I was born in the small village of Dana, Nepal, into a family that did not have much. My father served as a Gurkha soldier, and from a young age, I understood what discipline, courage, and sacrifice meant.

I did not grow up dreaming of becoming a world-famous mountaineer. In fact, my journey to the highest mountains in the world began much later than most people’s. My first love was the military.

At the age of 18, I joined the Brigade of Gurkhas in the British Army. Later, I became the first Gurkha to be selected for the British Special Boat Service. The military changed me. It taught me that the human mind is far more powerful than we often realise. It taught me to remain calm when everything around me tells me to panic.

But eventually, I discovered something else—the mountains.

When I first started climbing, I had no idea that the mountains would become such a huge part of my life. I climbed higher and higher, and with every mountain, I learned something new about myself.

Then came the dream that everyone told me was impossible.

I decided I wanted to climb all 14 mountains in the world that rise above 8,000 metres. These are the highest and most dangerous mountains on Earth. The previous record for climbing all 14 was more than seven years.

I wanted to do it in just seven months.

People questioned me. Some said it couldn’t be done. Some doubted whether I could even find the money to complete such an expedition.

But I had already made my decision.

I called it Project Possible.

To make the dream a reality, I put everything on the line. I even mortgaged my house to help fund the expedition. I knew there was a chance I could lose everything, but I also knew that if I never tried, I would spend the rest of my life wondering, What if I had?

The mountains tested me in every possible way.

There were moments when my body was exhausted, when the weather was brutal, and when death was only a mistake away. But every time I looked up at the summit, I reminded myself why I had started.

I climbed Mount Everest.

Then Kanchenjunga.

Then Lhotse.

One mountain after another.

Sometimes, I had only days—or even hours—to recover before heading toward the next challenge.

My mission was not only about breaking a record. It was about proving that the impossible is often just something that has never been attempted in that way before.

On 29 October 2019, I stood on the summit of Shishapangma.

I had done it.

I had climbed all 14 of the world’s 8,000-metre peaks in 6 months and 6 days.

The world called it impossible.

I called it Project Possible.

But my journey did not end there.

In 2021, I faced another challenge that had defeated generations of mountaineers—the winter ascent of K2.

K2 is one of the most dangerous mountains on Earth. Winter made it even more unforgiving.

Together with my incredible Nepali team, we stood at the summit.

For me, that moment was bigger than any record. It was a moment of pride for Nepal and for the people who had supported me throughout my journey.

I have learned that mountains are not only about reaching the top.

They teach you who you really are.

They teach you that fear will always be there, but courage means moving forward anyway.

They teach you that your circumstances do not define your future.

I came from a small village.

I became a Gurkha.

I became a Special Forces soldier.

I became a mountaineer.

And I climbed the highest mountains on Earth.

If there is one thing I want people to remember from my story, it is this:

Never let someone else’s belief in what is possible decide the limits of your own life.

Because sometimes, the only difference between the impossible and the possible is the person who refuses to give up.

My name is Nirmal Purja.

And I believe nothing is impossible.