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#90 Survival Is Not Assured (Part II): Partnerships, Loss, and the Human Cost of Bold Alpinism

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Manage episode 504186453 series 3549231
Content provided by Kush Khandelwal. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Kush Khandelwal or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

Last week in Part I, we began our journey with legendary alpinist Jim Donini — exploring his surprise cancer diagnosis, his early days in Yosemite, and the philosophy that has defined his career: “Getting to the top is optional. Getting back down is mandatory.”

In this second part of our conversation, we turn from the mountains themselves to the human side of Jim’s story. At 82, Jim reflects on:

  • The partnerships that shaped his greatest climbs — and what makes someone a great partner in the mountains and in life
  • The sacrifices and personal costs of chasing bold objectives, and the double-edged gift of being able to block out hardship
  • Lessons from living and climbing in places like Pakistan and Patagonia, and how those cultures shaped his worldview
  • What it means to slow down, face illness with honesty, and still look ahead with optimism
  • The legacy he hopes to leave, and what “ageless” means to him today

Jim speaks with the same candor and optimism that have marked his five decades in the world’s hardest ranges. His reflections on life, loss, and resilience remind us that survival is never guaranteed — but meaning can be found in how we choose our lines, both on the mountain and off.

If you haven’t yet, go back and listen to Part I — it lays the foundation for everything we cover here.

📌 References & Related Links

  • Survival Is Not Assured: The Life of Climber Jim Donini by Geoff Powter — Winner of the 2024 National Outdoor Book Award (NOBA)

---

🚀 Love the show? Here’s how to support it

If something you’ve heard here has stayed with you, made you smile, or helped you keep going, I’d be honored if you’d consider supporting the show. 👉 https://buymeacoffee.com/agelessathlete

📰 Subscribe to the Ageless Athlete newsletter !

1-2x a month, no spam. We share behind-the-scenes reflections, longevity tips, and athlete wisdom you won’t find anywhere else. You can sign up at https://www.agelessathlete.co/newsletter/ 📩

Support the show

  continue reading

97 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 
Manage episode 504186453 series 3549231
Content provided by Kush Khandelwal. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Kush Khandelwal or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

Last week in Part I, we began our journey with legendary alpinist Jim Donini — exploring his surprise cancer diagnosis, his early days in Yosemite, and the philosophy that has defined his career: “Getting to the top is optional. Getting back down is mandatory.”

In this second part of our conversation, we turn from the mountains themselves to the human side of Jim’s story. At 82, Jim reflects on:

  • The partnerships that shaped his greatest climbs — and what makes someone a great partner in the mountains and in life
  • The sacrifices and personal costs of chasing bold objectives, and the double-edged gift of being able to block out hardship
  • Lessons from living and climbing in places like Pakistan and Patagonia, and how those cultures shaped his worldview
  • What it means to slow down, face illness with honesty, and still look ahead with optimism
  • The legacy he hopes to leave, and what “ageless” means to him today

Jim speaks with the same candor and optimism that have marked his five decades in the world’s hardest ranges. His reflections on life, loss, and resilience remind us that survival is never guaranteed — but meaning can be found in how we choose our lines, both on the mountain and off.

If you haven’t yet, go back and listen to Part I — it lays the foundation for everything we cover here.

📌 References & Related Links

  • Survival Is Not Assured: The Life of Climber Jim Donini by Geoff Powter — Winner of the 2024 National Outdoor Book Award (NOBA)

---

🚀 Love the show? Here’s how to support it

If something you’ve heard here has stayed with you, made you smile, or helped you keep going, I’d be honored if you’d consider supporting the show. 👉 https://buymeacoffee.com/agelessathlete

📰 Subscribe to the Ageless Athlete newsletter !

1-2x a month, no spam. We share behind-the-scenes reflections, longevity tips, and athlete wisdom you won’t find anywhere else. You can sign up at https://www.agelessathlete.co/newsletter/ 📩

Support the show

  continue reading

97 episodes

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