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Speaker's Corner: Finding the "Peak" of Motivation
March 12, 2008
An Incentive online column from TSE Sports & Entertainment Founder and President Robert Tuchman. This month, a Q&A with Stacy Allison, the first American woman to summit Mt. Everest.
By Robert Tuchman
Robert Tuchman, founder and president of (TSE Sports & Entertainment, interviews Stacy Allison, the first American women to summit Mt. Everest, to find out what gives her drive and keeps her motivated. On top of her climbing accomplishment, Allison owns and operates Stacy Allison General Contracting, a residential building company. She serves on the Board of Trustees of National University and is the Chairperson for The National Lung Association of Oregon's fundraiser, Reach the Summit. Allison is also the author of two successful books: "Beyond The Limits: A Woman's Triumph on Everest" and "Many Mountains to Climb: Reflections on Competence, Courage and Commitment."
 Q. What do you most enjoy about speaking?
I enjoy the interaction with participants the best. I'm very clear that I'm there for the audience and it's about them, not me. If I'm speaking before or after lunch, I usually eat with audience members. It's also knowing that I have a message that resonates with the audience, and that they can use the information to make a difference in their professional and personal lives. The people make my job meaningful and enjoyable.
Q. How do you come up with your speeches?
I tailor my presentations to fit the specific needs of the client. Therefore, I have extensive telephone interviews with people in various levels of the organization, from different regions or countries.
Q. Are your speeches more motivational, spiritual or comical?
My presentations are inspirational/motivational with a focus on business topics.
Q. What is your typical speaking topic?
Through my experiences of climbing Mt. Everest, I tell stories and draw metaphors around the topics of leadership, personal responsibility, teamwork, change, risk-taking and failure as a component of success.
Q. What motivates you to do speaking engagements?
I know I make a difference.
Q. Do you prefer speaking to certain types of groups or industries?
I have no preference.
Q. Favorite speech you gave or motivational moment?
I spoke at an international conference of over 3000, held in my home city of Portland, Oregon. I invited my mother to attend. There was Q&A afterwards. I don't remember the question, but the answer involved bringing my mother up onto the stage and recognizing her for the important role she has played in my life. It was spontaneous and very moving.
Q. How do you work to improve your presentation skills?
By speaking and being vulnerable to failure. I try new things that push my limits.
 Q. Why did you want to climb Mt. Everest?
Everest was a personal goal. I wanted to know if I had the physical and mental strength to climb the mountain. I'd been climbing for 12 years and was an elite technical climber. I had begun to climb at higher altitudes and discovered my physiology is such that I do well at altitude. There had not been an American woman on top and I thought, "Why not me?"
Q. Is it more difficult for a woman to climb then a man?
No. Certainly, men are physically stronger than women and can carry more weight. At lower altitudes, this is a slight advantage. Once you get to higher elevations, it really levels out. Many times, I have seen my male climbing partners carry less weight at altitude while I carry more. The real advantages in climbing are skill level, experience and fitness. Men and women who have high skill levels on rock, snow and ice; have experience climbing in challenging situations in the mountains; and who are fit perform equally well.
Q. What thoughts and feelings were going through your mind when you finally got to the top?
I had put so much into the climb to reach the top—planning and preparation, learning how to work with my team, establishing the route and the camps and the weeks climbing were so physically, mentally and emotionally demanding—that when I stood on top it was an emotional release. I felt a swell of emotion rise from my feet up through my body. My first reaction was to turn around and hug someone, to share this experience with my teammate, to see our success reflected in someone else's eyes. But there was no one there for me to hug. I was alone on top of the world. Fifteen minutes later, Pasang Sherpa made it to the top and his joy was a joy for me. I was also mindful of the fact that I never celebrate on the tops of mountains—it's the most vulnerable dangerous place to be. I knew that our work was not finished. We still had to get down and needed to maintain focus and concentration for the descent. I was also thinking about how I could support my teammates in their attempts during the following days to reach the top.
Q. How do you draw inspiration from your accomplishments in everyday life?
I have grown and learned many important lessons. For example, I am not afraid to fail, as I've failed at some point along the way in most everything I've tried. I know that I can pick myself up, learn and try again. I know how to deal effectively with fear, by acknowledging it and moving through it. I have learned the importance and influence that attitude plays in everything we do. I understand the power of believing in one's self. I also know that we only realize what we're truly capable of accomplishing when we challenge ourselves and push our limits. I didn't achieve success by myself, and I've learned that when we help other people reach their goals, we usually reach ours in the process. This is one reason I speak, to help other people achieve their goals and be their best.
Q. What drives you to accomplish feats like climbing Everest?
I'm very goal oriented. I love to challenge myself both physically and mentally. I have something deep inside me that pushes me to take on big goals and follow through with the energy and commitment to succeed.
Stacy Allison is the first American woman to summit Mt. Everest. She can be contacted at www.beyondthelimits.com
Robert Tuchman is founder and president of TSE Sports & Entertainment (www.tseworld.com), a New York City based marketing firm. The company represents many Fortune 1000 brands in securing talent for their events, functions and meetings. Tuchman can be reached directly at 646-442-5866.
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