“You don’t have to be the fastest, you just can’t quit.” Leadership Lessons From Climbing Everest with Alison Levine

Sep 29, 2025

Ask episode

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

You don’t have to be the strongest or the fastest to reach the summit. In this episode, I’m joined by Alison Levine, an adventurer, leadership expert, and the first American Women’s Everest Expedition Team Captain. We talk about what mountains teach you about business, leadership, and life, why failure is never final, and how relevance isn’t about chasing the next big thing. Alison also shares the story of being the weakest link on an Antarctic expedition, what your teammates teach you about compassion and contribution, and the new bucket list project about the stories that can’t be shared in corporate keynotes. Tune in for the encouragement you didn’t know you needed.

Check out our Sponsors:

SKIMS - I finally tried SKIMS and I get all the hype. Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at SKIMS.com and let them know we sent you in the dropdown after checkout.

Brevo - the all-in-one marketing and CRM platform designed to help you connect with customers and grow your business. Get started for free today - go to www.brevo.com/happy

Blinds.com - Blinds.com makes it easy to get the designer look without the showroom markups. Get an exclusive $50 off when you spend $500 or more with code EARN at checkout.

Shopify - Try the ecommerce platform I trust for Glōci, Sign up for your $1/month trial period at Shopify.com/happy

Headway - the #1 daily growth app that delivers key insights from the world’s best non fiction books in bite sized 15 minute reads and audio. Save 25% off when you go to makeheadway.com/happy.

Airbnb - Start making money by listing your home on Airbnb with an experienced Co-host, find a co-host at airbnb.com/host

HIGHLIGHTS

00:00 Meet Alison Levine, team captain of the first American Women's Everest Expedition.

05:30 The life lesson Alison learned at 19,000 feet.

12:45 How does physical grit prepare you for mental grit in leadership?

19:30 Why the way you address someone’s weakness can change everything.

25:00 What was it like leading the first American Women’s Everest expedition?

30:30 Alison’s biggest Mount Everest lesson.

34:00 Why even high performers need encouragement more than you think.

40:30 Do you need to keep risking your life to stay relevant after big achievements?

46:15 The bucket list project Alison is most excited about right now.

RESOURCES

Get your copy of Alison’s On the Edge: Leadership Lessons from Mount Everest and Other Extreme Environments HERE!

Join the Audacity Challenge HERE!

Join the most supportive mastermind on the internet HERE!

Check out our FREE 90-Day Business Blueprint HERE!

Listen to my free SECRET PODCASTS SERIES - Operation: Rekindle This B*tch