I Artist Adventure Staff Prepare for Kilimanjaro Meet Carolyn and Heather, two passionate members of the I Artist Adventure team gearing up for their 19,341-foot trek up Mount Kilimanjaro this October. With a “just do it” mindset from one and a “I’ll prove you wrong” attitude from the other, these two adventurers have different motivations but share the same goal: to conquer Africa’s highest peak. Arriving in Tanzania on October 19, we asked them to share their training tips and preparation strategies for their epic climb to Uhuru Peak. Q: Have you ever hiked a mountain before? Carolyn: “Before last weekend, no, I hadn’t. But I recently climbed Mount Hale in New Hampshire, which is about 4,000 feet.” Heather: “Yes! I’ve completed five high-altitude multi-day treks in Peru on different routes, and I hike all over New England regularly.” Q: When did you start your Kilimanjaro training? Carolyn: “I began getting in shape and breaking in my hiking boots in April, but my formal training started in July. I’m working with Marcus from Fit for Trips, who designed a personalized weekly workout plan for me.” Heather: “I’m always active with hiking, running, and cycling, but in August, I started CrossFit classes to improve cardio and leg strength. Now, I’m focusing on lighter weights with higher repetitions, which is great prep for Kilimanjaro.” Q: What does your current workout schedule look like? Carolyn: “Right now, I’m doing ‘ascending repeats’—climbing a hill, walking down briefly, then running back up, repeated at least 10 times. I also do interval training with stair stepping, crunches, and mountain climbers. I hike every Saturday and tackle the steps at Harvard Stadium on Sundays.” Heather: “Twice a week, I wake up at 5:30 a.m. for hour-long CrossFit sessions and see a personal trainer once a week. On weekends, I mountain bike, hike, or stay active outdoors.” Q: What’s been the hardest part of training? Carolyn: “Honestly, the mental challenge is tougher than the physical. After long workdays and commutes, finding the energy to train is a big mindset shift. I’ve learned to see training as my mental recharge rather than a chore.” Q: What keeps you motivated? Carolyn: “I love setting goals and proving myself right when others doubt me. Completing challenges like a 10K gave me confidence. I believe ‘if you want to tell interesting stories, you have to live an interesting life’—and climbing Kilimanjaro is definitely that kind of story.” Heather: “I simply want to stand at the summit and say I climbed 19,341 feet. Having a goal like this keeps me moving and focused.” Q: Any advice for those training for Kilimanjaro or preparing for a big adventure? Carolyn: “If you’re new to working out like I was, remember it’s a mindset shift. The physical part can be conquered with consistent training. Don’t put workouts off—commit to them, even when it’s hard.” Heather: “Listen to your body and build up gradually. Pushing too hard too fast risks injury and could jeopardize your summit chance.” What could be better than reaching Kilimanjaro’s summit? Following it with an unforgettable safari adventure! After her trek, Heather will swap hiking boots for safari gear as she embarks on her first safari with I Artist Adventure. She’s looking forward to relaxing after an active week and witnessing Tanzania’s abundant wildlife in their natural habitats. The cherry on top of her two-week Tanzanian journey? A breathtaking hot air balloon ride over the Serengeti at dawn — a perfect end to an epic adventure.