For today's episode, Lola sits down with Saray Khumalo to discuss her extraordinary journey of becoming the first Black African woman to summit Mount Everest. Saray shares her inspiring story of perseverance through multiple attempts, the challenges she faced, and how she's using her mountaineering achievements to promote education and literacy in Africa.
In this episode, you will learn:
How to turn personal setbacks into motivation
How to persist in the face of failure
How to balance ambition with responsibility
How to find purpose beyond personal achievement
How to embrace your unique potential
What We Discuss:
Saray's Background and Early Influences
00:00 - Introduction to Saray Khumalo
01:26 - Saray's heritage and family background
04:41 - Transition from corporate life to mountaineering
The Path to Everest
05:17 - Personal loss and life reflection
07:26 - First climb of Kilimanjaro and fundraising efforts
10:37 - Decision to climb the highest peaks on every continent
Everest Attempts and Challenges
14:44 - First Everest attempt in 2014
18:46 - 2015 Everest attempt and earthquake experience
25:23 - 2016 cycling accident and recovery
28:57 - 2017 Everest attempt and near-summit experience
Triumph on Everest
35:31 - Final successful Everest expedition in 2019
41:31 - Summit experience and reflections
Going Beyond Everest
48:46 - Pursuing the Explorer Grand Slam challenge
52:07 - Summits with a Purpose initiative
54:39 - Philosophy on being "uniquely extraordinary"
Life Lessons and Inspiration
56:44 - Lightning round questions
1:02:02 - Where to learn more about Saray
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Website | Instagram | LinkedIn
Non-Profit - Summit With A Purpose
The Kadara Woman Podcast is dedicated to amplifying the often-overlooked success stories of remarkable African women who are barrier breakers, status quo challengers and change makers around the world. This podcast spotlights the journeys of purpose-driven African women who are reshaping their lives through intentional living and powerful mindset shifts.
Hosted by Lola Soyebo Harris, this inspiring series explores how successful African women navigate self-doubt, embrace service, and master their purpose while making pivotal decisions in their careers and personal lives. While we spotlight African women's experiences, our stories resonate deeply with a global audience of ambitious, forward-thinking women seeking inspiration and practical insights.
This podcast is an essential resource for those interested in personal development, mindset transformation, African women's empowerment, and purpose-driven living.
This podcast is a production of Kadara Media LLC. All rights reserved.