I knew it would be the trip of a lifetime, but I never could’ve anticipated the life altering moments that occurred on the mountain that day.
I began my journey in search of a greater purpose long ago. It began with a growing interest in religion and eventually evolved into a deep sense of spirituality that has since anchored me through my greatest life trials. I never imagined that my path would ultimately lead me to one of the most breathtaking and inspiring adventures of my life.
Years later, in 2013, I was attending a corporate event in Carlsbad, California when I met the man who started me on this journey. Werner Berger was the keynote speaker at the conference, so I had heard all about his stories. He is best known for his Guinness World Record title as the oldest person to climb the highest mountain on all seven continents, he was 77 years young.
To my good fortune, we became instant friends. By the end of the conference, Werner extended me a life-changing invitation. “Hey Steve, I’ve got a group going to Everest base camp in a few months. You should come!” he said. I was sold. I’ve been adventurous since a young age, so this was right up my ally. Growing up in Colorado, we would often hike the continental divide one week at a time; no parents, no communication to the outside world. Times have surely changed since then! Either way, this new adventure was calling my name and I couldn’t wait.
When we arrived in October of that same year, I was blown away. Nepal is a very poor country and it was something I had never seen before. But still, something about being in that foreign land brought a sense of peace to my soul that grasped my attention and wouldn’t let go.
As we began our trek, the conditions were grueling. Each day was spent trekking up the mountain trails and allowing our bodies to begin to acclimatize to the altitude each day. It was nothing short of spectacular and it felt as though the culmination of all the journeys throughout my life had led me to this one moment. My goals and dreams became crystal clear and I felt alive!
After seven days of hiking through the Himalayas, something started happening that sent a chill through my spine. Just a few hours away, we stopped for lunch. Reports of heavy snow on the China side of the mountain range were a bit alarming and when it started snowing tiny little snowflakes on us, I knew something wasn’t right. “Werner, something in me is telling me we should turn around,” I pleaded. He ultimately let the group decide, but there were some who strongly disagreed in discontinuing our trek.
The group took a vote and we decided to descend 2,000 feet down the mountain. The next morning, more reports came in that base camp now had nine feet of snow – a dangerous accumulation – so, we continued down to the next village. After a few hours, the earth beneath us started to rumble – there was an avalanche somewhere on the mountain.
We watched as rescue helicopters flew in and out of the mountains, one by one, and we stopped counting after 30. Sadly, we later discovered that the avalanche killed eight people. We never heard where it occurred, but I am so incredibly grateful that we decided to turn back.
That experience taught me some very important truths that remain a part of who I am to this very day. First, this world we live in is beautiful, powerful, and alive. Learning to appreciate its power and the empowerment that it can inspire in us has awoken my spirit to live a more purposeful life every day. Secondly, we have each been given a powerful compass called intuition, which we must respect, and trust will lead us away from danger and keep us on the path that we are meant to walk. I’m glad I listened to my instincts on the mountain that day.
I went back to Nepal to trek to Everest Base Camp again in 2018 and, this time, we did make it. I felt on top of the world, even though Mount Everest was still looming at another 12,000 feet above us. Both experiences have since molded and shaped me into the man that I am today.
The challenge of trekking in the Himalayas is obviously a much different challenge than becoming the best real estate broker I can be, but the underlying determination needed for each is undoubtedly woven into the very fabric of who I am. In either scenario unforeseen obstacles can arise which can change the entire course of achieving the desired goal. When I was in the Himalayas, I learned how to quiet the stresses running through my mind and focus on the task at hand. In fact, it may have saved my life. I’ve adopted that same principle as I guide my clients through their real estate journey. No matter how big the mountain is that may stand between you and the home of your dreams, I will help you to navigate through it.
For me, being a REALTOR® is so much more than assisting clients to buy or sell their homes. It is about teaching and mentoring them to live their best life. The home is often the center of our chaotic lives. It should be a place where we can find refuge from the storms and hold our loved ones close. It is my goal, and promise, to ensure my clients find the refuge of their dreams. Thank you for taking time to read my story and learn more about me. I look forward to earning the opportunity to meet with you and work together when you have a real estate need.
With gratitude,
Steven Golden
Broker-Owner