In 2016, she was the first American woman to summit Everest without supplemental oxygen. She’s climbed Mount Rainier more than 100 times. Her 2025 memoir, Enough, captures a life shaped by risk, resilience and self-discovery — on and off the mountain.
Now, she’s bringing her story to Edmonds Center for the Arts on April 29.
Meet Melissa Arnot Reid — adventurer, author, speaker and galvanizer.
Melissa will share a powerful visual presentation based on her memoir, Enough: Climbing Toward a True Self on Mount Everest, that will take the audience on her inspiring journey of grit, failure, growth and the relentless pursuit of self-belief.
By recounting deeply personal stories of triumph and setback, she explores what it means to redefine success on your own terms.
Ahead of her visit, we asked Melissa how that mindset shows up in her daily life, her writing, and on the mountain:
Q: How do you practice resilience in your daily life?
A: Resilience, I believe, is truly a practice that we can all cultivate in big and small ways. I personally challenge myself daily to endure some form of optional discomfort (it could be as simple as not adjusting the thermostat immediately or adding that extra rep in a workout) to remind myself that there is a difference between danger and discomfort, and discomfort we choose helps prepare us for the inevitable discomfort we didn’t choose that life sends our way.
Q: What was one of the most challenging parts of writing your memoir?
A: Getting honest enough to tell the bad along with the good and then being willing to forgive myself for past mistakes. I have been a person who has lived life carrying an immense amount of shame and the hardest part of writing my story was also the most liberating part. I am imperfect, but deserving, and so are you.
Q: What do you tell yourself when you’re not sure you can keep climbing?
A: I like to think very myopically when doubt creeps in. Doubt lives in the future, but action lives here. I don’t have to get to the summit right now; I just have to take the next right step forward. My personal mantra is “always forward” which means to always take steps toward (rather than away from) my goals.
Q: What do you hope audiences will take away from your talk?
A: I hope that the audience gets a chance to immerse themselves in the wonder of the high mountains while seeing what it takes to do big, nearly impossible things. I know that they will leave with a little more belief in what they are capable of and a little more understanding of how we all are imperfect but still deserving.
Melissa’s perspective on reslience has been shaped by a lifetime of experience, from overcoming childhood trauma to navigating life in a male-dominated space to the nine seasons she spent working on Everest, where she experienced success, failure and a profound evolution of her inner self.
Her achievements sparked international attention and acclaim, and Melissa remains a sought-after speaker and media figure whose message resonates far and wide.
Jon Krakauer called Enough “the best ‘Everest book’ I’ve read in a long time.” He notes that Melissa “provides an understated first-hand account of her pivotal role in preventing a mob of angry Sherpas from murdering three famous European climbers … and describes her agonizing ascent of the peak without supplemental oxygen.”
Even with all the recognition, Melissa remains primarily dedicated to her work as a mountain guide and serves as the co-founder of The Juniper Fund, a nonprofit providing financial support to the families of Nepali workers who have lost their lives in the mountains.
Whether you are an intrepid alpine explorer or seeking new ways to nurture resilience in your daily life, Melissa’s message on mindset shifting is meaningful for all of us: the journey to success begins by embracing challenge — and accepting that we are enough.
Melissa’s presentation will be followed by a Q&A with the audience — so be sure to bring your questions! Tickets are available now at ec4arts.org.
This speaking engagement is presented with support from Vertical World North.
Looking for more spring entertainment?
Visit ec4arts.org to find more performances and community events, or connect with us by visiting, calling, or emailing the ECA Box Office. Located at 410 4th Ave. N., the box office is open noon-5 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, with extended hours on performance nights. Reach us at [email protected] or 425-275-9595. Discounts are available at all ECA-presented shows for seniors, students and military members.
Funded in part by the City of Edmonds Tourism Promotion Fund
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