Everyone told him Sean Swarner had days to live. He was just 16 years old, but cancer had taken hold. Not only did he have Hodgkin’s Disease, but he also had Askin’s sarcoma. He is believed to be the only person in the world ever to be diagnosed with both.
A priest was called in to deliver last rites and he was placed in a medically induced coma. The only one who did not give up on Sean was Sean! Somehow, against all odds, he survived. But he had changed. He came through with a “go for broke” mentality. He figured that after beating cancer twice, he would never be afraid again. No challenge would be too great, and no peak would be too high.
With only the partial use of his lungs, Sean became the first cancer survivor to crest the peak of the highest point in the world. After Mount Everest, he also conquered the highest peaks in Africa, Europe, South America, Australia, Antarctica and even North America.
Sean even found a higher purpose in life. He’s dedicated himself to telling his story and sharing his message of healing, hope and triumph with cancer patients around the world.
Listen to a conversation with one of the most inspiring and motivating people alive today.
Want to meet other Mount Everest explorers? Check out:
— Stacy Allison lived to tell the tale of becoming
the first American woman to reach the summit of the world’s highest
mountain but it took her a couple tries to achieve her goal. Click here to find out why Stacy believes mountain climbing is a perfect metaphor for life’s challenges.
— Ken Mitchell
was a linebacker with Atlanta Falcons, a catcher in the California
Angels organization, played basketball in college and raced
motorcycles. But after a lifetime of athletics, he had both knees
replaced. He thought his climbing days were over but his nine kids
convinced him otherwise. Click here to listen to his description of his amazing journey to the top of Mount Everest.
— Jeanne Stawiecki
is a former two-pack-a-day smoker who gave up cigarettes to conquer the
world. In 2007, she completed marathons on all seven continents and
reached the summit of Mount Everest at the age of 57. Now she’s listed
in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest woman to climb the
world’s tallest Seven Summits. Click here to find out why she wanted to conquer such a lofty goal.
— Just five years ago, Don Healy was a 60-year-old couch potato who’d never exercised in his life. Now, he has reached the top of the world — with an artificial hip. Click here to find out why he never gave up on his dream to look down from the top of the world.