Could She Be the Next Dalai Lama?

www.ozy.com [OZY]() Your World. Bold & Bright [Daily Dose]( Sponsored by [Cariuma]( The newsletter to fuel — and thrill — your mind. Read for deep dives into the unmissable ideas and topics shaping our world. Apr 21, 2022 Today Silvia Vasquez-Lavado – a [new philosopher]( – is a warrior for social change and she is not backing down. In today’s Daily Dose, we’re excited to spotlight this Peruvian American global adventurer, mountaineer, author, feminist, technologist and social entrepreneur. She’s on a mission to teach the world that we are loved, and we are limitless. [A pair of shoes, a pair of trees.]( [Cariuma]( Every time you buy a pair of stylish, sustainable and comfortable sneakers from [Cariuma](, two trees are planted in the Brazilian rainforest. You not only look good, you feel good – and help us all breathe better. [Use the code OZY2022 to get $15]( off as a proud member of the OZY global community. [Shop Now]( A World Away A Haunting Childhood Hiking legend Silvia Vasquez-Lavado was born in 1974 in Lima, Peru. Her childhood was defined, as she recalls, by domestic violence between her parents and painful memories of sexual abuse by a so-called family friend. Denial became her means of coping and Vasquez-Lavado did not face her suffering until many years later, when her very existence depended on it. The Ironical Twist Although Vasquez-Lavado grew up in a country known for hiking and mountaineering, she was not innately adventurous as a child. Ironically, her family roots are in the Andes, where high plateaus and rugged mountainous terrain rules. But it took her leaving Peru to finally discover the pull of this fascinating landscape as well as a lifelong passion for adventuring with a purpose. Take Me Away Vasquez-Lavado escaped her abusive upbringing and landed in rural Amish country, Pennsylvania where she received a scholarship to study at the University of Millersville. Even though she found the courage at age 15 to tell her mother about the sexual abuse she’d been suffering for years, Vasquez-Lavado was still not ready to accept the process of healing for herself. [Conscious mind. Comfy feet.]( [Cariuma]( The right shoes can not only put some pep in your step, they can also help you make a statement. When you wear [Cariuma](, you tell the world that you care about your look – and the people you share the planet with. Beyond the consciously-sourced materials and the commitment to reforestation, there’s the knowledge that you support ethical factories. Try them once, and we think you’ll agree – it’s a better way to go. (OZY family: [Use the code OZY2022 for $15 off!]() [Shop Now]( The Struggle The Ticking Clock After graduating from college, Silvia faced a dilemma: she had one year to find a job and transition to a work visa before her student visa ran out, or she would be forced to return to Lima. Fortunately, luck was on her side and she was hired as a young hopeful by the trendy start-up company, Skky vodka. Luck, however, can be a double-edged sword as her self-doubt fueled by years of denial created the perfect storm for alcoholism, of which Vasquez-Lavado suffered for almost seven years. Lost Love After two months of sobriety, Vasquez-Lavado met the love of her life. Yet she was still reeling from her painful childhood and could not fully commit to a relationship. A job offer to head Skky’s European and Asian offices led her, once again, to run away from her past. It was at this moment that Vasquez-Lavado’s partner took her own life. Ayahuasca Journey Beset by grief and at her breaking point, Vasquez-Lavado joined a traditional Peruvian Ayahuasca ceremony with her family, where she had a vision of healing mountains. From that moment, Vasquez-Lavado turned to nature for her self-renewal. Her first hike was in 2005 to Everest base camp, nearly 18,000 feet above sea level. This moment brought clarity to Vasquez-Lavado, who realized that her life purpose was to help other vulnerable girls and young women. [TAKE OUR QUIZ]( The Climb Denali Days Vasquez-Lavado summited the seven highest peaks on seven different continents, a feat that few people have achieved. Mt. Denali (also called Mt. McKinley) was her Achilles heel; it took her three attempts to reach the top at more than 20,000 ft above sea level. However, if you ask her, Vasquez-Lavado laughs and claims that each mountain is like her child; she can’t pick favorites. Summit Dedications In each of her treks, she carries a photo of her partner and in her words, “It puts me a little closer to her star.” Vasquez-Lavado honors her love’s memory on each adventure, as well as devoting hikes to love and inclusion around the globe. Through her raw honesty, Vasquez-Lavado is showing the world that it’s all right to grieve and that being vulnerable is courageous. The Journey Vasquez-Lavado pursued sobriety as part of the process of forgiving herself and others. She also enrolled in a course called Compassion Cultivation training at Stanford. That’s where she discovered empathy and grace for her own struggle. WATCH SILVIA VASQUEZ-LAVADO on [The Carlos Watson Show](, season 4! Embracing Herself Finding Her Voice She says she was quiet and meek as a child. Her family was conservative and her father authoritarian; their relationship was always strained. This strict upbringing prevented Vasquez-Lavado from discovering her own strength, as fear ruled the roost. Once she glimpsed her own courage, however, there was no turning back. She founded the successful Bay Area non-profit Courageous Girls in 2014, which helps female survivors of abuse heal through hiking and adventure. San Francisco Spirit Silvia Vasquez-Lavado has happily resided for several years in vibrant San Francisco, where her non-profit is flourishing. As the commencement speaker at her alma mater, Millersville University, she’s excited about encouraging the next generation of leaders to dream fearlessly. While she always has an eye on the next adventure, she also remains grounded and grateful for all that life has given her. Up next is a film adaptation of her memoir In the Shadow of the Mountain starring Selena Gomez. Says Vasquez-Lavado, “The message [isn’t] about me… [it’s] to bring out shame from the shadows.” Going For It All These days, she’s basking in a life filled with compassion and confidence. Understanding and accepting her own sexual abuse has been empowering. She has found her mantra: “I have endurance, I don’t have speed.” It’s an approach to mountaineering, and to life. Slowly but surely, with joy and gratitude. [TAKE OUR QUIZ]( Community Corner Has nature and/or adventure ever changed or healed you? Share your thoughts with us at OzyCommunity@Ozy.com. 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