Shut Up and Climb: When Your Mental Gear Matters More Than Equipment

"Shut the F*** Up and Keep Going." Day 2 of the Everest trek was brutal. I couldn’t stop complaining. The clothes I rented felt wrong, uncomfortable, and I was sure if I had better, name-brand gear, the climb would’ve been easier. Every step I took in that used gear made me feel like I was falling behind, physically and mentally. The discomfort started to creep into my thoughts, and before I knew it, I was letting it control me.

At one point, I snapped. I filmed a video of myself saying, “Shut the fuck up!” It was me, talking to myself, telling my mind to stop whining and just get on with it. I knew the gear wasn’t the problem—my attitude was.

I was telling myself to stop whining and complaining about the gear and focus on pushing forward.

The Gear Doesn’t Make the Climber

It’s funny how much we think gear defines our success. I thought that if I had the latest, best gear, I’d be having an easier time. But that was just an excuse I let myself cling to. The rented, used gear was fine—it was my mindset that needed adjusting. I let the discomfort turn into frustration and then into a full-blown distraction.

That video was a wake-up call. I had to stop letting small things derail me. It wasn’t the gear that would get me to Base Camp—it was my focus.

One Step at a Time

After that, I focused on one step at a time. The gear stopped being an issue once I stopped giving it power. I knew I had to narrow my focus—get tunnel vision. Dust in my eyes, exhaustion creeping in, but I kept moving. Let Go Boss wasn’t just a mindset—it was survival. Complaining wasn’t getting me anywhere; pushing through was.