Students at Maryview School in Red Deer were inspired to conquer their own goals after hearing one man’s journey to the top of Mount Everest this week.

As part of the schools safe and caring week, students heard from motivational speaker Alan Mallory, who is among the first family of four to summit Mount Everest. 

At the age of 24, Mallory, his sister, brother and dad made the two-month trek to the top. 

Mallory said although everyone has their own goals, he motivated students to find something that they want to accomplished.

“Everyone has their own Everest and it’s about thinking what that might be and once you’ve identified that it’s going through the process that we went through, two years of planning, to figure out how you’re going to make that a reality.” 

Although he said Mount Everest isn’t for everyone, it was his father Mallory explained, who was behind the journey. 

“He actually wanted to climb the seven summits, the highest mountains on each of the seven continents, with members of his family.”

“He’s now done that and he’s the only person in the world and of course Everest is one of the seven summits.” 

Counsellor Natalie Surridge said she hopes students take away the message that ordinary people can do extraordinary things. 

“We just need to find that extra in all of us and that through his presentation of going through as a family, the family unit was a big thing to take away.” 

In total students will hear from around 20 speakers and organizations including Kids Help Phone and CARES this week, sharing a variety of messages about creating safe and caring communities.  

Mallory has since written a book about his journey called, “The Family That Conquered Everest.” 

His book and more information on his trek can be found at alanmallory.com. 

kwilson@goldenwestradio.com