LIVING THE LIFE YOU WERE MEANT TO LIVE
Today, she’s six summits into her 7 Summits Quest and raising funds for the Dlala Nje Foundation in Johannesburg. “I believe we all have a powerful and brave warrior inside of us all, ready to be unleashed and capable of accomplishing the extraordinary. Why not use this strength and courage to shape the life you want to create?” says Remy.
We chatted with Remy about the highlights and challenges of her experiences so far, as well as her advice to others on living a life filled with purpose and passion.
How can people find their purpose in life? I don’t have this all dialed in myself, but what I can say is that the biggest guiding factors for me have been ‘joy’ and ‘impact’. What brings me the most joy? I will chase that! How can I impact the lives of other? Let me do more of that!
What is something that you still struggle with today, and how do you tackle it? I still struggle with my anxiety; it creeps in from time to time. But what I keep reminding myself is not to fight it, and to not judge myself for it. Speaking about it helps and simply allowing the emotions to flow through me.
What is the hardest lesson you’ve had to learn? Sometimes I give my whole heart to the mountains and make too many sacrifices in other aspects of my life. This isn’t the most sustainable way of living, so I am working on this.
Another big moment was being able to witness the super blood lunar eclipse whilst doing my back-to back summit of Mount Everest and Mount Lhotse. It was a feeling and image I will never forget, and awe and gratitude consumed every fibre of my being. These are the moments I live for.
And the biggest challenge? Without a doubt the ongoing search for sponsorships and partnerships. The challenges one faces whilst climbing mountains are welcomed (although definitely not in the moment!) and it’s at these times I realise what I am capable of.
What is the hardest thing about being a mountaineer? It’s an expensive sport, and I am of great privilege to be able to do this. I have put in a lot of hard work, and it is an environment in which I thrive and feel most alive. I will continue to put in my best effort to raise the funds and find impactful partnerships so that I can continue on this path.
Are there any spots in Cape Town that you always feel rejuvenated by? Cape Town is filled with so many treasures. For me, nothing quite beats sunrise from the top of Table Mountain. Climbing in the dark, guided by your headlamp and moon shine. The stillness whilst the city is sleeping. Watching the sun wake up, beaming, glowing and almost always putting on a show of colourful delight.
PRACTICAL STEPS TO LIVING AN EXTRAORDINARY LIFE
- Unpack your five most important values in life before you embark on any journey – whether it’s climbing a mountain or embarking on a business venture. It’s easy to feel discouraged if you don’t reach your goal, but if you walk each step in alignment with your values, then that’s where the magic happens.
- Take the time to love and respect yourself first – when you feel in alignment, bliss follows.
- Always stay curious – asking yourself what you’re feeling and why has immense impact. Curiosity in general is powerful and being open to learn new things makes space for growth in your life.
- Surround yourself with people that make you want to strive to be better, who encourage you to chase your crazy bold dreams, and who back you through your highs and lows.
- Sign up for challenges that scare you just a little. In the past I have found myself confined by my comfort zone, believing it provided me with a sense of security. It didn’t. The moment I took steps outside of my comfort zone was the moment I started to realise what I was really capable of.
- At the end of the day, accept there will be always failures and setbacks. Feel the pain then take the time to reflect, reset, unpack the lessons learnt, and show up again and again.