Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Larick Mtui.
Stephanie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Wow. How did I end up living in Africa? Where do I start?!? I am Stephanie Larick Mtui, but most people call me “Badger” or “Honey Badger.” I am a former commercial insurance broker turned insurance coverage trial attorney in Seattle.
As of April 2016, I was just a tad stressed out. I was working very long hours, under very high pressure, helping my clients recover money from their insurance companies. The thing about being a trial attorney, like many jobs, is that the clock really knows no bounds. You work all the time. It was challenging and rewarding, and I loved my clients, but it was coming at a serious price: my health was not good. I was way too stressed out, and I had gained weight that I was unable to lose, no matter what I did. I exercised like a maniac and ate like a bird, but I remained at the same weight. It was extremely frustrating for someone who is so active. I was also in a long-term relationship that was damaged beyond repair, yet I didn’t have the momentum to separate.
Over the years I had searched for outlets to release the stress and pressure. One of those ways was through distance bicycling. I’m a pretty good cyclist, and I’ve ridden from Seattle to San Francisco — 1,000 miles over 80,000′ of hills. Ouch! That was in 2008. Over the last few decades, I have ridden my bike over 10,000 miles.
Now rewind back to April 2016. I woke up on a rainy morning and trudged down to my computer. I checked my email and saw something from a “Heather Thomson” regarding an all-women’s Kilimanjaro climb that she was hosting in September. I didn’t recognize her name but quickly learned that she was formerly from the TV reality show The Real Housewives of New York. My immediate thought was, “how ridiculous! You don’t just ‘recruit’ people to climb one of the Seven Summits! Only people with technical climbing skills can do that!” But after a quick Google search, I learned that Kilimanjaro is considered to be a “hike-up” and didn’t require any mountaineering abilities.
Given that I was a very strong athlete and could ride my bike over 100 miles per day, I figured I could give Kilimanjaro a run for her money. The climb would begin on September 20, 2016.
I started training right away, as I take every challenge in my life very seriously! I walked laps around the ferry on the ride home each evening, walked at lunch, hired a personal trainer, and did at least one large hike on the weekend to build up the appropriate muscles. Yes, the muscles from cycling were a great help, but they aren’t the same as hiking muscles. I was fortunate as the Pacific Northwest boasts tons of climbing opportunities, including Mt. St. Helens, the Cascade Range, and the Olympic Mountains.
I also roped my friend from the 2008 bike ride, “Hurriken” Kenneth Lieb, into taking me on a training climb up a Colorado 14er in July 2016: Grays Peak. We made it, and it helped give me courage and confidence to tackle Kilimanjaro later that year. See my blog for information about each of my training hikes. I had many revelations about life on this journey to Kilimanjaro, but they wouldn’t all be clear until I arrived in Tanzania later that Fall.
Finally, the moment of truth approached: On September 17, 2016, I boarded my flight for Tanzania, simultaneously intrepid and terrified. I met the rest of climbers from my group in Amsterdam, and from there we took the last leg of our journey to Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. When I arrived on the evening of the 18th local time in Tanzania, I was pretty much in a full-blown panic. Good grief! What was I doing??? I can’t climb! It’s high altitude! I’m going to get sick! I’m going to fall down and die!
Despite these fears, I started my climb on September 20, and on September 26, I summited. I wasn’t at all easy. In fact, it was bloody hard–harder than any bicycle ride I’d done. But I made it. One of the highlights was me doing an impromptu “striptease” on the top of the Barranco Wall. 🙂 I had feared the Barranco Wall almost more than the summit, yet it actually turned out to be kind of fun. Note: The guy in the picture with me is Larick–more later!
But here’s the best part. I had those seven days of climbing to unplug from my relationship, my job, and basically my entire life back home. I could only be concerned with what was around me and getting enough oxygen to continue up the mountain to 19,341′. It gave me perspective. I knew there was more to life than what I was doing with mine. Despite everything I had, I had nothing.
After we returned to the hotel, I took my safari in the Serengeti and had an awesome time with some of my fellow climbers. After the safari, I had a 4-day tripped planned to Zanzibar, but none of the other women were going. It was going to be just me. The women fretted and stewed over my going alone. At first, I had no fear, but after a few days of “concern,” I became concerned. I assured them I would hire a guide when I got there to watch out for me.
But then I had a moment of brilliance that would turn my life upside-down, and I didn’t see it coming. I thought, “Oh! I should check with my guide from Mt. Kilimanjaro. He seemed like a nice, trustworthy guy, and at least I have known him for seven days. I will offer to pay for his accommodations and a little stipend for his time.” So through the grapevine, I managed to reach Larick Mtui aka “RG3,” my most excellent guide from the climb. He agreed to escort me in Zanzibar.
He picked me up in Arusha after I returned from safari, and I was absolutely shocked at how quickly we hit it off. I had suspected that he had a crush on me throughout the climb, but I dismissed it. He kept asking if I was married. I kept telling him yes. It turns out he didn’t believe me, because I wasn’t wearing a wedding ring. Anyway, after having some one-on-one time together, we completely fell in love. At last: I had the courage and momentum I needed to get out of my broken relationship and the more I was stuck in back home.
I returned to Tanzania and never looked back. I left everything behind, including my law partnership. Almost two years later, Larick is now my husband. We were married in a very romantic, private ceremony in Zanzibar on February 14, 2018, not far from where we spent our first time together as a couple.. See photo attached!
But that’s not all! I mentioned that I had been overweight. On the climb alone, I lost 12 pounds. And after that, I continued to drop weight, 42 pounds in all, without any effort. I think it was a combination of giving up stress, eating healthy African food, and getting more exercise on a regular basis (I didn’t have a car and therefore walked everywhere).
Oh, and I think it may have had a little to do with being in love and being loved again. It felt so good after so many years of unhappiness. What was so crazy about it was that I didn’t try to lose weight. In fact, I was eating more than ever.
Larick and I now own a Kilimanjaro trekking and safari company together here in Tanzania. The latest? Although I swore I wouldn’t do it again, I’m going back to Kilimanjaro on September 22 to attempt another summit. We are recruiting 15 other women for KiliClimb 2018: DESTINATION TRANSFORMATION. Woohoo! Of course, Larick will be my guide again. (Poor guy!) This trip is very special and like none other, because we will be accompanied by the most-awesome Jacquelyn Tierney, who will be helping us all transform our lives as we journey together towards Uhuru Peak. You can find information about the climb here: Please join us!!! There is still plenty of time to train. https://www.dirtyfreedomadventures.com/kiliclimb-2018-destination-transformation
Anyway, I guess the moral of my story is that I got my life back–what I fondly refer to as my “Dirty Freedom.” I cannot believe that I spent so many years of my life being miserable. But as I prepare to turn 50 in a few weeks, I can honestly say that it’s never too late. Before Kilimanjaro, I had all but given up. I wouldn’t have cared if I died. Now I wake up every day, ready to embrace the world with a rocket on my back.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has been all but smooth. In fact, I picked a pretty rough road to reach where I am now. But in retrospect, it was all worth it.
Not everyone has been supportive of me, well, let’s call it “lifestyle change.” I have been accused of suffering from a mid-life crisis. I have been called a “deserter.” I have been called irresponsible. Yet others cheered me on and told me to CONTINUE! If I’ve learned anything from this experience, it’s that you have to be responsible for your own happiness, and you MUST follow your own script. You cannot follow the scripts that others have created or envision for you because no one knows you as well as YOU. Don’t settle, and don’t worry too much about what others think.
As my dear mother used to say, “they are just jealous of you.” That has proven to be largely true in my situation. I also faced a very difficult hurdle when my mother unexpectedly died in March of 2017.
It blindsided me, and to this day I still suffer. Some days are harder than others. Of all the people in my life, my Mom was the least judgmental and most supportive. She didn’t like me being so far away in Africa, but she understood why I was here. And she loved me unconditionally. I would give anything to be able to call her now, especially after just enduring a second Mother’s Day without her.
Of course, it is also an adjustment to be away from the culture you were born and raised in. I adore Tanzania, but sometimes I feel like a fish out of water. They do things differently here, and sometimes it can cause angst. But as I learn about this beautiful culture, I adjust, (“cope”, as Larick would say), and I continue to thrive. I also have some beautiful friends here that make my life even richer.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Dirty Freedom Adventures – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We are a Tanzanian-based tourism company specializing in Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Meru treks, as well as safaris and Zanzibar. We are near the gate of the Serengeti!
The difference in our company from others is summarized in this page from our site: https://www.dirtyfreedomadventures.com/mt-kilimanjaro-1/
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love the Southern Hospitality but don’t much care for the muggy heat!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dirtyfreedomadventures.com
- Email: https://www.dirtyfreedomadventures.com/connect
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dirty_freedom_adventures_ltd/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dirtyfreedomadventures/
Image Credit:
Marion Rohe Kaufer of Marion Photography, Charles Shuttleworth, Ellen Weihenmayer
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
