By Heather Backman

There’s a phrase that says, “No pain, no gain!” While it’s not my favorite saying, it points to a powerful universal law: without opposition, there can be no contrast—no depth, no meaning, no joy. It’s the presence of opposites that brings life, variety, and richness to our experiences.

Theodore Roosevelt once said, “With great victory comes great sacrifice.” As a young adult, I had a dream of going to Africa. Eventually, that dream came true—and with it came an unexpected opportunity: climb Mt. Kilimanjaro. We could extend our trip by just one week, pay a little extra, and take on the tallest freestanding mountain in the world. My best friend and I jumped at the chance.

We were warned: train five days a week for the next three months. We took it seriously. We sacrificed time with friends and family to hit the gym. I ran, climbed stairs, pushed through the elliptical, lifted weights—anything I could do to prepare for the climb of a lifetime.

When it was finally time to leave for Africa, I could hardly sleep the night we arrived. The trip itself was amazing—full of meaningful humanitarian work and beautiful moments. I loved the people, the stunning savannah, and the opportunity to serve.

At the end of the main trip, those of us who chose to climb the mountain said goodbye to the others and set out on our trek. We hiked all day, every day, through nearly every climate zone—starting at sea level, passing through rainforest, moorland, alpine desert, and finally reaching the arctic summit. Each stage brought its own beauty, but my favorite part was hiking through the clouds. It felt mystical, like walking in a dream.

Then came summit day. The final ascent was steep and intense. We gained elevation so quickly that the porters recommended we begin the climb in the middle of the night so we wouldn’t psych ourselves out by seeing how steep the trail really was.

By this point, it became clear: my best friend and I were the only ones who had followed the advice to train consistently. And it showed. Everyone else began to suffer. Some were nauseous and hallucinating. A few couldn’t stop throwing up. One kept fainting. Another had to be carried to the summit by the porters.

Watching that unfold was eye-opening. Their lack of preparation turned what could have been an awe-inspiring adventure into a miserable struggle. They missed the magic of the journey and couldn't fully enjoy the victory of reaching the top.

But I was deeply grateful. Because I had sacrificed my time and put in the work, I was able to soak in every part of the climb. And standing at the top? It was breathtaking. I could literally see the curvature of the earth. I have photos that capture the bow of the sky—images that still take my breath away. It was unlike anything I had ever seen.

Because I was prepared, I didn’t just make it to the top—I felt every moment of the victory. And that’s the lesson: great sacrifice brings great reward.

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