Greendale Students Get A Lesson In Setting Sky-High Goals

Mountain climber Matt Brennan delivered a presentation to students.

Mountain climber Matt Brennan, of Loveland, Ohio, spoke to Greendale Middle School students on Thursday, January 24. Photo by Mike Perleberg, Eagle Country 99.3.

(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) – Greendale Middle School students got a lesson in persevering to reach new heights on Thursday.

Matt Brennan is on a journey to climb the Seven Summits of the World.

“I am just a dad from Loveland, Ohio, but I am going to stand on top of the world,” the 57-year-old told students.

Brennan shared his successes and failures as a mountain climber. He’s climbed five of the seven summits so far. Only Australia’s Mount Kosciuszko and the tallest mountain in the world, Mt. Everest.

Less than 1,000 people in the world have ascended to the top of each of the seven summits. Brennan told the students his life goal is to join that exclusive club.

He related his climbs to everyday life. When you have a difficult goal, break it down into smaller goals to make it more achievable, he told the students.

“Your goal has to have meaning. You have to want it,” he said. “Enjoy the grind.”

Photo courtesy of Matt Brennan.

He attempted to climb Mt. Everest for the first time last year. After five weeks into the grueling mission in one of Earth’s most inhospitable climates, an injury forced him to end the attempt.

Brennan, a construction company owner, fears failure, but also uses it as motivation.

“If you don’t fail, you are not setting your goals high enough,” he said.

He is planning to make a second try at reaching the peak of Mt. Everest this coming May.

Before the presentation came to an end, Brennan answered a number of questions from students. They also got to have an up-close look at the gear he uses when mountain climbing.

You can follow Matt's journey on Facebook.