It Goes With You

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?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.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.Through moments of vulnerability, grit, humor, and heartbreak, Brandon shares the lessons he learned through mountains both literal and emotional:• how to recognize and name The Imposter within• how to stop chasing approval and start living with intention• how to sit with discomfort and navigate valleys of pain and failure• how to find identity beyond your résumé, your relationships, or your highlight reel• and how to become someone who climbs with courage-even when self-doubt won't shut upWith 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.Perfect for readers who:• struggle with imposter syndrome or approval-seeking• are navigating big life transitions (career, relationships, faith)• love personal development stories with a soulful edge• are seeking hope, honesty, and healing after burnout, breakdown, or loss• want a book that reads like a conversation with a trusted friend who's been there tooPraise 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 Brandon Cox is an award-winning marketing, communications, and business operations professional. He is known for his ability to connect people with information, ideas, and each other to make a difference in their communities.He has honed his storytelling skills through a long and successful career spanning journalism, nuclear energy, public policy advocacy, sales leadership, and corporate marketing.Brandon earned a B.A. in Visual Communications from Kentucky Wesleyan College and an MBA from the Louisiana State University system. He has progressed through roles of increasing responsibility and ascended to C-level positions in multiple industries.Beyond his professional achievements, Brandon is a published author, columnist, essayist, and ghostwriter. A skilled public speaker, he has facilitated numerous team workshops, strategy sessions, executive presentations, and delivered keynote addresses.In his personal life, Brandon is a dedicated father and husband. His hobbies include playing guitar, cycling, and photography. He's an avid adventurer with ambitious goals like climbing the Seven Summits and cycling across the United States.In recognition of his service and contributions, Brandon was commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel by Governor Andy Beshear, the highest honor awarded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky.Brandon resides in Kentucky with his wife, Charity, and four children – Alyssa,