Do It Afraid: Saying Yes to Your Own Vision.

On releasing my book, wrestling with doubt, and daring to climb every mountain—even the ones in my mind

Jul 08, 2025

On July 4th, I celebrated my 46th birthday (yep, I promise you—my mother said I was born on July 4th, 1979, at 4 PM East African Time, and I believe it with every fiber of my being). This year, once again, I did something that felt both thrilling and terrifying: I officially released my coffee table book, Chasing Uhuru Peak: Memories of a Daughter of the Soil Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro.
I guess I can call myself an author now—Oh Jesus of Nazareth!

For those who don’t know, in 2023 I hiked Mt. Kilimanjaro—the highest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world. (And for the record: yes, you can view the mountain from Kenya, but you can only climb it from the Tanzania side. The mountain is in Tanzania. My Kenyan cousins, can we end this debate once and for all?)

Nevertheless, the journey was a dream come true—one filled with every imaginable emotion. I even documented the journey in a film.

And here’s the truth: for a long time—and even as I’m writing this—I’ve wrestled with whether I should do the things I do. I didn’t think I should do either of those things. Imposter syndrome is real, and I am so ready to evict her once and for all.

The best way I know how to handle imposter syndrome is to work on my dream one thing at a time, every day. Whatever happens will happen. There’s no need to be afraid of critics and naysayers, because they’re going to exist regardless.

Questions swirled in my head: Who’s going to watch this? Who will buy this book? Why am I doing this? What’s the point? Who do you think you are??

But I did it anyway. I did it afraid. I did it with doubts. Because in the end, I owed it to myself to finish what I started. I owed it to myself to honor the vision I had in my heart.

I’m a firm believer that if I can envision it, I can make it real.

Bringing my coffee table book Chasing Uhuru Peak: Memories of a Daughter of the Soil Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro to life has been one of the most vulnerable, rewarding, and risky things I’ve done.

But I’ve learned that if your dreams don’t scare you—even just a little—they may not be big enough.

This book is not a memoir. It’s a reflection of resilience, faith, style, and purpose. A reminder that we are capable of climbing any mountain—literal or figurative—if we dare to keep moving forward, even when the path feels steep and uncertain.

To anyone standing at the base of their own mountain: take the risk. Follow the dream. Do it scare. And do it with everything you've got—and a little bit of style.

I hope my journey encourages you to take that next bold step.

So, on July 4, 2025—surrounded by family and friends—I put myself out there and released the book into the world.

I’m proud of the little Rahel who once dreamed big dreams, and I share this with you in the hope that you’ll remember: your vision matters, too.

There’s something waiting on the other side of your “yes.”
There’s power in your obedience to that quiet call in your heart.

Grab your copy today—I’d be honored to sign it just for you! click here.