Episode 10!!! On this episode, Melissa goes for a walk in nearby Forest Park in Queens, with New York’s own Patty “Boom Boom” Alcivar, professional boxer, Emergency Medical Technician, Spanish Language interpreter, running coach and personal trainer, who is on a mission to be the first Latina from New York City to successfully summit the highest peaks on each of the seven continents, a challenge known as the “7 Summits.” Just a couple of years into this goal, and Patty has already successfully summited 3 — Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua and Mt.Elbrus!

Long before Patty found peace and joy in high altitude mountaineering, she found solace in more basic athletic pursuits as an escape from a challenging home life. She began with martial arts, but it was running that really allowed her to escape her thoughts and focus on the present. She credits long-distance running for giving her the courage to leave her abusive home and strike out on her own at the age of 15. With support and encouragement from some top names at The New York Road Runners, she ran her first marathon at 16, she started boxing not long after, and she hasn’t stopped her training or pursuing her goals since.

Now at the age of 37, she’s racked up 30 marathons, two Golden Glove Titles, been voted “Athlete of the Year” by the US Olympic Boxing Committee, and has her sights set on the Seven Summits, the most challenging to be Mount Everest. The through line to all of her pursuits is that she is dead-set on her goals and has crystal clarity about the purpose in life — to be a good human being, to give back to her community and to be a role model to those that need positive influence. Her mission is called Climbing for a Dream and her aim is to start a foundation that inspires.

How does she do it?! She Does. Not. Let. Anything. Stand. In. Her. Way. — For real. Full stop. Throughout the episode, Patty talks with Melissa about what keeps her going, her training regimen, why she doesn’t hit the snooze button and some of the challenges that exist in the pursuit of the Seven Summits — like training for 30,000 feet while living at sea-level. A few minutes of listening to her and your seemingly impossible goals will suddenly feel well within reach. Patty’s is a truly inspiring story— and it’s far from over.

For a daily dose of inspiration, be sure to follow her Instagram feeds, @climbingforadream and @pattyboxer12, or read more about her history and her pursuits on her website, Climbing For a Dream. If you’re super inspired after hearing the episode and you want to help Patty reach all 7 Summits, then be sure to head over to her GoFundMe page and send her some love (in the form of financial support!)