Every year, way deep in the valleys of mid Wales, on one of the highest peaks in the UK a group of warriors assemble to tackle one of the biggest mountains out there. Yes the Royal Marine Commandos do train here on a daily basis, however these aren’t the warriors I was referring to.
Arranged half way through July, in order to (try) and get the best weather, the warriors that congregate at the bottom ready to climb Pen-Y-Fan mountan are indeed hundreds of recovery warriors.
A blend of people currently in recovery, substance misuse organisations and various rehabs in Wales all in the name of the Choose Life / Drug aid recovery walk;
If ever there was a sight of mixed emotions and capabilities it was here. There was fear, there was courage, determination, team work and pure pride all rolled into one place.
As people of all different ages, sexes, races and physical abilites congregate for the annual motivational speech by the organisers , the fear and nerves are palpable.
As the assent begins, you start to see something which is so beautiful and rare in this modern day and age. No judgement towards addicts or ex addicts, all equal, no one calling us junkies or crackheads, no police beating on black people all because I of their ‘addiction’ but really it’s their race but more beautifully no competition and an overwhelming feeling of team spirit. All addicts equal.
Normally we are cast aside by society, but all pulling together, spurring each other on, arms linked supporting those who are struggling with comments of support on both the way up and the way down.
The fear then turns to determination as half way up you can see the struggles of various people but the support from others is driving them up.
When we reach the summit, nearly 1000 metres above sea level, there is a the most amazing view ever, not only can you see for hundreds of miles across Wales on a beautiful summers day but you see faces of pure pride, satisfaction and joy.
A lot of the people involved including myself haven’t achieved anything this great in their lives or certainly for years but they’ve made it and boy when you get to the top it’s worth every second. That feeling of it’s good to be alive hits you and makes you realise why sobriety is so important.
After a quick 15 minutes break and queue to have the iconic photo at the peak of the mountain, the teams and those who have climbed together, me personally was with my rehab center Brynawel, that moment, a reminder that we can climb a mountain as big as Pen Y Fan when most of us initially thought we had no chance.
Of course this event could have been anywhere and doing anything really but the reality is the climbing of a mountain this colossal is purely a metaphor for the fight against addiction.
When you first give up your substance it seems like the impossible task, a challenge you don’t feel like you can complete and something that will get the better of you. Powerless.
Step by step, with the help of your support network you begin to climb and just like each day of sobriety that passes it gets easier and easier.
You think about giving up but you are inspired by those around you, eventually you get to the top and it all becomes worth it. You’ve got your life back and you can finally look around, perfectly present in your own body and mind and just admire the view with an immense sense of pride.
The journey down then is nothing but pure joy, just like your journey in life without substances, and the irony is you don’t look back on the way down unlike on the way up where you look back thinking I can’t do this anymore. You just enjoy the ride.
The ultimate metaphor and the ultimate achievement.
For those who completed it or those who just pushed themselves as far as their bodies would let them, I’m proud to call you all my fellow warriors and I hope this is the moments that our lives are kick-started.
Fighting addiction is a mountain, but it’s worth it just to see the view from the top
Keep climbing!
Wow! This is an amazing accomplishment. Good for you. Sounds like you have had quite the journey. Thank you for sharing.
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thanks for reading
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What an amazing journey! I live on the plains of the Midwest where there are very few hills. I do enjoy visiting mountains with my family though!
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Thanks for reading
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I have a family member who is battling addiction. I hope that he will someday decide to turn things around. You have all made So many awesome accomplishments. I’m proud of all of you. It’s so worth is and really is an amazing achievement!
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Its an ongoing battle. Loving life at the ,moment and thats good enough for me. Thanks for reading
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I’ve been up Ben Nevis, but never Pen y Fan. We also timed our trip for July, in the hopes of having decent weather and not getting caught in a freak snowstorm. Congrats on your accomplishment and ongoing sobriety!
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Ben Nevis. well done you. Thanks for reading
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Awesome! So glad I took the time to read this
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really appreciate you reading and thanks 🙂
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What a breathtaking view! So totally worth every step for that climb. Addiction is a hard enough battle….refurbished addict myself 🙂 but to be able to conquer that and accomplish wonderful things is an even greater gift. Keep up the good work and remember to keep a great support system around you at all times!!! Hugs
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Well done from one ex addict to another. Refurbished ‘love that’ well done and thanks for reading. Big love
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This is such an inspirational post. Good luck to you on your sobriety journey. Beautiful photos, too.
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It must feel amazing to have accomplished that. Kudos and keep walking and climbing and living!
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Thanks for reading 🙂
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I grew up in the most southern part of Germany and had my share of mountain climbing in the Alps. There is barely anything that compares to standing at high altitude and looking across the valleys. So happy to see you achieved this with your group of people. Stay strong and take it one day at a time. =)
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Thanks for your words and thanks for reading
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Congrats, stay strong!
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I like your post, and I like your post title even more. How true, not just for climbing but for our daily life. It is very motivational and I will keep fighting for sure. Thanks for the post 🙂
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Thanks for the kind words and thanks for reading
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Wow what a beautiful representation of what you are all doing! I’m sure it does feel like an impossible mountain somedays, but like you said, the view from the top is worth it. Also, sidenote, I love that the dog is not looking at the camera in the main photo. That gave me a laugh.
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That dog is actually a resident at the rehab I was at, she is the best therapist there, she walks around group therapy and will cuddle up to the most vulnerable person. She’s a deal asset
Thanks for reading
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What an inspiring journey. Addictions come in all forms and is a constant battle. Thank you for sharing.
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Thanks for reading
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Thanks
For reading
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What a journey! And yes, totally agree with you. No mountain is high enough if you are determined and keep progressing step by step..applies to the challenges of life too.. 🙂
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Lovely words thanks for reading
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These words hit me hard since I am pretty much in a similar situation. Everything I’ve believed in, everything I’ve done is simply turning against me and together creating the biggest obstacle of all time, ” What do I want to do? Isn’t what I have been doing my whole life is my biggest dream and strength? “. I know for sure I have to get through this first before even reaching success and happiness. Your story inspired me a lot, thank you and stay strong!
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read some of my other blogs they will help. especially the good fight and various others
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You are such an inspiration! We both have been on a journey and I’m so glad to have come across someone else willing to share their story! Great job, and good luck!
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thank you and i wish you all the best, thanks for reading
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nice pics!
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thanks for reading
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Nice! I used to climb mountains and your post reminded me of the smell of the summit. Climbing makes you connect with the world how awesome it is and how little we are as human being. Good luck on your journey 🙂
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Very true
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Congratulations on working so hard to change your life… I wish you the best…
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Im a work in progress
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Cheers! I also love doing mountain climbing when I was in college and now I still believe it’s not too late to pursue this passion like yours. Thanks for the inspiration!
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Thanks for taking the time to read
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It’s awesome climbing mountains with friends. Your determination and hard work will pay off.
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Thanks and thanks for reading
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Keep climbing! THAT is a great example of the journey and sense of accomplishment and fulfillment you can experience in sobriety.
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Thanks and thanks for reading
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So happy for you! Keep on keeping on. Your story is inspiring and others will be blessed and encouraged.
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awesome..glad I came across this. One needs the desire and will to achieve anything.
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What a great journey! I am actually from austria and we have the alps so I love hiking and climbing. It´s such an amazing feeling to stand at the top of a mountain!!
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I worked in St Anton about 20 years ago thanks for comments and thanks for reading
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This is an amazing event as while as accomplishment for those that participate in this climb. The climb up Pen-Y-Fan mountain is a great reminder of the struggles and rewards to these warriors. Kudos to you all for achieving this climb and the positive changes you all have made for yourselves. Thanks for sharing a great event and your experiences.
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Inspirational post- thank you for sharing!
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thanks for comments and thanks for reading
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its really nice! i like also outdoor activies, trekking and climbing mountains.
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I cant begin to imagine your struggle but I’m glad you’re going strong and sharing your progress and message! Keep going!!
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Wow! Salute to you and your amazing journey!! Keep it up!
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It’s really impressive that you share this publicly, I can’t even imagine the struggle. Well done!
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I’m happy for you. I wish my mother would have gotten help.
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Sorry to hear that. Thanks for reading
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What an amazing story. God bless and keep climbing!
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thanks god bless thanks for reading
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Thank you so much for sharing – genuinely enjoyed reading it. Well written and such an inspiring story! Keep climbing 🙂
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thanks for the kind words and thanks for reading
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Amazing! What an apt metaphor for facing our fears and going for it. Bravo on the effort to all of you. This was a moving piece.
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Congrats on how far you’ve come. I admire you for sticking to it, and you used a great analogy!
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Wales looks like ireland !! Congrats for your journey so far !!
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Ireland is beautiful also thanks and thanks for reading
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That’s great! Keep comin’ back 😉 I had 7 years in Jan!
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Woooooooooooooo well done and thanks for reading
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So inspiring. Great job and wonderful storytelling
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thanks and thanks for reading
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Thats was a journey, I’m not a fun of anything that gets my any higher than my heels will take me but hey well done to you and good luck on your journey.
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lol thanks
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Great achievement, that day and every day since.
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thanks for the kind words and for reading
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Wow! What an amazing journey and that view from the top, Oh I would love to see it in person but I don’t think I could do what you did.
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You can do it, Anyone can.
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