This remastered bonus episode revisits a powerful conversation first recorded in 2020, where a walk up a mountain becomes a turning point for life and career.

Hosts Timothy R Andrews and Sarah Kettel are joined by events professional and author Paul Cook, who shares the story of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro — and how the experience fundamentally changes how he sees work, purpose and success.

What begins as a casual decision made in a pub quickly becomes a physically demanding and emotionally revealing journey. As Paul climbs higher, everyday noise falls away. Material concerns lose their importance. Trust, humility and teamwork come to the forefront — particularly through the guidance and care of the local crew and porters who make the climb possible.

Through exhaustion, fear and vulnerability on summit night, Paul reaches a moment of clarity that stays with him long after he comes back down the mountain. The episode explores career change, respect for unseen roles, and the courage it takes to walk away from work that no longer feels right.

This is a reflective, human story about slowing down, listening properly, and realising when it’s time to choose a different path.

In this episode, we explore:

1. Why Paul agrees to climb Mount Kilimanjaro without expecting it to change anything
2. Preparing physically and mentally for a climb of this scale
3. Trusting experts when you’re out of your depth
4. The role of guides and porters — and respect for invisible labour
5. Summit night, altitude sickness and mental shutdown
6. Reaching the top and experiencing clarity rather than celebration
7. Returning home with a changed perspective on work and life
8. Making the decision to leave a career that no longer fits

Hosts:

1. Timothy R Andrews
2. Sarah Kettel

Guest:

1. Paul Cook — Events professional and author

1. Sometimes clarity only comes when noise disappears
2. Stepping away from routine creates space to think differently.
3. Trust matters when you don’t know what you’re doing
4. Listening to experts can be the difference between success and failure.
5. Invisible roles carry enormous responsibility
6. The people behind the scenes often make everything possible.
7. Physical challenge exposes emotional truth
8. Fatigue strips away ego, certainty and pretence.
9. Not all success is about pushing through
10. Sometimes it’s about recognising when to step away.
11. Loving what you do matters more than staying comfortable
12. If something no longer fits, leaving can be the healthiest choice.

🔍 SEO Title (Podcast Platforms)

Can Climbing a Mountain Change the Direction of Your Life?

🔎 SEO Description (155–160 characters)

A remastered Talking Hospitality episode where Paul Cook shares how climbing Mount Kilimanjaro led to a life-changing career decision and new perspective

Takeaways:

1. Sometimes clarity only comes when noise disappears
2. Stepping away from routine creates space to think differently.
3. Trust matters when you don’t know what you’re doing
4. Listening to experts can be the difference between success and failure.
5. Invisible roles carry enormous responsibility
6. The people behind the scenes often make everything possible.
7. Physical challenge exposes emotional truth
8. Fatigue strips away ego, certainty and pretence.
9. Not all success is about pushing through
10. Sometimes it’s about recognising when to step away.
11. Loving what you do matters more than staying comfortable
12. If something no longer fits, leaving can be the healthiest choice.

Links referenced in this episode:

1. HospitalityJobs UK
2. Graphic Kitchen

Companies mentioned in this episode:

Planet Planit