I was given an opportunity to climb Mount Kinabalu at a company where I used to work, Amazing Borneo. It was intimidating at first, but being an optimistic young man with little worries or care for the world, I took up the challenge.

The objective of the climb was to set myself as an example to others who have interest to climb, but have doubts about their physical state. Many experienced climbers claim that it’s just like walking up a very long flight of stairs, but many doubted that, including myself.

I weighed 145kg back then and had little exercise and training prior to my climb (I think I didn’t even exercise before the climb at all.) It was very challenging, but I knew that there was no quitting once I started the climb from base camp.

I ended my climb at approximately 3,800m above sea level due to altitude sickness. I had to stop ascending as altitude sickness can be fatal to anyone even to a person with an athlete’s body.

Even though I didn’t make it to the top, I did make it to the Laban Rata resthouse at 3,270m and midway to the summit at 3,800m, which is an astounding achievement for someone of my physical state. Who in the world climbs a friggin’ mountain with no prior exercise at a weight of 145kg?! I did.

The directors and staff at the company were amazed at my performance and I was ecstatic too. Not only did I outperform myself, my documented journey was also very assuring to other first-time climbers who had doubts even till this day.

It was an experience of a lifetime and I’m very happy my story has helped boost the confidence of thousands of other climbers at Kota Kinabalu. I just wish to share that – no one should ever doubt themselves regardless of their physical shape. If I am able to climb Mount Kinabalu at 145kg, you will be able too.