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. 975: When Adventure Becomes a Nightmare - Revisited - Davey Du Plessis
Ep. 974: Quirky Adventures of Travel Writing - Aaron Millar
Ep. 973: From Corporate America to Pro Mountain Bike Racer - Revisited - Angie Hyndman
Ep. 972: A Fine Line - Graham Zimmerman
Florida Uncut: Teaser
Ep. 971: The Life of Climbing Icon Royal Robbins - David Smart
Ep. 970: Breaking the Mississippi River Paddle Record - Scott Miller
Bonus: The Fall and Rise of the Buffalo - Travel South Dakota Stories Podcast
Ep. 969: Inspiring Women to Be More Adventurous - Revisited - Audra Stanley
Ep. 968: Biking the Camino de Santiago - Maksim Tsvetovat
Ep. 967: The Happy Traveler - Revisited - Jaime Kurtz
Ep. 966: Surviving Naked and Afraid - Na'im McKee
Ep. 965: Scuba Diving and Adventure Travel - Revisited - Scott Taylor
Ep. 964: How to Become a Sustainable Adventurer - Tina Muir
Ep. 963: Kayaking 1,200 Miles in 80 Days on the Columbia River - Revisited - Marvin Owen
Ep. 962: From Brooklyn Upbringing to Wildlife Photographer - George McKenzie Jr.
Ep. 961: How To Train for Adventures - Revisited - Rowan Smith
Ep. 960: Starting an Outdoor Company During a War - Ian deQueiroz
Ep. 959: Surviving a Plane Crash in the Mountains - Revisited - Brian Brown
Ep. 958: Solo Sail Around the World - Pip Hare
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