Intro/Outro (00:02):

Welcome to Logistics with Purpose presented by Vector Global Logistics in partnership with Supply chain. Now we spotlight and celebrate organizations who are dedicated to creating a positive impact. Join us for this behind the scenes glimpse of the origin stories change, making progress and future plans of organizations who are actively making a difference. Our goal isn’t just to entertain you, but to inspire you to go out and change the world. And now here’s today’s episode of Logistics with Purpose.

Enrique Alvarez (00:35):

Welcome to another episode of Logistics with Purpose and your host, your host, Enrique Alvarez. I’m here with my fearless co-leader, Christie Porter. We have a great guest today, don’t we, Christie?

Kristi Porter (00:46):

We do. We actually have part of our vector family extended family here with us today. So that means it’s extra special to us and a cause that’s dear to our heart, a person that’s dear to our heart. So we are delighted to welcome Kieran Patel, who is actually the son of one of our salespeople in Atlanta, Adrian Patel. You’ve known Kieran for a long time. I’ve just gotten to know him really over the past probably six months or so. But he totally embodies everything that vector and logistics with purpose stands for, courage, heart Impact. So Kieran, we’ll talk about a little bit about your background, a little bit about who you are, what you’ve been doing, but we’re here to especially talk about this monumental, literally achievement that you’ve, so we’re recording it early November, so it’s been just over a month since you made the summit for Mount Kilimanjaro, and we got to follow along remotely. I’m glad I was only remotely on that journey, but I can’t wait to talk more about it and hear more about your experience and of course the reason you got into this. So we’re delighted to have you here today with us, Karen.

Kieran Purtill (01:51):

Well, thank you so much for having me, both of you. And yeah, I’m really excited to talk about this story and share everything with everyone.

Enrique Alvarez (01:57):

It’s of course been fun getting to know you, Adrian, as Emma would put it, one of my best friends in Atlanta. And so it’s fun to have you here with us. It’ll be a really engaging conversation and very inspiring as well. So I guess unlike Christie, I am very jealous as well. I would have loved to be there with you, but I know we’ll talk a little bit more about that. But before we get there, let me start with what we like to call the quick question segment. So you have to respond with whatever comes to your mind first. Are you ready?

Kieran Purtill (02:27):

I’m ready. Let’s do it.

Enrique Alvarez (02:28):

One thing you always take with you on a climb,

Kieran Purtill (02:31):

Fruit jerky.

Enrique Alvarez (02:32):

What kept you motivated on your Kili managerial climb?

Kieran Purtill (02:36):

I think food for a more silly answer. I was always hungry, I felt like. So going from camp to camp, I think that was in my mind a lot.

Enrique Alvarez (02:45):

What kind of food item did you picture?

Kieran Purtill (02:47):

I wanted as many calories as I could get. I think just anything. We had soups and meats and there was always a jar of Nutella on the table, every dinner. So a spoonfuls of that. So

Enrique Alvarez (03:01):

Coffee or tea?

Kieran Purtill (03:02):

Tea always.

Enrique Alvarez (03:03):

What’s a quote or phrase that inspires you the most?

Kieran Purtill (03:06):

I think I’ve always loved the time will pass anyway. I keep that in my head a lot. So there’s something holding you back or scared to do something or whatever the reason is. Or if you’re afraid that it’s going to take a long time, that time’s going to pass anyway, so you might as well get started on it.

Kristi Porter (03:24):

That’s good. I love that. Thanks for those. Yeah. We’ll again, talk a little bit more about, but you did not go hungry on your trip for sure. It was kind of amazing to learn about behind the scenes of that. But again, before we’re setting up lots of teases here, but before we get into it, this is where you get to dish all about Adrian and tell us what kind of dad he is. He’s not listening at the moment. So tell us a little bit about where you grew up and your childhood and just kind of how you became the person you are.

Kieran Purtill (03:52):

So I was born in South Africa. Both my parents, neither of them were from there, but they both moved there from a young age and obviously met there. So I was born there. We moved to Ohio in the States when I was, I think 15 months old. So I don’t really remember South Africa, but I do remember Ohio. That’s where I became a basketball fan. I was a big fan of LeBron James, which was right when we moved there. He was blowing up on the high school stage, the world stage. And then we moved down to Atlanta when I was seven. So I grew up in Atlanta. I just turned 30 in September. So I’ve spent most of my life here. I grew up with my dad. We played sports all the time. He cultivated that love of basketball. I got into soccer when we moved down to Atlanta and I ended up playing soccer pretty much my whole life. Played in college and my dad was a big karate person. I never did karate. I did a little bit with him, but he was not one of those people that forced me to do that

Enrique Alvarez (04:55):

Other than Manchester United probably. Yeah, that’s true.

Kieran Purtill (04:57):

Yeah, exactly. I had no choice in that. There’s

Enrique Alvarez (04:59):

No choice, no choice there.

Kieran Purtill (05:02):

I was stuck with that one. But yeah, I had a good childhood of both. My parents supported me a lot and anything I did, and I think I was contrary to me climbing. I was sort of reserved and a lot more shy when I was younger, and they helped me through those times. I used to be able to not even go up and talk to somebody and I kind of through their support, I was able to blossom a little bit as I got older. But

Enrique Alvarez (05:27):

Well, looking back, Kieran, what is the story from your early years that shape who you are? I mean, do you remember one or two particular stories from your upbringing that you can share with us in our audience?

Kieran Purtill (05:37):

Yeah, I do have a funny one that kind of outlines who I am still today. So what I said earlier about me being shy and reserved somewhere where I was not, that was on the soccer fields. I’m an extremely competitive person. So a story my mom always used to love to tell was when I was probably five. I mean, if you’ve ever seen five-year-olds play soccer, one person kicks the ball and 10 people go running after it and then someone kicks it, everybody runs after it and there’s not any real soccer going on. But for me, I wanted real soccer going on even at five years old, and I remember getting so frustrated at we would have our two defenders sitting back and actually sitting on the ground picking grass while I was trying to score goals. And I remember getting so frustrated that I actually started crying and my mom thought it was the funniest thing in the world. So that kind of set me up for the rest of my life of taking things like that maybe too seriously.

Kristi Porter (06:35):

Definitely. But that’ll get you a long way in life as well. You actually graduated from the University of West Georgia. You have experience in management, advertising, public speaking, but of course you also have this love of adventure, love of the outdoors. So where did that come from?

Kieran Purtill (06:51):

I think that really I got involved with that sort of my freshman year of college. I had a friend of mine and I think, not that I didn’t ever go on hikes or anything before, but when I got to college, I think I had this renewed sense of maybe freedom and I realized I could sort of do whatever I want. I had a car and time and ability. So a friend of mine, we used to just go drive into North Georgia all the time and go on these hikes every weekend. And yeah, I think I just fell in love with that kind of freedom and that journey. I mean, some of the best memories of college I have are maybe not even the hikes, just those two or three hour drives and through the mountains and talking to my friend and things like that. So I think that’s kind of where it started.

Kristi Porter (07:34):

Where in North Georgia specifically are some of your favorites?

Kieran Purtill (07:37):

This sounds crazy, but I think I’ve honestly done maybe every popular North Georgia hike that there is. I do some specifics I love are Blood Mountain, Fiona Mountain, those are really good ones. Cloud and Canyon is a lot of fun. I think in 2020 we spent the summer of 2020, so it was the best time to kind of

Kristi Porter (07:57):

Go

Kieran Purtill (07:57):

Out in nature and not be around anyone. We hiked every single weekend the entire summer, so we got a lot done.

Kristi Porter (08:03):

Yeah, that’s awesome.

Enrique Alvarez (08:04):

Yeah, that sounds amazing. And I guess for our listeners out there, the North Georgia Mountains are beautiful. Maybe not a lot of people picture nature and mountains and hikes when they think of Atlanta or Georgia in general, but yes, if you have a chance to go visit them, I would encourage you to do so because breathtaking for sure

Kieran Purtill (08:23):

They are.

Enrique Alvarez (08:23):

Kieran, it sounds like your family has played a big role in shaping of course who you are. Could you tell us a little bit more about that connection in particular has how your family inspired that sense of purpose and perseverance?

Kieran Purtill (08:35):

Yeah, I think as I mentioned earlier, I’ve always had the support of everybody around me and I think that sort of love and support is so important. And I fell in love with hiking and all these things. And I had the idea for Kilimanjaro almost 10 years ago, and never once did I hear that’s crazy. Why are you doing that? And I think that’s extremely important. None of my family, my two sisters, my dad, my mom, they never had really any interest in that world. But I never felt any judgment because I liked it and I think that was amazing. But yeah, I think simply put, love is very powerful and you feel empowered by it and you feel it gives you confidence and it allowed me to do this kind of thing knowing that even if I failed, nothing would change With my family,

Enrique Alvarez (09:26):

I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and hanging out with your family and your parents, and yes, I can totally see how love is a big part of what you guys do and what keeps you guys together and what makes you such a special and beautiful family. So thanks for sharing that

Kristi Porter (09:40):

And kind of building on that, so it was your goal to climb Kilimanjaro by the time you were 30, so you made it just shy of that deadline. Congratulations. And then of course you also climbed it for a cause bigger than yourself. Talk a little bit more about honoring your mom’s legacy, the impact your family had on you in that regard and how it all affected you more personally on a completely different level. For

Kieran Purtill (10:07):

Those who don’t know or anyone listening. My mom passed away February early this year, and like I said, she has always supported me in that dream of Kilimanjaro. And the last couple of years I didn’t fully know if that goal from the before 30 goal was going to happen just because everything was kind of increasing with her health and everything like that. But I did talk to her a lot about it and she wanted me to do it even though she kind of knew that she wasn’t going to be there when I did do it. And those were hard conversations, but I felt even in those tough times, I still felt motivated to do that for her and for me. And so I think the last maybe six months or so, once I booked a trip and I knew I was going to do this, I started thinking about her a lot more and I realized that not only can I complete this dream for myself and for her in my mind, but I can use this as a platform to spread awareness for blood cancers and leukemia specifically and have her name attached to something that is so important to me.

(11:03):

And so yeah, I think it snowballed into something where I got into contact with you guys obviously at Vector, and it turned into something that was way bigger than I anticipated. I wanted to create a charity aspect of it and raise funds and awareness. It all snowballed the last few months before the trip and I’m really glad I was able to do that.

Enrique Alvarez (11:23):

Well, climbing Kilimanjaro of course is not a small feat in itself now. Starting all those different organizations and having a purpose behind it, of course makes it even bigger and harder to accomplish. What were some of those bigger or biggest lessons that you’ve learned through your preparation first endurance leadership purpose? I mean, tell us a little bit more about that process and what you learned from it.

Kieran Purtill (11:48):

Yeah, so I think this is probably the hardest thing I’ve done mentally, and I think it taught me a lot about myself. I’ve always had these kind of big dreams and ideas of this kind of thing and never, you don’t really know if you can do that until you do it. And I was honestly a little scared going into it. I didn’t know what to expect. You do your research and you train for it physically and things, but like I said, you don’t really know. So I think the biggest lesson I learned was to accept what’s coming to you and try to tackle it in a good mindset and put one foot in front of the other quite literally. In this case, I think a lot of people would be surprised on what you can do and accomplish if you kind of just never give up in that aspect.

Kristi Porter (12:31):

Yeah, I was surprised about just when we were doing all the research and putting together some of the promotional materials and stuff like that, the success rate is higher than I thought it was because of how many people you would think, I guess that just one step in front of each other mentality is what gets you to the top instead of, of course, a lot of preparation stuff. But I was surprised at the success rate of it. And of course every great climb has a logistical side, so we’ll delve into that a little bit. So what were some of the challenges about getting there, coordinating everything behind the scenes? There’s definitely one thing to say, I’m going to do this, and you kind of have an idea of what it was, and then you and your dad were sending us videos of the behind the scenes and what happens and the process. And a lot of it is very surprising if you’ve never done something like that. So what was that like for you?

Kieran Purtill (13:21):

Yeah, so I think the obvious logistical issue is getting there. It’s in all the way in Africa, obviously, so quite far away. I’ve done kind of long haul flights before, but this was, so we flew from Atlanta to Qatar, which was 13 hours I think, and then we had a 10 hour layover in Qatar and then another long flight to Tanzania. So that was a lot because you knew mentally that was sort of, you’re traveling for two days and then you also have to go climb a mountain at the end of it. So it’s kind of a little bit draining. But I was with two of my good friends and we kept the spirits up, obviously. But I think logistically, and there’s so much that goes into it, and we had an incredible team with Alza, and I knew that in the back of my head with Vector, we were in contact up until the last second. I lost the signal before we started, and that was so helpful to me. I think mentally, just knowing I had these people behind me and our sponsors with tithe, I had them right here, and I had my Otis sunglasses on and turtle fur on my head. It’s like I knew I had this huge team behind me, and that was really important to me to dive into that

Kristi Porter (14:32):

For sure. And you mentioned, so we were again in the research for this, delighted to learn that the month before or the month of that you went on to climb, they became a B Corp like us, which was super fun and made the connection all the more meaningful. So again, we talked a little, we kind of hinted at good the meals are and saw the videos. People need to Google the videos of their porters in action, and it’s really astounding what all they do. So you want to tell us a little bit more about Alza and how they operate?

Kieran Purtill (15:06):

Yeah, as you say, they were incredible. I think I did a lot of research prior and I landed on Alza and yeah, I couldn’t be more happy with that decision. The team itself, I want to shout out the three guides we had specifically George Pascal and Osborn were our three guides for our expedition. I think we had a team of, I think it was 28 other porters with us. So it was a massive, massive operation and there were only five climbers. So yeah, it was a huge operation and every single day I was in complete awe of their work ethic, and I wasn’t always in the greatest mood. You’d wake up cold, tired, and you got to go hike 15 miles, and they’re the ones way more than me that they do this more often and they’re constantly smiling and asking if you need something or helping you up quite literally sometimes.

(15:55):

Yeah, I was in awe of there of them, and I think I mentioned it to you in a past conversation, but we had camps every night, obviously set up, and when we would leave the next morning, we would be the first ones to leave because we didn’t really have anything to take with us. So we would set out, and about halfway through the day, the entire team of forwarders would pass us, after spending the entire morning, packing up the entire camp, cleaning everything, whatever it is, they would pass us almost running up the mountain. And it was incredible. And then by the time we would get to camp that night, they would have everything set up, be cooking, dinner, all the tents set up. So it was truly incredible, and I couldn’t have had a better experience with that company,

Enrique Alvarez (16:36):

Al Tesa. And we’ll put a couple of notes and of course a link to the company once we publish your interview. But yeah, it sounds like an incredibly professional, efficient and a great purpose too, being a B Corp, I think that speaks very, very highly of where their priorities are and the kind of company that they are. So congratulations to Al Tessa. Also, you mentioned a couple of all the other sponsors, because for us it was very interesting to kind of follow the preparations from a couple steps behind what you were doing and just realizing that there’s so much people kind of excited about what you were doing. We sent a couple of emails out and maybe Christie, you can talk a little bit about that in our B Corp community, and a lot of them actually responded to my surprise, so it’s exciting.

Kristi Porter (17:20):

Yeah, well of course we had, as he said, turtle fur provided some of the outerwear to keep him warm. How cold was it on the summit in the thirties with blowing Wind?

Kieran Purtill (17:32):

Yeah, it was in the single digits before the wind it very cold.

Kristi Porter (17:36):

Yeah, really. So yeah, you were layer up for sure, Otis Eyewear, I think you said. Those were the nicest sunglasses you’d ever owned and were kind of afraid to travel with them. And then of course, our great friends at Supply Chain now and tithe and our friend Ola Tara. Yeah, and it was fun to have the tithe capability, which is the same trackers that we use for our clients, but just to we’re up all hours of the day and night, constantly refreshing to see where you were and what’s happening. And Adrian was very grateful that we had the shock tracker on to make sure there was no stall or anything like that. I don’t think he slept that entire week, even though he wasn’t there. He is like, here’s where he’s, here’s where he’s, and so that was really fun. But yeah. How was it you knew people were watching you live the whole time. Did you think about that much? I mean, you said when you started you did, but it did. Was that at the forefront of your mind whenever you got to the summit and everything that’s happening on those days, you did not want to get up.

Kieran Purtill (18:37):

Yeah, it was kind of a bizarre feeling knowing, because it did pop up here and there. I suddenly realized in the middle of nowhere, nothing’s around us. And it’s like, I know somebody kind of knows where I am. It was very bizarre, but also obviously a little comforting knowing I had this whole group of people keeping track of me. So yeah, it was a cool experience. Obviously I lost signal for most of the trip, so it would’ve been cool to kind of interact a little bit more, but knowing that that information was going out was a very cool feeling.

Enrique Alvarez (19:07):

Well, I thought it was very interesting to get all those texts from Adrian kind of explaining at what point you were and when some of the signal, because of whatever technology or satellite connectivity, Adrian said, wait a minute, what’s going on? It hasn’t moved. I’m like, it must be the technology. I’m sure he is still moving

(19:24):

Be fine. He should be fine. Which is interesting, right? Because we have such an amazing technology that can tell us all this, but then at the same time, we rely sometimes too much on it, and you’re just there walking one step at a time, regardless of whether the technology captured or not. But Kieran, I want to change gears a little bit here. You talked about turning something very deeply personal into something that’s inspiring others. For all of those that are listening to us that may have some similar goals or different goals, but also incredibly important for them, what would you recommend them? What advice would you give them to discover your own purpose in life? You just turned 30, you went through a horrible experience with your mom passing, but also amazing with everything that you’ve done for her and all the teachings and lessons that she gave you and your siblings. How can people just find the joy in life and the one thing that motivates them to accomplish the goals that they have set for themselves?

Kieran Purtill (20:22):

I think the best thing that I did for myself, and it’s a continual process. It’s not just a one-time thing, but I think it’s very important for people to sit down and ask yourself some hard questions, to really find what you love, what you love to do, who you want to be around, what you would like your life to look like. And you don’t have to have every single answer immediately. But those kinds of questions, I think people get caught up too much in daily life a lot. And it’s very hard with work and just general life too. You kind of get into this almost automated mode and you realize a few years pass or you feel like you don’t have time to do something or something like that. So I think sitting down with yourself and asking you yourself those hard questions and making hard decisions, and it’s easier said than done, obviously, but I think it’s very important to know yourself as best you can before you can kind of set out into the world with what you want to do and surround yourself with people that make you happy and find that thing that gives you joy, even in days that you’re in a bad mood.

(21:25):

I was a couple of times on the mountains.

Kristi Porter (21:28):

Yes, true. And you also mentioned to our staff whenever you spoke to our staff that you listened to Harry Potter on the way up. He helped track you, which I love. So that’s hysterical. Well, as we wrap up here, I have a couple more questions for you. First, since in the past six weeks, I guess now almost since you’ve been back, you’ve been meeting with people in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, blood cancer societies. So you of course have gone through that with your mother, Kathy, you have climbed for a cure. We were raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, but now you have kind of a different understanding of it. So I’m curious as to what you’ve kind of learned in these meetings or throughout the climb or doing your own research or just through Kathy’s diagnosis. What have you learned that has been surprising? I know the statistics were shocking to me.

Kieran Purtill (22:17):

As I was kind of saying earlier, it’s very easy to get into your own little world when you’re going through something like that. And that’s fair. That’s a very human reaction. But now that I’m coming out the other end of that, it’s very apparent that there’s an entire world of people that have gone through something like this and that kind of group mentality and getting through things together type of mentality is, that’s the biggest thing I think that has helped me the last six months or so. I’ve done volunteer work now with Blood Cancer United, and it was hard, honestly, to be there sort of in your face again, all these things. But it also felt through that sadness, it felt right for me to be there. And if I can provide any sort of help and no one has the answers, no one has, I can’t give everyone the cure or anything like that. But for me to have gone through something like that, it seems a shame for me not to share my story. And even if I can help one person just by having a conversation, I think that’s really important. So I think that realization that you’re not alone and there are people that, even strangers that can know what you’ve gone through or going through and vice versa. So I think that’s really important for anyone listening.

Kristi Porter (23:26):

Yeah, for sure. And I mentioned one of the statistics that was super shocking to me was Leukemia and Lymphoma Society said approximately every three minutes, one person in the US is diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, or mylet, which is just a staggering statistic. So thanks for helping bring this to our attention and for everybody’s that you’ve affected during this process. And then we were talking a little bit about this before we got on recording, but what is your next big challenge?

Kieran Purtill (23:55):

So I’ve gone a bit crazy, so maybe I’ve had this urge since I was a little to, which I think is what got me into hiking a little bit. But I always watched Everest documentaries and things like that. So I’ve had this in the back of my mind and the past 20 years I’m like, do I really want to do this? And since I’ve done Kilimanjaro, I cannot stop thinking about actual mountain climbing. And I think that’s what I want to dedicate my thirties to is to be a crazy person attempt by. It’s a good time. So yeah, I’ve made the first steps to, I found a wonderful company online that I think in December I’m going to do an actual rock climbing ropes course, and it’s going to be a long process, but I want to learn all those things and then tackle the even bigger mountains one day.

Kristi Porter (24:44):

And you mentioned the New York City Marathon maybe as well.

Kieran Purtill (24:46):

Yeah, I’ve also gotten into running recently just to kind of stay in shape after Kilimanjaro, and it kind of stuck because of my obsessively competitive personality. So doing that, I just ran seven miles this morning, which I don’t remember the last time I’ve done that. So yeah, maybe a marathon and then 2026.

Enrique Alvarez (25:06):

Wow, that’s fantastic. And congratulations that we’ll be here waiting and supporting you all the way. You have, again, a great inspiring attitude towards life. And I hope that a lot of our listeners are as excited and inspired by your example as we are. I wish my kids actually learn a lot from your experience and enjoy life the way you seem to be enjoying it. So thank you again for sharing your experience with us. How can our listeners connect with you and of course, continue giving to the Climb for a Cure donation fund through the end of the year?

Kieran Purtill (25:41):

So throughout this process, I’ve been pretty active on Instagram, so you can follow me on there. It’s my first last name on Instagram. And in that bio on my profile, I have a link to the donation site. So we’re still trying to do that until the end of the year, so

Kristi Porter (25:56):

Awesome. Yeah, and we’ll put that in the show notes as well as noted that we’re doing this in honor of Kathy Purl and the funds go to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. So great. Cause hopefully you’ve learned a little bit through this process with us and every little bit helps. So please, if you have anything left over to give or want to skip a Starbucks run, then put it toward this cause. But thank you so much, Kieran. This was fun. I’m so glad we got to have you here in front of this audience. You’ve spoken to our staff, we’ve spoken with you a number of times, but I’m glad we got to have you here on logistics with purpose as well, especially of course, a shout out to Tithe Turtle Fur Otis eyewear supply chain now, ala Tata Renova, sorry, ALA

Enrique Alvarez (26:37):

Well and

Kristi Porter (26:39):

Her son, right, and her son who made a video as well. So yes, go to our LinkedIn and look at all of these amazing videos from the past and photos of Kieran at the top. And if you’re going to hang out on social media, then go look at good things. But thank you everyone for joining us today. We really appreciate it. If you enjoyed this conversation, then we’ll have another good one in two weeks time. So we’ll see you then and don’t forget to hit subscribe. Thank you.