Cathy O’Dowd made history as the first woman to summit both the North and South sides of Everest, but her journey to the top was anything but smooth. Facing life-or-death decisions, brutal storms, and the weight of expectation, she learned that success in the mountains isn’t just about strength – it’s about resilience, strategy and knowing when to push forward.

In this episode, I talk to the South African adventurer about the highs and lows of her record-breaking ascents, navigating one of the deadliest disasters in mountaineering history, the pressure of media attention, and the moment a call from Nelson Mandela inspired her to keep going. From near defeat to ultimate triumph, Cathy shares what it truly takes to stand on top of the world.

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