In the world of high performance, there is a distinct, often painful difference between those who are merely busy and those who are building true, unstoppable momentum. This September, former NFL wide receiver, global mountaineer, former SVP of Sports Illustrated who led the brand from #17 to #1, Emmy Award winner for Best Picture, and #1 Amazon bestselling author of Finding Your Summit Mark Pattison is inviting a select group of 150 leaders to Sun Valley, Idaho, to bridge that gap. Under the banner of “This Fall We Rise,” the Seven Summits Summit is more than an educational event; it is a tactical movement designed for high-achievers who are currently navigating the “in-between” seasons of their careers and personal lives.
The Philosophy of the Rise
The theme “This Fall We Rise” was born out of Pattison’s own transition from a professional athlete to a world-class mountaineer. Pattison famously became the first NFL player to scale the Seven Summits, a journey that taught him that the most difficult part of any climb is not the peak itself, but the plateau. Whether in business or personal development, most people reach a certain level of success only to find themselves “stuck”—surviving their daily routines rather than thriving in their significance.
The summit is strategically scheduled for the fall to serve as a catalyst for the upcoming calendar year. Pattison believes that the groundwork for a successful 2027 must be laid today. “It’s really about how do we really get the momentum going… this is really setting yourself up for success,” Pattison noted during a recent strategy session. By gathering in the thinning air of Sun Valley, participants will engage in a collective movement toward “lift and growth,” ensuring they don’t just finish the year strong, but start the next one with an entirely new trajectory.
Breaking the “Survival” Cycle
Many high-performers spend their lives in a state of survival without even realizing it. They are at the top of their game on paper, yet they feel a lack of meaning or direction in their daily efforts. Pattison identifies this as the “Dark Night of the Soul”—a period of stagnation he encountered personally after his NFL career ended. He realized that the same discipline required to catch a touchdown pass in the NFL was required to survive a minus 60-degree night on a mountain, and he has now systematized that resilience for others.
“I’ve been there. I’ve been in that position where you’ve achieved great things but you’re not sure what the next Everest is,” Pattison says. The Seven Summits Summit is designed to provide the exact systems and environment needed to unlock that next chapter. The $4,995 investment acts as a filter, ensuring that every person in the room is fully committed to the process of rising out of survival and into a life of purpose.
An Immersive, Multi-Dimensional Format
What sets this movement apart from typical conferences is its “MTV-style” delivery. This is not a passive listening environment where you sit in the back of a room and take notes. It is high-energy, fast-paced, and deeply experiential. Attendees will be surrounded by speakers who represent the pinnacle of various industries—not just to hear their stories, but to learn the specific “how-to” of their resilience.
The movement includes perspectives from elite figures such as:
- Tom Flick: A former NFL teammate of Mark’s who spent eight years in the league before becoming one of the most sought-after leadership speakers in the world over the last 30 years.
- Mariel Hemingway: An Academy Award-nominated actress, mental health advocate, and granddaughter of Ernest Hemingway, one of the most influential writers in American history, who brings a profound depth of knowledge regarding the internal work required to rise after personal loss and stagnation.
- Shep Rose: Known for his role on Bravo’s Southern Charm, Rose offers a perspective on maintaining personal identity and brand in the high-pressure world of reality television.
- Steve Azar: A hit singer-songwriter with multiple Top 10 hits, Azar will demonstrate how the creative process can be applied to the discipline of business and personal growth.
- John Foley, former Lead Solo Pilot of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and founder of John Foley Inc., brings a powerful perspective on elite execution, trust, and leadership under pressure. Known for translating aviation performance principles into actionable leadership frameworks, Foley helps high-achievers operate with precision, accountability, and clarity in high-stakes environments.
The “What’s Your Everest?” Roadmap
At the core of the “This Fall We Rise” movement is Pattison’s proprietary “What’s Your Everest?” framework. This is the step-by-step roadmap he developed while facing the most extreme conditions on the planet, including his time in a tent on Denali. At the summit, this framework is translated into actionable business and life strategies.
The goal for every participant is to identify their personal peak and build the foundation required to reach it. The summit provides what Pattison calls the “trickle-down water effect” of momentum—once a leader begins to rise in one area of their life, that success naturally flows into their business, their health, and their relationships.
The Sun Valley Catalyst
Sun Valley is more than just a backdrop; it is an essential part of the curriculum. Mark’s own routine involves “skinning up” 3,000 feet of mountain terrain before the sun rises, a physical manifestation of the effort required to achieve “lift” in life. This environment of physical challenge and mental clarity is designed to force attendees out of their comfort zones.
Pattison has purposely limited the event to 150 seats to ensure it remains a movement of individuals who can support one another in their ascent. It is about creating a “foundation today” so that by the time 2026 and 2027 arrive, the work of transformation is already well underway. In Sun Valley, the air is clearer, and the perspective is broader. For the leaders and athletes attending this September, the summit represents the end of the plateau and the beginning of the rise.
