Perseverance: Life and Death in the Subarctic

Firefighter, martial artist, and lifelong canoeist Kesting (coauthor of Non Stop Jiu-Jitsu) describes his six-week, 1,000-mile trek through the Canadian subarctic in the aftermath of personal loss and a close brush with mortality. Kesting argues that people don’t undertake grueling and dangerous pursuits like this for mere happiness or enjoyment, for these are fleeting emotions. Instead, a journey like this, whether it’s summiting Mt. Everest or embarking on a solo trek in the middle of nowhere, comes down to finding satisfaction (which may involve hard work, pain, or even fear), learning about oneself, and allowing oneself to be changed by the immense power of nature. Kesting’s account of the physical and mental training necessary for this arduous journey serves as a reminder that all challenges—from seemingly simple tasks such as organizing a cluttered house to crushing events such as contending with the death of a loved one—can be met with resolve and preparation.