"Most Inspirational Athlete of the Year" Applies Lessons Learned Climbing the World's Highest Mountains to Success in Business

LOS ANGELES, May 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In the just published book "Steps to the Summit: Reaching the Top in Business and Life," author/adventurer/business leader/and Challenged Athletes Foundation inspirational award recipient Paul Fejtek takes readers to the top of the seven highest summits around the world and offers proven strategies for anyone looking to survive and thrive in today's perilous business climate. 

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120503/LA00109)

As the only person in history to reach the top of Mt. Everest with Brachial Plexus Palsy (a birth injury that left him with a noticeably smaller right arm and minimal gripping strength in his hand), Paul Fejtek has overcome adversity since birth.  As Managing Director of the Irvine-based investment bank Hunter Wise Financial Group, he is a consummate M&A dealmaker with a track record of success.  In "Steps to the Summit," he offers the wisdom of his experiences in both worlds. 

When Paul and his wife Denise began their eight-year quest to scale the highest summits on the world's seven continents, they knew it was a daunting challenge that few people, much less married couples had ever accomplished.  With failure and death a very real possibility on every summit, it is no small wonder that less than 350 people in all of history have succeeded in scaling the Seven Summits.  The list of failures and casualties is much larger.

Throughout 15 compelling and entertaining chapters, "Steps to the Summit" works as both a real-life adventure story and a guidebook for achieving true success.  From Chapter 1 "Dream Big and Step Up" through Chapter 15 "Never Give Up," the book offers credible advice for advancing in life and business.

The book has already received praise from such high profile individuals as Bill Walton (NBA All-Star), Jenna Wolfe (Today Show), Craig Levra (CEO of Sport Chalet) and Aron Ralston (mountaineer and subject of the major motion picture 127 Hours) who said, "If you are looking to overcome your life's challenges, Paul Fejtek can help you find your courage and creativity.  He delivers empowering 'Steps' to lead you to your goals within a riveting story of triumphant adventure."

An accomplished triathlete and finisher of the Hawaii Ironman World Championship, it is only fitting that Paul Fejtek was named as the Most Inspirational Athlete of the Year, in part for his conquest of the Seven Summits.  In his book, Fejtek ironically credits other challenged athletes with far greater physical adversity than his own for inspiring him and providing the motivation to surmount the final obstacle in reaching the 29,029 foot highest point on Earth.  Along with the help of their friends, as well as their successful Everybody to Everest campaign, the couple has raised over $200,000 for the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) to date. In addition, 100% of the profit from sales of "Steps to the Summit" will go to CAF to provide grants for prosthetic limbs and specialized sports equipment to help those in need.

"Steps to the Summit: Reaching the Top in Business and Life" (ISBN 978-0-9840125-1-0 with co-author Cindy Bertram) is available in hardcover on Amazon for $22.95 or at http://StepsToTheSummit.com  An "enhanced" eBook version with live-action videos embedded right on the pages is available on Apple's iBookstore for $11.99 and a free sample can be downloaded for viewing on iPad or iPhone.

The Fejtek's are available for media interviews and to deliver inspiring keynote addresses at high-profile business conferences and professional events.  Please send requests to [email protected].

Media Contact: Laurence Cohen, (310) 980-7788, [email protected]

SOURCE Hunter Wise Financial Group, LLC