Mount Fuji, here I come
Mossel Bay’s June McGahey, aged 71, plans to climb Mount Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan.
It was on her bucket list to climb Kilimanjaro and she did that in February 2018 at the age of 68, so she is likely to realise her dream of summitting Mount Fuji, which is 3 776.24 metres high. Kilimanjaro is 5 895m high.
Linda Sparg asks June about her climbing experience and how she keeps fit and healthy.
How was Mount Kilimanjaro?
It involved much discomfort and a lot of wonder.
What are your thoughts on achieving this milestone at the age of 68?
It had been a dream of mine for 12 years. I learnt that I could no longer depend on my independent spirit, having been a widow for 23 years. I had to depend on Jesus, who strengthened me and gave me a guide who helped me to summit and come down from the mountain.
What is your secret to good health?
Keep hiking and loving nature. I also do a Pilates class to strengthen my core.
Do you follow a special diet?
I eat 75% natural, fresh fruits and vegetables and 25% cooked food.
You have a healthy body weight. What are your thoughts on weight?
I have come to learn that it is very important to watch the way we think about ourselves. We are called to love others as we love ourselves. However, in this world, we may suffer trauma as a child and begin to blame ourselves for circumstances beyond our control or we try to comfort ourselves with food.
Therefore, to overcome obesity issues, we need to seek inner healing for the spiritual root of this problem. Also, unforgiveness is a block to health. Often we struggle to forgive ourselves.
Does your faith inspire your wellness: spirit, mind and body?
Yes. I believe taking communion - the bread and grape juice, signifying the body and blood of Jesus - is significant for our wellbeing: spiritually, mentally and physically.
What is your attitude to age and longevity?
My name, June, means “youth”. You are as old as you think you are. I do not believe you have to slow down as you age. What you do not use, you lose.
To which age would you like to live?
That is difficult to answer because quality of life is important. I am happy to live to an old age, as long as I have all my mental and physical faculties.
Do you have any chronic illnesses for which you take medication?
I take a supplement to support my thyroid function. That is all.
Any aches or pains, backache or arthritis?
None.
Do you still work and earn a living?
I am a food and lifestyle consultant, offering a 40-day, coached Challenge to an Eating Plan & Love Yourself Mindset programme to build strong immunity against all disease.
What are your thoughts on achieving one’s goals?
Lewis Pugh [the internationally respected endurance swimmer and environmentalist] said all one needs to do is to get to a position where your dream can be fulfilled. I experienced the truth of this statement with regards to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. I got to that position and once there, people came alongside to help me achieve my dream.