Genevieve Brown: The first Aruban aiming to reach the South Pole
Interview by Tom Warburton
In December of this year, Genevieve Brown from the Caribbean island of Aruba aims to be the first Aruban to reach the South Pole. She’s been training for the last few years and aims to raise over £25,000 for Lyme Aid UK. In this Q&A, we find out about Genevieve’s upcoming Antarctic adventure.
Photo: Karina Dumcombe
You’re from the Caribbean island of Aruba, its warm climate is far from the polar conditions you’ll face in Antarctica! What’s the reaction been like back home?
People back home mostly think I’m a little nuts, but they are all extremely proud of my attempt to become the first Aruban to ski to the South Pole. They’re mostly shocked at the lack of bathroom facilities and just how cold it is going to feel at times.
As a black woman from the Caribbean I’m acutely aware of the fact very few of us have actually been afforded the opportunity to do something like this. Many of us face countless barriers just navigating everyday life and that something this big can feel so far-fetched, outrageous and unattainable.
I’d love to inspire others to aim high, dream big, work hard and never settle for someone else’s view of what they can achieve.
Walking to the South Pole is no mean feat, could you tell us a bit about where you have been training and what’s involved?
My Pre-COVID 19 training consisted of a set regime of roller-skiing, tyre-pilling, altitude training, and strength training. Living in London during lockdown has meant that I’ve had to adapt my training, get creative and cancel all the planned mountaineering and polar expedition training.
At first, I was disappointed at the cancelled plans but 3 months into this and I feel like I’ve got my groove back. My body is getting stronger, my endurance levels are getting better by the week and most importantly, recovery isn’t taking as long as before. This is a big thing for anyone suffering from Lyme Disease as it tends to increase fatigue levels and can really hinder recovery.
So currently my lockdown workout schedule looks as follows:
Monday: Arms and shoulder strength in my garden and a 1.5-hour walk around Tooting Common pulling a tyre weighing a total of 45kg.
Tuesday: 5 am 10k run to start the day; core training at lunch followed functional ski training in the evening with my rollerski club via Zoom.
Wednesday: Upper body strength training at lunch followed by a 1.5hour-tyre walk in the evening.
Thursday: 5 am 10k run, then a solid leg workout at lunchtime.
Friday: Yoga at lunchtime.
Saturday: My mega 5-6 hour tyre walk around my local park.
Sunday: Active recovery and stretching.
I’m hoping to get out to either Finland or get out to the Antarctic a week earlier than scheduled to do my polar training and make up for the lost time during the lockdown.
Walking to the South Pole doesn’t just involve familiarity training. How have you been dealing with the mental and physical strain you will endure?
Having to overcome Lyme Disease has really been the best means of learning to deal with adversity and mental strain. There were days when I wasn’t able to get out of bed due to fatigue; others where I felt so stupid because I simply couldn’t string a sentence together, articulate my thoughts clearly or remember simple details or words. It felt like I was at war with a very wily enemy with ever-changing battle tactics. I had to learn to accept that there are certain circumstances that I can’t control or change; but that I could control my reactions and my decisions. I guess in a way the adversity I suffered for those 3 years refined my tenacity and fighting spirit.
The best thing for the physical strain is to be as prepared as I can be. So I’m trying my best to use my time wisely now and train my body to deal with the daily knocks.
These last few months are always key for an expedition. How have you been coping with preparing for a huge expedition whilst in the middle of a worldwide epidemic?
The biggest hurdle has been trying to close my funding gap. I’m just a bit short on the total I need to pay ALE, the logistics company who are sorting out my flights, accommodation, food and guides while I’m in the Antarctic.
It’s been tough approaching various individuals and companies for support and sponsorship during the pandemic because I am so aware that many are struggling and overwhelmed. But then again, I believe that now more than ever we need uplifting and encouraging stories.
And so I keep knocking on doors and sending out sponsorship requests because I believe that my story will resonate with an encourage anyone who’s going through a tough period or just dealing with daily struggles to keep on fighting and to know that each new day brings with it fresh hope and an opportunity for change.
You’re raising money for Lyme Aid UK, could you tell us a bit more about the charity and what it means to you?
Lyme Aid UK provides grants to people on low incomes who suspect that they have Lyme Disease for private overseas testing.
Currently the tests that are offered by the NHS often give false-negative results thus limiting patients access to treatment through the service. So, access to an accredited overseas test and confirmed results makes a world of a difference. These private tests can cost up to £500 many simply can’t afford them.
I remember how daunting and agonising it was to try and navigate those years of not knowing what I had. In the end, I was fortunate to be able to afford to get the overseas testing. After 10 months of treatment, I had improved so much, and I realised that so many were still stuck in the unknown and suffering. It fuelled my determination to help ensure that timely and affordable testing and treatment can be made available to everyone.
Are there any items you couldn’t live without on your expedition?
Books! I’m an avid reader so I’ve been busy collecting loads of options to load on to Audible and Kindle. Any recommendations are more than welcome, as long as they’re not horror... I’ll need to be able to sleep at night.
Oh and cheese… I simply cannot live without it!
What are you most looking forward to in Antarctica?
If I’m totally honest I spend so much time focusing on getting there that I don’t often stop to think about what it will be like when I actually get there. My answer might seem a bit corny, but I am really looking forward to the actual expedition.
The daily having to help with putting up the tent, prepping food, cleaning up, navigating and skiing to the pole. It will be the culmination of 3 long years of dreaming, hoping, hard work and training and I intend to savour every second!
