Masha Gordon @gritandrock

Welcome to a new episode of the What Next Mum Podcast!

In this episode I speak to Masha Gordon, former MD of Goldman Sachs turned climber, world record holder and Mum of 2.

Prior to the birth of her children Masha was focussed on her career and was not very sporty.  However, after the birth of her second child she decided to spend her 6 months maternity leave in Chamonix where a love of the mountains and climbing was born.

In 2015 and 2016 Masha achieved 2 world records - the fastest woman to scale the world's 7 highest summits and the fastest woman to complete the Explorers' Grand Slam, which saw her climb the highest peaks on each continent and ski to both Poles.  

Masha talks about her experience of climbing Everest and how she dealt with the 'Mum guilt' 
in discussing her expeditions with her children and responding to other peoples' expectations of her.  Her son is also a very able climber and she is alive to the conflict of having introduced her son to a potentially dangerous sport.

Masha is also the founder of Grit and Rock - a charity which aims to help girls from disadvantaged backgrounds to develop grit, determination and confidence by climbing and mountaineering.  The charity also provides grants to female climbers to help them achieve their goals.

I really hope you enjoy this episode.  If so, please take a moment to leave a review and share this with any women or mum friends you think might enjoy it.

Thanks for listening.