SpokenCoast Project: a quest for triumph in the face of adversity

“Have you ever gone through a major life challenge and not felt supported? Have you ever wondered how some people seem to thrive during these hardships, while others suffer?” - SpokenCoast Project.

While undergoing an incredibly difficult time, Marissa Krupa created the SpokenCoast Project to explore this question first hand. The Project entails traveling the Pacific Coast from Alaska to Chile, documenting the stories of people who didn’t just survive hardship and struggle - they positively transformed their lives. By gathering these examples of triumph, Marissa is creating a community of hope and an inspirational resource of stories that offer vital support to those facing hardship.

…oh yeah, and on the way, Marissa will tackle “Mickey’s List” of 6 impressive mountain peaks - Shasta, Hood, Rainier, Baker, Aconcagua (highest peak in the Americas), Chimborazo, El Misti, Cotopaxi, Ianitza, Iamara, Fitzroy and the “Grand Pooh-Bah” Denali (highest peak in N. America). Marissa will be climbing these peaks in memory of her mountaineering brother, Mickey Krupa, whom she tragically lost to neurological cancer.

Why did Marissa quit her corporate job, launch the SpokenCoast Project and embark on this incredible journey? Her brother and mother were both diagnosed with cancer two years ago. She struggled to cope under the burden of her grief and high-pressure job, and found it very difficult to find the support she desperately needed. When her brother, an outdoor leader in his community, lost the battle against cancer she decided to re-evaluate her life and asked herself:

If I'm feeling totally miserable in my life (which I was), what do I love and how can I build a life around that? That was the mountain for me. Taking the risk to actually make a major change in my life. 

To help me transform my own story of loss, I want to give something back to the world. I don’t want my story to be about selfishness, and wallowing in grief. I want my story to be one of bringing people together based on their experiences, to offer hope and strength to those that are struggling. I want my story to be about transformation, about how change is ok if you let it be, and about the resilience of the human spirit. 

- Marissa Krupa

With this project, Marissa has issued an incredibly difficult challenge to her physical and mental limits. Yes, the 6 peaks she is summiting are impressive, but so is the bravery she demonstrates by sharing her personal struggles. Her emotions and doubts are exposed when she describes growing up in an abusive, alcoholic home andher struggle to cope when critical illnesses struck her family. She empathizes deeply with the people she interviews, and her respect and caring honors their vulnerability and bravery. Through the SpokenCoast Project, Marissa is courageously taking steps to break the suffocating silence surrounding certain issues. The SpokenCoast Project Trailer beautifully illustrates the power of Marissa’s work.

How you can help the SpokenCoast Project:

1.      Provide monetary and/or moral support in numerous ways through the donations page.

2.      Marissa is eager to have other experienced mountaineers join her mountain climbs (with Denali likely next on the list). If you are interested in dedicating a mountain climb to the loss of a loved one, please contact Marissa.

3.      You can email messages to lost loved ones to the SpokenCoast Project, and Marissa can write your message on a sheet and hike it to the summit!