WOMEN WHO INSPIRE: Tenacious Trekker Sue Gearan

Imagine this: it is early into the Fall of 2020 and you've been working toward an incredible goal for ten years and its the final step or should I say trek. The goal - to see 100 countries before your 50th birthday. But you are smack dab in the middle of a global pandemic - oh haaaay Covid. Do you let that cursed Covid crush your dreams?? If you are Sue Gearan the answer is no way. "As I got closer to October I started looking at the potential countries that would allow Americans and Tanzania was one of the few that were welcoming us. I've become fond of trekking vacations after visiting Peru, Nepal, Patagonia, etc."

After meticulously prepping & thoughtfully packing a streamlined number of items, Sue orchestrated all her travel details per Covid restrictions and the dates were set. Her 100th country was within her reach.

Initially the plan was to trek to the base of the mountain. But then her determination & inspiration took hold one more time. "I had no real intention of summiting Kilimanjaro - maybe just making it to base camp but then when we started the adrenaline kicked in and I found myself really wanting to meet this challenge and succeed. It made it that much sweeter that I finished and my guides and group were SO supportive - they were not going to let me fail." Mission accomplished and on a high note at that. Grand slam! Congrats Sue!!!

A trek like that in a different altitude can take a little time to recoup from but when I asked Sue if she had any other travel goals in the near future her answer should not have surprised me. "Definitely - I really want to do a TransSiberian Railway trip. I'm thinking about starting in Finland and then hopping over to Russia then taking the famous train across through Mongolia and in to China. Antartica is also on the list as my final continent." Talk about inspiring!!!

When I asked the tenacious traveling trekker if she could meet only one famous woman alive or on the other side , who would it be and why? There was no hesitation in her reply. "Dervla Murphy (born 1931) an Irish touring cyclist and author of adventure travel books for over 40 years." When wondering more about Dervla she further explained that she was "best known for her 1965 book Full Tilt: Ireland to India With a Bicycle. It is about an overland cycling trip through Europe, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. She followed this with volunteer work helping Tibetan refugees in India and Nepal and trekking with a mule through Ethiopia. Murphy normally travelled alone without luxuries and depending on the hospitality of local people. I really admire solo female travelers and also people who travel in a low key way meeting the "real" people and not just joining a tour or sticking with other tourists. I also like the fact that she volunteered along the way. Pretty progressive woman for her time."

When asked who inspires her, Sue explained "I'm definitely inspired but those who give back to their fellow man. Everyone is capable of this on both a small or large scale. There's no excuse to not help others who are in need. Travel wise I'm inspired by learning about other cultures. I do find no matter where I go worldwide, we are all very much the same. Something people should really think about and not fear." That is such a true statement and beautiful approach to life, one that I would think many a young girl with goals and dreams if her own should hear.

Segueing into our final question I asked Sue : If you were mentoring a little girl today during these challenging times - what advice would you give to her?"I'd probably give her the same advice my mom gave me which is to always be able to take care of yourself and maintain your independence. I think having lots of interests and hobbies is key and to maintain a curiosity about the world - even when you're stuck in your room. You can always learn, read and study about many things."

Well its official Sue you truly do inspire. I am so amazed and incredibly impressed by you and all you have a accomplished!! May many a woman read and be as inspired as I am. I might also add that though packing was super tight Sue managed to do me a solid and take a photo at base camp of our little APOTHECARA aromatherapy GERMINATOR bottle. Thank you!!

Thanks to Lily Jeovanna of Lily + Lion Salon for our introduction and suggestion!! Another woman who inspires for another month!

Thank you for sharing with us Sue!

❤️🙏❤️