Climb for a Cause (and Show Yourself Some Compassion for a Change): Anyssa Lucena

Guides Gone Wild

On Guides Gone Wild, we talk to lots of women who do extremely brave things - but I have to say, being vulnerable and open about a life-changing diagnosis and treatment (and the mental *ss-kicking you are still going through as a result), is the bravest kind of bravery in my book.
Anyssa Lucena first graced the Guides Gone Wild airwaves in April 2022, when she was in the early days of building her business, Genuine Climbing, through which she provides guiding, instruction, coaching and community around her passion for rock climbing.
Literally a month after we first spoke, Anyssa’s life and business got turned completely upside down when she found a lump in one of her breasts.
So a few trigger warnings for today: very salty language; cancer; survivor guilt; trauma. If those kinds of things cut a little too close right now, skip this and come back next time.
But whether you’re in for this week’s audio ride or not, please do check out Climb for a Cause, an event that Anyssa is hosting Thursday, October 26, 2023, at the GOAT Climbing Gym in Hackensack, NJ from 7-9pm.
If you’re able to attend in person, you’ll have a fantastic time learning and climbing and learning some more, and will be welcomed with open arms by the amazing community that Anyssa has around her.
If you can’t be there in person, I hope you’ll consider donating to the same causes that Anyssa will be supporting with her proceeds from the event: For the Breast of Us, the first online community dedicated to women of color affected by breast cancer; and The Ellie Fund, which provides essential support services like transportation to appointments, housekeeping, grocery assistance, childcare reimbursement, that kind of thing for breast cancer patients, to ease the stresses of everyday life, so that they can focus on recovery, healing, and spending time with family.
And a final reminder that early detection can make a HUGE difference - get the mammogram, check yourself out once in a while, and if anything seems to be changing or is concerning you - ANYTHING! - waste no time, make sure to talk to your doctor.
All the links, all together:

• Climb for a Cause (Thursday, October 26th; 7:00-9:00pm)
• GOAT Climbing Gym (Hackensack, NJ)
• For the Breast of Us
• The Ellie Fund
• The Big Cs: Chicks, Climbing and Cancer (FB Group)
• Anyssa’s first episode on Guides Gone Wild (April 2022)