JASON’S STORY
Many ask why I left a successful Wall Street career to create a nonprofit foundation, and it’s a fair question. On the surface, it seems counterintuitive to abandon the financial world for a cause-driven endeavor. My answer is simple: no regrets. I wanted to make a meaningful difference in the world, and I believe Endure to Cure is my path to achieving that. Even if it doesn’t turn out as planned, I’ll have no regrets knowing I gave it my all, gained invaluable experience, and will never wonder “what if.”
So, let me share the story behind Endure to Cure.
After earning my undergraduate degree at the University of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business, I embarked on a successful career at Morgan Stanley & Co. I furthered my education with an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and continued my career at Robert Baird & Co. I was deeply passionate about the financial markets, enjoyed the intellectual challenge, and thrived in the fast-paced environment where success and failure could hinge on nanoseconds.
To the outside world, I was living the dream. But on a personal level, I felt spiritually empty and the void of fulfillment was a signal that I needed a change. But I had zero clue what that change needed to be…
Then came Kilimanjaro.
On the brink of what seemed like an existential crisis, I decided to take a much-needed break from my demanding job, and embarked on a six-day climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Four days into this life-changing journey, amid the rugged terrain of Karanga Camp at 16,000 feet, I felt my grandfather’s presence. Before he passed away from cancer, he had asked me to carry on his spirit. While I didn’t fully understand what that meant at the time, on that mountain I realized: my higher purpose is to dedicate my energy to helping others on a profound level.
Less than a month later, I took a leap of faith and resigned from my position. Ironically, I hadn’t planned to make that decision that morning, but a profound sense of purpose guided me to follow my heart. My mission now is to improve the lives of children battling cancer and to demonstrate that with vision, determination, and a purpose greater than oneself, it is possible to achieve far more than one might imagine.
As part of Team Endure to Cure, I challenge myself with some of the most grueling endurance events and climbs on the planet. Why? To raise funds that will enhance the lives of children with pediatric cancer and contribute to finding cures. I also hope my efforts inspire others to pursue their dreams and realize they are capable of far more than they ever thought possible.
Let me be clear: I am not a natural endurance athlete. In 2005, the longest I’d ever run was a modest 5 miles. The idea of a marathon or Ironman seemed outlandish. I hadn’t even heard of an Ultraman until I was invited to participate, and I never imagined running 160 miles across the Sahara Desert. The fact of the matter is this: I dislike long-distance running, I don’t go ultra swimming and ultra cycling for personal enjoyment, and aside from the challenge, there is not much I like about these events other than finishing them knowing my fundraising made a positive impact on our beneficiaries.
What drives me is a relentless sense of purpose and the chance to step far outside my comfort zone to effect real change. While I can’t truly know the pain and perseverance required for a child undergoing chemotherapy, I use the physical and mental challenges of endurance events as a reminder of their strength. This purpose fuels me through every hardship and reinforces my belief that our limits exist only where our vision ends.
Together, with everyone involved in Endure to Cure, we can bring hope to children battling pediatric cancer and their families. This is why I founded Endure to Cure, and I invite you to join us in this vital fight.
Jason Sissel
PS: If you wish to follow my journey in more detail, please visit my website or instagram.