Sarah Outen
Athlete & Adventurer
It’s not often that athletes speak so openly about the effects of fear. Sarah Outen, a world record breaking adventurer, not only acknowledges fear but welcomes it. In 2009, after the sudden loss of her father, Sarah embarked on a solo voyage unlike any other. Along her journey she encountered many dangerous threats, but went on to become the youngest person and the first woman to row solo across the Indian Ocean.
In 2011 Sarah began a new challenge. She embarked on a 25,000 mile expedition to cycle, row and kayak across the Northern Hemisphere using solely her own power to circumnavigate the globe. Four and half years later, after enduring tropical storms, damage to her boat and battling both physical and mental illness she went on to become the first woman to row solo from Japan to Alaska. The entire journey, which also entailed being the first woman to the row the mid-pacific from West to East, is documented beautifully in the film ‘Home’. Through Sarah’s journey we are taught the true meaning of determination, vulnerability and the challenges involved in embracing our fears.
HAVE YOU ALWAYS HAD THIS PASSION FOR THE OUTDOORS?
The outside has always been a part of my inside, yes. Growing up I played outside as much as I could and as I got older I went exploring further from home.
I’VE HEARD YOU TALK ABOUT EMBRACING FAILURE, I THINK THAT TAKES QUITE A LOT OF COURAGE. CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT?
Through school I was conditioned not to fail and I remember as an 18 year old being scared of it as I hadn’t done enough of it. My 2009 journey across the Indian Ocean started off with an excellent fail – ten days after starting I was back at the start line, having rowed in a big circle. I called it my Warm Up Lap and went out to sea for a second attempt the week later. I think embracing failure is all about meeting the situation and yourself with kindness, curiosity perhaps about what happened (sometimes it’s obvious and sometimes not until later) and learning from it what you can. I like the idea that the word courage is rooted from the Latin word for heart – and that it means whole hearted. To me, being whole hearted is about embracing life and ourselves in fullness, all the complexity and messiness. Some of my best lessons and experiences have come from the other side of failings.
IT LOOKS LIKE THE PEOPLE YOU MET AND THE RELATIONSHIPS YOU BUILT ALONG THE WAY WERE A PRETTY HUGE PART OF YOUR JOURNEY. HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO HAVE A COMMUNITY?
We are social beings – we need each other. Community and connection is crucial to our surviving and thriving. For me my connections are a mix of humans, nature and my donkeys.
DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING COMING UP THAT YOU’RE FOCUSING ON?
I am working on a couple of writing projects and also training as a psychotherapist, alongside various other education and support work projects. I would love to make a journey with our donkeys one day.
SARAH OUTEN IS A BRITISH ATHLETE AND ADVENTURER, YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HER PHENOMENAL JOURNEY HERE.
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