Colin O’Brady: It’s definitely not a straight through line. Sometimes I’m taking steps to the side, sometimes I’m taking steps backwards, and eventually I’m making forward progress on a linear trend. But I’m not quitting, it’s about grit and perseverance.

I had to make two attempts on Everest because my first time up I got caught up in a huge storm near the summit and had to go all the way back down. I wasn’t like, oh I tried and it didn’t work out so I’m not meant to climb Everest. I was like ok, well let’s find another way. Is the weather going to be better in a few days? Yeah I’m tired, but maybe we I can pull it together somehow.

Jules Schroeder: What is one mindset mantra you live by?

Colin O’Brady: “He who says he can’t and he who says he can are both usually right.” The amount of people telling you you can’t in insane. It’s having that strength of mindset or belief in self to say ok that didn’t work, but let me just keep taking steps forwards and thinking about it creatively. If you can change your mindset towards the positive you can unlock untapped reservoirs of potential within yourself.

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This article originally appeared on Forbes.com