Transform Your Life Through Endurance Adventures
Discover how VITAL Ventures combines fitness, community, and adventure to inspire personal growth and transformation.
Preparing for the Grand Canyon crossing. #canyonbathing
Transformation is a word often tossed around in fitness, health, and wellness spaces, conjuring clichéd “before and after” images. But true transformation is serious business. Merriam-Webster defines it as “a complete or major change in someone’s appearance or form, especially so that the thing or person is improved.” It’s a profound process, not a buzzword or snapshot.
So when two friends described VITAL Ventures as a transformational travel business, I was intrigued and a bit humbled. I reached out to Jake Haupert, cofounder of The Transformational Travel Council, who explained transformational travel as intentionally traveling to “stretch, learn, and grow into new ways of being and engaging in the world.” His words struck a chord, perfectly capturing the heart of what VITAL aims to do: help people push beyond their limits and discover new dimensions of themselves through fitness and adventure.
Eager to learn more, Jake suggested I attend the Wisdom Retreat for Better Tourism, hosted by The Transformational Travel Council and Chip Conley at his new, and very special, Modern Elder Academy (MEA) in Santa Fe, New Mexico. There I met an inspiring group of people with a shared vision supporting travel that raises the collective consciousness of humankind to regenerate and thrive. Suzy Ross, educator and author of Map to Wholeness, presented her Transformation Figure Eight theory and shared how travel can transform the core aspects of who we are—affective, cognitive, physical, and spiritual (Ross, 2008). Her insights moved me, reinforcing the power of intentional experiences to create profound personal growth, whether through physical challenges, emotional breakthroughs, or awe-inspiring moments.
Left to right: Suzy Ross, Associate Professor, Therapist, and Author of Map to Wholeness; me, Libby Harrington, Founder of VITAL Ventures; Jake Haubert, Co-Founder of The Transformational Travel Council; Anu Taranath, Professor, Consultant, and Author of Beyond Guilt Trips: Mindful Travel in an Unequal World; Gay Browne, Founder of Greenopia and Author of Living with a Green Heart.
Hearing these perspectives I realized that transformational travel isn't just something VITAL provides - it’s the heartbeat of our purpose. At its core, VITAL inspires people to stretch, learn, and push beyond boundaries, helping them uncover the strength and potential they never knew they had, or may have forgotten was there.
From Anxiety to Action
How walking therapy led to an audacious Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim challenge.
Flashback to 2021, amid a world spiraling with uncertainty, I began taking walks to ease mounting anxiety - my daily walk therapy. When my sister invited me to hike the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim (R2R2R), I said yes, not fully understanding it’s one of the toughest endurance challenges, with extreme elevation changes and unpredictable weather. Still, I was all in.
As a spinning instructor, I wasn’t new to fitness, but endurance adventures was entirely new territory. I trained hard, pouring months into preparation because I quickly realized that readiness wasn’t optional—it was essential.
The hike itself was grueling: temperatures hit 114 degrees at Phantom Ranch, and the relentless climbs tested my limits. Along the way, we encountered other hikers in critical condition and requiring help, reinforcing the canyon’s warning: “Down is optional. Up is mandatory.” Once you’re in, there’s no turning back.
That journey transformed me in ways I never expected. The awe-inspiring grandeur of the Grand Canyon lifted my spirit, even as the grueling physical effort drained me. When I finally ascended the South Rim, I was exhausted yet changed forever. I had accomplished the hardest challenge of my life, made possible by relentless training, preparation and grit.
As my body and blisters healed, a thought sparked: If I can conquer 44 miles crossing the Grand Canyon and back, why not a marathon? A wild idea for someone who wasn’t a runner—my longest jog had been 5 miles, and anything more hurt my knees. But the canyon had given me courage, and running became part of my story.
Four months later, I joined Team Determination, an American Cancer Society (ACS) team, to train for the NYC Marathon. Our coach guided us through a strategic four month training program, and I witnessed the exponential power of community in tackling challenges.
At 55, I crossed the finish line, hooked. I set a bold new goal: to complete the Abbott World Marathon Majors by 60. Four marathons down (NYC, Chicago, Berlin, and London), two to go (Tokyo and Boston), and I’m thriving on this journey to live vitally—for the long game.
American Cancer Society Team DetermiNation, Central Park, NYC
Looking back, the R2R2R and marathon experience taught me invaluable lessons about preparation, courage, and transformation. It pushed my boundaries, forced me to confront fear, and built my confidence in ways I couldn’t have imagined.
These lessons planted the seed for VITAL Ventures, a business born from my growing passion for endurance adventure and a desire to make such challenges accessible to others. So many people hear my story and say, “I wish I could do that,” but feel it’s out of reach.
Lightbulb moment: What if I could help them?
VITAL is designed to empower people to take on audacious adventures —whether they’re trekking the Grand Canyon, running a first marathon, or exploring Alaska’s wild landscapes. It’s about transforming fear into courage and doubt into confidence.
The Birth of VITAL
How a transformative hike sparked a mission to make endurance adventures accessible to all and led to an audacious Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim challenge.
In January 2024, VITAL proudly launched its inaugural fitness adventure program: the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim hike. This experience was intentionally designed to be transformative, combining rigorous outdoor adventure training, mental fortitude, and a deep respect for nature.
A team of 11 participants embarked on this fitness transformational journey, united by the Core Values That Define VITAL:
Personal Health and Fitness: Commit to months of training and unlock your potential.
Ownership and Accountability: Take responsibility for your well-being, gear, and preparation.
Audacious Growth: Embrace challenges with wild curiosity and creative solutions.
Community: Foster encouragement, openness and camaraderie to make others feel bigger, not smaller.
Respect and Responsibility: Honor yourself, your team, and the cultures and environments we explore.
Joy: Celebrate the great outdoors and embrace the wonder and awe all around you!
Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim: VITAL’s Inaugural Program
How participants trained for months to take on a grueling 24-mile challenge.
Over three months, the team trained hard, building the stamina and resilience to tackle a 15-hour epic hiking challenge spanning 24 miles and 10,000 feet of vertical change. On hike day, every participant pushed boundaries, faced hardship, supported each other, and successfully crossed the finish line. Some cried, some stumbled, some collapsed, and some rejoiced—but all emerged stronger, braver, and more capable than they had ever imagined. A life-changing experience.
The finish at the North Rim, Grand Canyon.
What’s Next for VITAL?
Alaska Kenai Tri Adventure: August 2025
Explore Alaska’s wilderness through hiking, fishing, and kayaking, paired with three months of personalized training.
As VITAL looks ahead, we’re excited to announce the Alaska Kenai Tri Adventure (August 26–30, 2025). This immersive journey blends three months of training with four days of outdoor adventure, including hiking, fishing, and sea kayaking through the breathtaking Kenai Peninsula.
With 12 spots available, the program is designed for participants ready to push their boundaries and embrace Alaska’s wild beauty. From personalized training plans to the camaraderie of a supportive community, the Kenai Tri is an opportunity to discover what’s possible.
At VITAL, we believe transformation begins with a single step outside your comfort zone. Whether your mountain is physical or metaphorical, we’re here to guide you, train with you, and cheer you on as you discover the strength you never knew you had.
So, what’s your next audacious endurance adventure?
Explore what’s possible with VITAL Ventures.