Jeanne Stawiecki's Marathon Midlife Journey to Climb the World's Tallest Mountains ... and More

LifeTwo had the opportunity to ask Jeanne Stawiecki about her incredible midlife adventure: climbing the tallest peak on each continent (the "seven summits") and running a marathon on each continent. Yes -- that includes Antarctica. Jeanne will be the first woman in the world to accomplish this seven continent summiting / marathon feat.

She will also be the first woman in the world to run a marathon on each continent in one year, the oldest woman in the world to reach the seven summits, and quite possibly the oldest woman to summit Everest.

What makes Jeanne's story even more amazing: she was a regular person (just like you and us) before starting out in middle age to do something extraordinary.

Jeanne Stawiecki at the summit of Australia’s Kosciusko in 2006

Jeanne answered our questions upon returning from Chile where she successfully competed in the Pacifico Marathon.

LifeTwo: Is this the result of a female midlife crisis, are you just crazy, or is there something else driving you to do this?

I never wanted to say could of,would of, should of…..I had had it with working two sometimes three jobs and I wanted to pursue my passions while I still could before I got too old and feeble to physically challenge myself. In my younger years I had serious responsibilities that prohibited me from pursuing my interests. I would go to work, come home, rest and leave for my second job. Life was monotonous and predictable or so I thought. I have always enjoyed pushing myself to my limits and beyond. I love feeling my heart pounding in my chest….that "alive" feeling. I also just never thought for a moment that taking up mountaineering in my fifties was a silly idea. I always do things starting from the assumption I will be successful and I usually am.

LifeTwo: Do people say, “You’re a 56 years old! What the Hell are you thinking?”

No. People do not realize I am 56 years old.

LifeTwo: Do you have an athletic background and/or what in your personal history has prepared you for this undertaking?

As I said, in my younger years I had different kinds of challenges that pushed me to my limits and beyond. I developed a strong will that has enabled me to pursue my ambitions.

I was dismissed from gym class in school. I was never considered,even remotely, to have any athletic abilities.

LifeTwo: You didn’t start running until you were 44. What was it that led you to take up long distance running?

I was a two pack a day smoker and I needed to give up smoking for financial reasons. I decided I needed to exercise so I wouldn't gain weight. At first I could only walk, and not very fast, but over time I was able to run a little on my walks and eventually I was running the whole way. For me the distance running became a form of active meditation and relieved stress.

LifeTwo: What have you learned about yourself from this process? What can others learn from what you are doing?

On the mountains there are none of the accouterments of civilization and you are able to lose the camouflage under which all people live and experience life in it's purest state…..stripped to just the bare essentials…..life in the raw with all its flaws . It is in this state of survival that I have found my strengths and weaknesses and have achieved my greatest triumphs. The alpine environment accelerates personal growth …you are forced to rely on yourself and be a functioning member of a team for your own survival and this definitely, in a very short time, weans out the weakest individuals and builds incredible stamina in the remaining individuals. With the first mountain I successfully summitted I found, much to my surprise, I was strong both mentally and physically…I had always thought of myself as weak. I was hooked and I haven't stopped since. Finding my strength has made an amazing difference in the way I view life. I no longer am afraid and life became very interesting once I lost the fear.
I'd like to think others would realize that what we think, our inner dialogue, makes a tremendous difference in whether we will be a success or a failure. I used to laugh at all the self help books that preached we are responsible for our own destinies by our very thoughts, but I have found this to be true. Once I started to tell myself I could, my life accelerated and it hasn't slowed down since.

LifeTwo: Are you worried that by setting such a significant goal and then publicly embracing it that you in essence become captive to it?

Never

LifeTwo: What has been the response from your significant others about your quest?

Very supportive

LifeTwo: How exactly does one run a marathon in Antarctica?

With layers of clothing to provide warmth. We run on what is called corn snow so we do not slide or slip. We actually run in regular sneakers and bring a second pair so we can change half way through the course when the first gets too wet. We run a course that double backs on itself and the runners all bring backpacks with food, water, clothing, etc. our support team rides snowmobiles to aid injured runners.

LifeTwo: Part of your quest has you running a marathon in Europe. Of all of the marathons and countries in Europe you picked Iceland. Why?

I have stepped up my program and will now run the seven marathons in five months. I will be running the Valencia marathon in Spain for the European marathon.

LifeTwo: If you are unable to successfully reach the summit of Mount Everest on your May 2007 attempt will you return and try again as Dick Bass did in the late 80’s or consider 6 out of 7 peaks to be good enough (as Frank Wells decided at the same time)?

I really don't know how I will feel until after the climb.

LifeTwo: Not to be morbid but 185 people have died attempting Everest. The odds of dying have been calculated as high as 1 out of 10. Is accomplishing your goal really worth risking your life?

I am more afraid of not living my life than I am of dying. As for the risks, life is full of risks. The number of people who have lost their lives in car accidents is very significant, but no one lets that stop them from driving. 1 out of 10 is a little high. The year I was on Everest over a thousand people climbed and only two people lost their lives.

LifeTwo: Can you tell us about the causes you are supporting and how you are supporting them?

I am still working out the logistics with charities. So right now I cannot answer that question.

LifeTwo: You are giving motivational speeches. What is the underlying message of your speeches?

I have not given any motivational speeches yet because of time constraints with working, training and running marathons. When I do I plan to tell my story. I was on Everest in the past and was medically evacuated because of a vocal cord dysfunction that interfered with my breathing. I was devastated. When I returned home I had difficulty eating, talking and I couldn't work. For someone who had been physically active, I couldn't even climb a flight of stairs without wheezing. I became very depressed and allowed myself one week to cry. Then I started seeing doctors, I sought out all manners of alternative therapies, I read several self help books, I explored all options on line, took seminars and had to relearn how to breathe and start over again from the beginning with exercise to bring my body back to that level of conditioning. I realize now that what I had thought was the end of my life was a new beginning. I have learned so much in the past few years. It is this knowledge that enabled me to pursue this quest and be successful. I want to share my story in the hopes of inspiring others.

LifeTwo: What do you want to say to the men and women who read about what you are doing but can’t relate because their lives, work, physical abilities can’t even let them comprehend what you are doing?

To never say never. At one time I was unable to relate or comprehend anything like what I am doing because of my life, work and physical ability. The future is not as predictable as we think and one never knows where it will take us. The real power to change the course of our lives lies deep inside each individual and it is omnipotent…..I can attest to that!

Bookmark this post for updates on Jeanne's progress on her incredible journey.