Hi everyone! My name is MaRiza Noyama-Zee, and I have a story for you:

About 8 months ago I received a lightning bolt of insight ~ these times we live in require a level of fortitude from all of us, and I realized that for me this had to be gained physically and not remain simply in my imagination.

To do this I knew I needed a goal, one that felt inspirational and would match my values.

I have spent the last 15 years having children and more recently running an online healing practice, Full Awakening. Two years ago I suffered a tumble down the stairs carrying my toddler and tore two ligaments in my knee. Regaining my ability to simply walk took many months. All this to say, my body had not been feeling strong, limber, heart healthy, or resilient. And yet, I knew doing this for myself and with myself wouldn't be enough.

I wanted to find a cause to match my goal, one that would contribute to our larger collective as we strive to reach an aspirational level of equity, resource sharing, and kindness.

I believe this is the world we are creating when we invest our efforts in something powerful that extends beyond ourselves and our immediate family.

I plunged into research mode and found with delight an organization called Climb for a Cause which fundraises through an annual climb event for a sister organization, Smile Tree, to raise the resources needed to run dental clinics for children and adults around the world who have no access to dental care.

This organizational partnership has raised over 1 million dollars since 1998 and runs clinics in Antigua, Cambodia, Guatemala, Mexico and Nepal. I found my cause!!

Next I had to find my team.

I was extraordinarily lucky to know the incomparable Leslie Drapiza and Caryn Curry through Full Awakening and had been working along side each of them for some time. I asked them to join my team and they said yes!!

Both Leslie and Caryn are inspiring healers, facilitators, and leaders in their own arenas and in their personal lives they are each rising strong into their bodies after both navigated breast cancer. Together we have been supporting each other this year to train regularly and prepare for what will be no simple hike and an accomplishment for our team.

At the end of August we will join the Annual Climb for a Cause Event in Canada and together we will endeavor to climb to the 9,616 foot summit of Mount Bourgeau in the Canadian Rockies. This will be a 12 mile loop with 6,000 feet of elevation gain.

Working towards this goal has fueled my year and now we would love to invite you to participate by being a part of something that gives back to our global community and speaks volumes about the world we are looking to create!

Our starting goal is $4,500, and the more we raise for Climb for a Cause the better!

Please feel free to share this campaign with anyone in your life who would benefit from joining us in this endeavor by sponsoring our efforts for this cause!!