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 trek 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 trek 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 Our Sponsors: * Check out Shopify: shopify.com/asp * Check out Tecovas: www.tecovas.com * Check out The Wonderful Company: https://www.wonderfulpistachios.com/ Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/adventure-sports-podcast/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy