Our Athletes

I'm proof to keep fighting for yourself. I've spent the majority of my life working through depression, and how to cope anxiety / panic attacks. Up until 2021, I couldn't walk up a flight of stairs without my heart racing out of control. Fate pushed me to face my inner demons and do the unthinkable: climb a mountain. It was after climbing

I'm proof to keep fighting for yourself. I've spent the majority of my life working through depression, and how to cope anxiety / panic attacks. Up until 2021, I couldn't walk up a flight of stairs without my heart racing out of control. Fate pushed me to face my inner demons and do the unthinkable: climb a mountain. It was after climbing Grand Teton that I founded Mental Mountains Project to inspire others to keep going and raise awareness for those suffering with mental health illnesses.

On each run, each expedition, the fears around panic are still there, but I see them as the gift now that set me on this path to see what I'm made of. The guy who used to struggle to get groceries standing on the top of Kilimanjaro, triathlete, and ultra runner. That gifts taught me showing up is my super power. Coming back again and again after getting my ass kicked. Because that's what we do to overcome hard things. Showing up is our choice. Reaching out a hand to lift up that someone is our choice. See you all at the top.

- Keith Batenhorst | Founder & CEO