Man Proves Anything is Possible

An Evansville man is sharing his story of success and perseverance after tackling great heights. At the age of 50 Greg Venner summited Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Laurie Venner knows her husband Greg has changed in the last ten days, but she knows its for the best and she wants everyone else to know the great adventures Gregs been on. "I knew if he set his mind to it he would do it." Hes is back from Tanzania. Along with 11 friends the 50 year old spent six days climbing to the top of Mount Kilimangaro. "It was tough hard, but never thought of quitting," he says. The trek wasnt something Greg ever dreamed about. It was a call from a friend in September that peaked his interest. "My first reaction was no I dont want to go." Hes already spent the year going through other challenges. Turning 50 and changing careers. But after discussing it with Laurie the two thought why not add something else to the list. "A great adventure." Greg prepared for six months mentally and physically. "Some of the trails were dry creek beds with boulders there is no trail." His best memory is summiting at sunrise. But the lessons he learned were about more than just a mountain. Greg had first hand encounters with the poverty and struggles of a war torn third world country. "We dont realize how good we have it." After traveling 29 hours to get back home his achievements havent really set in. "Right now I feel a lot older," but knows your life is what you make it no matter what age. "50, 60, 40. It doesnt matter what do you want to do and accomplish it." And hes figuring out what great adventure he wants to achieve next. Of the 12 people who went Venner says two didnt make it to the top. He says hes going to rest for awhile before he decides what to take on next.