I just got back from the most amazing yet challenging experience of my life. Back in May of this year I was selected to team with Project Athena Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping women survivors (and now men) of medical or other traumatic setbacks transition from survivor to warrior and achieve their adventurous dreams. I joined as a Goddess (Fundraiser) and as a team member in an adventure to hike the Grand Canyon Rim2Rim. We would start at the South Rim trail, hike down, then across the canyon and finally up the North Rim trail (a 6,000 foot elevation gain), a total of around 24 miles.
When I started this adventure back in the spring, I was excited for the opportunity to hike the Grand Canyon, to try something new and completely out of my element and to be part of an organization that was all about empowering individuals that have faced serious (and extreme) challenges. What I didn’t know was the amount I would learn and grow not only in training (which wasn’t always fun and very inconvenient) and in hiking the Canyon but watching amazing women face challenges in the Canyon and work past them. We had our share of challenges both before and during the hike. These challenges included physical injuries (blisters, leg cramps, back spasms etc.) and emergencies back home. The Canyon kicked our butts and put us on an emotional roller coaster!
For me, to see these amazing survivors put their past behind them and create a new path for their life and supporting while helping others even though it required so much more out of them, was truly amazing. No words can explain that feeling. No words can explain being part of someone’s healing. I cannot believe I was chosen to be a part their and my teammates journey!
The Grand Canyon Rim2Rim hike was without a doubt the most physically, mentally and emotionally challenging experience of my life. We started our hike at 11:18 pm, walked through the night without sleep, ran out of water for 3-4 hours during the hottest portion of our hike because two water stations were broken and finished after 16 hours. It was hard, it was grueling, my entire body hurt afterwards and I wouldn’t take anything away from my journey.
Every single person on that hike faced a challenge and overcame it to get out. We encouraged one another, my teammates shared their water with me when they only had only sips left. I will be forever grateful to the women and a few great men that were on this adventure, to this organization that provides opportunities of growth and learning to not only survivors but to the team members who fundraise for them. We started off as strangers but will forever be bonded as friends, teammates and adventure athletes.
Thank you for reading my experience and for those of you who donated, I am humbled by your support. If you have never heard of Project Athena, go to www.projectathena.org, this amazing organization is changing lives by giving people the opportunity to push their limits. I will forever be grateful to our amazing coach, Amanda Webb, Project Athena Founder, Robyn Benincasa, our Trail Angels, and my amazing teammates, individuals who each brought their unique super powers to the trails.
Much love,
Andrea
