WHEN I ASK CLIENTS TO THINK ABOUT THEIR PHYSICAL GOALS, usually I talk in terms of body fat percentage, dress sizes, or which triathlon to train for. So when client and Emmy-award winning producer Denise Cramsey told me she wanted to find an event that would really challenge her, I began researching what I knew: marathons, 500-mile bike rides, even an adventure travel/scavenger hunt. I reported my (lame) findings, but I could tell that none of my suggestions “clicked” with her. Now I know why.

This past January, Denise confided that she’d decided to climb to Mt. Everest base camp. She leaves today (several months AHEAD of her self-imposed deadline) to do it.

Only a few times in my years working as a fitness coach have I experienced the sheer delight and surprise as when Denise told me this news. Yes, she’s met the President, won an Emmy, and been at the helm of a couple of TV’s best loved reality programs. Soon, she’ll have Mount Everest (at least partly) under her belt.

As a fitness coach, I endeavor to hold a flame for what each person will become. I envision each person as a future version of him or herself, often long before they reach their transformation. As Denise boards her flight to Nepal today, she’s turned the tables on me—teaching me something important about my own vision.

She promised to update me along the way, and I know you join me in wishing her safe travels and an exhilarating ascent.