On today’s episode, I’m joined by Garrett Madison, a world-record holding mountain climber and Mount Everest guide-extraordinaire. His records include being the only person to climb Mount Everest and nearby Mount Lhotse in a day, three times; being the only American to climb K2 twice; and he has personally led more climbers to the summits of Mount Everest and K2 than anyone else. Together, Garrett and I talk about his career, following your passion, and leadership.
While Garrett thought it would be a fun summer job, he ended up making it into a career as a full-time mountain guide expedition leader.
Garrett’s passion for mountain climbing began when he was in high school, and he and his dad decided they wanted to climb Mount Rainier. After preparing for the climb, Garrett realized he wanted to continue to learn more, so he enrolled in more mountaineering classes, and in college, he was hired as a Mount Rainier guide. While Garrett thought it would be a fun summer job, he then ended up making it into a career as a full-time mountain guide expedition leader.
Garrett’s, favorite parts of the job are simply getting to spend time in the mountains and helping others to achieve their bucket-list goals.
Garrett explains that his job comes with a number of different rewards, and that while the records he holds are great, his favorite parts of the job are simply getting to spend time in the mountains and helping others to achieve their bucket-list goals. He shares that the first time he made it to the summit of Everest, it was a really emotional experience and that helping other climbers reach that summit and sharing in that experience with them is both special and very rewarding.
The most important actions a leader can take are: handle things moment by moment, look out for the people around you, and keep calm.
As someone who people trust to lead them up mountains and navigate them through the difficulties of the journey, Garrett also talks to listeners about leadership. He shares with them an experience in which he and his team ended up getting stuck on Everest after an earthquake and how in experiences such as this, the most important actions a leader can take are: handle things moment by moment, look out for the people around you, and keep calm.
As someone who never had a roadmap for his own career, Garrett advises following your passion and believing that things will work themselves out from there.
Finally, Garrett ends our talk today by encouraging those who are listening to follow their hearts. As someone who never had a roadmap for his own career, Garrett advises following your passion and believing that things will work themselves out from there. In addition to his work as a guide, he also then goes on to discuss his work as a film producer, writer, and his future goal of becoming a sailor.
To hear more about some of Garrett’s incredible expeditions, his favorite climbs, and how to prepare for your own climbing adventure or expedition, be sure to listen in to today’s episode!
Check out Garrett’s website at: https://madisonmountaineering.com/
Follow Garrett on Instagram @garrettmadison1
