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. 918: World-Record Skydiving - Melanie Curtis
Ep. 917: Bikepacking the Ecuadorian Andes - Revisited - Uriel Eisen & Maggie Burke
Ep. 916: Kite Skiing Across Greenland - Katie Crafts
Ep. 915: Family World Travel & Ultra Running - Revisited - Julie & Matt Urbanksi
Adventure Grant Winners Announcement!
Ep. 914: Biking from Singapore to the Netherlands - Dorien Cramer
Ep. 913: Bicycling 60,000 Miles of Inspiration - Revisited - Willie Weir
Ep. 912: Facing Mediocrity And Grief Through Adventure - Steph Jagger
Ep. 911: 40 Marathons in 40 Days - Revisited - Mina Guli
Ep. 910: Chasing the Buffalo Soldiers - Erick Cedeño
Ep. 909: From Couch to 250k - Revisited - Aidan Doherty & Blane O'Donnell
Ep. 908: Crossing Iceland on Foot - Jonathan Morsicato
Ep. 907: "Wildland," a Documentary Alongside Wildland Firefighters - Revisited - Alex Jablonski
Ep. 906: Running For Good - Fiona Oakes
Ep. 905: Iditarod Ultra Runner & Stay-at-Home Dad - Revisited - Pete Ripmaster
Ep. 904: Biking 6,000 Across the US for Distracted Driving - Ben Grannis
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
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