When Gillian was facing devastating challenges in her life, her husband, Aaron (ASP alumni), suggested she do an epic adventure to help process the grief and loss. Gillian decided to join a group of women that were aiming to be the first all-women group to run across the Namibian Desert. By Gillian’s own admission, this adventure was terrifying and she was not remotely capable of completing it when she committed to do it.
Through months of training, planning, and preparing, Gillian set out with 17 other women from 12 nationalities to run across the Namibian Desert. They collectively raised close to USD $70,000 for female survivors of war through Women on a Mission. Their mutual dedication to this cause not only pushed them beyond what they thought were their limits, but also wove the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood.
The expedition covered 144km (89.5 miles) over 5 days, scalings over 4,000 meters of the some of the world’s tallest sand dunes.
Gillian said of the adventure:
“The journey was an exhilarating mix of challenge and wonder, with long days of hiking in the searing heat juxtaposed with nights camping in the biting cold and howling winds as we neared the wild Atlantic coast. Our final evening was spent beneath a canopy of stars, beside a century-old shipwreck and amidst seal colonies.”
Are you in need of something epic?
Learn more about their cause:
https://www.womenmission.com
https://womenforwomen.org.uk
Ep. 903: Alpine Climbing and Using Wilderness For Healing - Revisited - Ari Schneider
2023 Adventure Grant Announcement!
Ep. 902: Kayaking The Inside Passage - Chris Whittaker
Ep. 901: First Woman to Circumnavigate the World on Motorcycle - Revisited - Elspeth Beard
Ep. 900: The American Perimeter Trail - Rue McKenrick
Ep. 899: 25-Day Rafting Trip Through the Grand Canyon - Revisited - Heather Kelly
Ep. 898: How to Pay For Your Adventures - Mason Gravley
Ep. 897: Running Across Africa - Revisited - Emma Timmis
Ep. 896: Narrowly Surviving a Storm on a Sailboat - Jerome Rand
Ep. 895: How to Overcome Danger & Fear of Adventures - Revisited - Curt Linville
Ep. 894: Update With Former ASP Host - Curt Linville
Ep. 893: Thru-Hiking the Appalachian Trail in 100 Days - Revisited - Sarah William
Ep. 892: Consequences of Habit - JT Frank
Ep. 891: A 10-Year Journey Through Patagonia On Horseback - Revisited - Nancy Pfeiffer
Ep. 890: Riding Wild Mustangs from Mexico to Canada - Ben Masters
Ep. 889: 20,000 Miles Around the World on Foot - Revisited - Angela Marie Maxwell
Ep. 888: The Snowman Race in Bhutan - Nate Bender
Ep. 887: Nonstop Solo Sail Around the World - Revisited - Jerome Rand
Ep. 886: Climbing Volcanoes for Good - Angie Marie
Ep. 885: The Sport of Finding Bigfoot, Seriously - Laura Krantz
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