I Had to Escape My Trek Guide in the Himalayas with Tatiana Fofonova (CEO and Cofounder of Koda Health), S2 E17

**The most dangerous part of** Tatiana Fofonova**'s trek through Nepal wasn't the mountain.** Before setting off on a year of solo travel, Tatiana (CEO and Cofounder of Koda Health) spent months preparing herself physically and mentally for the adventure ahead. After hiking roughly 860 miles in New Zealand, she arrived in Nepal ready to tackle the legendary Gokyo Ri Three Passes Trek. But the challenge she remembers most had nothing to do with altitude, weather, or the terrain. During the trek, Tatiana found herself dealing with severe altitude sickness while simultaneously becoming increasingly uncomfortable with the behavior of her guide. What began as subtle warning signs escalated into a situation where her instincts told her something was wrong. Ultimately, it was the support of local villagers who stepped in and helped her navigate the situation safely. Our conversation explores the difference between fear and intuition, why many people wait too long to ask for help, and how communities often show up for us when we least expect it. Years later, Tatiana still travels, still hikes, and still embraces adventure. The experience didn't make her smaller, it made her wiser. This episode is about trusting your instincts, building confidence through adversity, and learning that courage often looks less like fearlessness and more like taking the next step anyway.