Brunch with Don O'Neill of the "Ron and Don Show"

$10,000 is a lot of money but 14,410' is a lot of climb. Honestly, I was expecting the latter to be the hardest part. Climbing stairs, up and down Mt. Si, heavy packs and thin air all in hopes of summitting of Mt. Rainier but come March 10th, it hit me how truly difficult the fundraising was going to be. We had only raised $1,300 and barely in the top 40 climbers, we were in jeopardy of losing our spot on the 2010 climbing team. Over 25 hand addressed letters with hopes of sponsorship stuffed inside laid strewn across my desk and as I pushed them aside, I decided to ask for help. I went to mynorthwest.com and typed in "The Ron and Don Show." Don O'Neill, host of one of Seattle's most popular talk radio shows (and a rad radio show if I may add) was a member on the Climb for Clean Air's 2009 team. Don not only had to have the knowledge of how to prep for the physicality of the climb but certainly had to have the know how of how to raise the funds. On hope and a prayer I asked Don to accept myself as a friend on Facebook along with a message, "Don, we need your help! Do you have any fundraising suggestions?" With the week full of sponsorship denials, I was shocked to get a reply from him within the day, "I have a ton of ideas. I'd be happy to help. Let's meet up and talk."

At 1pm on Sunday, we met up with Mr. Don O'Neill at Queen Anne's Toulouse Petit Kitchen for brunch. I will admit, after listening to this man on the radio, I was slightly imitated to talk with him. Why? Well, he's a radio host- loud, opinionated, boisterous- you get the picture. While I love him for it on radio, I wasn't sure how it'd work in person. *Shocker* He was still opinionated, proud, and blunt but SO sincere, SO generous, and SO compassionate about our climb, our cause, and who we were as a whole. It was just what our team needed.

Our meeting started out talking to Don about his own ascent, "You know, not everyone is going to summit. Honestly, only 7 out of our 20 person team made it to the top... you'll know where you are physically on day one at summit school...that's when you know if you're going to have a chance of making it." We continued on discussing training techniques and tips on getting physically prepared:

1.Train in your plastic boots
2. Stairs at Discovery Park
3. Climb Muir at least three times before your summit attempt
4. Take spin class
5. Wear that pack

Don explained to us that the mental challenge is as difficult as the physical one, "Come prepared having trained, but also come knowing what you are capable of and why you are climbing 'cause once you strap your crampons on... it's GAME ON."

The discussion then moved onto "our stories." Don really moved both of us by genuinely asking us who we were climbing for and why we personally wanted to summit Rainier. True, Mandy and I had discussed the basics of our desire to climb but we had not ever shared "our stories" with anyone before. Don emphasized the importance of sharing these while fundraising and reminded us that we shouldn't feel bad asking people for money because it should be an honor to ask our friends and family on behalf of "our stories" and it should be just as an honor for those to donate. I had never thought about it as being an honor. I unfortunately had seen it as a task. Something to check off the to-do list. But it really is an honor. I am honored to climb on behalf of "my story" and I sincerely hope that you will have the honor of donating.

Don climbed on behalf of his dear friend Brad Perkins who lost his battle with cancer in 2008, "I took Brad's ashes to the top of the mountain and let them fly in 50mph wind..." He reminded us that there is a powerful story behind each of us climbers and donors. We should be honored to train, climb, and donate because of each one of them.

Mandy and I ended brunch feeling pumped up for what's to come. We may still be at our $1,400 mark and be hanging on to keep our spot in the top 40- but we have a greater faith in why we are doing this and who we are doing it for. We have faith that it will be done. Don really helped us to find our focus, and find the heart behind this climb.

BTW- If you haven't already, you should: Listen to our friend Don on the "Ron and Don Show" weekdays 3-7pm on Kiro 97.3fm

Thank you Don O'Neill for taking the time to talk with us today! We feel so lucky to have had the opportunity to share this wonderful adventure we are on. Thank you for listening to "our stories," discussing our team's future, and the support you have offered to both Mandy and myself.

So, you ask, "what is 'our story'?"

Stay tuned...
k.

*Shout out to Mr. Mattson, Ananda Osterhaus, Katie Christopher, Rashida, Katy Coffey, and John Osterhaus for your generous donations! From the bottom of our heart... thank you.