They Never Asked Her to Stop. Even When the Mountain Got Hard. | Sakshi Prabhune | KRITVA Tales

What does it mean to be someone’s true backbone? For Sakshi Prabhune, it meant having a family that never asked her to stop. Growing up in a joint family in Satara, surrounded by seven hills, Sakshi was encouraged to give sport the same importance as academics. Basketball. Swimming. Karate. Were all the sports she tried her hand at before finding something that became her passion. Somewhere along the way, she discovered something that felt different. Mountaineering. At just seven years old, a trekking experience opened up a world she couldn’t let go of. Trekking, climbing, rappelling; she loved all of it. And while most children her age were simply discovering hobbies, Sakshi was already beginning to imagine mountaineering as a career. At 13, while studying in seventh standard, she began travelling from Satara to Pune on her own to participate in mountaineering training with Giripremi. Then came the tenth standard. Her parents were called into school and told that perhaps Sakshi should stop trekking and focus on her studies. Her parents chose differently. They supported her. Even during her board year, Sakshi continued her monthly treks and daily gym training. In fact, she jokes about the priorities her parents had established: if she missed an academic class for her school boards, they didn’t mind. But if she missed her workout? They wouldn’t talk to her for two days! That was their kind of support. It wasn’t about pushing her towards success. It was about taking her dream seriously. Then life tested that belief. After her tenth standard, Sakshi developed a medical condition that forced her to step away from trekking. Medical advice suggested she stop for at least three years. But Sakshi still wanted to try. With precautions. With awareness of her health. And with her family’s support. Years later, eight years after her first trek with Giripremi, she led her first Himalayan trek with them. A full-circle moment. That same support followed her into her Mount Mentok Kangri expedition. A challenging peak sitting at 6270m. The climb demanded 15 to 16 kilometres of trekking each day for four days and that too at a height of 5000 to 6000mtrs altitude. The summit attempt would happen at night, adding another layer of physical and mental challenge. But the night before the summit, Sakshi couldn’t sleep. She was scared. She had attempted summits before and had been unable to complete one because of her health. Another attempt had been cancelled because of terrible weather. This was her third chance. And the fear of failing again was overwhelming. So she did something that takes courage of a different kind. She called the people she trusted. Her guides and leaders at Giripremi. She told them exactly how she felt. And they reminded her to trust her training. Her parents gave her perhaps the most important reassurance of all: Even if you don’t summit, we will not think any less of you. There would be another mountain. Another attempt. Another opportunity. Her worth was never dependent on reaching the top. And perhaps that was exactly what she needed to hear. Carrying her family’s blessings, prayers and goodwill, along with the support of her Giripremi team, Sakshi finally reached the summit of Mount Mentok Kangri at 12:04 AM. One of the proudest moments of her life. But Sakshi’s story isn’t only about reaching a mountain summit. It is about what happens when someone has the freedom to pursue something difficult because the people behind them have made it clear: You can try. You can fail. You can try again. And we will still be here. She ends with a beautiful reimagining of an old saying: Behind every successful man is a woman. For Sakshi, it is: “Behind every successful woman is a whole family supporting and cheering for her.” This is Sakshi Prabhune’s story of mountains, courage, uncertainty - and the people who became her True Backbone. 🎥 Watch Sakshi’s complete story from KRITVA Tales: My True Backbone. ___________ Sakshi Prabhune, KRITVA Tales, My True Backbone, mountaineer India, Indian mountaineer, women mountaineers India, women in mountaineering, Himalayan mountaineering, Mount Mentok Kangri, Giripremi, Satara mountaineering, trekking India, mountaineering journey, sports stories, athlete journey, family support in sports, sports parents, women in sports, Indian athletes, sporting journeys, sports motivation, sports community, Indian sports, sports archive ___________ #KRITVATales #MyTrueBackbone #SakshiPrabhune #Mountaineering #IndianMountaineers #WomenInSports #WomenMountaineers #HimalayanMountaineering #Giripremi #MentokKangri #SportsStories #IndianAthletes #AthleteJourney #IndianSports #SportsArchive ___________ 🎙️ Live Talks every month 📌 Subscribe and be part of a life that moves Contact & Collaborations For collaborations, partnerships, or speaking opportunities: 📩 Email: kritvaunplugged@gmail.com 📱 Instagram:   / kritva.co