E32 - Nims Purja: Make your dreams a reality

Nirmal ‘Nims’ Purja MBE became the fastest person to climb all of the 14 worlds highest 8000 meter mountains in 2019. The previous record for this achievement was just under 8 years. Nims achieved this in just 6 months and 6 days. Aptly named Project Possible, Nims delivered on his promise and what many claimed to be ‘impossible’.

Previously, Nims served in The Gurkhas for 6 years before passing Special Forces selection and joining the SBS (Special Boat Service) where he served for a further 10 years.

Nim’s book ‘Beyond Possible: One Soldier, Fourteen Peaks — My Life In The Death Zone’ is out now.

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### Comprehensive Summary of the Podcast Episode Transcript: Nims Purja - Beyond Possible: Climbing the World's Highest Mountains ###



**Introduction:**

* Nirmal 'Nims' Purja MBE, a former Gurkha and Special Forces operative, achieved the remarkable feat of climbing all 14 of the world's highest 8000-meter mountains in just 6 months and 6 days, breaking the previous record of 8 years.
* His book, 'Beyond Possible: One Soldier, Fourteen Peaks — My Life In The Death Zone,' shares his incredible journey.

**Nims' Background and Mindset:**

* Nims served in the Gurkhas for 6 years before joining the Special Boat Service (SBS) for 10 years, demonstrating his resilience and adaptability.
* He attributes his success to his belief in self, a force field of positivity, and a mindset designed for high performance.
* Nims emphasizes the importance of recognizing and utilizing individual strengths, regardless of external opinions or perceptions.

**The Two Rules of Life:**

* Nims follows two guiding principles: "Hope is God" and "It's the little things that matter."
* Hope provides motivation and keeps one alive in challenging situations, while attention to detail and commitment to the little things lead to success.

**Overcoming Challenges:**

* Nims faced numerous obstacles during his mountaineering expeditions, including extreme weather conditions, oxygen deprivation, and the loss of his oxygen supply at Camp 4 on Mount Everest.
* He maintained a positive mindset, believing that his oxygen might have been used for an emergency situation, and focused on the possibility that someone's life was saved.

**Developing a Growth Mindset:**

* Nims believes in dreaming big and learning from failures.
* He encourages individuals to find their strengths, love what they do, and commit to hard work, while maintaining a positive attitude.

**Balancing Focus and the Bigger Picture:**

* Nims emphasizes the importance of razor-sharp focus on the task at hand while keeping the bigger picture in mind.
* He suggests writing down ideas during breaks or rest periods to maintain focus on the ultimate goal.

**Purpose and Motivation:**

* Nims' motivation for the 14-peak project extended beyond personal achievement.
* He aimed to inspire others, raise awareness about climate change and sustainable environment, and honor the Nepalese climbers.

**Conclusion:**

* Nims' remarkable achievements and unwavering belief in the possible serve as an inspiration to listeners, encouraging them to pursue their own goals with resilience and determination.

**Navigating Obstacles and Achieving the Impossible: A Conversation with Nims Purja MBE**

**Introduction**
Nims Purja MBE, a former Gurkha and Special Boat Service (SBS) operative, captured the world's attention in 2019 when he became the fastest person to summit all 14 of the world's 8,000-meter peaks, a feat that previously took others nearly 8 years to accomplish. Purja achieved this remarkable milestone in just 6 months and 6 days, demonstrating unwavering determination and resilience. His incredible journey, aptly named "Project Possible," showcased his commitment to pushing boundaries and inspiring others to believe in their own potential.

**Overcoming Challenges and Creating Opportunities**
Purja's path to success was not without its obstacles. Having grown up in a humble Nepalese village with limited opportunities, he faced poverty and adversity from a young age. However, instead of succumbing to these challenges, Purja turned them into fuel for his ambition. He joined the Gurkhas, an elite fighting force renowned for their bravery, and later became a member of the SBS, where he served for a decade.

Purja's military background instilled in him a strong sense of discipline, teamwork, and the ability to thrive under pressure. He credits his time in the special forces with shaping his mindset and preparing him for the grueling physical and mental demands of high-altitude mountaineering.

**The Power of Belief and Self-Discipline**
At the heart of Purja's success lies his unwavering belief in his abilities and his relentless pursuit of his goals. He emphasizes the importance of setting ambitious targets and refusing to entertain thoughts of failure. Purja's mantra, "I would rather die than be considered a coward," reflects his unwavering commitment to pushing the limits of human endurance.

Purja's emphasis on self-discipline and mental fortitude is evident in his approach to mountaineering. He believes that true satisfaction comes from giving 100% effort and pushing oneself to the limit, regardless of the outcome. Purja's focus on self-improvement and continuous learning has enabled him to achieve extraordinary feats, including summiting Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen.

**Handling Criticism and External Validation**
Purja acknowledges that the pursuit of ambitious goals often attracts criticism and negativity from those who doubt one's abilities. However, he emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself and not seeking validation from others. Purja believes that the only opinion that matters is one's own, and that external validation can be fleeting and ultimately unsatisfying.

**Balancing Personal Life and Professional Ambitions**
Purja's dedication to his mountaineering pursuits has inevitably impacted his personal life. He admits that balancing his family responsibilities with his passion for climbing has been challenging at times. However, Purja believes that open communication and understanding within his family have allowed him to navigate these challenges successfully.

**Purja's Legacy and Impact**
Purja's remarkable achievements have garnered global recognition and inspired countless individuals to pursue their own dreams and overcome their limitations. He hopes that his story will serve as a reminder that anything is possible with unwavering belief, hard work, and a positive mindset. Purja's ultimate goal is to promote unity and understanding among people of all backgrounds, regardless of race, religion, or nationality.

**Conclusion**
Nims Purja MBE's journey from humble beginnings to the summit of the world's highest peaks is a testament to the power of human determination and resilience. His unwavering belief in his abilities, his relentless pursuit of his goals, and his commitment to self-improvement have made him an inspiration to people worldwide. Purja's message is clear: believe in yourself, embrace challenges, and never give up on your dreams.

# High-Performance Podcast Episode Transcript: Nims Purja MBE: Beyond Possible

In this episode of the High-Performance Podcast, Damien and Jake interview Nims Purja MBE, a former Special Forces soldier who became the fastest person to climb all of the world's 14 highest 8,000-meter mountains in just 6 months and 6 days.

**Key Points:**

- Nims served in The Gurkhas for 6 years before passing Special Forces selection and joining the SBS (Special Boat Service) where he served for a further 10 years.

- Nims believes that nothing is impossible and that everyone has the potential to achieve great things.

- He advocates for setting goals, working hard, and never giving up.

- Nims also emphasizes the importance of teamwork and having a positive mindset.

- He believes that the key to a high-performance life is to do the basics right all the time.

- Nims shares his experiences climbing the world's highest mountains and the challenges he faced along the way.

- He talks about the importance of hope and optimism in overcoming adversity.

- Nims believes that everyone has the potential to make a positive impact on the world.

**Memorable Quotes:**

- "Never give up. Never have excuses. Commit. Give 100% to now. Have a positive mindset and keep believing." - Nims Purja

- "The second thing is, you know, we all have different talents and all, but then you got to give 100% to now. And third thing, if they are part of my team or if I'm their team, it has to be part of the family. And it's one mission, it's one goal. And then if me as a leader, if I make my team fail like that, I'm not good enough, because leaders don't do that. There has to be something for every team members and this is why the project became so successful because all my team members managed to climb new mountains with me." - Nims Purja

- "It's not about doing the bigger things. It's about doing the basics right all the time. And if you don't your basics of, you know, like getting up in the morning at the time you have set up the alarm and going out of the door, forget about running 10 miles or 20 miles. So it's about those little things, it's about the basics, you know?" - Nims Purja

- "I think if there's a conversation that sums up not just what we're trying to achieve with high performance, but also that sums up what we've heard from so many of our high achievers, that conversation with Nims is absolutely it. And for me, the most exciting part is that he just knows that the secret is in your own brain, it's in your own mind. And if therefore, if he can do it, anyone can do it." - Jake Humphrey

- "Yeah, I thought it was incredible. I thought without any prompting, I think his messages around always hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst, or being disciplined, doing the basics really well, I think that's transferable to absolutely ordinary everyday life. You know, let's take today, for example, we're recording this remotely because Nimz is abroad and it's a Tuesday. So I got up, made the kids some breakfast, got them dressed, took them to school. I'll record this podcast with you. I'll make some lunch, then I'll spend some time with Harriet and maybe walk the dog this afternoon. What you need to do is give 100% to every one of those seemingly mundane daily tasks so that when you're recording a podcast episode, you're trying to make it the best podcast episode on the planet. When you're spending time with your wife, walking the dog, you're trying to make it the most rewarding and engaging half an hour of walking the dog on the planet when you're spending time with your wife walking the dog you're trying to make it the most rewarding and engaging half an hour of walking the dog on the planet it can never be a bad mental approach can it absolutely and I think when you take that approach and transfer it to what Nim's message is about when he's in the death zone on the side of a mountain you can't be thinking about what could go wrong or thinking too far ahead of us it's about putting one foot in front of another and making sure that the next step is the best step you can take." - Damien Hughes

**Overall Message:**

Nims Purja is an inspiring individual who has achieved great things through hard work, determination, and a positive mindset. He is a role model for anyone who wants to achieve their full potential and make a positive impact on the world.