Month 1 (September): Journey Begins

It’s been just over a month since I announced my plan to climb Mount Everest, and already it feels like the journey has begun long before I ever set foot on the mountain.

September was about building the foundation — getting the website live, launching funding, and beginning to share the story publicly. It’s been surreal to see the response, especially one of my first TikToks reaching around 50,000 views and counting. That reach isn’t just about numbers; it’s about connection. Seeing people engage with the idea of True North — of testing yourself, being honest about the process, and chasing something bigger — is exactly why I wanted to share this journey in the first place.

A Tough Lesson: My First DNF

Of course, it hasn’t all been smooth. September also brought my first DNF (Did Not Finish) — something no athlete enjoys writing down. But if I’m honest, that race probably taught me more than the ones that went right.

It reminded me that progress isn’t linear, and that setbacks are a part of anything worth doing. I could have forced it, risked injury, or ignored the signs — but Everest won’t care about my best days. It’ll test me on my worst ones. Learning to step back, reassess, and rebuild is part of that preparation.

Putting Structure Around the Dream

Away from training, this month has been about creating structure — turning a big idea into something organised, sustainable, and real.

I started reaching out to potential sponsors and partners, and that process has pushed me to think deeply about alignment. I don’t just want logos on a jacket — I want to partner with people and brands who believe in what True North stands for: authenticity, resilience, and ambition grounded in purpose.

Behind the scenes, I’ve built the training plan, started laying out the content schedule, and tried to bring some order to what was, at the start, just a huge dream scribbled on paper.

The Irony of Going Offline by Being Online

One thing I didn’t expect to find challenging is how much time I’m spending online. Between posting, editing, planning content, and keeping up with messages, my screen time has gone through the roof. It’s a bit ironic, really — spending more time on my phone in order to share a story about the outdoors.

But the truth is, this digital side matters. If I want to grow the audience, build awareness, and ultimately drive support for the climb, I have to meet people where they are — and that’s online. The balance isn’t easy, but like training itself, it’s something I’ll keep refining as I go.

Momentum is Building

Looking back, it’s wild to think how much has already changed in just one month. What started as an idea has now become a project with structure, support, and real momentum.

This first chapter was about building the base — the platform, the partnerships, the purpose. The next few months will be about the hard work: the training blocks, the cold mornings, and the consistency that no one sees.

Everest will always be the headline, but True North is about something deeper — staying true to what drives you, being open about the process, and showing that belief matched with effort can take you a very long way.

This is just the beginning.

Follow the Journey:

📸 Instagram: @eannaseverestjourney

🎥 TikTok: @eannas.everest.jo

💻 GoFundMe: gofund.me/f0d28ddef