We started the sunrise hike at 4am. Within the first ten minutes, I thought, “There’s no way I’m going to make it all the way up.”

My body was already exhausted. Every inhale felt like work, I was grasping for air. That’s when it hit me: this climb was going to be more mental than physical.

1. Just take the next step.

That became my mantra. All I had to do was focus on the next step in front of me and let go of anything else.

My breath turned into my anchor. There was a stretch of trail where my breath tightened, getting shorter and faster. Allen, our guide, looked over and simply said: “Slow, long, deep breaths.” This is where all my pranayama training came handy. I always say ‘we don’t do yoga to get better at yoga, we do yoga to get better at life’; this is how the tools we learn on the mat carry us through life’s challenge.

Sometimes that’s all we can do when life gets shaky, slow down and breath. Isn’t it?

2. Rest is a strategy, not a setback.
   We had already been warned it would be tough. We stopped almost every ten minutes to catch our breath. And I that’s when I was reminded: we need to stop thinking rest makes us weak. Sometimes rest is the strongest thing we can choose.

3. Who you surround yourself with matters.
   On that trail, we gave ourselves permission to show up exactly as we were. When the challenge got real, some of us danced, some of us sang, and all of us supported one another, unapologetically.

Bringing humor, play, and a little silliness into hard things makes them lighter. And having people beside you who do the same? Game-changing. Who you surround yourself in life matters, choose your VIP section wisely.

4. Challenge introduces you to a stronger, more courageous version of yourself.
   Now the story goes: “Well… if I can do Acatenango, I can do anything.”
   Because confidence isn’t gifted, it’s earned one step, one breath, one moment at a time.

In the end, the summit wasn’t the point. It’s how I chose to show up for myself during the climb is what matters the most.

One of the biggest things I’m taking from this is how meaningful it is to face challenge in a space where you’re supported. That’s exactly what I build into our rebel retreats. I cultivate into retreats intentional moments that stretch you in ways you didn’t know you needed. I want you to be uncomfortable, to do things that feel new or slightly edgy, because that’s where growth lives. It will be different for everyone. But, the beauty of our retreats is that you’ll never do it alone you’ll be held by our community and the knowing that you are safe to try, safe to wobble, and safe to rise into the next version of yourself.

Let me know if this resonates with you <3