Can you imagine taking on a huge challenge like the Explorers Grand Slam? The total expedition can take more than a decade to complete—and less than 15 women have accomplished it.
Social Enterprise CEO, Georgina Miranda, is one woman currently taking on this incredible challenge. With six of the seven summits under her belt, she has already undergone obstacle after obstacle and evolved mentally and physically.
Through the ups and downs of this journey, Georgina has uncovered essential life lessons that have pushed her forward through every obstacle. Keep reading to find out what you can learn from the Explorers Grand Slam and Georgina’s experience!
Discover What Drives You
In 2007, Georgina publicly announced her decision to go for the seven summits. But even at that time, she knew she really wanted to do the Explorers Grand Slam. Ironically, at that point, Georgina hadn’t climbed any big peaks and didn’t know how to ski.
What inspired Georgina to set this monumental goal? Reading the Glamour Magazine article, Women Left For Dead, by Eve Ensler changed everything. Georgina realized that with any challenge in life, especially those most meaningful, the results don’t come overnight.
This is what drives Georgina forward as she embarks on her 11th year completing the Explorers Grand Slam. When you’re going for a long, difficult challenge, finding the motivation to keep going can change everything and even inspire you to set bigger goals than you thought possible.
Block Out Judgement
Some of Georgina’s family does not accept her adventurous way of life—neither does some of the climbing community. While writing for Climbing.com during her Mt Ranier trek that did not summit, Georgina received a striking comment. Someone wrote to tell Georgina she wasn’t a real climber and would never summit anything. They signed the comment ‘A Real Climber’.
These kinds of experiences taught Georgina the importance of blocking out all the negativity. “Everyone has their dreams in life,” Georgina says. “It’s no one’s role to judge those dreams.”
Georgina advises fellow adventurers to stop subjecting themselves to the negativity of judgement. Focus on why you’re doing what you’re doing and why it’s important to you. You can ground yourself in that mission.
Get a New Perspective Around Failure
During her first attempt to summit Everest, Georgina fell to Hypoxia and had to turn around 1,500 feet from the summit. “It sucks to fail,” Georgina remarks, “but you learn so much.”
As Georgina made the trek, she fell again and again before eventually collapsing. Georgina reported that the stories about Everest are true. People literally walked over her and didn’t stop to see if she was OK. It was then that Georgina made the decision to have another day of life and conquer the summit another time.
While in the ER tent, Georgina was gutted from having to turn around. But then she saw a climber who was much worse off than herself. A doctor told her that she was lucky she could come back and keep climbing for the rest of her life. This injured man would lose most of his fingers and toes because he hadn’t turned around.
Georgina now sees that this happened for a reason. She was able to see that turning around could be a gift. When you encounter results that aren’t what you wanted, try a new perspective. You may find your whole approach transformed.
Develop Mindfulness
When Georgina went after Everest the second time, her mindset was completely different. All her adventures had forced her to go inwards and develop mentally. This time she went in with a mindfulness practice.
Georgina believes that training your mind is just as important as physical training. Perhaps, even more important. “As humans we want to control everything but we can’t in an adventure,” Georgina says. “All you can do is prepare, give everything your best and let go of the outcome.”
If you pay close enough attention, you may see your inner-self transform with each challenge you take. Don’t be afraid to go inward and reap the benefits of a more mindful self and a better perspective.
Find Your Full Potential
With three expeditions left, Georgina is working to achieve her goal in full force. “There is this misconception that you decide to go after something and money just pours in,” Georgina relates. As Georgina works on funds, she strives to finish the Grand Slam as immediately as possible.
To live from your full potential, Georgina notes that you have to get out of your comfort zone. Get used to a healthy dose of fear, uncertainty, courage and your own inner strength.
“We know deep down that we can do anything we set our minds to but there’s too much noise,” Georgina shares. We must connect to our inner self and give ourselves the opportunity to see what we can do.
“The most critical part is that you have to be so in tune with yourself,” Georgina says. “There’s always going to be someone out there who says, ‘Don’t do it.’ Surround yourself with people who inspire you and will nudge you when you need it.
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