How to Prepare, Plan and Train for an Expedition of a Lifetime

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🤩🍿 I had the pleasure of sitting down with Karen Malena Kyllesø for an in-depth conversation. She followed her dream and, as a side effect, set a world-record by becoming the youngest person ever to ski alone (unsupported) to the South Pole, and I had heaps of questions I wanted to ask her. The 2nd clip from this episode on the Accelerated Learning podcast is available now, check it out!

💡 In this 2nd clip, Karen talks about the most challenging aspect of getting a major expedition off the ground. The key part in her training, and how her training varies across time and seasons. She also unveils how she worked with partners to customize equipment to her needs. We then discuss the challenges of dealing with the unexpected, and how it influences what to pack.

🧭 Karen is a Norwegian adventurer and polar explorer (polfarer) who’s redefined what’s possible at a young age. At just 14, she became the youngest woman to ski across Greenland, braving storms and setting a world record. In January 2025, at only 21, Karen skied solo to the South Pole, becoming the youngest person ever to conquer the grueling 1 130-km journey alone, pulling two sleds weighing nearly twice her own body weight.

As a self-described 'Duracell bunny,' her relentless drive and meticulous preparation have earned her praise from legends like Børge Ousland. She’s a true testament that you can turn ambition into action, proving that with the right mindset, anyone can push their limits.
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​Subscribe 🔔 to my YouTube channel to support the Accelerated Learning podcast, and to not miss out on the full episode.
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You can pre-order Karen Kyllesø's book «Heilt Aleine» here.
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On Your Way Up vs. The Top

Unfortunately this quote hits the mark, as in many cases comparison ends up being the thief of joy. The reason being that people are often not sufficiently capable of being happy for others. Their ego comes in their way, blocking them from experiencing the sensation of happiness on behalf of someone else. It stops them from taking part in the celebration of the payoff of someone's hard work, that has finally led to some form of success.
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Rather, you may need to remind yourself of all the work, late hours and difficult choices that most likely went into their success, that you have not seen or are not fully aware of.
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Try replacing the potential feeling of jealousy with feelings gratitude. Redirecting the knee-jerk reaction to another outlet in the emotional register. You can train yourself to do this. The more you practice, the quicker and smoother the result. Until you're completely rewired and its become second nature to you.
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Try it.
Set the bar low.
Call it an experiment.
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It's easier than you think, and we will all stand to benefit from it, not just you.
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Why Lying is so Pervasive in Society and What to Do About It

"Lies are the social equivalent of toxic waste -
everyone is potentially harmed by their spread."

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​Sam Harris is a neuroscientist, philosopher, New York Times best-selling author, host of the Making Sense podcast, and creator of the Waking Up app.
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​Lying is a long-form essay book (~40 pages + Q&A section) from 2011 in which he argues that we can radically simplify our lives and improve society by merely telling the truth in situations where others often lie. Even though the book is short and easy to read, reading it makes you reflect on your own life and lies, and contemplate life long after finishing it.
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This article covers the book's key points, a summary of each chapter ("White Lies", "The True Impact of a Lie" and "Lies Are a Lot of Work") as well as the most significant quotes.

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