Words can hardly capture the profound impact of climbing Mount Whitney with Team Fox. This journey was about more than summiting the highest peak in the contiguous U.S. in four days, although I do like to brag about it! It was about honoring my dad, raising awareness and funds for Parkinson’s research and proving that endurance is both a physical and emotional feat.

From the moment I announced my climb with Team Fox in June 2024, the outpouring of support was overwhelming. My goal with this challenge was to raise funds for The Michael J. Fox Foundation and to honor my dad who lived with Parkinson’s disease and passed away in 2018.

Hiking is a deep passion of mine and tying that passion to something so personal made this climb incredibly meaningful. Being from Oklahoma, hiking isn’t exactly in my backyard, but that hasn’t stopped me from chasing peaks. Every summer, I head to Colorado to climb 14ers. I’ve set a goal to summit 40 of them before I turn 40. At 38 years old, my tally stands at 34. The Mount Whitney climb showed me how passion and purpose can intertwine to create something life-changing.

I was surrounded by an inspiring team, each person bringing something unique to our journey. Malea’s positive energy was a light throughout the journey. Jared K. was always ready to go and was incredibly encouraging. Jared S., who lives with Parkinson’s, had the most climbing experience among us, and his quiet expertise on the ropes was inspiring. Murray, also living with Parkinson’s, had the most joyous spirit and made sure we were all doing okay every step of the way. From the start, we were bonded — supporting each other through challenges and celebrating together along the way.

Watching Jared S. and Murray push forward despite the obstacles reminded me of my dad’s strength and the importance of continuing the pursuit of a cure. Seeing my team summit Mount Whitney was a testament to the power of perseverance and the idea that one can truly LIVE with Parkinson’s, something I, unfortunately, didn’t get to see with my dad.

The experience of the actual climb is hard to put into words. Our guides, Matt and Jackson, were exceptional. A few times when I said I was scared, Matt would reassure me, saying it was okay to be scared. Jackson had a calm spirit, and his smile immediately put me at ease. Despite fear, I knew I wouldn’t quit. I felt safe and cared for while also being pushed out of my comfort zone. 

One friend described my experience as “life-giving,” and I couldn’t agree more. Even with the physical and emotional challenges, the reward was well worth it. The camaraderie, shared determination and the incredible cause we were fighting for made every grueling step worth it. I left Mount Whitney with a renewed sense of purpose, gratitude and eagerness for my next challenge.

Thanks to the generosity of many supporters, I raised over $13,000 for Team Fox — far exceeding my initial goal. Every donation, every word of encouragement, every step up the mountain felt like a tribute to my dad. I embarked on this climb to honor him, and the experience gave me so much more than I anticipated.

I can’t wait to do more with Team Fox, whether it’s climbing Kilimanjaro, summiting Guatemalan volcanoes or conquering another endurance feat. I’m excited to find other ways to push my limits, raise more awareness and continue honoring my dad. This is something he couldn't do, so I will.