Pumped arms. Inaccurate positioning of gears. Rely on a nine and a half millimeter rope to save your life in the event of a fall. Your face bakes in the hot summer sun as sweat drips down your forehead. Success is just one step away. Reach, performing a two-handed throw. Chalk cakes your hand as you desperately try to cling to the bomber's grip. Failure. You don't get high enough and your hands slip, putting you in free fall as you hold your breath. Six meters of weightlessness followed by a huge jolt between my legs. Luckily the gear holds and you are still alive, scratched and able to climb again. Stepping out of your comfort zone not only makes you a stronger person, but it makes life a little easier. It all started when I was three years old. My father took me to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain, the icon of my hometown of Winona, Minnesota. This rock sits atop a promontory, overlooking the east side of the city. Looking at it, I just think of 75 feet of climbing on pure, exposed rock. After my first climb, I was fascinated; always wanting to climb the same route. I did this for a good three months, conquering this rock face at least four times a week. My skills improved drastically and my father felt it was time for me to step out of my comfort zone. We got in the car and took off on a southeastern trajectory toward Baraboo, Wisconsin. Upon arrival, my dad grabbed his backpack full of gear. I, on the other hand, grabbed my pathetic, uncomfortable thirty-dollar harness and an expensive pair of climbing shoes and set off towards the east shore of the lake. In my opinion, undertaking a climb can be as difficult as the climbing itself. I was pooped when I reached the base of the rock, climbing up… into the center of the paper… rock cracking as the nut formed on the rock. No worries though. The nut holds and we can continue our rappel descent to the bottom. Upon arrival, I let out a big sigh and realize that, once again, I have stepped out of my comfort zone and done something that tested both my physical and mental strength. After every climb, I look back and think of all the things that could have gone wrong. I realize that any small mistake could have resulted in complete failure and ultimately death, which I personally am not comfortable thinking about at such a young age. It's when we step out of that comfort zone and experience something in life that we potentially could have missed, we experience the best moments of our lives, making us stronger, well-rounded people. As my father always told me: “A fall is not a fall unless you run out of adrenaline before you run out of rope..”