Strong Body, Stronger Mind: The 3 Peaks Challenge

“When your body is strong, your mind gets stronger.”

Running a startup like Vidavii is a constant journey through peaks and valleys. There are exhilarating moments of creativity and growth – flashes of insight and progress – but also days when clarity feels just out of reach. As a founder, the mission often rests on your shoulders. You carry the responsibility to lead, to inspire, and to show up – especially when it’s hard.

Each morning, I recommit to our company’s mission. But recently, I found myself struggling. That familiar spark was flickering.

The author at sunrise (photo credit: Alan Gabbay)

Over dinner, I shared this with a friend. She suggested a podcast – an episode of The Diary of a CEO, featuring Scott Galloway. I listened. They spoke candidly about burnout, pressure, and how many of us are quietly grappling with overwhelm. But then came a line that stopped me:

“When your body is strong, your mind gets stronger.”

At the same time, my fellow board members at Beit Issie Shapiro were preparing for the “Three Peaks Challenge” – climbing the three tallest mountains in the UK in under 24 hours. They’d been training for months. I hadn’t. My instinct? I’d cheer them on from the sidelines. Maybe drive. Maybe hike just one peak.

But something shifted. That podcast stayed with me. I picked up the phone: “Is it too late to join?”

I had five weeks.

With grit and a good dose of community spirit, we made it to the starting line – and the summit. We completed the challenge in 23 hours and 52 minutes, a feat achieved by only about 5% of those who attempt it. We climbed 3,049 meters, covered 39.5 kilometers, took nearly 70,000 steps, and burned more than 5,600 calories. But none of that tells the real story.

What powered us wasn’t just training – it was purpose.

Author with fellow participants up at Ben Nvis (Scotland) (photo credit: Alan Gabbay)

Alan and Pamela Gabbay (from ACAI Group, a leading UK property investment firm) were the heart of the effort making this journey possible. Always armed with a smile, Alan rallied friends, coordinated tirelessly, and inspired everyone – right up to the last mile. Their belief in the charity’s work propelled the mission from a challenge into a movement.

Joining us on the climb was Ahmir Lerner, Beit Issie Shapiro’s CEO, who flew in from Israel to be part of the experience. His participation spoke volumes. His commitment reinforced everything we were climbing for and reminded us how deeply the organization’s leadership believes in its mission.

And then there was the symbolism. By pure chance, the day we began this climb fell four days before the 80th anniversary of VE day. One of our team members, Ben Greenblatt, walked in order to raise funds for Blind Veterans UK and in honour of his late grandfather, Sydney Cohen, a visually impaired veteran himself. That quiet connection to the disability community added an unexpected layer of meaning.

Sunrise at Snowdon, Wales (photo credit: Alan Gabbay)

But what touched us most were the laminated photos of the children at Beit Issie that we carried in our packs. Midway through the climbs, someone said they’d frame theirs for their office. Another is already planning to visit Beit Issie when he comes to Israel. These images kept us grounded – reminding us that we weren’t just climbing peaks; we were representing children who face their own, harder climbs every single day.

It was a honour for me to walk for Beit Issie Shapiro – one of Israel’s top leaders in the disability field.  Much more than a service provider, they focus on identifying and addressing unmet needs, researching solutions and scaling knowledge internationally. Through innovative therapies, inclusive education, assistive tech, training and global advocacy, they empower children and adults with disabilities to live more fulfilling and autonomous lives, with dignity, opportunity, joy and purpose.

One of three peaks. (photo credit: Alan Gabbay)

This campaign has raised nearly £40,000 from a small but mighty group. Hundreds of new donors joined. And the team? Already dreaming about next year. Ryan Springer summed up our experience – “Next time you’re on Snowdon can you have a look for my left knee please.. (don’t worry, it will grow back!) Seriously though, I’m still buzzing, it was unbelievable!”

It truly was an incredible experience. As team member Danny Tricot joked after the hike: “Just wearing the T-shirt led my neighbour, when I got off the bus, to ask what the T-shirt was. I sent him the link. I’m wearing this permanently now!”

To everyone who donated, cheered, and climbed: thank you. To Alan and Pamela/ACAI Group: this wouldn’t have happened without you. And to the children – your daily journey is our inspiration: you lit the path, we just followed it.

We smashed it! (photo credit: Alan Gabbay)

If you’d like to receive info about future challenges or support our mission, you still can – Click here.