living an emotionally full and happy life.

THE 5 RULES ON THE MOUNTAIN & FOR EVERYDAY LIFE

~Jeff Evans

1. Listen to Your Guide. Experts have experience. Listen to the hard won knowledge that has agreed to guide your journey.

2. Communicate. Communication is of utmost importance. You need to be transparent and let your team know what you are thinking and feeling.

3. This is a journey not a destination. Breath in the place where you are… It is not just about the summit. Enjoy and embrace every step.

4. Be properly prepared. There is physical gear (tools) Physical conditioning (training) and emotional understanding (commitment) To go without any of these three things is to give yourself a much tougher journey on the mountain and in life.

5. Listen To Your Body. Don’t push yourself past your physical limits