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. 880: Unsupported Kayak From California to Hawaii - Cyril Derreumaux
Ep. 879: Love and Loss in the Canadian Rockies - Adam Campbell
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Ep. 878: Helping Others Find Careers in Adventure - Revisited - Courtney Condy
Ep. 877: Stories From 34 Years as a National Park Ranger - Revisited - Dallas Koeh
Ep. 876: Born to Surf - Malia Manuel
Ep. 875: TRIPLE Triple Crowner - Heather "Anish" Anderson
Ep. 874: Well Worn Life - Dani Reyes-Acosta
Ep. 873: Thru-Hiking the Florida Trail on a Skateboard - Revisited - Alex Fogt
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Ep. 872: Carrying Canoes to Everest Base Camp - Kyle Roberts & Tom Schellenberg
Ep. 871: Submarine Diving the Great Blue Hole of Belize with NatGeo Explorer - Revisited - Erika Bergman
Ep. 870: The Colorado Crush - Robbie Balenger
Ep. 869: Managing Outdoor Companies While Biking Across Africa - Revisited - Jen Gurecki
Ep. 868: Downriver Nomad - Rob Hutchings
Ep. 867: Overcoming a Fear of the Ocean to Become an Open Water Swimmer - Revisited - Alexandra Heminsley
Ep. 866: Icelandic Traverse, Gone Wrong - Aum Gandhi
Ep. 865: Skiing Self-Supported to the South Pole with Your Husband - Revisited - Chris Fagan
Ep. 864: River Warrior - Paul Wilson
Ep. 863: Running 30 Marathons in 30 Countries Before Turning 30 - Revisited - Liz Warner
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