As a child, my dreams were as boundless as the endless sky, but never once did I imagine I'd become a mountaineer. Today, I proudly stand as a mountaineer, runner, and cyclist, embracing challenges and conquering new heights every day.
As a kid, I always felt out of place, struggling to keep up with the world around me. Little did I know that these early challenges were laying the foundation for my climb to the pinnacle of the world. This isn’t just a tale of childhood struggles, a midlife ADHD diagnosis, and a mountaineering adventure at the age of 49. It’s about transforming perceived weaknesses into strengths.
"My journey didn’t just take me to the summit of Mt. Everest; it also empowered me to conquer personal and mental peaks I once believed were beyond my reach."
Challenging Childhood
I come from a humble background, spending most of my childhood with my grandparents because my father, a government servant, was frequently transferred, and my mother, a housewife, always accompanied him. The reason I couldn't live with my parents was a mystery I never questioned. When I was ten, my father tragically passed away in a fatal accident, a pivotal event that drastically changed my life and marked the beginning of many challenges and hardships.
My mother was not a social person, and I grew up much the same way. I didn't have friends in school, and even today, I lack close friends to confide in. My attention span was too short to engage in conversations, and I found studies incredibly boring. I resorted to memorising just to get by, lacking a genuine interest in academics.
I was often compared to others and told to emulate the top student or the smart, popular kids. This constant comparison made me extremely insecure, and I grew up as an introvert, always measuring myself against others and unable to recognize my own strengths. I didn't know how to handle conflicts, so I resorted to fighting my way out, proving others wrong, and trying to dominate. This approach eventually became ingrained in my personality.
Even today, I sometimes wish I had siblings, wondering if it would have made me a better person. My cousins on my mother's side were much younger, making it hard to connect with them, and it was the opposite on my father's side. I didn't really understand what family meant.
"For much of my life, I placed the blame for my misfortunes on my circumstances, my parents, and just about everything else. I'm unlucky became my go-to phrase whenever things didn’t go as expected"
Diagnosis in Midlife
In my late 20s, I often experienced strange feelings of boredom, with emotions boiling up inside and no way to escape, leaving me feeling very low..jpg)
I didn't realize this was a form of depression, like what my mother experienced. It wasn't until my early 30s that I sought medical help. Medication provided some relief, but it didn't completely resolve my struggles.
It was in my 40s that I finally had a name for my lifelong struggles: Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD).The diagnosis was a revelation, explaining so much about my past and present. Understanding my condition gave me a new perspective on my behaviour and challenges, and it was both a relief and a call to action.
"The key to overcoming challenges is accepting the situation. This acceptance empowers us to move forward"
Education
School was a battlefield, and amidst constant comparisons with other kids, I found solace in solitude. This is where my dreams began to comfort me, becoming my closest friends. I could be alone for days without feeling bored. While some subjects captured my interest, most did not. However, I had a deep love for sports, especially running and cycling. My grandfather gifted me a bicycle, which became my prized possession. Despite my passion, the lack of support meant I never advanced in sports.
Philately, or stamp collecting, was another cherished hobby I inherited from my father. I enjoyed creating thematic exhibits with my collection, but my mother and grandparents prioritized my studies above all else. They believed education was the only way I could secure a future for myself and support them. Their expectations weighed heavily on me, but their hopes also made me nervous and confused because I was not measuring up to their expectation.
College was no different for me. With only a few friends and limited conversations,
I felt caught in a constant struggle—I longed to be noticed, yet I feared standing out. It was a dilemma that marked my youth. My grades weren't high enough to get into engineering school immediately, causing me to lose a year. My mother, with tremendous effort, managed to gather the funds to secure an engineering seat for me the following year. This was a turning point, and I found myself seriously contemplating the importance of studying well and making the most of this opportunity.
ADHD made it challenging for me to focus on everything that was taught, but I managed to excel in four subjects. I believed these subjects would be crucial for my professional career and growth, and they have indeed shaped my journey from 1996 to the present.
"Without realizing it, I was learning to focus on specific tasks and give them my full attention. In a way, I was turning ADHD into an advantage"
Professional Journey
I began my professional journey in 1996 with a startup, accepting a modest salary of Rs. 1600. Although my scores didn't land me a lucrative job, the startup offered immense knowledge and learning. I quickly grasped the end-to-end product life cycle, shaping the trajectory of my career. The one year I spent at the startup was equivalent to three years of experience.
Subsequently, I worked with the best emerging technologies of the time. My ADHD, which had previously been a challenge, became an asset, enabling me to multitask and master several technologies in a short span. Over the years, I've had the privilege of working in top-tier companies and traveling to 20 countries. Today, I am proud to work in the semiconductor domain, a subject I was passionate about in college.
"In the early stages of your career, don't focus on financial rewards. Instead, dedicate yourself to working hard, staying eager to learn, and building your expertise. Over time, success and recognition will naturally follow."
Personal Life
I had an arranged marriage in 2001 and was fortunate to marry someone who later became the main pillar of my life.
It was challenging for my wife to live with a person with ADHD, as my mood swings were intense, and I was emotionally insensitive. Even today, I struggle to read others' emotions and often find myself self-centred. Despite all this, my wife has stood by me like a backbone.
We are blessed with two wonderful children. My son is working in a field he loves, and my daughter is in the 11th grade. Our lovely labrador, Muffin, who was part of our family from 2012, brought many positive changes into my life, helping me understand what unconditional love means—something I still find difficult to share. Muffin passed away in 2023, and the same year we welcomed two lovely female retrievers, Cookie and Whiskey, who are now a year old.
"The most dependable support ultimately comes from one's family."
The Dream and Start of Mountaineering
Mountaineering wasn’t a childhood dream for me; it was a passion that ignited later in life in 2011 when I was 38 years old. During a sojourn to Kailash-Mansarovar, I found myself stuck in Kathmandu due to Chinese VISA delays. I heard about a mountain flight that would take me around Everest, and I was thrilled. The next morning, I eagerly waited at the airport, only to have the flight cancelled due to bad weather. Disappointed yet inspired, a thought struck me:
"Why the hell should I see Everest from a flight, I rather see the world from its peak"
This thought gave me goosebumps, a moment I remember vividly to this day. Over the next two years, this thought blossomed into a dream, and my journey began. While people with ADHD often struggle to focus on one thing, when we find our zone and focus, we can achieve anything.
The Ups and Downs
My journey was anything but smooth. Plagued by countless setbacks and financial turmoil, 
I found myself neck-deep in debt due to poor financial planning. My health had deteriorated, fitness had hit rock bottom and I was emotionally shattered. Yet, the dream of Everest became a guiding light, helping me navigate through the chaos of my life. I committed to upgrading my skills, landed a better job, cleared all my debts, and saved for the expedition. Each failure taught me invaluable lessons, and each triumph fuelled my determination. Overcoming complex challenges and embracing adventure became my therapy, a way to channel my energy and focus. This relentless pursuit transformed my life and kept my Everest dream alive.
"I stopped relying on words like luck and fate. I realized that success comes from preparation and actively seeking opportunities. Our future is shaped by the consistent actions we take"
Summiting Everest
This dream demanded rigorous preparation on all fronts: financially, physically, mentally, and most crucially, securing my family's support. They understood the risks and knew it could be a one-way journey, yet they stood by me, providing immense support and love. During the expedition, I faced High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), spent a harrowing week in Lukla relying on oxygen, and then trekked back to EBC to complete my first rotation. Every step, filled with struggle and determination, brought me closer to my goal.
Reaching the summit on May 15th, 2022, at the age of 49, was a moment of unparalleled joy and achievement, a testament to my journey and perseverance. It took 11 years to turn my dream into reality. Holding on to dreams for such a long time requires immense patience, perseverance, and positivity. These qualities are essential to manifesting our biggest dreams and overcoming the toughest challenges.
"The 3 P's to pursue your biggest dreams: Patience, Perseverence, Positivity"
Pushing Beyond Limits: My Continued Mountain Climbing Adventures
Climbing Everest was not just a personal triumph but an achievement recognized by many. 
The thrill of summiting didn't end there. My most challenging expedition was to summit Ama Dablam on October 22nd, where I became the 19th Indian to set foot on its peak. The adrenaline and allure of high-altitude climbing continued to beckon me. I've attempted Lhotse twice and Makalu once, but couldn't summit due to various challenges. I'm determined to return and summit these formidable peaks in the coming years, turning unfinished business into new victories.
Conclusion
Reflecting upon myself, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that all the events—be they bitter or sweet—have contributed to making me who I am today. From a difficult childhood to the heights of Everest, my story is one of resilience, determination, and the power of embracing our true selves. If my journey can inspire even one person to reach for their dreams despite the odds, then it has been worthwhile.