Finding the Courage to Show Up

By Shonagh, Operations Manager, Climb 2 Recovery

Although I'm now part of the Climb 2 Recovery team, I first came to C2R as a member. Like many people who book onto one of our courses, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. Looking back, what stands out to me isn't the climbing, the activities, or even the conversations that followed. It was the effort it took simply to get there in the first place.

At the start of every course, Joe gives a welcome talk and there's one thing he says that has always stayed with me:

"Showing up is the hardest part."

The longer I've been involved with Climb 2 Recovery, the more I've realised how true those words are.

The Journey Starts Long Before You Arrive

When someone books onto a course, they're often feeling positive about the decision. They've taken a step that may have felt difficult in itself, whether that's reaching out for support, trying something new, or simply deciding they deserve a few days away from the pressures of everyday life.

But as the course date approaches, it's not unusual for doubts to creep in.

For some people, it's the thought of being away from home for several days. For others, it's the idea of sharing accommodation with people they've never met before or spending time in a group when social situations can already feel draining. Some worry that they won't fit in, while others become preoccupied with the climbing itself and wonder whether they'll be good enough. The reality is that almost everyone arrives carrying some version of those concerns.

Over the years, I've lost count of the number of members who've told me they nearly cancelled. Some have admitted they spent the week beforehand talking themselves out of coming. Others have described sitting in their car outside the venue wondering whether to turn around and head home, yet those same people frequently become the ones encouraging others to take the leap and attend their first course.

The Relief of Realising You're Not Alone

I was talking to our Development Manager, Abbie, who recently about the struggle, she shared with me:

“The whole journey I was worried, running through scenarios in my head – I so wanted to be there, but I wasn’t sure my anxiety would let me. I had to break it down into small goals, telling myself: ‘ok pack the van’, ‘right now just drive there’, ‘ok now get out the van’, ‘right now walk through the door’. When I made it through the door and was greeted by welcoming faces and handed a warm drink it was a massive relief – I was nervous still … but I was there, I’d made it. It was the best decision I’d made for a long time.”

People often arrive expecting to feel like the outsider in the room, only to discover that almost everyone around them was carrying exactly the same worries. The person sitting next to them at dinner was nervous about coming. The person they're sharing a room with nearly cancelled. The person confidently chatting over a cup of tea remembers what it felt like to arrive for the first time and wonder whether they belonged.

There's a comfort in realising that you're surrounded by people who not only understand the anxieties that come with attending a course, but many understand the wider challenges that can accompany the transition out of military service.

There Is No Right Way to Do a C2R Course

I think one reason people sometimes feel worried about attending is because they imagine there's an expectation attached to it. They picture themselves needing to throw themselves into every activity, socialise constantly, or emerge at the end of the week as a more confident version of themselves. The truth is far simpler than that.

A Climb 2 Recovery course is your opportunity to take what you need from the experience. For some people, that's pushing themselves physically and embracing every aspect of the climbing. For others, it's finding a bit of breathing space, enjoying a change of scenery, and spending time around people who understand their background and experiences.

If you need time to yourself, that's okay. If you're worried about sharing a room, talk to us. If you're finding things overwhelming and need some space, we'll work with you to make sure you're comfortable.

You don't have to climb every route. You don't have to join every conversation. You don't have to take part in every activity.

The only thing we ask is that you give yourself the chance to arrive.

Why Showing Up Matters (for everyone)

One of the things I've noticed over the years is that many people underestimate the value they bring simply by being there. It's surprisingly common to hear someone say they almost didn't sign up because they felt other people needed it more. They weren't sure they were struggling enough, deserving enough, or in need enough to justify taking a place on a course.

But Climb 2 Recovery has never been about comparing experiences or deciding who deserves support the most. What makes this community special is the people who choose to be part of it.

Every member who attends contributes something. Sometimes that's through sharing their story. Sometimes it's through offering encouragement to somebody who's having a difficult day. Sometimes it's simply by being another friendly face in the room, helping the next new arrival realise that they aren't alone. By showing up for yourself, you're also helping to create the community that someone else may desperately need.

If You're Feeling Nervous

If you've booked onto a course and are starting to feel the nerves building, please know that you're in very good company and you can reach out to our team to talk about what you are feeling. Most of us have experienced something very similar at one point or another: the uncertainty, the second-guessing, the temptation to stay within the comfort of familiar routines rather than step into something unknown.

But if there's one thing I've learned, both as a member and now as part of the team, it's that the obstacles we face on the journey to a course are often much bigger than anything waiting for us when we arrive. So, if you're wondering whether you'll fit in, whether you're ready, or whether you've made the right decision, I'd encourage you to remember Joe's words:

“Showing up is the hardest part”.

Once you've done that, you'll find a community ready to welcome you exactly as you are.