Alpinis'EM, the Association created by Jean COGNET (class of 2027)

“I've been diabetic since I was 7, and I regularly go to see a specialist doctor who, in 2018, when I was just 14, suggested I train with a group of other diabetic teenagers to climb Mont Blanc and show the world that diabetes isn’t a barrier to extreme sports.

After 7 months of training, the big day was approaching, but during the acclimatisation climb, 2 members of the group began suffering from vertigo. This forced my doctor to suggest abandoning Mont Blanc in favour of a smaller mountain (the Pic du Grand Paradis, 3600m). He was being sensible and it was a good choice, but it was very frustrating for me.

As someone who always achieves the objectives he sets himself, ever since this event I told myself that one day or other I'd get my revenge on Mont Blanc.

Today, thanks to EM Normandie, I have the opportunity once again to finally complete the adventure that eluded me in 2018, out of sheer determination to achieve this goal.

That's why I set up Alpinis'EM with the help of Alexi Carré, a friend I made during my first year at EM Normandie.

Following in my doctor's footsteps, we'd like to take 6 other friends with us on an adventure to achieve this insane feat!

And what do we hope to achieve? We want to help introduce young people to mountaineering by sharing our training and mountain news, and by raising awareness of the climate issues that affect mountains!

How will we do this? We will do it thanks to a tailored physical preparation programme designed to help us achieve our goal, with 1 training session a week focusing on stamina and 1 major activity a month, such as hiking, climbing, etc., which you can follow on Instagram!

If you are a company or individual who would like to help us with our project, the way the EM Normandie Alumni Association has,

here is the link to the fund or you can contact us by email: alpinisem@em-normandie.fr”

Jean COGNET (class of 2027)