by Sue Williams
‘I think that’s definitely Alyssa’s brand, and what she wants to do. She realises how inspiring it can be to see someone achieve something they’ve worked their whole life for. I saw how she lit up all those little kids at her sister’s school. She has that ability, and she’s determined to help other people achieve things they want to, too. She just happens to have found her path in life early, and I’m very happy for her.’
As for Alyssa, she can’t wait to get started. ‘I’ve always had goals and always will have goals. Now it’s great to be in a position to talk to others about goal-setting and how to get there. It’s a wonderful thing to reach your goals, and it can be life-changing along the way. I want others to experience the excitement, sense of fulfilment and confidence to make the most of what life can bring.’
Eight-year-old Alyssa making history as the youngest person to ever complete the Kokoda Track.
Alyssa and older sister Brooklyn trying out Glenn’s first Fighting Fit gym.
Alyssa, aged ten, on her way to Everest Base Camp.
Resting on Mount Kilimanjaro.
Alyssa and her father Glenn at the summit.
Sixteen-year-old Alyssa takes on Manaslu in the Himalaya.
The mighty Aconcagua in the Andes, Argentina.
Alyssa on her second visit to Everest Base Camp in 2012.
Alyssa’s gruelling training regime: boxing with Glenn (above center), abseiling (above left), an essential skill for climbing and descending mountainsides, and dragging a 16 kg kettlebell (above right) to build strength.
She sleeps in a hyperbaric chamber that mimics high-altitude conditions and trains with a special mask to build her lung capacity.
Part-way up the Lhotse Face, a significant point on the climb.
On top of the world! Alyssa on the summit of Mount Everest, May 2016.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Climbing can, at times, be a very lonely endeavour but in no way has my journey been solo. I have received an incredible amount of support from some wonderful people along the way who made my journey possible.
Thanks to my dad, for his relentless and ongoing support. His desire to help make my dreams a reality, his work ethic and his strength have amazed me time and time again. I will be forever grateful.
Thanks also to my mum, one of the strongest people I’ve ever met. Even without knowing it, she helped me get through a lot of tough times in the mountains. It’s been such a great gift to grow up with the influence of someone who taught me what true strength is and how to value myself.
My beautiful siblings Brooklyn, Christian and Samantha have all seen the work and effort that go into every climb, and it often wasn’t easy for them dealing with me while I prepared. Yet throughout the years they constantly supported me and kept me grounded and honest. For that I am truly grateful.
Another treasured supporter has been Keith Fennell. His books, Warrior Brothers and Warrior Training, have served as a great inspiration to me and a source of extra strength when in the mountains. To have had the opportunity to meet and train with someone I respect so much was awesome. Thanks for your humility and honesty, and for allowing me to learn from you and your experiences.
A special mention to Scott Evennett, too. It was a huge step in my preparation to have someone of his calibre helping me and sharing his knowledge and experience. It was extremely valuable, thank you for your belief and support.
My sponsors have been invaluable, too. I have used Mountain Design products for as long as I can remember and the team there has been a huge support in my last few climbs, as well as the Everest adventure, supporting me with all the gear necessary to have the best experiences possible. Thanks, guys!
Phil Di Bella of Di Bella Coffee amazed me with his generosity and how willing he was to mentor me and help me to learn how to make this happen. Without him, there wouldn’t have been the training climbs necessary to get to Everest. I owe him and his team so much.
Daniel Borg and psyborg were my first-ever sponsors and really kicked the Everest campaign into action several years ago. I won’t ever forget that. To have had their belief in this dream so early on was a huge bonus. As their slogan says: Part Mind, Part Machine!
Thanks also to the team at OBT Financial. Speaking to them was a great boost for me and their positivity, as well as their sponsorship, really helped me along.
John Harrison, Chris Thompson and everyone at Infinity Solar came on board early and showed a great deal of faith in me, and passion for what I was trying to achieve. It’s always been greatly appreciated.
Bella Magazine also donated and gave me support, living the message and helping empower young girls and women. I’m so proud to be associated with them.
Olivia Santilli and the team at Ensemble came on board later and worked hard to support me, so I could be more free to focus on the climb.
And a special mention to Michael McNab of construction company McNab, Danny Clifford and Ben Gouldson of Clifford Gouldson Lawyers, and Tom McVeigh from Murdoch Lawyers for their great help, as well as the support given to me by Brisbane’s hit radio station Nova 106.9 featuring Ash, Kip & Luttsy, and its general manager Jay Walkerden.
And a huge thank you to everyone who donated money towards all my training climbs to help make Everest happen. Some of them I know, like Steve Keil, CEO of Laser Systems Ltd, and managing director of Laser Group Management, Grant and Bec Statton who personally donated $2000 in 2015, and some I don’t. Many simply gave because they wanted to help. None of that has gone unnoticed and I am, and always will be, extremely grateful.
Finally, for this book, I want to thank agent Selwa Anthony, who showed huge enthusiasm early on for my endeavours, and faith that I’d continue. Without her, this would never have happened. Also, thanks to my publisher, Penguin, and all the team that have worked together to make this book something I’m immensely proud of.
And, of course, Sue Williams. It was great to work with you on this book throughout the journey - in fact, it has been an honour. Your work ethic and dedication to the book has been amazing. Thank you!
Alyssa Azar
About the Author
Sue Williams is the author of a number of bestselling books, including Father Bob: The Larrikin Priest; Women of the Outback; No Time for Fear – the story of shark attack survivor Paul de Gelder; and Mean Streets, Kind Heart: The Father Chris Riley Story. Her other books include Welcome to the Outback and And Then the Darkness, about the disappearance of the British backpacker Peter Falconio, which was shortlisted for the prestigious international Gold Dagger Award. Also an award-winning journalist, Sue was born in England, and worked in print and television in the UK and New Zealand before settling in Australia, writing for many of Australia’s leading newspapers and magazines, and for TV.
suewilliams.com.au
MICHAEL JOSEPH
UK | USA | Canada | Ireland | Australia
India | New Zealand | South Africa | China
Penguin Books is part of the Penguin Random House group of companies
whose addresses can be found at global.penguinrandomhouse.com.
First published by Penguin Random House Australia Pty Ltd, 2016
Text copyright © Alyssa Azar, Glenn Azar and Sue Williams, 2016
The moral right of the author has been asserted.
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
Cover design by Laura Thomas & Louisa Maggio © Penguin Random House Australia Pty Ltd
Text design by Samantha Jayaweera © Penguin Random House Australia Pty Ltd
Cover photographs: Amanda Neilson of Neilson House Photography (Alyssa Azar),
Alex Treadway/Getty Images (E
verest), Gillmar/Shutterstock (sky)
penguin.com.au
ISBN: 978-1-74348-470-8
THE BEGINNING
Let the conversation begin...
Follow the Penguin Twitter
Keep up-to-date with all our stories YouTube
Pin ‘Penguin Books’ to your Pinterest
Like ‘Penguin Books’ on Facebook
Find out more about the author and
discover more stories like this at penguin.com.au
