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Life Journeys E-Messages! Sign up for messages from Laurie! 
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Chasing MountainsI've always been the type of person to try new things, follow my dreams and just simply go for what I wanted. Even as a young girl I started setting big goals for myself, primarily in the sports arena. Climbing Mt. Everest was perhaps the most audacious of all my goals and certainly the most life changing. The experiences on Everest taught me how to manage my time, energy, and resources, not just to stay alive but to accomplish what I had worked so hard for and which very few people have the honor of experiencing. As the 6th US woman to summit the North Col Route I felt a sense of awe and affirmation that the process works. Turning your dreams into reality is no more then a series of steps that anyone can take advantage of when they are willing and persistent. My journey was a testament, and the view from the top of the world was part of the reward, an awesome accomplishment that reflects who I have become in the process of getting there. I've learned that clarity in direction comes as a somatic experience. Writing this book feels the same way. It is not just something I want to do; it is something I feel is important to do. In my career towards an extreme adventure racing athlete, I remember the first time I saw the Eco Challenge on television (a multi-sport, multi-day race.) Set in Morocco, the teams began the race by riding on camels through the desert. I was absolutely glued to the show and could feel my whole being transported to the race site racing along side all those other racers. This was the beginning of my quest to be on a world class team and to race in the Eco challenge. I did not know at that point how I would accomplish this or what exactly it would entail, but I felt that I wanted it! My desire and intention was so strong that all I had to do was keep taking small steps. I stayed active in my pursuit because I felt inspired to. In two years I was in Borneo at my first international adventure race which did happen to be an Eco Challenge. Over the years I was involved in about 30 other adventure races of various lengths. It was this kind of passion that caused me to continue chasing mountains and led me eventually to Everest. Choosing to write a book on these lessons and on reaching great heights seemed the natural next step. As I continue to offer public, corporate and private presentations in the motivational field, my audiences always ask me, "Where is your book?" In fact, as my data base fills with such entries, I look forward to the day when I can send these thousands of people an email blast with Chasing Mountains published and ready for purchase. |