Jean Muenchrath should have trusted her gut when it told her something terrible would happen during her and her boyfriend Ken’s winter trek to cross-country ski on very rugged terrain, cross the 220-mile John Muir trail from Yosemite Valley to o the summit of Mount Whitney, which is the highest point in the contiguous United States at 14,505 ft (4,421 m) above sea level. To do so requires climbing and navigating 14 mountain passes.

On their final day, a week ahead of schedule, Jean and Ken are caught on the summit in a freak lightning storm that would take no prisoners. They had to scramble to get off the mountain. Scrambling is never good when facing darkness, the fury of Mother Nature, and your fastest route from being electrocuted is climbing the sheer face of the mountain.

Ken and Jean separate so Ken can push forward as a scout to mark the trail. Jean, alone, falls, suffering broken bones in her spine and pelvis. Her buttock is badly bruised, and before long, gangrene will set in.

That night, Jean makes a spiritual vow to herself that becomes the title of her book. She says: " If I live until morning, I will live my greatest dreams."

A true story of adventure, tragedy and transformation.

Amy Deacon, CEO and Founder of Toronto Wellness Counselling, joins me to unpack how the human mind can unleash superpowers at times of great distress.

 

To buy Jean Muenchrath's book: https://www.amazon.ca/Live-Until-Morning-Adventure-Transformation/dp/069295581X