In this episode, Jo Bradshaw shares her extraordinary journey from being a height-fearing, comfort-loving business advisor to becoming a world adventurer and mountaineer. She reflects on her early life with outdoorsy parents and the unexpected transition from working with horses to a life filled with adventure. Jo has completed six of the Seven Summits, led numerous expeditions, and survived the devastating 2015 earthquake in Nepal while climbing Everest.

Jo highlights the lessons she's learned, including how bullying in her youth shaped her resilience, the importance of overcoming psychological challenges in extreme environments, and the power of saying "yes" to opportunities that push boundaries. She also discusses the significance of kindness, leadership, and authenticity, both in her personal life and professional adventures.

Background & Early Life:

• Grew up in Cambridgeshire in an outdoorsy family, spending more time on the water than in the mountains.
• Faced bullying during boarding school, an experience that shaped her resilience.
• Initially planned a career working with horses, even spending time in New Zealand, before moving into retail and eventually embarking on a life of adventure.

Transition to Adventure:

• Jo's first step into adventure was a terrifying parachute jump, which sparked her passion for exploration.
• Encouraged by a friend to participate in a cycle trip in Peru, which marked the beginning of her adventure career.

Mountaineering & Expeditions:

• Successfully completed six of the Seven Summits, including Everest, Kilimanjaro, and Aconcagua.
• Survived the 2015 earthquake on Everest, losing several team members. This life-changing experience deeply impacted her outlook on adventure and life.
• Shared insights into the mental and physical challenges of high-altitude expeditions, and how these experiences helped her grow as a person.

Overcoming Fear & Self-Doubt:

• Discussed how she overcame self-doubt, particularly during the early stages of her career when others made her feel incapable. Jo pushed herself through challenging expeditions to prove her resilience.
• Encouraged listeners to "feel the fear and do it anyway," stressing that self-confidence is key to achieving success.

2015 Earthquake Experience:

• Recounted her harrowing experience of being at Camp One on Everest during the 2015 Nepal earthquake, describing the devastation at base camp and the emotional aftermath of the disaster.

Resources

Website: www.jobradshaw.co.uk