Having had a few days to reflect on my attempt to complete the TPEC challenge, I’ve finally managed to gather my thoughts. I want to share with you how I felt, what happened, and what I learned from this crazy challenge — a challenge that pushed me further than I have ever been pushed before, both physically and mentally.
This challenge — the Three Peaks Everest Challenge (TPEC) — was something I dreamt up to aid addiction recovery. To raise awareness of the importance of helping people overcome their demons and addictions.
We also raised money for Turning Point, a charity that supports people in overcoming addiction and mental health challenges. Knowing that every step and every struggle could help someone else made this journey even more meaningful.
I looked forward to it so much. But after running a 64-mile ultra marathon on the Jurassic Coast just five weeks before this challenge, my knee couldn’t keep up. I knew the recovery time was short, but I thought I could pull it off.
I was wrong.
On my first day, after two summits on Ben Nevis, I felt weak, sick, and heard noises in my head. I had a hat, I drank enough, but the heat was just too much.
I finished my first summit in 3 hours and 12 minutes (now my personal best). In hindsight, it was probably something I shouldn’t have pushed so hard for. It took way too much out of me. It was 20 minutes faster than my previous best.
On that second morning, it was heavy to walk up again. Back to where it all started.
Remember: I’m not an athlete. I coach myself. I’ve never been a professional sports person – in fact, just over three years ago, I couldn’t even run to the toilet, as I always like to say (hahaha).
That morning was so tough. My playlist was on repeat, and the only song that kept me moving was In the Garden by Alan Jackson.
I had never been a man of God in my life. Quite the opposite, actually. And this isn’t about how I became a believer — that’s a story for another time. Let’s just say that on that climb, I prayed all the way up. I sang all the way up. I was begging for a sign, for a reason, for something to keep me going.
" I can’t do it..." I said this to Terri before my final summit on Ben Nevis, when I told her I couldn’t go on. She looked at me and said: "But we can."
On my third summit, exhausted and desperate for a sign, I found it.
A small medallion of St. Christopher lying there on the path. It wasn’t just metal — it was hope. In that moment, I felt it was meant to be.
Some of my friends and family said it was just coincidence. But I asked them, “Why didn’t I find something else? Like a worthless bracelet or something meaningless to me?”
They said it was luck.
Well, here’s that “luck.”
I posted a picture and asked for the owner to come forward. I promised that if they could tell me what was on the other side, I would return it to them.
Two days later, Jenny answered.
She had lost this St. Christopher medal — a gift from her late mom, who passed away when she was just 12 years old (she is now 41). You can imagine the value this piece held for her.
She had also lost her cornicello, a charm given by her husband. Remember how I asked my friends why I hadn’t found something else? Why didn’t I find that cornicello instead?
There’s your answer. It wasn’t just luck.
I also found something else up there — or rather, I lost something: my ego.
It was hard to stop this challenge after planning it for so long, after receiving so much support from people online and on the trail. My body needed to stop — my calves and knees were so swollen it took two days for them to return to normal size. But to actually stop… my ego was hurt.
That’s when I realized my lesson: to let go and to have less. Less ego. Less pain. Less hurt.
That’s why I believe God did not want me to finish, even though He gave me something that was lost to now be found. We have to read between the lines.
After four summits on Scafell Pike, I decided to stop and face the unthinkable: defeat.
This doesn’t mean I won’t try again. It means I’ll come back wiser and stronger.
It also means I helped a young woman reunite with something precious from her late mother, and my faith in Jesus is stronger than ever.
We all seek help and redemption from our past mistakes. None of us are perfect — not even close. But we can try every day to become better than yesterday.
This doesn’t mean you have to become a sheep and follow the herd. Not everyone will see or accept the new you. Just because they still judge the old you doesn’t mean you have to stay that person.
Walk your own faith and your own life. Don’t expect everyone to understand you — they won’t. Stay gentle and faithful. Trust God and trust yourself. Do your best, face the consequences of your shortcomings, but never let your past talk you down or tell you that you can’t change.
We all can. We can all be better. But not everyone is meant to come with us on that journey.
After 42,000 feet of elevation gain, 92 miles hiked, and over 20,000 calories burned in 4 days and 10 hours, I stopped.
I created a Facebook group for everyone who wants to take on this challenge you can post about it, share your progress and let us know what you learnt from it, because you will learn something new about yourself during this the TPEC challenge.
This is TPEC:
7 Ben Nevis, 10 Scafell Pike, 10 Snowdon summits, under 7 days.
I want people to try and do this challenge and succeed. I want people to use this as a challenge to raise awareness for addiction and mental health, but ultimately to YOUR cause what ever you would like to support.
This is for those who are searching, who want to be found.
Thank you for reading the story of my attempt. I hope it inspires you to listen to the small signs in your own life — the moments that call you to grow, to let go, and to walk your own path.
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