Three yearsâ ago, Preet had never hiked on ice let alone completed one of the most extreme expeditions possible. Yet, as she constantly reminds us, âyou have to start somewhere.â
Preet wasnât born to a family of explorers or a community that thrived in pushing through stereotypes. She joined the army reserves at age 19 and avoided sharing this news with her family, preferring to delay hearing the ânaysayersâ until she was already enrolled.
When she first googled âpolar explorersâ, she was met with photos of men with beards. Noone looked like her – a woman of colour. She decided to commit to changing the status quo and inspire other people who donât fit the ânormâ to keep striving for their dreams.
This interview took place a few months before she left for the Antarctic, where she would hike solo and unaided to the South Pole (so she needs to drag all her supplies, from a tent to food, with her).
The target was 45-50 days (she packed enough food for 55, just in case of bad weather), and she completed it in 40 days!
She is now the first woman of colour to complete a solo expedition in Antarctica!
Yet, this is only Phase One. Preet will return next year and attempt a solo & unassisted expedition across the whole of Antarctica: Never before completed by a woman.
âNothing is impossible, Iâve always had this idea that I can achieve something great, something that allows me to be a role model. I want my 9 year old niece to grow up without boundaries, knowing the possibilities of what you can achieve in life are endless.”
Timestamp for talk:
- 2:39 – I knew that I wanted to do something big, didnât know about, hopefully inspire others to do the same. Solo unsupported expedition in Antarctica.
- 4:10 – The thing that drew me to it was my 9yo niece. Push boundaries. No matter how big your goal.
- 4:36 – Working with you in managing my thoughts, donât put at the forefront. Mental training?
- 19:09 – They would be those difficult days – mindset! Canât change the external things. Can control how I deal with it & where my mind goes. Focus on something else.
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