Leanne on Demand Daily with Leanne Hughes 🌴318. The 5000m Club
I’m coming to you from high in the Himalayas at around 4,400 meters, absolutely exhausted but strangely proud after one of the toughest days of this trek. Today’s episode is all about the reality of hitting altitude, running on zero sleep, and somehow joining the 5,000 Meter Club after a three-hour climb straight uphill.
From steep trails to thin air to the kind of exhaustion that makes you question all of your life choices, I share what it’s really like to trek in the Himalayas when your body is screaming for rest. I also talk about a beautiful moment of calm at a monastery, how grounding it felt to sit in stillness, and why these tiny pockets of peace matter more than ever out here.
Plus, I open up about the challenges no one warns you about: freezing mornings, no heating, unpredictable sleep, and the mental discipline of putting one foot in front of the other when everything feels hard.
Takeaways:
Altitude is no joke: Even “acclimatization hikes” can be brutal.
Rest when you can: Insomnia is common at this height, so prioritizing recovery matters.
Find stillness: Even a few minutes of meditation can reset everything.
Stay present: Focus on the next step, not the next few days.
Respect the mountains: EBC is beautiful, but it’s tough — way tougher than most people admit.
Grab your warm drink and join me as I catch my breath, soak in the mountains, and get ready for another day on this wild adventure.
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