Mother of Four Testing the Limits of Human Endurance
In today’s LEGEND LIFE STORY interview I will be sharing my interview with ultra polar adventurer Wendy Searle who in January of 2020 became the seventh only woman to ski solo and unsupported from the coastline of Antarctica to the South Pole. A journey that took the 42 year old mother of four 42 days, 16 hours and 23 minutes and saw her travel over 715 miles, skiing 11-12 hours a day without a single day of rest dragging an 86kg pulk, or sled, filled with her equipment, food, fuel and supplies.
It was a trip that was five years in the making and a culmination of her desire to prove that an ordinary person who was not a professional athlete or adventurer can do extraordinary things with determination and self-belief. The five years saw her learn to ski, complete Polar Expedition Training in Norway and Iceland, and also complete a crossing of Greenland. Her challenges before even getting to the crossing line were raising funds to get to Antarctica, which secured almost as she was about to leave for Antarctica, as well as fitting training around a full-time job and her family commitments.
Further, she says that whilst it was a physcial challenge that it was an even greater mental challenge with her wanting to give up many days, with there being a lot of cyring in her tent, especially in the mornings, at the prospect of another day. But each day she got out of the tent regardless and as says “got on with it”.
Wendy is now committed to sharing her experience during the trip and what she learned about herself and mental resilience to help others to to believe in themselves and not limit themselves from pursuing what is important to them. She says: “With enough determination you can do anything. Consistency is key to working your way to reaching your goal.” She also hopes her story will inspire women and girls to take on long-term goals and to overcome challenges.
The expedition also raised funds for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity and The Youth Adventure Trust.
Wendy says despite the hardships of the journey she would love to return to Antarctica and is already coming up with new adventure plans.
In our talk Wendy also shares what ageless living means to her, her definition of adventure and what a legendary life is. She shares three life lessons she has lived and also discusses her life motto which she has adpted from the family motto of Ernest Shackelton: “by endurance we conquer,” which to her signifies the need to put the work in for any goal or objective you have and when you are prepared to put the work in you can do something incredible.
You can learn more about Wendy by going to her website https://southpole2020.com/ and her Instagram https://www.instagram.com/betweensnowandsky/.
Let us know what you think about the interview in the comments below.
Feeling inspired? You can find more Legend Life After 40 stories here.
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