Genny Brown: The 10-Year Journey to Ski Solo to the South Pole
Genny Brown is aiming to become the first Black woman in history to ski solo to the South Pole, raising awareness of Lyme Disease along the way.
I've been following Genny's journey since 2021, and this is her third time joining me on the Tough Girl Podcast.
We catch up on what's been happening over the past few years, including her 21-day solo expedition in Norway, her Greenland crossing and the lessons she's learned along the way.
Genny shares the realities of preparing for a polar expedition, navigating life with Lyme Disease, understanding her neurodiversity, getting her nutrition right and learning to adapt when things don't go to plan.
We also discuss the importance of patience, the difference between isolation and loneliness, embracing failure and staying committed to a goal that has taken almost a decade to reach.
With Antarctica now firmly in her sights for November 2027, Genny reflects on the journey so far and what comes next.
A brilliant conversation about resilience, self-belief and why it's never too late to start working towards a big adventure.
*Please note: This episode contains one instance of strong language.
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Show notes
Who is Genny Brown
Being known as the Antarctic Aruban
Aiming to become the first Black women in history to ski to the South Pole
Following Genny since 2021
What’s been going on for the past 3 years
The high points, the challenges
Now being a fully post menopausal woman
Being neurodiverse
Doing her longest solo adventure for 21 days in Norway
Starting training and getting her body ready for these challenge since 2017
Getting the medical green light to move forward
Planning to head out to Antarctica in 2027
Why it’s taken a decade to get to this point
Why slow and steady wins the race
Being committed to the challenge
Her solo expedition in Norway and why it was such a learning experience
Why the planning was so eye opening
Dealing with issues and needing to adapt
Isolation verses loneliness
The importance of breath work
Focusing on what you can control
How are you going to react in difficult situations
Nutrition and what that looked like
Not having a porridge based breakfast
Wanting a more protein based breakfast
Working with a nutritionist and doing regular blood tests
Building her expedition diet
Adding freeze dried beetroot
Not wanting to lose more than 5kg while on expedition
Powdered coconut milk
Treats and not being a massive chocolate fan
Being more of a savoury person - taking small cans of Pringles
Being good with isolation
Knowing herself and being comfortable with herself
Staying connected to her family
Being diagnosed at 7 years old with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)
Becoming more comfortable talking about it
Why it’s her superpower to be able to hyper-focus
Wanting the silence and using it to decompress
Using it as a reset for her mind
Needing to do a Greenland crossing before heading to the South Pole
Trying to figure out how to get the funding
Getting a leaflet from Ancient and Brave
Hearing about the Endeavour Fund - for an adventure of a lifetime
Training during the heatwave
Feeling more comfortable about going to the South Pole
Why it was so tough
Going with a group of strangers
Being an introvert and needing time to herself to recharge
Having to share a tent
Having a tent routine when solo and trying to figure out a new system
Why it was her least favourite expedition and the lessons learned
Recovery after Greenland
Being delayed in Iceland due to foggy weather
Only having 1 day to pack instead of 3
Not having the opportunity to buy supplementary food from the supermarket
Getting injured and hurting her hip
Developing altitude asthma
Living with Lyme disease and dealing with inflammation
Needing to get on with it
Dealing with polar thigh
Dealing with open sores on her bum and thighs
Using Shea butter
Why it’s not just the cash
Needing to update her updated CV to ALE
Needing to do a crevasse safety course
Looking at November 12th 2027 as the date to work towards
How to connect with Genny
Why you should have patience with yourself
Why every disappointment is a blessing
Don’t be scared to fail
Embrace the failure
Don’t be scared to start wherever you are
Social Media
Website: www.antarcticaruban.com
Instagram: @antarcticaruban
Facebook: @antarcticaruban
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