Ep009:

36 Hours Trapped in an Arctic Storm

What happens when the wind is so powerful it rips the air from your lungs? For Sue Stockdale, that terrifying question became reality during an expedition across Greenland, where a violent storm pinned her and her team inside a fragile tent for 36 hours. It was the closest she had come to death — and yet in that moment of stillness, she uncovered reserves of resilience and mental strength she never knew she had.

Her journey into exploration began with curiosity and defiance. When she spotted an advert calling for “novice Arctic explorers” with the challenge, “Are you man enough?”, Sue didn’t let inexperience or self-doubt stop her. Despite lacking the skills and the £15,000 required to join, she trusted her instinct — a habit shaped by the early loss of her mother, which taught her that life is short and opportunities must be seized. That decision would set her on a path to adventures that tested her limits and changed her perspective forever.

Sue’s path to becoming the first British woman to reach the Magnetic North Pole was shaped by curiosity, courage, and a refusal to accept limits. Her polar expeditions have revealed profound truths about human potential that she now shares with leaders and organizations worldwide. Whether in the Arctic or the boardroom, Sue believes success often depends less on external conditions and more on mastering your own mindset. Her story is a testament to adventure, growth, and discovering what it truly means to be alive.

Photo by Dave Bunnell