--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I never expected to make a living from…" description: "\"I never expected to make a living from climbing, but it got to the point where I either had to get a job or start trying to make some real money from i..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2b/ueli-steck-18066_life_i-never-expected-to-make-a-living-from-c_1014379.jpg" --- # I never expected to make a living from climbing, but it… ![“I never expected to make a living from climbing, but it got to the point where I either had to get a job or start trying to make some real money from it. I didn't want to be 45 and a dirtbag.” quote by Ueli Steck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2b/ueli-steck-18066_life_i-never-expected-to-make-a-living-from-c_1014379.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2b/ueli-steck-18066_life_i-never-expected-to-make-a-living-from-c_1014379.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a2b/ueli-steck-18066_life_i-never-expected-to-make-a-living-from-c_1014379.jpg) > “I never expected to make a living from climbing, but it got to the point where I either had to get a job or start trying to make some real money from it. I didn't want to be 45 and a dirtbag.” [Ueli Steck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ueli-steck/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When a passion no longer sustains financially, one must choose between a stable job or turning the passion into a viable career. **In simple terms:** Choose between job or turning passion into career. Key Takeaway Decide to monetize your passion or find work. Themes career choice risk financial stability Mood determined reflective Type advice motivational When to use this quote - mountaineering - freelance work - career transition - financial planning Key Concepts entrepreneurship goal setting self‑reliance Questions to Reflect On - Can you sustain passion while earning? - What steps make a hobby profitable? A Different Perspective Risk of losing passion if forced. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Climbing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climbing/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Money](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/money/) ## Related quotes > [I never expected to make a lot of money from music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flume/i-never-expected-to-make-a-lot-of-money-from-music/) [Flume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flume/) > [When you feel you have good although incomplete expertise, start trying things. If it's not working, try something else; maintain an experimental mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/when-you-feel-you-have-good-although-incomplete-expertise-start/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > [“I should start trying to find comfort in loneliness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caleb-reese/i-should-start-trying-to-find-comfort-in-loneliness/) [Caleb Reese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caleb-reese/) > [I'd like to start trying different fields of work. I don't want to be stuck in just comedy, and I'd be interested to try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-robinson/i-d-like-to-start-trying-different-fields-of-work-i-don-t-want-to-be/) [Nick Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-robinson/) > [I try to find nice chord changes, that's how I love to start, and then I start trying to knock it into a song,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-lynne/i-try-to-find-nice-chord-changes-that-s-how-i-love-to-start-and-then/) [Jeff Lynne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-lynne/) > [You cannot please everyone, and I think that what's important, ultimately, is to make sure you please yourself. If you start trying to please…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wilson/you-cannot-please-everyone-and-i-think-that-what-s-important/) [Steven Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wilson/) > [As you get older, you start trying to eat a little bit better, and just do a little better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-40/as-you-get-older-you-start-trying-to-eat-a-little-bit-better-and-just/) E-40 > [It takes a long time to free oneself from chatter - goals, social media, image, persona. And if you're able to move through in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sandra-oh/it-takes-a-long-time-to-free-oneself-from-chatter-goals-social-media/) [Sandra Oh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sandra-oh/) > [Im done crying now all I have to do is to start trying.. trying to forget how much I hate u](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/star-sorb/im-done-crying-now-all-i-have-to-do-is-to-start-trying-trying-to/) Star Sorb > [When you start you're trying to achieve staying alive and getting home. If you can do both of those, then you stand a chance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-macarthur/when-you-start-you-re-trying-to-achieve-staying-alive-and-getting/) [Ellen MacArthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-macarthur/) > [I didn't start trying for my first baby until I was 36 - partly because of my career and partly because I had not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-hartley-brewer/i-didn-t-start-trying-for-my-first-baby-until-i-was-36-partly-because/) [Julia Hartley-Brewer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-hartley-brewer/) > [If you really want to be a music producer, stop watching 'Friends' when you get home from school. Start trying to make music. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/afrojack/if-you-really-want-to-be-a-music-producer-stop-watching-friends-when/) [Afrojack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/afrojack/) > [“Inaction quickly consumes a lifetime. Be curious, be bold, pay close attention to the world in front of you. And start trying stuff.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-falk/inaction-quickly-consumes-a-lifetime-be-curious-be-bold-pay-close/) Ben Falk > [Of course there is a lot of things you can work on and change and all that, but first I think you should look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grigor-dimitrov/of-course-there-is-a-lot-of-things-you-can-work-on-and-change-and-all/) [Grigor Dimitrov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grigor-dimitrov/) > [You don't want to get too comfortable if you're winning and start trying to be a number 10.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-pickford/you-don-t-want-to-get-too-comfortable-if-you-re-winning-and-start/) [Jordan Pickford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-pickford/) ## More by Ueli Steck > [Everest is how it is right now. We have to fix ropes up there; we have the commercial expeditions. If you don't like that,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ueli-steck/everest-is-how-it-is-right-now-we-have-to-fix-ropes-up-there-we-have/) [Ueli Steck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ueli-steck/) > [When you go to the mountains, you really have to accept that there is always a risk. It's more dangerous than sitting at home…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ueli-steck/when-you-go-to-the-mountains-you-really-have-to-accept-that-there-is/) [Ueli Steck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ueli-steck/) > [My most-used word was no! I said no to pockets, no to zippers, no to extra loops. In the end, all the products were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ueli-steck/my-most-used-word-was-no-i-said-no-to-pockets-no-to-zippers-no-to/) [Ueli Steck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ueli-steck/) > [I don't have a death wish. On the contrary, I'm hanging onto my life like never before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ueli-steck/i-don-t-have-a-death-wish-on-the-contrary-i-m-hanging-onto-my-life/) [Ueli Steck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ueli-steck/) > [My first climb was on lead; there were pitons, no bolts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ueli-steck/my-first-climb-was-on-lead-there-were-pitons-no-bolts/) [Ueli Steck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ueli-steck/) > [It's really impressive what those like Messner and Walter Bonatti have done - they are a big part of the history of alpinism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ueli-steck/it-s-really-impressive-what-those-like-messner-and-walter-bonatti/) [Ueli Steck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ueli-steck/) > [I don't worry about other people, and I don't let them influence me too much. I try to find out what I want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ueli-steck/i-don-t-worry-about-other-people-and-i-don-t-let-them-influence-me/) [Ueli Steck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ueli-steck/) > [When you get to the summit and you push the watch, first you try to breath a little bit and get some oxygen in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ueli-steck/when-you-get-to-the-summit-and-you-push-the-watch-first-you-try-to/) [Ueli Steck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ueli-steck/) > [The goal is not to solo. Of course, it is possible to move fast in alpine style also with a partner. I just need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ueli-steck/the-goal-is-not-to-solo-of-course-it-is-possible-to-move-fast-in/) [Ueli Steck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ueli-steck/) > [Of course I climbed Everest without oxygen, but it's not the end of the story for me. The summit itself is not what counts.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ueli-steck/of-course-i-climbed-everest-without-oxygen-but-it-s-not-the-end-of/) [Ueli Steck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ueli-steck/) > [Climbing Everest is so big now, with so much money involved, and the Sherpas are not stupid. They see this, and they want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ueli-steck/climbing-everest-is-so-big-now-with-so-much-money-involved-and-the/) [Ueli Steck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ueli-steck/) > [Right now, I'm just focused on the 8,000-meter peaks. I don't know what's next. I don't think I will get tired of climbing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ueli-steck/right-now-i-m-just-focused-on-the-8-000-meter-peaks-i-don-t-know-what/) [Ueli Steck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ueli-steck/) > [I like to be alone. I am focused on what I am doing. I feel the nature and I feel my body. It's so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ueli-steck/i-like-to-be-alone-i-am-focused-on-what-i-am-doing-i-feel-the-nature/) [Ueli Steck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ueli-steck/) > [Annapurna was a special situation. It was a lifetime dream to finish that route. When I started climbing the South Face, I really expected…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ueli-steck/annapurna-was-a-special-situation-it-was-a-lifetime-dream-to-finish/) [Ueli Steck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ueli-steck/) > [It's like a living process. You start out, and you see the Eiger north face, and you think, 'That's impossible.' Then you start to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ueli-steck/it-s-like-a-living-process-you-start-out-and-you-see-the-eiger-north/) [Ueli Steck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ueli-steck/) [Explore all 35 Ueli Steck quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ueli-steck/) ## More Climbing quotes > [I'm always climbing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-caldwell/i-m-always-climbing/) [Tommy Caldwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-caldwell/) > [There is nothing to do, just be. Do nothing. Be. No climbing mountains and sitting in caves. I do not even say "be yourself"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/there-is-nothing-to-do-just-be-do-nothing-be-no-climbing-mountains/) [Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/) > [I liked climbing trees and could often be found up one reading a book. I played games with Dad and drew maps for him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhianna-pratchett/i-liked-climbing-trees-and-could-often-be-found-up-one-reading-a-book/) [Rhianna Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhianna-pratchett/) > [Classic mountaineering grows out of a traditional romantic imagination. Its heart is the feeling, its path is blood, sweat and tears, and its restriction…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wojciech-kurtyka/classic-mountaineering-grows-out-of-a-traditional-romantic/) [Wojciech Kurtyka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wojciech-kurtyka/) > [Placing my buttocks on a cold toilet seat is my climbing Mount Everest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/placing-my-buttocks-on-a-cold-toilet-seat-is-my-climbing-mount-everest/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Splutter, splutter. Yes - we're off - we're rising. But why start off with an engine like that? But it smooths out now, like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-morrow-lindbergh/splutter-splutter-yes-we-re-off-we-re-rising-but-why-start-off-with/) [Anne Morrow Lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-morrow-lindbergh/) > [The ascent of any route begins, in dreams at least, the autumn before. Our minds ring, involuntarily, with the alluring names of mountains, aiguilles,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaston-rebuffat/the-ascent-of-any-route-begins-in-dreams-at-least-the-autumn-before/) [Gaston Rebuffat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaston-rebuffat/) > [“Climbing mattered. The danger bathed the world in a halogen glow that caused everything—the sweep of the rock, the orange and yellow lichens, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-krakauer/climbing-mattered-the-danger-bathed-the-world-in-a-halogen-glow-that/) [Jon Krakauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-krakauer/) > [The difference between a mountain and a molehill is your perspective.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-neuharth/the-difference-between-a-mountain-and-a-molehill-is-your-perspective/) [Al Neuharth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-neuharth/) > [While cares will drop off like autumn leaves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/while-cares-will-drop-off-like-autumn-leaves/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [Climbing has worked for me in a number of ways on Capitol Hill. I'm much more inclined to look at what people do, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-udall/climbing-has-worked-for-me-in-a-number-of-ways-on-capitol-hill-i-m/) [Mark Udall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-udall/) > [I love finding something. For me it's not just about the athletic challenge, it's about finding new things. When I'm not doing that in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sharma/i-love-finding-something-for-me-it-s-not-just-about-the-athletic/) [Chris Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sharma/) > [I'm a man's man. I go out climbing and live outdoors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rory-mccann/i-m-a-man-s-man-i-go-out-climbing-and-live-outdoors/) [Rory McCann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rory-mccann/) > [The things that inform student culture are created and controlled by the unseen culture, the sociological aspects of our climbing culture, our 'me' generation,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-van-sant/the-things-that-inform-student-culture-are-created-and-controlled-by/) [Gus Van Sant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-van-sant/) > [For me, the most relevant factor in my ability to perform well on the rock has to do with my love of climbing. After…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-hill/for-me-the-most-relevant-factor-in-my-ability-to-perform-well-on-the/) [Lynn Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-hill/) [Browse all 1,082 Climbing quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climbing/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I never expected to make a living from climbing, but it got to the point where I either had to get a job or start trying to make some real money from it. 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