I have never, ever done anything like this. My only previous experience with the media was way back in highschool. Although, I’m pretty sure that my yearbook photos wouldn’t count as media experience (Those of you that I went to highschool with please cut out and destroy my Grade 12 yearbook photo. Thank you).
Media coverage of my Grouse Grind Ascent record attempt
The idea to challenge the single day Grouse Grind ascent record was born out of wanting to raise money and awareness for the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation. After matching the record of 12 last year, I didn’t think that I would EVER attempt that record again. I was happy with 12. After all, who in their right mind would want to do more?
Once the decision was made to support the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation I needed to find an event that would provide it with maximum exposure. Naturally, it didn’t take long for me to settle upon the idea of the Grouse Grind ascent record.
For a few months in the Spring of 2009, I promoted the event to my own clients, friends and colleagues. By early June I had raised roughly $1500 which was a very long way from my goal of $10,000. It was at this point that I was approached by Crystal Reinitz of Crystal Clear Communications to help bring attention to what I was trying to do.
Little did I know just how good Crystal was at what she does. In fact, I don’t think anyone expected as much media attention as I received on that day…and I welcomed every opportunity. I felt that since I had requested the attention, and the media had actually shown up and was interested, I couldn’t turn anyone down.
I was awoken at 5:15 AM by Canadian Press asking what time I’d be at the base of the mountain. From that moment until 11:30PM that night I was constantly under the media microscope (I can only imagine what it’d be like to live that way every day).
The original intention was to keep interviews restricted to the gondola ride down. I rapidly discovered that this was a challenge because it was the only time in my schedule that I had available to refuel. It’s surprisingly difficult to eat almond butter and talk into a microphone at the same time.
However, due to the amount of media requests…and my unwillingness to turn anyone down…I was soon doing interviews at the base of the mountain, at the top of the trail, and even on my phone as I hiked up the trail.
To some degree, I think that the distractions of dealing with the media helped me that day. I didn’t have time to think about what I was doing. I didn’t get much of a chance to dwell on the enormous task before me, the strain that my body was taking or the pain that I began to suffer from towards the end. However, that was also the drawback. When you are tackling a challenge like this you have to focus and concentrate.
I have put together a summary of all the media coverage of my Grouse Grind ascent record attempt here. There are a few video pieces that are still missing and that I hope to add soon. If you know of any others, please tell me so that I can attempt to find them and add them to the archive.
Read about the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation
I am still not quite at my target of raising $10,000 for the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation. The current total stands at $7,500. I would appreciate any help that you could offer in getting me closer to my goal.
Donate to the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation
My primary motivation is raising awareness and donations for the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation. This amazing organization has raised over $7 Million dollars in donations since 1999 and helps over 30,000 people each and every year. Better still, every dollar raised goes to where it is needed as all administrative costs are paid for by Royal LePage.
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Related posts:
- Countdown to the Grouse Grind Ascent Record
- Breaking the Grouse Grind Ascent Record for Charity
- Vancouver Realtor Attempts Grouse Grind Record for a Great Cause – Royal LePage Shelter Foundation
- The Grouse Grind Will Kick My A$$ for Charity
- Weekly Vancouver Real Estate Update – June 28th 2009 – Record Week
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Absolutely fantastic, we need more people like you on this planet ! I saw the media coverage and at first i thought you were doing the grind just the 1 time, but 12………… that’s incredible. I think that’s quite an achievement Sebastien……..all for charity too, you should be really proud of yourself !
Thanks, Neil. I’m just glad that I actually managed to reach my goal in front of all of that media attention!