Jane Kanizay is an adventurer, educator, activist, speaker, artist and mother of four who on 14 May 2022 successfully climbed Mt. Everest with her 19-year-old daughter. Jane enjoys sharing the highs and lows of her Everest experience and the journey of resilience required to take on such an immense challenge as a survivor.
Jane climbed with the message of @teachusconsent to campaign for holistic consent education in school education curriculum and to advocate for the prevention of violence against women.
To have a message to take to the summit provided additional strength on the days Jane had reached her physical or emotional limits.
High altitude mountaineering is one of the deadliest sports in the world. Jane successfully summited mountains above 6000m plus an 8000m summit of Cho Oyu, Tibet, to prepare her for the extreme environment of Everest, considered to be in the ‘death zone’ above 8000m where oxygen content is only 34% compared with sea level.
Listening to Jane on the Tough Girl Podcast offers a rare insight into the mental and physical fortitude it takes to summit Everest, but also the deeper purpose behind her journey.
Through her incredible story, Jane not only inspires adventurers but also advocates for change, sharing how carrying a message of consent and empowerment gave her the strength to push through her limits.
Her story will resonate with anyone looking to overcome challenges, build resilience, and find purpose in their own lives.
🎙️ Don't miss out on the latest episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast, released every Tuesday at 7am UK time! Be sure to hit the subscribe button to stay updated on the incredible journeys and stories of strong women.
💪 By supporting the Tough Girl Podcast on Patreon, you can make a difference in increasing the representation of female role models in the media, particularly in the world of adventure and physical challenges. Your contribution helps empower and inspire others. Visit www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast to be a part of this important movement.
🙏Thank you for your invaluable support!
Listen to Jane Now!
Click here if you can't see the link below.
Show notes
Who is Jane
Mother of four, living with one child
Mountain climbing with her eldest daughter, Gabby
Being motivated by Gabby's dream to climb
Completing several trips to the Himalayas
Reaching Everest's summit together on 14 May 2022
Becoming the second mother-daughter pair to summit Everest
Growing up in an athletic family
Having siblings achieving high levels in sports
Discussing her childhood experiences with athletics
Her belief in ordinary people achieving extraordinary things
The importance of family support in sports and life
Starting running marathons at 33 after having four children
Transitioning from marathon running to trekking and climbing in her late 40s
Remembering her 40s as an empowering period, winning races in her age group
When Gabby's interest in climbing started
The mother-daughter duo's plans evolved into larger climbing goals over time
Gabby reflecting on her experience, appreciating the timing of climbing at age 19
Climbing experience which fostered a unique friendship
They relate differently outside of typical family roles
Maintaining their bond while balancing parenting responsibilities
Initially planned to finance their climbs through a mortgage and potential scholarships
Selling their house and funding the majority of the trip
Adapting to unexpected financial changes
Gabby's focus on balancing her love for climbing while pursuing an income in the industry
Jane's reflections on the dynamics among her children regarding climbing adventures
How she has navigated potential feelings of jealousy among her children
Sharing her experience of climbing Everest with Gabby
The dynamic of being both mother and climbing partner
How they communicated effectively at base camp
Gabby often acted as a mentor, helping Jane to regain confidence during tough moments
A pivotal moment at Camp Four where she doubted her strength to continue
Getting encouraged by Gabby to persevere
Reflecting on precious time spent with her children
Prioritising family over personal ambitions
Societal concerns about young climbers tackling high peaks
Jane's internal struggles regarding the ethics of taking Gabby on such a dangerous expedition
Engaging with other young adventurers and parents
The meticulous preparation and strategy leading up to their summit attempt
The challenging conditions they encountered
The summit push filled with historical significance and personal reflections
Jane leading the ascent, following in the footsteps of climbing legends
A heartwarming moment for Jane spotting Gabby approaching the summit
The "Teach Us Consent" campaign
Jane's desire for her sons to be good allies and her daughters to be safe
The pyramid of abuse
Advocating for calling out disrespectful behaviour
Creating a safer environment for women
Experiencing vision problems while descending
Hallucinating due to altitude sickness
Dealing with laryngitis and media attention after her climb
Building a supportive network among women
Final words of wisdom
Social Media
Website: janekanizay.com
Instagram: @jane_kaniz
Feeling inspired week after week?
You can do 3 easy things to help me continue to grow the podcast!
Subscribe to the podcast in iTunes, so you won’t miss a single episode
If you’re loving the podcast, please leave a 5-star review on iTunes! I read every single comment!
Share the podcast with your friends, especially if you think it could help them, and spread the #ToughGirlPodcast love.
Your support helps me continue to grow the podcast and do inspiring things in this space! Already done all 3? You’re a rockstar! Thank you!
Want to do more?
Please become a Patron and donate US$5 a month to help fund the runnings costs. Thank you.
Comments