HawkeTalk 153. Kenton Cool: Leading Everest Expeditions & Conquering the World's Tallest Peaks
What does it take to summit Mount Everest not once, but 19 times? In this episode of Hawke Talk, I sit down with Kenton Cool, one of the world’s most accomplished mountaineers, to uncover his journey from a sickly child in London to summiting Mount Everest 19 times and guiding clients on some of the world’s most dangerous peaks.
Kenton shares how his early years in Scouts gave him a love for the outdoors, why he worked construction jobs to fund his first expeditions, and the pivotal moment he realized he needed to turn climbing into a career. He takes us inside his first Everest expedition as a lead guide, the near-fatal accident that changed his perspective, and how he has since balanced guiding elite clients, tackling record-breaking climbs, and building a performance coaching company alongside his wife.
We dive into the true cost of climbing Everest, the challenges of K2, and why community, whether with Sherpas on the mountain or leaders in business, has been the key to his success. Through it all, Kenton’s story is about resilience, finding your tribe, and chasing purpose no matter the odds.
In this episode:
- (00:00) The power of community and belonging
- (07:00) Dreaming of becoming a fighter pilot
- (14:34) Working construction to fund expeditions
- (15:54) The realization he needed to monetize climbing
- (25:38) Transition into corporate speaking and performance coaching
- (29:05) Climbing Everest 19 times and holding the non-Sherpa record
- (32:00) Tackling K2 and reflections on the hardest climbs
- (34:10) The driving force behind his persistence: finding and protecting community
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About Our Guest
Kenton Cool is one of the world’s most accomplished mountaineers, with 19 summits of Mount Everest and numerous first ascents across the Himalayas, Alps, and beyond. After overcoming a devastating climbing accident in his twenties, he went on to become a certified IFMGA mountain guide and built a career guiding high-net-worth clients on some of the toughest peaks on Earth.
Known for his resilience and leadership, Kenton also co-founded a performance coaching company, sharing lessons from the mountains with global organizations. A passionate advocate for community and connection, he continues to inspire climbers and business leaders alike with his philosophy of perseverance, adaptability, and bold ambition.
Kenton Cool
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