Champions aren’t made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them — a desire, a dream, a vision. -Muhammad Ali 

“Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.”-

-Michael Jordan

The torch lighting ceremony is one that has existed since the ancient Olympics. This ceremony was much less complex than that of today’s. While we now have thousands of runners, back up flames, “flame attendants’ and have even sent the flame through a radio wave, the original ceremony consisted of the lighting of a flame which would be maintained for the duration of the games. It was not until the controversial Berlin Olympics of 1936 that the running of the torch was introduced to the ceremony. It was decided then that a torch should be lit in Athens and escorted to the hosting country , by whatever means possible (this is where the sending of a flame via radio wave came from), to ignite the Olympic flame.

“The greatest pleasure in life is doing the things people say we cannot do.”

~Walter Bagehot

Mount Everest is the highest peak on earth, reaching a height of around 29,000 feet above sea level. Because of it’s height and snowy conditions, it is also one of the most difficult mountains to climb. The first recorded ascent to the summit was not until 1953 and in the 50 or so years since then, less than 2,500 people have made the trek to the top. Because of the mountains extreme height, climbers are required to use oxygen tanks as the high altitude causes oxygen levels to be quite low.

Another increasingly popular option is to climb to Mount Everest’s base camp. It is just under half way between the base and the summit and is situated at 17,600 feet. It is still a difficult climb and amateur climbers are urged to use guides who can map out an appropriate route and provide insightful precautionary measures. It is believed that the climb up Everest will allow you to understand true dharma, a spiritual term which signifies the underlying order in nature and life. For others it is simply a way of showing the world what they are made of.

This is what has motivated 23 year old Ashley Haynes to climb to Mount Everest’s base camp later this month. In September of this year she realized her desire to return to her previously active lifestyle. As a university student, she had replaced her athletic career with an academic one. This had gone on long enough and she decided to adopt a regime of healthy eating and exercise. Going from a university student’s diet and regiment to one of someone training for the ascent of a mountain was a not an easy task.