Climbing Kilimanjaro: How Parenthood, Adventure, and Africa Redefined Josh Skovlund’s Purpose
- Security Halt Podcast
- Apr 19
- 3 min read
When Special Forces veteran and storyteller Joshua Skovlund set his sights on climbing Mount Kilimanjaro with his siblings, it wasn’t just about scaling Africa’s highest peak—it was about connection, personal growth, and answering a deeper call to adventure. On this episode of the Security Halt Podcast, host Deny Caballero sits down with Josh to unpack a journey that spanned continents, tested physical and mental limits, and revealed powerful life lessons about resilience, family, and purpose.
A Global Mission: Family, Travel, and Intentional Exploration
For Josh, the trip began as a way to create unforgettable memories with his brother and sister—especially for his sister, who had never left the United States. Together, they planned an international itinerary that included extended layovers in New York City, Amsterdam, and Qatar before touching down in Tanzania. The precision with which the trip was planned—every connection, shuttle, and flight executed without a hitch—set the tone for the life-changing experience ahead.
Once in Africa, the sensory experience was immediate. “You feel everything—heat, sound, culture—all at once,” Josh shares. But it wasn’t overwhelming. Instead, the warmth of the Tanzanian people and the professionalism of their guides and porters created a grounding atmosphere that brought both calm and confidence.
The Climb: Physical Challenges, Spiritual Lessons
Mount Kilimanjaro is not a technical climb, but it is a serious physical and mental challenge. Over eight days, the group trekked from lush jungles through mist-covered moorlands and into a stark alpine desert. Altitude sickness, nausea, and fatigue became daily battles, but the greatest challenge came on summit day—beginning at midnight under a blanket of darkness.
Josh’s reflections on this stretch are striking. “One step, one breath. The mind is the driver of the body,” he says. It’s a lesson many veterans and endurance athletes understand deeply. Pushing through adversity in an environment where failure is always looming is not about muscle—it’s about mindset.
And at the summit—Uhuru Peak—Josh experienced a transformative moment that words can barely contain. “It felt like I was above heaven,” he recalls. That moment became more than a travel milestone. It became a point of personal awakening—something spiritual, something healing, something necessary.
From Reflection to Rebirth: Mental Clarity on the Mountain
Throughout the climb, Josh journaled daily, processing not just the journey but unresolved emotions. “I realized I still had a lot of self-hatred to work through,” he shares. Kilimanjaro became the backdrop for a much deeper internal ascent—one that mirrored the emotional and mental struggles many veterans carry long after they’ve left the battlefield.
That honesty about healing, about fatherhood, and about the spiritual toll of life after service is what gives this conversation so much power. It reminds listeners that resilience isn’t just about pushing forward—it’s about facing what we’ve been running from.
A Safari to Remember, and a Mission Reignited
After conquering Kilimanjaro, Josh and his siblings capped their African journey with a safari that fulfilled a childhood dream. From photographing cheetahs to watching lions hunt, it was a cinematic finale to a journey already packed with emotional highs.
For Josh, who now runs On Assignment Media, this trip was a turning point. His photography from the trip captured not just wildlife but perspective—a reminder of what he’s meant to do. Through his lens and storytelling, he’s now building bridges between veterans, first responders, and civilians. His mission is clear: to share raw, authentic stories that create connection, compassion, and understanding.
Why This Story Matters
Josh Skovlund’s journey to Kilimanjaro is about more than travel. It’s about the power of adventure to unlock healing. It’s about what happens when you step outside of routine, embrace discomfort, and commit to growth. For veterans, parents, creatives, or anyone searching for clarity, this episode offers more than inspiration—it offers a roadmap.
Tune into this powerful episode of the Security Halt Podcast and let Josh’s story challenge you to take that next step—up the mountain, into the unknown, and toward the version of yourself you were always meant to be.
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