The 100X Leader

1Choosing to Climb

On May 20, 2013 at approximately 3:30 a.m., John Beede was rudely awakened by his alarm. He had been dreaming about enjoying the most amazing cup of hot tea he had ever had, while eating some delicious warm pastries in a local cafe.

As he began to awake from his slumber he realized the awful reality that it was just a dream—a cruel dream. There was neither tea nor any scrumptious pastry, but instead he could hear the strong arctic wind that sounded like a freight train and reminded him where he was. It was the type of wind that threatens climbers not to go any further. As he began to stir, the extreme cold seeped into his sleeping bag and snapped him to reality. This was the day—the day he would remember for the rest of his life. If he made it back to tell about it.

Nestled at 23,500 feet at Camp 3 on Mount Everest, after 45 days on the mountain, nine months of training and 17 years of dreaming it was time for John to start the final leg of his journey.

John is an expert climber and one of the few who have climbed the seven summits—the highest single mountain on each of the seven continents. In his life he has climbed over 100 mountains, but only one remained—the most magnificent mountain on earth, Mount Everest. And the mountain held all his respect.

Just like the morning rituals of the Sherpa, John prepared his mind in the few minutes he had before dressing and leaving for this important feat. This morning, like every other morning, he listened to a talk ...