Liv (pronounced ‘leave’) is a Norwegian educator, cross-country skier, adventurer, guide, and motivational speaker. Liv led the first unsupported women’s crossing of the Greenland Ice Cap in 1992. In 1994, she made international headlines becoming the first woman in the world to ski solo and unsupported to the South pole – a 50-day expedition of 745 miles (1,200 km).
A self-proclaimed “keen” but not fanatical outdoors enthusiast, Liv is most interested in the development of adults and children. Through her diverse roles as a polar explorer, educator and motivational leader, Liv ignites passion in others to reach beyond their normal boundaries and achieve their dreams by sharing her own stories about exploring some of the most remote places on earth.
MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- February 2001 — Arnesen and American polar explorer Ann Bancroft become the first women in history to sail and ski across Antarctica’s landmass — completing a 94-day, 1,717-mile (2,747 km) trek.
- 1996— Arnesen climbs the north side of Mount Everest, getting to within 6,200 ft (1,900 m) of the summit before altitude sickness forces her to descend.
- 1994 — Arnesen makes international headlines by becoming the first woman in the world to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole — a 50-day expedition of 745 miles (1,200 km)
- 1992 — Arnesen leads the first unsupported women’s crossing of the Greenland Ice Cap.
Take a listen to Liv as she shares more about her life and adventures on the Tough Girl Podcast.
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Show notes
- Who is Liv
- What Liv is up to at the moment
- Her childhood dream of skiing to the South Pole
- Growing up in the outskirts of Oslo and loving the outdoors
- Their religion was Mother Nature
- Being divorced with 3 girls and 6 grandchildren
- Her dreams when she was younger
- “That’s a boy’s dream”
- Being inspired by other women in the world
- Doing the first unsupported women’s crossing of Greenland Ice Cap
- Getting the funding together for the South Pole crossing
- Not being able to get any Norwegian sponsorship
- Having to take out a personal loan to pay for the trip
- When her dream became a reality
- Why it felt like a holiday!
- Being scared of the crevasses
- Staying for an extra 10 days in the South Pole and working washing dishes
- Adventure blues?
- Wanting to combine adventure and education
- Doing a Master of Management
- Teaming up with Ann Bancroft
- Creating a program called ‘Dare to Dream’
- Visiting Ann in the USA
- Finding her ‘Sister Soul’
- Risk management in extreme situations
- How the world of adventure has changed over the past 30 years
- Feeling very privileged
- What adventure means to Liv
- The Access water project
- Mental resilience
- Mastering patience
- Wanting to paddle down one river on each continent
- Being a Wings Fellow
- Quick Fire Questions
- Final words of advice
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