I am super proud to support my friend, Eva Steinwald, in her 7 Summits x 70 goal to climb the Seven Summits (the highest summit of each of the seven continents) by her 70th birthday—she’s in her early 60s.

She has already completed two of the summits: Aconcagua in South America and Denali in North America last year. This year she is attempting Mt Everest!

For her 60th birthday, she climbed to Everest Base Camp and then summited Lobuche Peak. It was during that climb that Eva decided to take on the monumental mission of the Seven Summits by her 70th birthday to bring attention to climate change. She grew up in Europe climbing the Alps, so she has seen firsthand the climate-impacted shrinking glaciers of highest mountains. Her incredible journey isn’t just for personal gain, it’s to inspire us to take action on climate change.

Her motto, "Can't Must Did" came from her climb of Aconcagua. She felt like she couldn't reach the summit, but then she told herself that must reach it, and then she did it!

Over the past year I’ve had some health struggles. I’ve wondered if it’s time to end the martial part of my martial arts career, quit karate and BJJ, and just do Tai Chi for the rest of my life. But then I think, “If she can train for the Seven Summits, then I can continue rehabbing my body.” When I think, “I can’t continue training.” I complete that thought with, “I must continue training.” And then a few months ago, “I did! I earned my 2nd dan (degree black belt) in karate!”

Eva is a fellow martial artist, that’s how I know her. Properly, she is Eva Steinwald Shihan, 6th dan (degree black belt) in Shotokan karate.

If Eva’s story inspires you like it inspires me, follow her journey at @7Summitsx70. Let’s support her in her quest to bring attention to climate change as she takes on Mt. Everest this year, and then four more of the highest summits after that!