Climber and Speaker – Jennifer Willis

In this inspiring episode of The Tiberius Show, Tiberius sits down with Jen Willis, an educator, speaker, coach, and record-setting mountain climber who proved that other people do not get to decide what you are capable of accomplishing. At 54 years old, while living with multiple sclerosis, Jen Willis became the first Australian with MS to successfully reach the summit of Mount Everest. Her journey is about far more than climbing a mountain—it is about challenging the stories we tell ourselves, building resilience, facing setbacks, and discovering that sometimes the biggest obstacles are the ones we carry inside. Jen shares her experiences growing up feeling like she wasn’t athletic or “good enough,” being bullied, discovering her passion for outdoor education and climbing, receiving her MS diagnosis, and ultimately setting her sights on the highest mountain in the world. She also opens up about her first Everest attempt in 2023, the disappointment of being unable to summit because of missing oxygen supplies, and how that experience forced her to confront some of the deeper beliefs she had carried for decades. Discussion Points: • Jen’s journey from being picked last in physical education to climbing Mount Everest
• How other people’s opinions can shape the stories we tell ourselves
• Outdoor and experiential education and what students can learn outside the classroom
• Positive psychology, wellbeing, resilience, optimism, and flourishing
• How challenging your comfort zone can help build resilience
• Narrative therapy and changing the story you tell yourself
• Living with multiple sclerosis while pursuing extreme physical challenges
• The physical and mental preparation required to climb Mount Everest
• Jen’s 2023 Everest attempt and the unexpected logistical problems that stopped her summit bid
• Returning to Everest in 2026 with a different mindset and renewed perspective
• What it felt like to finally stand on the summit of Mount Everest
• Turning personal challenges into lessons that can help others
• The idea that everyone has their own personal “Everest” in life
• Identity, self-belief, and learning that your achievements don’t determine your worth
• Jen’s future climbing ambitions, including Mount Denali
• Leadership, guidance, and the importance of helping others navigate their journey
• A memorable—and hilarious—story from Jen’s time on the mountain
• The importance of making others feel better about themselves after every conversation The episode also features Math Corners, where Tiberius and Jen calculate the total elevation gained from Everest Base Camp to the summit, and Heart of a Lion, where they discuss leadership, integrity, obedience, and ability. Whether you’re interested in mountains, education, psychology, resilience, or simply wondering what you’re capable of accomplishing, Jen’s story is a powerful reminder that sometimes the first step toward reaching your own Everest is believing that you are capable of taking it. 

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