First Woman
British Explorer Leads the First All-Women Team
to Reach the North and South Poles
An Interview with Ann Daniels
March 2022
Photo Courtesy: The Motivational Speakers Agency
Sanctuary has been celebrating “First Women” since its inception. These women trailblazers paved the way for others to realize their goals and dreams. We are celebrating Women’s History Month in March, and the journey of fearless explorer Ann Daniels is a perfect fit.
Ann Daniels, a record-breaking, British polar explorer and renowned international speaker, is the first woman in history, along with expedition teammate Caroline Hamilton, to reach the North and South Poles as part of all-women teams.
Sophia Hayes with The Motivational Speakers Agency, sat down with Ann to learn how she motivated herself on her polar expeditions and the importance of female empowerment. The world-renowned explorer shares the challenges she has faced and advice she would give to her younger self.
How do you keep your team motivated? Any advice for leaders who struggle to motivate others?
You have to consider how you [engage] with your team and your behaviour. [As a leader you have a direct] effect on your team.
When you're feeling that everything is impossible – which is normal because we’re human – put your game face on. The positivity you portray to your team will affect them, just as their mood affects you.
The other thing to remember is that it's your job to empower your team members and to give them a great working environment so they can thrive. You need to let them know that they can come to you if problems arise, and they need to know that you're not going to judge them. Be supportive, and remember it's about them.
If you support your whole team and help them be at their very best as a team, that is when the magic happens.
Ann Daniels, a record-breaking, British polar explorer and renowned international speaker, is the first woman in history, along with expedition teammate Caroline Hamilton, to reach the North and South Poles as part of all-women teams.
Sophia Hayes with The Motivational Speakers Agency, sat down with Ann to learn how she motivated herself on her polar expeditions and the importance of female empowerment. The world-renowned explorer shares the challenges she has faced and advice she would give to her younger self.
How do you keep your team motivated? Any advice for leaders who struggle to motivate others?
You have to consider how you [engage] with your team and your behaviour. [As a leader you have a direct] effect on your team.
When you're feeling that everything is impossible – which is normal because we’re human – put your game face on. The positivity you portray to your team will affect them, just as their mood affects you.
The other thing to remember is that it's your job to empower your team members and to give them a great working environment so they can thrive. You need to let them know that they can come to you if problems arise, and they need to know that you're not going to judge them. Be supportive, and remember it's about them.
If you support your whole team and help them be at their very best as a team, that is when the magic happens.
As Britain's leading female explorer and the first woman ever to ski to the poles with an all-women team in 2002, how important is it that we continue to encourage women to lead and achieve?
It's really important to encourage women to lead and achieve.
But Ann believes that we're not yet where we need to be.
I think we don't have the courage of our own convictions; we don't believe in ourselves enough. [Encouragement leads to confidence], and women have so much to give!
We're still underrepresented in sports, sponsorships, business, boardrooms and politics. We need more women out there. We need to be accepted. We need to believe in ourselves more. When we have an equal world, we'll have a more successful world.
It's really important to encourage women to lead and achieve.
But Ann believes that we're not yet where we need to be.
I think we don't have the courage of our own convictions; we don't believe in ourselves enough. [Encouragement leads to confidence], and women have so much to give!
We're still underrepresented in sports, sponsorships, business, boardrooms and politics. We need more women out there. We need to be accepted. We need to believe in ourselves more. When we have an equal world, we'll have a more successful world.
How do you build mental resilience and maintain a healthy mindset?
I wanted to be the first woman to complete a solo expedition to the North Pole, but it completely failed. There was nothing I could do about it; no amount of positivity was getting me to the North Pole.
At the beginning, I was devastated. Then I began to think about what had happened.
Ann realized the positive aspects and takeaways of her journey.
I'd had the most amazing journey on the Arctic Ocean and had five encounters with polar bears – which was just the most incredible experience. I began to feel privileged and just enjoyed the journey. I stopped worrying about the fact that I hadn't achieved [my goal]; instead, I used my failure to help me be positive about the future.
That's the meaning of resilience because [failure is inevitable]. Each time you do, think about the positive things, such as the skills you've learned. If you keep doing that, you will build resilience.
It’s a process. Resilience is about taking all those difficult challenges, owning them, and then moving on and thinking how fortunate you are to do them in the first place.
What keeps you motivated during the most challenging times?
What keeps me motivated through the most challenging times is definitely remembering why I'm there. So, if I'm on an expedition, I remember that I chose to do this job to the best of my ability. When it's really difficult, I have to remember this was my choice, and I have to do the best that I can.
Nobody is an island. Whether they're work colleagues or your family, there are people relying on you. How you perform and how you portray yourself will effect everyone else.
There will be challenges, but you must try to overcome them and give the best that you can.
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
It would be to believe in myself.
I believe in myself now. I go for anything, and I don't let my older age stop me from doing things. So, my advice would be to have courage. And don't be afraid to fail, because that's okay too.
I wanted to be the first woman to complete a solo expedition to the North Pole, but it completely failed. There was nothing I could do about it; no amount of positivity was getting me to the North Pole.
At the beginning, I was devastated. Then I began to think about what had happened.
Ann realized the positive aspects and takeaways of her journey.
I'd had the most amazing journey on the Arctic Ocean and had five encounters with polar bears – which was just the most incredible experience. I began to feel privileged and just enjoyed the journey. I stopped worrying about the fact that I hadn't achieved [my goal]; instead, I used my failure to help me be positive about the future.
That's the meaning of resilience because [failure is inevitable]. Each time you do, think about the positive things, such as the skills you've learned. If you keep doing that, you will build resilience.
It’s a process. Resilience is about taking all those difficult challenges, owning them, and then moving on and thinking how fortunate you are to do them in the first place.
What keeps you motivated during the most challenging times?
What keeps me motivated through the most challenging times is definitely remembering why I'm there. So, if I'm on an expedition, I remember that I chose to do this job to the best of my ability. When it's really difficult, I have to remember this was my choice, and I have to do the best that I can.
Nobody is an island. Whether they're work colleagues or your family, there are people relying on you. How you perform and how you portray yourself will effect everyone else.
There will be challenges, but you must try to overcome them and give the best that you can.
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
It would be to believe in myself.
I believe in myself now. I go for anything, and I don't let my older age stop me from doing things. So, my advice would be to have courage. And don't be afraid to fail, because that's okay too.
Sophia Hayes is sales director and sports manager for Champions Speakers based in Loughborough, England. She is a graduate of Loughborough University and a keen advocate for mental health and resilience.
