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Date: 3rd April 2025Average Read Time: 2 mins
I didn’t know if I was going to get to the top of Mount Toubkal in Morocco standing tall at 4167m but I now realise that it really wouldn’t have mattered if I did or didn’t….
It felt like I really needed to on the day because that was why I was going on the trip…. right?!
I only realised after climbing up to 4167m that I was really wrong.
There are 4 key lessons that I took away from the trip which were lessons that I didn’t anticipate to learn from a mountain.
1. The physical, mental & emotional discomfort we find ourselves facing can sometimes feel so hard to push through but it is possible…you just need to take things one-step at a time.
2. We often rush to get to where we want to go in life but it’s only once we’re there that we realise the journey was the most important part... the view arguably doesn’t matter & you can’t properly appreciate the view from the top without the challenges you need to face to get there.
3. Don’t underestimate how valuable it is to connect with others who understand what you’re going through… They might not be able to take steps forward for you but the shared experience & connections you can build will provide you with more support than you realise.
4. We sometimes need to disconnect from the world around us in order to connect… there really is no easier way to do this than spending time in nature.
I guess the question you’re all probably wondering is did I actually make it to the top? I’m hoping you might have read last week's blog and if that’s the case you’ll know the answer already….
I did manage to push through the wave of anxiety I experienced at the top but again, it really wasn’t the highlight that I thought it would be.
I honestly don’t really remember taking in the view.
I did look at it, don’t get me wrong - but that wasn’t what filled me with awe.
It was looking around at the faces surrounding me….
The people who had been facing the same challenge as me, the people who had trodden the same path as me & the people who had supported me (& each other) on the way to the top.
I can’t describe how powerful it is to have that connection with others & ourselves when it comes to pushing through hard things.
It perfectly encapsulated the mission of You Okay Doc - an amazing charity doing everything it can to support the health of healthcare professionals.
This trip was a physical challenge on paper but it was much more than just a physical challenge & the lessons we have all learnt stretch far beyond the new mountaineering skills we all acquired.
It really has inspired me to find more opportunities to spend time outside & connect with like minded people….drop me an email if you would like to join me!
Did you know I offer 1:1 mentoring to help others make changes in their lives? This can be related to careers, starting a business or forming healthier habits. Please just send me an email directly to elle@gabrielletodd.com if this is something you feel you would benefit from & would like to learn more about.
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