I’ve hiked a lot of mountains in my travels, but two hikes taught me very different lessons about what it takes to reach your goals.

The first was Old Man of Storr in Scotland. The path was steep. Rocks blocked my way. The wind pushed against me.

But I was determined. I grabbed a hiking stick when I needed it, took breaks to catch my breath, and did whatever it took. I was focused on getting to the top—and when I reached it? Pure expansiveness.

The view was epic. I felt limitless, like I’d literally climbed to my next level. That feeling of accomplishment—pushing through and reaching the reward—was transformative.

That’s what we dream about when we set goals, right? The moment we finally make it. The view from the top. The payoff.

But then there was another hike, solo, on a cloudy, misty day in Ireland.

The path wasn’t clear—I could barely see where I was going. I was frustrated. I was tired. I wondered if I’d made a mistake doing this alone.

Then, just as I could see I was almost there, it started raining.

I was so exhausted. So close to my destination. And now I couldn't see anything through the mist and rain.

I literally started crying—out of frustration, out of exhaustion, out of that raw feeling of "are you KIDDING me right now?"

At any point, I could’ve turned back. Gone down to the car. Called it a loss. And honestly? Part of me wanted to.

But I didn’t. I kept going.

When I finally made it to the top, the view was completely obscured. No epic panorama. No Instagram moment. Just me, finding a rock to sit on while the rain fell and the mist surrounded everything.

And you know what? I felt accomplished anyway. Because the real reward wasn’t the view—it was knowing I kept going.

Here’s what these two hikes taught me about reaching your next level:

Sometimes, you push through and get the epic view—the transformation you can see and feel. That’s Old Man of Storr.

But sometimes, you push through and the path is still misty. The results aren’t immediate. You can’t see the payoff yet. And you have to find the accomplishment within yourself anyway. That’s the Ireland hike. That’s where the real growth happens.

And here's what I'm noticing: so many of you are standing at the base of your own mountain right now. You have incredible ideas swirling in your heads. You're ready for your next level. But something keeps stopping you from starting the climb.

The spark of a new idea feels amazing. The vision of your next chapter, the excitement of what’s possible—it’s intoxicating.

But then comes the part where you actually have to do the thing. And that’s when:

The voice that suddenly has a thousand reasons why “now’s not the right time”? That’s self-sabotage.
The discomfort when money or commitment comes up? That’s revealing something.
The feeling of being unsafe when it’s time to invest in yourself? That’s an unhealed part of yourself asking to be seen.

Here’s the truth: these obstacles aren’t random. They’re showing you exactly what needs to heal.

These blocks—fear, resistance, uncertainty, feeling unsafe—aren’t in your way to stop you. They’re revealing where the real work is. They’re the shadow parts we avoid, the places where we’ve been playing small, the edge of our growth.

You can’t step into the light without facing what’s in the shadow first.

The people who reach their next level? They move forward even when it’s uncomfortable. They know that sometimes the payoff isn’t visible yet—but they don’t stop themselves when they’re so close.

Life is always going to test you. It’s going to place what you want right in front of you and ask: Do you have the courage to move through what’s blocking you?

Take a second and actually name it.

(Seriously—write it down. Awareness is the first step—that’s how you begin to release the underlying block so you can actually get to where you want to be.)

This is exactly why I’m opening the next GDT cohort—for people ready to stop holding back, face their blocks, and actually climb their mountain.

The cohort starts Sunday, November 9—which means you'll step into your next level before the year ends. I’m taking clarity calls through Wednesday, November 6 to help you figure out if this is the right climb for you.

We’ll talk through where you are, what’s next for you, and whether the cohort is the right fit. I’ll be personally onboarding participants this week, so spots are limited.

Because when 2025 ends, I want you at the summit—not still halfway down the mountain.

The view from the top is worth it. I promise.

P.S. The universe is always going to test you. It's going to place what you want right in front of you and ask: Are you willing to move through what's blocking you to get there? Will you have the courage to face what's keeping you from your own growth? Clarity comes from climbing, not from standing still.

With love,

Founder, Global Dream Team

P.P.S. If you’re in SF this Friday (November 7), come join me for Creator Story Lab 🎥✨ Reflect on your story, create a short-form video, and connect with other creators. Snacks + drinks included! RSVP here :)

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If you enjoyed this reflection, come say hi on Instagram @ysabelchav - I share more moments, thoughts, and behind-the-scenes from the journey.