The Climb Within: Peaks, Valleys, and Facing The Imposter
by Brandon Cox
It Goes With You is a raw, honest, and deeply personal memoir about the weight we carry—and what it takes to finally set it down.
What if the real mountain you need to climb isn’t made of rock and ice—but self-doubt, perfectionism, and the fear of not being enough?
Brandon Cox had all the outward signs of success: a solid career, a picture-perfect family, and a growing reputation. But beneath the polished surface, he was crumbling—trapped in a lifelong struggle with imposter syndrome, approval addiction, and the pressure to perform. When the cracks widened, the life he’d built began to fall apart.
In search of clarity, healing, and a deeper sense of identity, he set his sights on something that both terrified and inspired him: climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. What began as a physical challenge quickly became something much more—a reckoning with his own shadow.
This isn’t just a story about summiting a mountain. It’s about everything that goes with you on the way up—and what’s still waiting for you when you come back down. With powerful metaphors and real-life reflections, It Goes With You explores the terrain of transformation: from shame to self-acceptance, from striving to surrender, and from pretending to becoming.
Whether you’ve climbed a literal mountain or not, this book will meet you where you are—and challenge you to keep going.
Praise for It Goes With You
“A bold, honest, and deeply reflective journey that maps the climb up Kilimanjaro onto the far more treacherous terrain of self-discovery. Brandon Cox writes with humility, grit, and insight. This isn’t just a story about mountains—it’s a guide for anyone daring to face their own.”
—Dr. Brent Garrard, PhD, LPCC-S, LCADC
Husband • Father • Brother • Son • Marketer • Photographer • Mountaineer
Brandon Cox is a writer, speaker, and storyteller who helps readers confront imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and the exhausting pursuit of approval. A former journalist turned marketing executive, he blends grit, honesty, and vulnerability to explore what it means to live with purpose, not performance. His debut book, It Goes With You, traces his trek up Mount Kilimanjaro and the deeper inner climb toward identity and self-worth. Brandon’s voice resonates with anyone who looks like they have it all together on the outside but feels like a fraud on the inside. He writes for people who are tired of chasing titles, trophies, and applause—and are ready to start becoming who they really are. He speaks on stages across the country and shares his story to remind others they’re not alone in the struggle. Brandon lives in Kentucky with his wife, four kids, and two dogs.