Ruth Asewe
It is with a grateful heart that I testify of my profound journey with the Born to Lead Mountain Adv...
It is with a grateful heart that I testify of my profound journey with the Born to Lead Mountain Adventures. I never had a chance to hike before in my life, I only watched clips on YouTube of different hikers on different mountain trails. I was fortunate enough to attend the Born to Lead Academy of Personal Develpment, and as part and mandatory requirement of graduating the class, one had to attend a hiking adventure. Coach Stephen Muiru the President and CEO of Born to Lead Academy took our cohort (Cohort 15) to Mt. Kilimabogo for our graduation hike and ceremony. Prior to the escapade, I researched abit more about hiking, the suitable attire required and any other information I needed to know about hiking. On the Dee day we assembled at our designated meeting point (International life HSE parking area in Nairobi) and the journey commenced early morning - 6am. I was so excited and jeered up for the graduation ceremony not to mention the hike. On arrival Coach took us through what we would experience on the Kilimambogo trail, I remember too well how he said the trail is divided into 3 sectors, first he mentioned was not going to be too tough or challenging but the section (the hyracks section) would be slightly tough then the last lap would be a long walk with no much handle. Coming from a self mastery class, these words sounded like music to my ears ( was ready). We had a chance to stretch and do some warm up before embarking on the hike. Whoo! unto me, when the hike commenced, the trail I heard clearly would be simple played a game changer on me, it was tough, I felt my body couldn't carry me along, my breathing was unbecoming, I had serious chest congestion, my heart felt like it wanted to come out through my mouth. I realized how unfit I was. I said a prayer quickly and reminded God that He promised He would never leave me nor forsake me. And just as I prayed and ensured I was still moving, I heard one of the team members saying (phweks, we have arrived at the road) that meant the first section was done. I thanked God so much but I was so beat. When we entered the second lap (the hyracks) section, it started humbly, no sooner did I get a chance to compose myself, there I saw a mountain and wondered how even anyone could go up that mountain, my colleagues part had gone and others were slowly climbing, I was profusely sweating at this point, and at this point I felt like giving up. Just when the thought came, another thought also came to me that how can you give up now, if those other people are climbing, what excuse do you have for not climbing. A stunner thought came and told me that it is entirely my fault that I am that heavy I can't move( it reminded me of my bad eating habits and lack of proper exercise) and that I needed to bear the consequences. Me being me (never giving up) but I held on to the higher force in me. I now started talking to God every step I made, and giving thanks on every step I made. Slowly I moved up and met others struggling like me and this time Coach was with them, the devil being the devil decide to advise me that if I explained to coach that I cannot make it, he would understand and my conscience would no longer bother me and I would go back peacefully, so slowly with alot of embarrassment I started calling Coach (Coach, Coach) but Coach chose to ignore my pleas (I now know why he did it). Infact he increased his steps and went further from me. I was on my own and decided that come what may, I am not going to be the one going back (abandoning the hike) and renewed energy came through for me especially when I heard Coach advise others on the resting habits that work. He noted that as we rest we need to look back at the view where we had come from and this will help encourage us. Truth be told, this did wonders to me, when I stopped to catch a breath, as I looked back I saw we were on top of the mountain the view was amazing, I felt like what the Bible says in Isiah 40:31, I felt like I had soared like an eagle and at that point, I thank God and knew for sure God was with me. Energy, courage and determination to carry myself through got a notch higher and shortly after we were done with the hyracks area. Now came the long stretch again no rock, no stony areas but there were areas with slight elevation and this challenged me from here to kingdom come! When we got to the peak, I was like a child who had never tasted a sweet and a lollipop was handed to them. I was excited, bubbly and elated to be there. We got a chance to discuss our experience and it is at this point that I realized that the struggle was real and I wasn't the only one who experienced the challenges. Going back challenged me as well, this time the mountain was talking to my knees, Uweeh! I couldn't walk down I felt like my knees and legs would give up but I remembered God was with me and He wouldn't allow anything to happen to me, I didn't care whether I would arrive after everyone had gone home, all I wanted was to finish. All through I kept speaking to myself and promising myself all sorts of things and at some point telling myself that I am not cut out for this and that I will never ever do it again. Finally I was done and I was beat but very grateful that I did it. I even got renewed energy but my legs were still speaking to me and they did for the next few days. This experience challenged every part of me and I purposely decided to start an exercise regime, to watch what I eat and when I eat and even to trust and depend on God more. In the Personal Develpment class we learnt that there are 6 pathways (Spiritual , Health, Relationship, Work, Finances and Mind) and when one observes them all, they never remain the same and can impact the world positively. To-date, the wisdom I have gotten is that there is a 7th pathway (feelings/ emotions) that maketh a man and one needs to thoroughly observe and understand their feelings inorder to make sound and effective decisions. Majority of the above pathways I experienced in the hike and these spoke volumes to me. I since purposed to be undertaking a hike every month first to check myself whether the exercises I am doing are working for me, to challenge myself further and I choose this as part of my entertainment regime, I get to meet different people (different networks) and I also get to be a local tourist in my own country cause the hikes Born To Lead organizes are in different parts of the country. The hikes have transformed my life and just as Jesus Christ grew in Statue and Mind, I too have grown in the same manner.
This year 2025 started on a high note encountering Ngong Hills and re-visiting Mt. Longonot which totally challnged me in July 2023. This time round, it challenged me yes but the level of challenge was different,not as crucifying as before.
I’m grateful for the opportunities I have had with the Born to Lead Mountain Adventures to learn and grow. The mistakes that led to a better stronger, better informed version of myself. For the moments when I put myself out there and it flopped and the moments when I took a step of faith and God carried me the whole way. For the times I failed and the times I won, I’m so grateful.
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