I had an extraordinary conversation with two remarkable women who conquered the world's highest marathon while battling their own personal challenges. Sally Orange MBE, a former British Army major turned mental health campaigner, completed the grueling 12-hour Everest Base Camp Marathon dressed as a breast costume just weeks after her cancer diagnosis, using her signature approach of sparking vital conversations through humour and vulnerability.
Felicity Ashley, a transatlantic rower and cancer survivor, marked her three-year cancer anniversary by tackling the same brutal challenge, drawing on the deep inner confidence she's developed through overcoming adversity. Together, they share how they navigated altitude sickness, unexpected climbs, and physical exhaustion while supporting each other and fellow runners from 32 different nationalities.
This powerful episode reveals how both women transformed their approach to challenges - Sally by accepting her diagnosis "on her own terms" and Felicity by reframing adversity from "why me?" to "why not me?" Their stories demonstrate the profound impact of community support, the importance of building a "cookie jar" of past achievements to draw strength from, and how authentic vulnerability can create life-changing conversations. From Sally's fruit costumes that have inspired four women to get checked for breast cancer, to Felicity's unshakeable belief that she can overcome anything, this conversation offers practical insights on resilience, gratitude, and finding purpose in life's toughest moments. Whether you're facing your own challenges or supporting others through theirs, their combined wisdom on mental preparation, community building, and maintaining hope will leave you feeling empowered to tackle whatever lies ahead.
Connect with Sally: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sally-orange-mbe-95948741/ Website: https://www.sallyorange.com/ Connect with Felicity: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/felicityashley/ Website: https://www.felicityashley.com/ Also here is a link to buy Felicity's new book - Stronger than the storm: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1068489103 ##########
If you are looking for a Blueprint to help you and your business manage uncertainty, deal with failure and navigate change then reach out to Julian at: julian@julianrobertsconsulting.com
You can buy my book "Weathering the Storm: A Guide to Building Resilient Teams" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0DFTYN2Y2
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