Sue Stockdale is a remarkable adventurer, author, and TEDx speaker. Her presentations aren't just talks; they're riveting journeys through an extraordinary life on the edge, inspiring and encouraging her audience to explore the world.

At 22, she embarked on a three-month African expedition, fuelling her quest for greater challenges. In 1996, Sue achieved the unimaginable, becoming the first British woman to reach the magnetic North Pole. Surviving extreme cold and hauling a 60kg sledge for 12 hours a day, it was in those icy depths that Sue discovered the boundless potential within us all. Her purpose in life became clear - to inspire others to tap into their untapped capabilities.

Sue's travels span 70 countries, including deserts and polar regions, and she was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the Royal Scottish Geographical Society in 2024.

Beyond adventures, Sue is a sought-after executive coach to CEO’s and leaders. Her academic achievements include an MBA in Entrepreneurship and an MSc in Quality Management, along with a Global Coaching Leadership Award.

She is host of Access to Inspiration podcast in the top 5% most popular globally. With nine books published, including her memoir "Explore: A Life of Adventure," Sue Stockdale is a true trailblazer.

EXTRAORDINARY LIVES SPECIAL INTEREST AND REGIONAL TOPICS

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EXTRAORDINARY LIVES - all regions

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- Embarking on a Life of Adventure
A retrospective on Sue's first expedition to Africa, learning about the hardships and challenges that adventurers can face.

- Magnetic Attraction
Join Sue to discover the pivotal moments and challenges that led her to go on an extraordinary adventure to the North Pole.

- Unleashing your adventurous spirit: A modern necessity
Reflecting on why having an adventurous spirit is essential in todays' modern world.

- Thriving in Adversity
Discover how Sue fared when she undertook some of the toughest scientific tests including sleep deprivation, extreme g-force and a simulated helicopter crash into water.

- Life in the Freezer: what you always wanted to know about explorers and were afraid to ask
We have all read dramatic accounts of explorers overcoming extreme difficulties in their quest for success. What happens when you meet a polar bear? Does your toothpaste freeze? Come equipped with your questions and be prepared to learn about what life is really like in the Arctic.

- Inside the mind of the explorer
Delve into the minds of fearless adventurers, to understand the psychology behind their awe-inspiring achievements.

- Eating Habits at minus 40 degrees
Discover why food is one of the most important topics on polar expeditions – how much you need, what type of food it is and how it is used for motivation and reward.

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REGION FOCUSED - ARCTIC, NORWAY, ICELAND, SVALBARD, GREENLAND

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- Living above the Arctic Circle
Taking a look at those who live in countries above the Arctic circle and how they survive and adapt in these unforgiving conditions.

- Pioneers of the Cold
Reflect on the achievements of pioneering and contemporary Norwegians who have explored some of the world's most unforgiving landscapes.

- Crossing the Greenland Ice Cap
Learn about the challenges Sue faced during a month-long expedition, proving that with unwavering teamwork, no obstacle is insurmountable.

- Greenland: The unknown island
Greenland is the largest island in the world yet one of the least populated countries. It contains 1/8 of the world’s ice mass, and plays an increasing role in the world’s weather and search for mineral resources. Join Sue to learn more about Greenland, its landscape and its people.

- The disappearing world of the last Arctic hunters
Travel with Inuits and their sled dogs to consider how the stark simplicity of survival is rapidly changing for them.

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REGION FOCUSED - AFRICA, MIDDLE EAST, ASIA

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- Travelling across a desert with Bedouin
Discover Sue's travels across the Wadi Rum desert exploring endless dunes, ancient traditions, and the power of silence.

- Grit and Resilience: Early Female Explorers
Be inspired by two women from 1800s who travelled around the world, discovered new cultures, and became renowned for their travel writing.

- An Epic Adventure in the African Wilderness
Whether you're a wide-eyed first-timer or a frequent visitor, Kenya cannot fail to win your heart. Learn about this part of East Africa as Sue travelled through its dramatic landscapes, observing its unique wildlife and meeting its people.

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REGION FOCUSED - NORTH, SOUTH AMERICA AND ANTARCTICA

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- Inspiring the Next Generation in Antarctica
Immerse yourself in the remarkable tale of Robert Swan's groundbreaking expedition, empowering 35 young minds to protect and cherish Antarctica.

- Surviving the Amazon
Learn about Isabel Godin's epic journey of crossing the Andes and travelling down the Amazon to be reunited with her husband in the 1750s.

- Chile: An ever changing landscape
Chile is a land of contrasts: from desert in the North to icecap in the South. Sue Stockdale shares recollections from her expedition in Patagonia getting to grips with the weather, language and logistics whilst leading 120 people on an adventure of a lifetime.

- Traveling down the longest line on the map
Reflecting on the appeal of the Pan-American Highway stretching from Alaska to Argentina, for those who travel on it.

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REGION FOCUSED - AUSTRALIA
- Exploring The Evolution of Australian Cuisine
Delve into the history of Australian food, from Indigenous use of native ingredients to the influence of British settlers and modern global flavours.

- A Nation of Champions: How Sport Shaped Australia's Identity
Explore how Australia rose to global prominence through sports and how sporting culture is woven into the national identity.

- A journey into Earth's Oldest Jungle - The Daintree rainforest
Learn about Daintree, one of the world's oldest rainforests, dating back over 135 million years and why it has unique significance and ecological importance.

- Modern Australian Explorers - Pushing the boundaries of adventure
Learn about inspiring figures from various fields of exploration who have continued the nation's tradition of discovery and exploration, including Kate Leeming, extreme endurance cyclist and explorer, and Tim Jarvis, who has re-created historical expeditions, including Sir Ernest Shackleton's Antarctic journey under the same conditions—using only period gear and supplies.

- Darwin: Gateway to the Outback – Where History, Culture, and Nature Converge
Discover Darwin’s unique role as a vibrant tropical city, rich in Indigenous heritage, World War II history, and a launchpad to Australia’s wild Northern Territory, from crocodile-infested rivers to stunning national parks.

- Conquering the Dunes: The Intrepid Explorers Who Crossed the Simpson Desert
Dive into the stories of adventurers who traversed the harsh Simpson Desert.

- Kate Leeming: From African to Australia exploring the world by bicycle
Learn about Australian adventurer Kate Leeming and how she developed her love for cycling and the impact she aims to make through her expeditions.

- The Rugged Beauty of Western Australia's coastline
Find out about the stunning, untouched coast of Western Australia from the Ningaloo Reef to the towering cliffs of Kimberly, and why the rich marine life and indigenous heritage make this a fascinating region.

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BRIDGE COMMENTARIES

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- Cape Horn commentary
Cape Horn separates the Atlantic from the Pacific and it is home to some of the most treacherous waters on the planet. The winds here known as the ‘roaring 40s and furious 50s’ swirl around the Southern Ocean uninterrupted by land. Sue provides a bridge commentary for this sailing.

- Amalia Glacier commentary
This glacier which originates in the Southern Patagonian Ice Cap, is best viewed by ship. Sue provides a bridge commentary for this part of a voyage.

- Prince Christian Sound commentary
Sailing through Prince Christian Sound in Greenland gives a unique perspective of the landscape and glaciers. Sue provides a bridge commentary for this part of a voyage.

The following recent Cruise History has been recorded for this candidate.