What does it take to turn the impossible into possible? For most, it’s just a dream, but it became a mission for Nirmal Purja, known as Nims Dai. Born in a small village in Nepal, Nirmal Purja’s journey is a powerful example of what hard work, discipline, and belief in yourself can achieve.
Today, in the series 100 Inspiration Stories in 100 Weeks, we will present the motivational and inspiring story of Nirmal Purja(aka Nims Dai). Nirmal Purja, famously known as Nims Dai, is not just a mountaineer, he’s a force of nature. A former Gurkha and Special Forces warrior who traded bullets for ice axes, he shocked the world by conquering the planet’s 14 highest peaks in record time. His journey from a remote village in Nepal to the top of the world is more than a story of climbing mountains, it’s a story of breaking limits, chasing dreams, and inspiring generations to believe that nothing is impossible.
Personal Information
- Full Name: Nirmal Purja Magar
- Popular Name: Nims Dai
- Date of Birth: July 25, 1983
- Place of Birth: Dana, Myagdi District, Nepal
- Nationality: British (Naturalized), originally from Nepal
- Ethnicity: Magar (Indigenous ethnic group in Nepal)
- Profession: Mountaineer, Former Gurkha and UK Special Forces Operative, Author, Motivational Speaker
- Residence: United Kingdom
- Family Background: Born into a modest family father was a Gurkha soldier, and the mother a housewife.
Hometown and Early Life
Nirmal Purja was born in Dana village in Myagdi district, located near the Dhaulagiri mountain range in western Nepal. He spent much of his childhood in Chitwan, where his family later moved. Coming from a humble background, Nims grew up with limited resources but a strong sense of discipline and determination, largely influenced by his father’s military background.
Military Career
At the age of 18, Nirmal joined the British Army’s Brigade of Gurkhas in 2003. After going through a tough selection, he made history as the first Gurkha to join the UK’s elite Special Boat Service (SBS), a special forces unit known for secret missions. He served for around 16 years, gaining skills like combat training, survival, endurance, and mental strength, all of which later helped him in his mountaineering journey.
Transition to Mountaineering
Nirmal’s journey into mountaineering started during his military service. He summited Lobuche East in 2012 without prior experience, which ignited his passion. He then went on to climb Dhaulagiri in 2014 while still serving in the military.
By 2018, he made the bold decision to leave his well-paying job in the Special Forces to fully dedicate himself to mountaineering, a high-risk move, both financially and personally.
Project Possible (The Turning Point)
In 2019, Nirmal launched “Project Possible”, a mission to climb all 14 of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks in just seven months. These peaks include Mount Everest, K2, Annapurna, and more, known as the “death zone” mountains.
Achievements:
- World Record: Climbed all 14 peaks in just 6 months and 6 days, breaking the previous record of almost 8 years.
- He did this in three phases (Spring, Summer, Autumn), across Nepal, Pakistan, and China.
- Summited Mount Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu within 48 hours, another world record.
This feat shocked the global mountaineering community and proved that “impossible” is just a word.
Challenges and Struggles
Nirmal faced many challenges during his project. Without major sponsors at first, he even took out a loan against his house to fund the project. Many people criticized the idea as too risky. He battled harsh weather, low oxygen, altitude sickness, and extreme exhaustion. Delays in permits, especially in Tibet, also threatened his timeline. Despite all this, he climbed with a small team and often helped rescue other climbers along the way.
How He Came into the Limelight
Nirmal became widely known after the release of the Netflix documentary “14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible” in 2021, which showed his journey and strong mindset. His regular updates, motivational messages, and fearless attitude on social media gained him a huge global following. His powerful quote, “Giving up is not in the blood, sir. It’s not in the blood,” became a source of inspiration for many people around the world.
Other Notable Achievements
Nirmal has risked his own life to rescue other climbers stuck at high altitudes. Many of his climbs were done without using extra oxygen, showing his incredible strength and determination. He was honored as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his achievements in high-altitude mountaineering. In 2022, he was also named one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People. He wrote a book called “Beyond Possible,” which became a bestseller and inspired readers around the world.
Why Nirmal Purja is an Inspiring Person
Nirmal showed that people from simple backgrounds can achieve amazing things. He pushed the limits of what the human body and mind can do. His leadership during tough and dangerous moments was truly inspiring. He often chose to help others instead of focusing only on his success. With great courage, he left a secure job to follow his dream, even though the future was uncertain. He also proudly represented Nepal, giving much-deserved recognition to the Sherpa and climbing community on the world stage.
Legacy and Current Work
Nimsdai started a charity called the Nimsdai Foundation to inspire young people, help mountain communities, and protect nature. He now leads top-level climbing trips around the world. He also gives motivational talks to audiences in many different countries.
His story is not just about reaching the top of the world, it’s about inspiring others to rise above their limits and prove that with the right mindset, nothing is truly impossible. Nirmal Purja didn’t just climb mountains, he moved them, proving to the world that with unshakable belief, fierce determination, and a fearless heart, nothing is truly beyond reach. His powerful quote, “Giving up is not in the blood, sir. It’s not in the blood,” became a source of inspiration for many people around the world.