He is breaking all records. In his hit documentary “Kaizen”, YouTuber Inoxtag – real name Inès Benazzouz – sets himself the goal of climbing Everest in just one year. Throughout his physical and mental preparation, then his ascent to the highest peak in the world, located on the border between Nepal and China, the 22-year-old Parisian learns many life lessons.
1. Set a goal
Although Inoxtag had never practiced mountaineering, he decided overnight to climb Everest. This project did not fail to provoke a reaction from professionals in the sector who considered this challenge impossible. The young man ignored the criticism and began to redefine his priorities. In order to prepare himself physically and mentally, he first drastically questioned his lifestyle. Because, as he says in his documentary, “I sleep badly, I eat badly, I don’t do any sport, I live haphazardly”. Then, he must reduce the number of videos broadcast on the YouTube platform. And abandon for a time his community of some 8 million subscribers. “He can’t do everything at the same time with the same intensity. He has to make a choice.”explains his mental trainer.
2. Dare to take the plunge
Then it is a matter of transforming the will into action: “to get moving”he said. By jumping into the unknown. And this, regardless of the criticism and fears – whether his own or those of his loved ones. He then began rigorous training to get back into physical condition. This was the moment when the young man became aware of the scale of the challenge to be taken up as well as the risks that it entailed. When he began to train in real conditions, in the heart of the French mountain ranges, he made his first mistakes, such as dropping the descender. “It’s a mistake that I’m not allowed to do that. At least I won’t do it again.”he promises. “Life is made of learning”. He also discovers that blocks of ice, called “seracs”, can collapse at any time. Athletes – both beginners and experienced – die from them every year. Inoxtag realizes that the “luck factor” – unpredictable by nature – will play a big role in this perilous ascent.
3. Persevere
Several times during this adventure, the twenty-something encounters obstacles. He is on the verge of giving up, particularly when he has to pass a stress test to ensure that his body will withstand an altitude of over 4,000 meters. “If he fails, if his body does not react well to the test, he will have to give up this project, because it is a parameter that he cannot change.”the doctor explains in the film. Other difficulties encountered? Falling ill the day before a major climb; facing unexpected weather conditions; other less experienced and therefore dangerous climbers; moments of doubt, even backtracking. All of this contributes to discouraging him. But, “You must never give up, never abandon (…) accept hurting yourself, suffering” from time to time to achieve his goals, he says out loud, as if to convince himself. While his subsistence tent is suspended in the void, he draws on his resources, gets up and sets off again with renewed vigor.
4. Surround yourself well
He systematically manages to remotivate himself thanks to the omnipresence of his French and Nepalese teammates who accompany him in this slightly crazy dream. Because, “It’s better with several people”he insists. Teamwork and mutual aid are key concepts that come up regularly throughout the video. In the depths of the Himalayan mountains, this sharing of experiences with individuals from different cultures develops his open-mindedness, his curiosity, his sense of altruism and above all his humility: “We do it for the thrill, they do it to feed their families.”he observes, referring to the Nepalese guides, specialists in this climb. Or again, realizing that “we are very small in the world”.
5. Savor
Once he reached the top of the summit, the twenty-year-old exploded with joy, cried in the arms of his friends, but also expressed his gratitude to all the people who encouraged him to undertake this project and who accompanied him. Starting with his French teacher: Mathis, with whom he carried out his first exploits in the mountains. “Thank you Mathis, you have made my life more beautiful. It’s thanks to you. I have found a real passion.”. Inoxtag immediately sends his thoughts to his parents, regretting “not telling them enough that he loves them.” And don’t forget his detractors either: “Thank you to those who criticized me. It allowed me to question myself and become better (…). You don’t have to be the best, but try to be better than yesterday.” After this expedition, the young man, completely addicted to screens, calls, in a jumbled manner, to “to embark on ambitious projects, to stop scrolling, to go outside, to enjoy the present moment, to not live through the eyes of others, to believe in yourself.”
The The conclusion of this journey is contained in the title of the documentary : Kaizen. In Japanese, this means: progressing little by little and at one’s own pace. The latter seems to have accomplished his quest for change. Now, he does not want “don’t make it bigger”but he wants “do differently”. To be continued!
