Climbing Kilimanjaro in a Wheelchair: Jeff Harmon and the Mission Behind My Impossible
When Jeff Harmon committed to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in a wheelchair, he wasn’t trying to be the first—or make a headline. He was answering a personal call. A mission. A shared story waiting to be written.
“Living with AMN, a progressive neurological disease, has changed what’s possible for my body—but it hasn’t changed what’s possible for my life.”
That mindset became the foundation for My Impossible—a nonprofit Jeff created to empower individuals living with visible or invisible disabilities to take on challenges that seem out of reach. Not alone, but in community.
The Origin Story: Turning Personal Limits into a Shared Mission
The spark came when Jeff asked himself a big question: What if the things we see as limitations are actually invitations—to go deeper, go bolder, and go together? That’s when the idea for climbing Africa’s highest peak took hold—and My Impossible was born.
“My goal wasn’t just to summit Kilimanjaro. It was to prove something bigger: that purpose and community can carry us where ability alone cannot.”
From Mud Runs to Mountains: The Training Journey
Jeff’s training didn’t begin on a mountain. It started in the mud.
He completed multiple Spartan Races as an adaptive wheelchair athlete, navigating obstacles with help from teammates and sheer determination. He also trains regularly with his local F3 group—early mornings, all weather, all grit.
“I’ve been at this since January 2024,” Jeff says. “From hill repeats to rep-based workouts and even mountain hikes in Colorado, every session has built the resilience I’ll need on the climb.”
Brotherhood in Action: F3’s Role
Support from Jeff’s F3 brothers has been instrumental—both practically and emotionally. From lifting his wheelchair over Spartan obstacles to organizing logistics and fundraising for the Kilimanjaro mission, these men have become more than training partners. They’re family.
“Sixteen of the thirty-two people on my Kilimanjaro team are from F3,” Jeff shares. “They’ve helped carry my chair, prayed over me, and built this dream from the ground up. When you have that kind of crew, ‘impossible’ starts to look different.”
Fear, Doubt, and the Power of Purpose
Of course, doubts creep in—internally and externally.
“There are days I wonder if my story is even worth telling,” Jeff admits. “But I always return to my ‘why.’ This isn’t about ego or proving skeptics wrong. It’s about hope. Faith. Interdependence.”
That purpose-centered mindset has carried Jeff through grueling training days and countless logistical hurdles.
The Gear That Matters When Every Assist Counts
For Jeff, gear isn’t a nice-to-have—it’s a lifeline. He depends on custom-fit gloves, moisture-wicking base layers, and high-performance socks to prevent skin breakdown and maintain comfort during long stretches in the chair.
His wheelchair has also been heavily modified. At 6’3” and 210 pounds, Jeff needed a chair adapted specifically for him and the rugged terrain of Kilimanjaro—equipped with push-assist mechanisms, carrying harnesses, and all-terrain capabilities.
“It’s about making the gear fit the mission, not the other way around,” he says.
Training the Mind—Not Just the Body
Physical prep is only half the story. Jeff has been doing deep mindset work, including coaching sessions focused on vulnerability, identity, and spiritual grounding.
“One of the biggest shifts has been learning to lead from my weakness, not in spite of it,” he says. “This climb is about trusting others, trusting God, and carrying emotional weight as intentionally as physical weight.”
The Most Overlooked Preparation? Team Leadership
It takes more than training to climb a mountain—it takes a mission-aligned team. Jeff and his crew have built a robust system: Slack channels, monthly calls, training missions, and shared goals. The climb is the proving ground for a bigger idea: What if we created a scalable model for others to tackle their own impossibles—together?
My Impossible: A Platform for Bold Goals
The long-term vision is much bigger than one climb. Jeff hopes My Impossible can help others living with disabilities—seen or unseen—pursue their own “impossibles,” from OCRs to outdoor expeditions to deeply personal milestones.
“This is just the first story,” Jeff says. “We’re building a framework others can follow—complete with community, funding, coaching, and belief.”
Faith at the Core
Jeff doesn’t separate faith from fitness, logistics, or leadership. He brings it into everything.
“I’ve consecrated this journey to Jesus,” he shares. “When something breaks down—literally or emotionally—I ask Him to be present in it. My faith gives this whole effort meaning.”
How You Can Be Part of the Movement
The MudGear community is built on grit, mission, and shared experience—exactly the values My Impossible embodies. Here’s how you can join in:
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Spread the Word: Follow and share the mission on social. Introduce My Impossible to people or brands who align with this kind of purpose-driven work.
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Take on Your Own Impossible: Maybe your mountain isn’t Kilimanjaro. Maybe it’s finishing a race, taking a first step, or reclaiming a part of your story. My Impossible wants to help you get there—with structure and support.
One Final Word from Jeff
“This isn’t just a story about a guy in a wheelchair climbing a mountain. It’s a movement about what happens when purpose meets community. If that resonates with you—you’re already part of the team.”
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