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April 6th, 2026

391. Women Who Did: Hiked Mt. Kilimanjaro, featuring Melanie

  1. 391. Women Who Did: Hiked Mt. Kilimanjaro, featuring Melanie Esther Avant 37:24

Melanie Michaelchuk spent nearly 30 years thinking about climbing Mount Kilimanjaro before she finally decided to go for it. When she committed, she didn’t have perfect timing, unlimited resources, or peak fitness—she had doubts, obstacles, and a goal she couldn’t ignore any longer.

In this conversation, Melanie shares what it actually looked like to follow through, from rebuilding her fitness step by step to navigating the very real fears and logistics of traveling alone and doing something far outside her comfort zone.

We talk about why so many women put their goals on hold, how to start even when nothing feels fully in place, and the power of deciding “if not now, then when.”

Plus, Melanie shares how accomplishing this one goal changed the way she approaches everything else in her life—and why she now focuses on staying ready so she can say yes to whatever comes next.

Melanie Michaelchuk is a hiking coach, author, and Mount Kilimanjaro summiteer who helps women build confidence through movement and outdoor adventure. She is the founder of Just Hyke, host of the Just Hyke Podcast, and author of Sidewalk to Summit, inspiring women to take the first step toward their own big goals. https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-michaelchuk

Tune in each week for practical, relatable advice that helps you feel your best and unlock your full potential. If you’re ready to prioritize your Health and level up every area of your life, you’ll find the tools, insights, and inspiration right here. 

Check out Esther’s website for more about her speaking, Coaching, book, and more: http://estheravant.com/

Buy Esther’s Book: To Your Health: https://a.co/d/iDG68qU

Esther’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/esther.avant

Esther’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/estheravant/

Learn more about 1:1 health & weight loss coaching: https://madebymecoaching.com/coaching 

Esther Avant Health & Weight Loss Coach

Esther Avant is a health industry veteran with over 17 years of experience in fitness, nutrition, and wellness related roles. She is a certified sports nutritionist, personal trainer, wellness coach, and owner of EA Coaching, which has provided holistic health & lifestyle coaching since 2015.

Her mission is to help women live their happiest, healthiest, and most confident lives and to change the fact that the majority of women are so preoccupied with their weight and bodies that they never fully pursue their passions. She knows that if more women prioritized their health, they’d be able to unleash the confidence and focus they all need to leave their mark on the world

Esther is also a boy mom and Navy wife who has lived and traveled all over the world while running her EA Coaching.