Imagine this. You’re high up in the mountains when suddenly a ferocious storm comes in. The air temperature drops to -60oC. 60mph cross winds. Your face starts to freeze. You need to get out now. What would you do? Unbelievably, this is the exact situation Nigel Vardy found himself in.
Vardy, also known as “Mr Frostbite”, is a mountaineer, motivational speaker, and author, whose life-changing experience suffering frostbite on Mount McKinley teaches us about resilience, decision-making, and facing challenges head on.
When Vardy found himself caught in the storm, alongside two friends, he knew they had to act quickly. Packing themselves into a crevasse on the side of a hill, Vardy’s thoughts didn’t dally on the long-term consequences of his decisions. The next 5 minutes was crucial and the next 5 minutes was all he allowed himself to think about.
They got themselves out and eventually help came. But the next battle would be the hardest of Vardy’s life. Told that he would essentially be watching parts of his body die or live, understandably Vardy was angry with the world. He lost all of his fingers and toes, part of his left foot, his nose and part of his cheek. He started to think the worst… But, with help from staff, he turned his thinking around.
Vardy describes suffering frostbite as “probably the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” It made him appreciate what’s important in life. Grateful to be here. Eager to learn more. He shows us that no matter what adversity you face in life, there is hope. Take the next best step and don’t let obstacles define you. Defeat it. Move it. You make the chance.
