HE ONLY took up mountain climbing six years ago but 55-year-old Derek Mahon has already been on top of Everest and the financial advisor is now planning to scale the rest of the world’s seven highest summits.
Derek (55) from The Naul, who is also a mental health ambassador for GROW Ireland, departed Ireland last week to continue
“dreaming, believing and achieving
? his ambitious goal.
If he manages the challenge he’ll become one of an elite group of climbers worldwide who have climbed the highest peaks across seven continents.
Derek’s biggest achievement so far came on May 24, 2014, when he submitted Mount Everest and this week he’s continuing his seven peak challenge at Mount Kilimanjaro.
The dad-of-three is taking up the challenge in support of community-based mental health charity, GROW, which promotes positive mental health and recovery.Â
Besides Mount Everest, Derek has previously climbed Mount Elbrus in Russia and Mont Blanc in The Alps. Kilimanjaro will bring him a mountain closer to his ultimate goal of the seven summits.
Situated in Tanzania, Mount Kilimanjaro is 200 miles and three degrees south of the Equator, and is Africa’s highest mountain, standing at 5,895 metres or 19,341 feet.
The first person to scale the summit was German Hans Meyer in 1889. To date, the summit success rate is 60 per cent, with the climb covering a range of climates and terrain including rainforest, heath zone, moorland, alpine desert and glaciers.
Derek, who has been involved with financial markets for over 20 years and currently works as a financial advisor at Tara Financial Partners in County Meath, is a sports enthusiast.
Back in 2011, he had never climbed a mountain, but less than three years later, he succeeded in overcoming the brutally demanding ascent of Everest, culminating in his successful summit to the
‘Top of The World’, a height of some 8,848 metres or 29,028 feet.
His 2014 climb tragically coincided with the worst accident in the history of Everest mountaineering when 16 Sherpas were killed following an avalanche on the south side of the world’s highest peak.
Speaking about his motivation to take on the dangers and challenges of the world’s highest summits, Derek says he is a firm believer in
“dreaming, believing and achieving
?.
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“Any success, I truly believe, is split between being 80 per cent mental and 20 per cent physical,
? he explains.
“If you believe mentally you can do it, your ability and physicality will add the missing percentage to achieving that goal. I believed 100 per cent I could climb and summit Mount Everest.
“I never doubted myself. I researched the climb. I spoke to many other climbers. I read books. I viewed YouTube videos. I mentally prepared myself for the challenges, the isolation beyond the rescue of Tibet, missing my wife and family, having to make an effort each and every day to acclimatise, and to eat as much as I could.
“I was mentally prepared, believing I could cope with whatever was thrown at me, even before leaving Ireland. Physically, I was in the shape of my life. I had one shot at this wonderful mountain and I was giving myself the best chance I could.
“The combination of the two – mental and physical – left me in no doubt I could achieve my goal
?? climb, summit, and return home alive! There were no doubts.
“People accuse me of being in a middle aged crisis
?? at 55. This is not the case. I am positive, ambitious and driven. Too many people do not encourage, do not help or support others achieve their dreams and goals.
“Surround yourself with like-minded people
?? achievers, encouragers, helpers
?? and the world’s wonders and your dreams will become realities.
? Â
Speaking about climbing in support of GROW and positive mental health, Derek highlights how GROW implements a 12-step programme, helping people to journey step-by-step to mental health recovery.
“GROW is all about breaking isolation, fostering social connection, shared experience and weekly support meetings based on practical steps and recovery,
? he says.
“Mental health, wellbeing and ongoing support are vital to us all. I am very proud to be promoting GROW and GROW’s message of positive mental health and recovery.
?
Chief executive of GROW, Michele Kerrigan, says the challenges Derek is facing during his arduous climb are similar in many respects to the challenges faced by people who struggle on a daily basis with their mental wellbeing.
“GROW’s recovery programme prepares people to take small, but very significant and practical steps towards achieving their ultimate goal of personal recovery,
? he continues.
“For many, recovery from mental health difficulties begins with a single step. At GROW, ongoing peer support, shared experiences and personal testimonies provide inspiration in helping others journey towards recovery.
“We are delighted that Derek has chosen to be an ambassador for GROW and to help us in promoting our message of positive mental health, recovery and wellbeing. We extend every good wish to Derek as he embarks on his latest mountaineering adventure.
? Â
 To support Derek and raise funds for GROW, visit the Everydayhero website and search for Derek Mahon, Adventurer.Â
Details can also be found at www.grow.ie and @GROWIreland Facebook page.Â
