Thirteen-year-old Jordan Romero is climbing Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak, not only for himself but to inspire more young people to get outdoors.

“Obese children are the future of America the way things are going,” he tells CNN in Kathmandu Friday as he prepared to leave for the mountain on Sunday.

“I am hoping to change that by doing what I do — climbing and motivational speaking. I want to motivate children and inspire them to get outdoors.”

If he is successful, Jordan will be the youngest person to get to the top of Everest’s summit, 29,028 feet above sea level.

With a smile he is quick to add, “I am doing this a little for myself too, to do something big.”