The Mount Everest Base Camp Lie with Lauren Molenda, Co-owner of Riveter Design

Lauren Molenda, co-owner of Riveter Design, has trekked to Everest Base Camp, summited Kilimanjaro, run a marathon through the Alps, and spent years intentionally putting herself in uncomfortable situations. But one of the most important lessons she learned came from a moment when she was convinced she was failing.While trekking to Everest Base Camp, Lauren struggled with the altitude and the mental weight of comparing herself to everyone around her. She became convinced she was slowing the group down and falling behind. Then she learned the truth: she wasn't at the back of the group at all. She was near the front.That experience revealed the "Everest Base Camp Lie" a story our brains tell us when we're tired, uncomfortable, or uncertain. Often the narrative in our heads is far harsher than reality.In this episode of Risky Routes, Lauren shares how adventure, endurance, and discomfort have shaped her leadership style, why confidence is built through evidence rather than motivation, and what challenging experiences can teach us about self-perception. We also discuss fear, resilience, and why some of life's biggest breakthroughs happen when you're willing to be uncomfortable for longer than everyone else.