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

I've always been drawn to hard things, long miles, thin air, early mornings, and finish lines. But, the hardest mountains I've climbed have never been physical. After years of quietly struggling with anxiety, depression, and emotional patterns I didn't understand, I reached a breaking point and began learning skills that have changed my l

I've always been drawn to hard things, long miles, thin air, early mornings, and finish lines. But, the hardest mountains I've climbed have never been physical. After years of quietly struggling with anxiety, depression, and emotional patterns I didn't understand, I reached a breaking point and began learning skills that have changed my life.

Mental Health Care gave me tools, language, and hope. It saved me. Not everyone gets that chance. 

That's why I'm proud to be a part of the Mental Mountains Project. Every climb and every race is a way to turn my story into something useful, helping raise funds so others can access the support they need and deserve. I'm still learning. Still healing and still climbing. See you at the top.

Leif Thronson | Deputy Director of Fundraising

I’m a Seattle-based mountaineer (among other outdoor passions). Earlier in my career I worked as a paramedic, where I saw firsthand the significant and often unmet need for better mental health support within our communities. I have since moved to professionally focus on technology to support great mental healthcare delivery at a large me

I’m a Seattle-based mountaineer (among other outdoor passions). Earlier in my career I worked as a paramedic, where I saw firsthand the significant and often unmet need for better mental health support within our communities. I have since moved to professionally focus on technology to support great mental healthcare delivery at a large mental healthcare provider organization.

I am pushing myself towards bigger and more technical objectives, and adding in ski mountaineering where I can. I’ve recently stood on the summits of Ama Dablam and Denali, and I spend much of my time navigating the peaks of the Pacific Northwest, including Mt. Rainier. I'm excited to be a part of MMP to support their mission through my expeditions.

Follow @justin_einstein

Justin Einstein | Athlete Ambassador 

I've experienced mental health challenges intermittently since my youth, including depression and anxiety. Over time, I've learned that while these experiences are part of my story, they don't define me - they've shaped how I seek meaning, growth, and connection.

For the past 18 years, I've worked as an ER nurse, supporting people through 

I've experienced mental health challenges intermittently since my youth, including depression and anxiety. Over time, I've learned that while these experiences are part of my story, they don't define me - they've shaped how I seek meaning, growth, and connection.

For the past 18 years, I've worked as an ER nurse, supporting people through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. That work has taught me the importance of presence, resilience, and compassion, and has deepened my belief that mental health deserves the same attention and care as physical health.

I've found purpose through doing hard things - endurance sports, ultra running, and mountaineering. These challenges give me a way to test my limits, stay grounded, and continually growth both physically and mentally. They remind me that progress isn't about avoiding discomfort, but about meeting it with intention and support.

As an athlete with the Mental Mountains Project, my goal is to give hope to others who are struggling with mental health challenges. I want people to know that healing is possible, strength can be learned, and that even the hardest mountains, literal and figurative, can be climbed - especially when we don't climb them alone.

Cory Collins | Athlete Ambassador

For a lot of my life, I didn't know enough about the mental health field to understand it beyond the stereotypes. Even if I had, I wouldn't have been able to afford it when I needed it most. For better and for worse, I've long used movement as a form of therapy instead. 


Luckily for that, I fell into endurance sports when I was young. M

For a lot of my life, I didn't know enough about the mental health field to understand it beyond the stereotypes. Even if I had, I wouldn't have been able to afford it when I needed it most. For better and for worse, I've long used movement as a form of therapy instead. 


Luckily for that, I fell into endurance sports when I was young. My coaches instilled the belief that it didn't matter where you fell in the pack, rather, that if you kept showing up despite your inner demons, you could do anything. That belief has buoyed me through all of my successes and challenges since.

I decided to join the Mental Mountains Project to further their mission of 

 - Tackling the unfortunate irony that financial insecurity is both a cause of mental health issues and barrier to treatment,

 - Promoting movement as an incredible form of medicine,

 - And to be another example that if you decide that you can do something, you can. No matter how crazy.

And that spirit, this year I'll be learning on a new discipline in backcountry skiing, chasing a personal best at the 70.3mi triathlon distance, and pushing my limits on an 1800ft multi-pitch rock climb in Morocco. 

See you on the journey!

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Krista Batenhorst | Athlete Ambassador