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Ed Viesturs was a childhood hero of mine. When I was younger—dreaming about mountains—his story helped shape what I thought “greatness” actually was: more than bravado, but also patience, judgment, and the discipline to come home.

In this episode, Ed takes us inside an 18-year mission: climbing all 14 of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks without supplemental oxygen—with Annapurna as the final, most dangerous obstacle. 

We talk about the real risk near the end of any long goal: when attention, pressure, and expectations tempt you to break the rules that kept you safe in the first place—and the one rule Ed used to survive. 

What we cover

•  The “long game” mindset that lasts decades 
•  Why Annapurna was “off the charts” dangerous 
•  How pressure (fame/sponsors/ego) makes people “step over the edge” 
•  Why the summit isn’t the finish—getting down is 

References

• No Shortcuts to the Top: Climbing the World’s 14 Highest Peaks — Ed Viesturs (with David Roberts) 

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