At our No Barriers Summit in 2019 at Lake Tahoe, we had a movie night with a double feature showing of Eduardo Garcia’s documentary, Charged, and Erik Weihenmayer’s film, Weight of Water, followed by a Q&A with Eduardo and Erik - moderated by Jeff. Enjoy the conversation.
Eduardo Garcia is a professional Chef who owns retail food brand Montana Mex, a Mexican inspired line of Organic, NON-GMO condiment sauces, seasonings, and Avocado oil.
He is known as the "bionic chef" because he cooks with a prosthetic left arm, the result of an accident while hunting in 2011. His story is the subject of the feature-length documentary Charged. Eduardo is an avid outdoorsman, fisherman, hunter, triathlete, and motivational speaker.
After becoming the first blind climber to summit Mt. Everest, Erik Weihenmayer turned his focus to an entirely different kind of challenge: He learned to kayak and decided to attempt to paddle the length of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. It was the next chapter in Weihenmayer’s quest for presence, independence, and self-agency — things hard to achieve without sight. As The Weight of Water chronicles, the trip was much more than an adventure athlete notching another accomplishment in his belt. Weihenmayer joins a team of guides and new friends — including fellow blind kayaker Lonnie Bedwell, an absolute inspiration in his own right — on an emotionally weighted journey down one of America’s most iconic canyons.
As they paddle, they confront loss, fear, and anxiety. They exemplify what people can achieve — and overcome — through selflessness, teamwork, and courage. And they let the river unlock its priceless lessons. The result is a triumph.
Together, Erik and Eduardo discuss their adversities and what they have learned along the way.
Resources:
Read more about Eduardo and pick up some Montana Mex goods
Watch Charged on Amazon, iTunes, or Vimeo
Watch Weight of Water on Amazon Prime or iTunes
Read Jeff Evan’s book: