Facing Hard Things: A Grand Journey of Strength, Intention, and Hope
In January of 2024, James and Jes Ashbaucher, fellow Team PHenomenal Hope teammates, were blindsided by a life-changing diagnosis: multiple myeloma. It was a devastating moment that instantly shifted their world. But for these two—who had long built their lives around purpose, adventure, and being ready for anything—it also became a call to action: to live each day with intention and to spend time where it mattered most—with family, with friends, and in the presence of awe.
They had already faced tough things before, but this was different. This was harder. In the months that followed, they found themselves confronting difficult questions:
Will James be there for Tyler’s (James’ stepson) wedding? Will the cancer come back? How much strength will he have for the things they love doing together?
One thing was clear: they weren’t going to wait to find out. They wanted to make memories now, while they could. One dream stood out above the rest: hiking the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim with Tyler, a challenge that had long been on his bucket list. For James, the opportunity to share such an unforgettable experience with his stepson, to model what it looks like to face hard things with courage and heart, became a top priority.
The First Attempt
In November of 2024, just months after several rounds of chemotherapy and two bone marrow stem cell transplants, James attempted his first Rim-to-Rim hike with a few friends. Though he was still grappling with extreme fatigue, he was determined to try. But partway through the hike, his body told him to stop. He couldn’t finish.
It was a crushing disappointment. “Is this my new normal?” he wondered.
Second Chances, Mindful Steps
After transitioning to a more manageable chemo treatment plan, James brought the Rim-to-Rim dream back into focus. In partnership with Jes and his oncologist, they made an intentional, carefully considered decision: to reduce and eventually pause his chemo treatment for four weeks, just long enough to train and complete the hike.
Training looked different this time around. After long days at work, James would come home, nap, and then squeeze in time to train—walking the neighborhood with a rucksack on his back, slowly increasing the weight. He didn’t have the energy or freedom he once had, but he trained with what he had. He pushed when he could. And he gave himself grace when he couldn’t.
Everything about the journey—from how they trained to how they planned—was done with deep intentionality. They considered every detail: terrain, elevation, temperature, food, water, gear. They had contingencies for contingencies. Being prepared gave them the freedom to adapt when things didn’t go as planned.
Into the Canyon
The group— James, Tyler, and a few close friends—set out in June 2025, planning to complete the hike over three days. On day 2, just one mile in, one of the hikers rolled his ankle. Thankfully, there were four current or former medics in the group. They assessed the injury and helped their friend hike five grueling miles to the nearest ranger station using trekking poles as makeshift crutches. Ultimately, the injured hiker had to be medevaced out.
Though concerned and saddened, the group pressed on. The pause at the station gave them time to cool off in a nearby creek—after hiking in temperatures that topped 120°F on his thermometer —and rest before heading to Phantom Ranch for the night.
The next morning, they faced a tough decision: take the longer, less steep route out, or the shorter but steeper route—7.2 miles of stairs with 32-pound packs. They chose the latter and began climbing at 3 a.m. As the sun rose, the heat soared. By 9:30 a.m., the temperature had climbed so high it maxed out James’s thermometer. They climbed for eight hours, up a full mile of vertical elevation.
The Finish
As James and Tyler rounded a bend and saw the final switchbacks, they locked eyes and said, “Holy cow—we just did this. We’re almost there.” They sat together at the top, looked back across the 22 miles they had crossed, and took in the sweeping view and fading sunset. They were exhausted. And they were full of awe, gratitude, and an unshakable bond.
This experience was nothing like the first attempt. In November, James had felt drained, disconnected—even numb to the beauty of the canyon around him. But this time was different. He felt strong. Present. Hopeful. The canyon didn’t just test him—it filled his soul. And the experience of doing it with his stepson—of sharing in challenge, joy, and reflection—meant more than words could capture.
Living the Message
When asked what he would share with his Team PH teammates, James said:
“On the training side, do what you can do. Give yourself grace when you need it. Know when to push hard, and push hard when you can. In life, recognize that our time is short. Our days have more value than we know. It’s critical to seek gratitude every day. Look at your life and prioritize what truly matters.”
James and Jes are intentional in how they live, love, and lead through challenge. Whether training for a high-adventure hike, spending a quiet evening at home, or making the hard choices cancer has forced upon them, they are showing Tyler—and all of us—what it looks like to live fully, face fear with courage, and be vulnerable in the most powerful way.
