There are moments in life that redefine what you believe you are capable of. For me, one of those moments came on 14th October, high in the Atlas Mountains of North Africa, during the Leadership Expedition with John Beamson.
After three gruelling days of climbing, hiking and pushing through the limits of endurance, I reached the summit of Jebel Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa at 13,671 feet. What followed was not just a physical challenge but a deep personal lesson in leadership, resilience and the strength of the human spirit.
It began in the early hours of the morning, after barely any sleep. Twenty of us shared an open dorm in Refuge Toubkal at over 10,500 feet. The sound of restless breathing, rustling sleeping bags and the whistling wind outside made sleep almost impossible.
By 2:45 a.m. I was awake, tired, cold and mentally preparing for what was to come. At 6:30 a.m. we began the final ascent to the summit. The air was thin, the temperature well below freezing and every step felt heavier than the last.
Unless you have climbed at altitude, it is almost impossible to describe how it feels. Every breath burns. Every movement demands effort. The air seems to thicken and progress slows to a crawl.
Even with gloves on, the cold cut through everything. My hands went completely numb, turning pale blue. Panic started to creep in the type that only comes when your body begins to resist you. Thankfully, our local guide noticed and offered me a thicker pair of gloves. That small gesture was a quiet reminder of what leadership looks like in action awareness, compassion and timely support.
As we climbed, the human cost of the challenge became apparent. Some people turned back due to exhaustion, others because of injuries: twisted ankles, dislocated knees, altitude sickness. You could see the disappointment in their eyes but also pride. Because even attempting something this demanding takes courage.
It was humbling to watch people push past their limits. Every person who tried, succeeded in their own way. Leadership, after all, is not about always reaching the summit; it’s about daring to start the climb.
After hours of slow, deliberate effort, the summit of Mount Toubkal finally appeared. At 13,671 feet, it stands as the highest point in North Africa and in that moment, it felt like the top of the world.
The view was indescribable. Layers of rugged peaks stretched endlessly into the horizon. The wind was sharp but the silence was powerful, the kind of silence that demands reflection.
I celebrated the moment with a cigar, not out of indulgence but as a symbolic pause a mark of achievement and gratitude. This was more than a climb; it was a mirror held up to my own limitations and growth.
Because sometimes, the mountains we climb externally reveal the ones we’ve already conquered within ourselves.
If the climb tested my determination, the descent tested everything else. After returning to Refuge Toubkal for a quick lunch, we began the long trek down towards the next village. By the time we arrived at 6 p.m., I was physically finished. My knees and legs were in bits. Every step was an act of will.
At one point, I almost tapped out at the refuge. The exhaustion was overwhelming. But I didn’t stop. I thought about the lessons I’ve learned over the years with John Beamson (The CEO Adventure). Lessons about perseverance, self discipline and mindset.
Leadership, like climbing, often comes down to one thing: continuing to move forward when every part of you wants to stop.
Over the course of three days, the statistics told their own story:
Steps taken: 102,906
Distance covered: 39 miles
Height climbed: 13,671 ft
Descent: 7,963 ft
Calories burnt: 3,565
Average sleep: 6.8 hours
Average heart rate: 88 bpm
Temperature: Between -5°C and -10°C
But numbers only tell part of the story. They cannot capture the thin air, the ache in every muscle or the quiet determination of a team pushing through adversity together.
No photo or video could truly capture what it felt like up there. The cold, the pain, the camaraderie, the raw emotion. But the lessons I brought back are lasting ones, both personally and professionally.
1. Resilience is built, not born:
It’s easy to talk about resilience in business or leadership but true resilience is forged through experience. It’s developed when things get uncomfortable, when you’re cold, tired and unsure and you decide to keep going anyway.
2. Leadership is about awareness:
Whether it was our guide noticing my frozen hands or the group slowing down for someone struggling with altitude sickness, leadership here meant paying attention to others. The best leaders don’t just set direction; they support, observe and adapt.
3. Growth demands discomfort:
There’s no easy way to climb a mountain, just as there’s no easy route to personal or professional growth. Every step outside your comfort zone adds a layer of strength you didn’t know you had.
4. Reflection is where learning settles:
At 3:20 a.m. the next morning, unable to sleep, I found myself replaying the last three days. The physical pain was still there but so was a deep sense of pride. Reflection helps transform an experience into a lesson.
5. Success means finishing, not just winning:
Some people didn’t reach the summit but every single person grew from the attempt. The willingness to try, to show up, to endure that’s the real victory.
When I look back now, I realise this journey wasn’t just about reaching a peak; it was about rediscovering what it means to lead.
In business, leadership often means navigating uncertainty, motivating teams through fatigue and staying calm under pressure. On Mount Toubkal, those lessons were amplified by the elements: the cold, the altitude and the sheer scale of the challenge.
As we continue the Leadership Expedition, I can’t help but wonder what The CEO Adventurer has in store for us next. Whatever it is, I’ll approach it with the same mindset I carried on the mountain: steady steps, clear purpose and the refusal to quit.
Because sometimes, you find strength you didn’t know you had and that’s where leadership truly begins.
If you are a business owner & are looking to get out pf your comfort zone & find a challenge that will drive you in business & life then to contact John at The CEO Adventure.
Thanks for reading,
Myk Baxter,
eCommerce & Digital Marketing Expert
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