The guidance of the coaches was invaluable. Through their "in the weeds" answers to our questions, I learned to understand my body’s responses to training, hormones, nutrition, hydration, environmental factors, life stressors—and how they combine and interact in their effects on my physiology (and at times psychology). Along with my strength and base fitness, my understanding of the UA methodology and of how to train increased exponentially.

The Mountaineering Training Group has been one of the most significant training programs of my life. I could go on and on about the benefits, including the peer-to-peer learning opportunities, the group meetings, the prompt and detailed responses of the coaches to all questions during the group meetings, the private forum, the detailed understanding of the training basics, and so on. I want to call it an MBA in mountaineering training.

It's week six of my 12-week training program with Uphill Athlete. I’ve shared the workouts, which are fun, challenging, [and]exhausting, but I haven’t shared what it’s like to train with a group of like-minded females worldwide. When I joined, I didn’t think of that aspect. I wanted to be held accountable and thought the group would help with my training motivation, but it reawakened the need for female camaraderie. I used to make more time for going on an adventure with my female friends, but much less since the pandemic started. I got out of the routine, and this group has made me realize how much I miss it. So, in addition to accountability, which has gotten me in better shape in the last six weeks, I have found inspiration from the amazing women in this group.