 "Conquering Africa’s tallest mountain is no small feat … especially if you’re 68 years old. But I knew in my heart I could do it. I just needed a plan. So I closed my eyes and visualized myself on the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, 19,340 feet above sea level. The picture I created in my mind was so vivid I actually felt like I really was there. In my mind, I had successfully completed the climb. Then I put this 'vision' into writing:
Standing on the summit of Africa’s tallest mountain makes me feel that all the hard training was worth it. It’s been the trip of a lifetime. This goal has been achieved and I am standing in front of the sign, “Uhuru Peak, Congratulations, you are now here. My teammates are all around me, beside me, in front of me, and behind me, and will be there forever. We started for the summit at midnight with our warm clothes on. It’s really cold and the ground is crunchy under my boots. Why am I doing this at 68 years old? That is the question people have been asking. My answer is that I never got to do it when I was younger. Now at 68, I am in the best shape of my life and I am not ready for the retirement rocking chair.
Less than a year after I wrote my vision, I successfully scaled the mountain. I knew in my mind it could be done because I visualized it; I saw myself there. I was on the top of the world.”
- Joe Spangler
Tulalip, Washington |
“I
can sincerely say that Richard Brooke has changed my way
of thinking more than anyone. I will always be grateful to
Richard for making me a better person.”
