Challenge The Status Quo – Alison Levine

“I learned a long time ago that I will never be the best or the fastest climber, but I don’t have to be. I just have to be absolutely relentless about putting one foot in front of the other.”

Alison Levine isn’t your typical mountain climber or polar explorer. Her unusual transition from corporate life, working for several Fortune 500 companies to becoming a deputy finance director for Arnold Schwarzenegger in his successful bid to become governor of California back in 2003, makes her background rather unique.

More than that, she has made history on several occasions:

• She served as team captain of the first American Women’s Everest Expedition, climbed the highest peak on each continent and skied to both the North and South Poles—a feat known as the Adventure Grand Slam—which only twenty people in the world have achieved.
• In January 2008, she made history as the first American to complete a 600-mile traverse across west Antarctica to the South Pole, following the route of legendary explorer Reinhold Messner. Levine completed this arduous journey on skis while hauling 150 pounds of her gear and supplies in a sled harnessed to her waist.
• She made history again in 2016 when she completed two first ascents: Hall Peak in Antarctica and Khang Karpo in Nepal.

Her success in extreme environments is noteworthy given she has had three heart surgeries and suffers from Raynaud’s disease, which causes the arteries that feed her fingers and toes to collapse in cold weather—leaving her at extreme risk for frostbite.

Adding to her stellar resume, she is a New York Times best-selling author of the book called: ‘On the Edge: Leadership Lessons from Mount Everest and other Extreme Environments’ and a film-maker who executive produced the documentary film called ‘PASANG’ (www.pasangmovie.com). The film chronicles the life of Pasang Lhamu Sherpa (1961-1993), the first female Sherpa to summit Mt. Everest.

Such are her remarkable achievements, driven by a burning passion to explore extreme environments and some of the most inhospitable places on earth. We spoke to her to find out how she got started on this journey and how she tackled the challenges faced, in order to reach the pinnacle of her successes.

EARLY LIFE

Tell us more about your family background and share with us on what it was like growing up.

I grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, which has some of the hottest weather in the United States. I always thought I would be an air-conditioning repair woman because I figured that job would be in high demand and would offer a lot of job security.

I was the middle child in between two brothers. My parents took a very “tough-love” approach to raising us. My mom’s rules were, “no whining, no crying, and no complaining.” This type of mindset has its advantages and disadvantages of course. The advantage is that it builds resilience and self-reliance. The disadvantage is that it tends to make you fearful about expressing fear, anger or sadness.

How did your upbringing shape the person you are today?

My father, Jack Levine, was an FBI agent in the 60s under J. Edgar Hoover. He was the first Special Agent to ever publicly speak out against Hoover and tried to get him investigated for all of the unethical things he was doing. Hoover was one of the most powerful people in the nation at the time, and no government agencies were willing to investigate him – no one would touch him. Hoover sought revenge on my father and ruined his career. But of course after Hoover died, all of his illegal and unethical dealings were revealed, and my father was vindicated.

Growing up as the daughter of Jack Levine shaped who I am today because he taught me that you call out the wrongs that you witness, even if it costs you everything. AND…you go down swinging.

How would you sum up your childhood?

One word: Strength-building.

JOURNEY

How and why did you get interested in mountain-climbing, polar exploration and subsequently film-making respectively?

Mountain-climbing & polar exploration

Growing up in Phoenix, I was always intrigued by the early Arctic and Antarctic explorers and the early mountaineers. I loved reading about all of these expeditions – because it felt like an escape from the oppressive summer heat (average high temperature in August of last year was 110 degreesF/43.3 C).

But I never thought I would actually go to any of these places because I was born with a hole in my heart, so I faced some health challenges. I had my first heart surgery when I was 17, and then another when I turned 30.

And after that second surgery this lightbulb went on in my head and I thought, “If I want to know what it’s like to cross Antarctica on skis, then I should go do it instead of reading about it. If I want to know what it’s like to try to climb a big mountain, I should go climb one instead of watching climbing films. And if these other guys can go do this stuff, why can’t I?” So I climbed my first mountain at age 32 and have not stopped since.

Film-making

As far as the film-making goes… the film, PASANG, is about the first female Sherpa to summit Mt. Everest, and I got involved as the executive producer on the film because I think it is important for the world to know about strong women who broke through gender barriers in pursuit of their dreams. The subject of the film, Pasang Lhamu Sherpa, died while descending the mountain in 1993, so she never got the chance to tell her story. I wanted to make sure it got told.

What was the personal development process like for you?

In addition to all of the physical training involved, I tried to read about various failed expeditions so I could analyze why they failed. Not only the accounts of teams that didn’t reach the summit, but also the accounts of expeditions that had severe injuries or deaths.

I wanted to know what went wrong and what could have led to a better outcome. Sometimes tragic consequences are due to things that are out of your control, but other times they are preventable.

What are some hard decisions you had to make and tough challenges faced along the way?

Turning back from the summit of Mt Everest less than 300ft/70 meters from the summit in a storm in 2002. We were the first American Women’s Everest Expedition so we had quite a lot of media coverage, and it’s always hard to fail when you are in the public eye.

We had to do a big media tour after the expedition and talk about how we did not achieve our goal of getting to the summit. Talking about your failures over and over on national television and in print media can feel like a punch to the gut after a while.

ACHIEVEMENTS

Which achievements/milestones are you most proud of and why?

I am most proud of my work in western Uganda where I trained jobless women to work as porters and trekking guides on Mt Stanley which is in the Rwenzori Mountain range and is the highest peak in Uganda. Prior to our work over there, these women had to rely on prostitution survive. Once they were trained to work in the mountains, they were able to earn a sustainable living wage, which was a game-changer for them.

Outside of the mountains, I am most proud of my work in leadership development and helping people of all ages and in all different job functions become stronger leaders. I spent four years on the part-time faculty at the United States Military Academy at West Point where I lectured in the Department of ‘Behavioral Sciences and Leadership’.

I also speak more than 100 times a year at corporate conferences around the globe, sharing the leadership lessons I have learned in the mountains and advising people on how to lead (in business and in life) in a world where the conditions around you are constantly shifting and changing. I am incredibly proud of this work, because I get to have a positive influence on thousands of people every year, and that feels really great!

What do you think are the key ingredients to your success?

The key ingredient to my success, in the mountains and in my personal/professional life, is my determination. I learned a long time ago that I will never be the best or the fastest climber, but I don’t have to be. I just have to be absolutely relentless about putting one foot in front of the other.

What lies ahead in terms of your goals and ambitions?

I am incredibly excited to be working with Seabourn Cruises in their launch of a new polar icebreaker ship – the Seabourn Venture. This ship is being built specifically to go to the Arctic and Antarctic regions, as well as other regions that would be nearly impossible to get to by plane. The ship is scheduled to be finished in the Spring of 2022. I am the godmother of the ship, an honor that stays with me as long as the ship is in service.

I am looking forward to being part of the effort to get more people to embark upon adventures that will take them to the ends of the earth. One of my personal goals is to get more people to have an adventurous mindset, as these experiences are life-changing for people.

PERSONAL (LIFE)

To you, what are the most important things in life?

The most important things in life involve showing the people you care about that they are important to you. I can live without mountains. I can live without money. I cannot live without connection/love. People are more important than anything else. ANYTHING.

And one thing I have learned is that a few kind words of support can completely change the outcome of a situation for someone who is struggling. You have to show up for people. Period.

And if I could change anything in this world, I would “cure” loneliness. I think a lot of people feel very desperate because they feel lonely, as if no one cares about them. This is one reason we lose people to suicide.

What’s worth mentioning on your life’s bucket list that you have not done?

I have always wanted to start a dog-rescue. I love dogs so much. SO SO SO MUCH!!! I want to kiss every single dog that walks by me. Sometimes I do it (if the owner gives me permission).

Why do you do what you do? (What drives you everyday)

I know that my words have the ability to change people’s lives for the better. There is no better feeling than when I get off stage and someone comes running up to me and tells me about a challenge they now feel confident they can overcome.

Or when they tell me they are going to look at their set-backs as pure opportunity, or when they tell me they are going to make massive changes in their life that they were previously in fear of making. This is why I do what I do. I figure if I can make people think, laugh, learn, and then take action – I’ve done my job.

Who are the role models and influences in your life?

My mom’s cousin, Jack Terry is a major role model for me. He is 91 years old and lives in New York. He is a holocaust survivor and was the youngest prisoner to survive the Flossenbug concentration camp. He grew up in Poland, and his parents and siblings were shot and killed by the Nazis, so when the Americans came to liberate the camp, he had NOTHING. No family, nowhere to go.

But an American army officer helped get him to the US where he was eventually adopted by a family in New York. He refused to let his past prevent him from living his best life. He went to college and went on to serve in the American army because he was so grateful to them for rescuing him, and if that was not enough, he went to medical school and became a psychiatrist because he wanted to help people with PTSD.

Whenever I am having a sh*t day, I think of him and his outlook on life and all of his contributions. I am inspired by him every day. EVERY. DAY.

What are some things that many people don’t know about you?

I am an extreme introvert. And when I say extreme, I mean EXTREME.

What are you most passionate about in life and why?

Well, besides DOGS, I am most passionate about helping people develop their leadership skills so that they can achieve more than they ever thought possible.

What are some life lessons you will take to your grave?

~ When you see bad sh*t going on, call it out.

~ Don’t ever underestimate the power of a few kind words.

~ When you hear “no” – don’t let that be your stopping point.

~ You don’t have to be the best, fastest, strongest climber to get to the top of a mountain – you just have to be absolutely relentless about putting one foot in front of the other.

VIEWPOINTS

Embarking on expeditions in extreme environments comes with a fair amount of risks to human life. What are some steps you take to ensure good leadership and to create cohesive teams on such trips?

Well, this answer would require hours and hours of writing. It’s all about building trust and loyalty, while also displaying competence during times of extreme uncertainty.

I wrote an entire book about this – ON THE EDGE: Leadership Lessons from Mt. Everest and Other Extreme Environments.

Despite having three heart surgeries and being a sufferer of Raynaud’s disease, you continue to embark on expeditions with extreme environments. What’s the rationale behind this? What can people with underlying medical conditions who have that same train of thought do to mitigate their own risks?

First of all, talk to your doctor before you embark on anything that could put your health at risk.

The reason I still embark on expeditions is because my heart condition is now cured, and the problems associated with my Raynaud’s can usually be alleviated with hand-warmers.

You are the founder of the Climb High Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of jobless women in western Uganda by training them to be trekking guides and porters in their local mountains. How can more women facing similar circumstances be empowered to take control of their own lives this way? In Africa and around the world.

Prior to me going to work with these women in Uganda and taking them up into their local mountains, they had no opportunity to make money because women were not permitted to climb these mountains – it was considered “taboo” in their culture. For generations, women just assumed that they could not step into the mountains because people told them they couldn’t go.

And believe it or not, no one ever asked WHY. And as it turned out, there was no real reason why women could not climb or work in these mountains. It simply had been status quo and no one had challenged it.

So one big step women can take to empower themselves is to ask questions and CHALLENGE THE STATUS QUO. The only way progress happens is when people ask questions. Step up and ask. Don’t accept the explanation of “it has always been this way.”

And when someone tells you, “no” – it doesn’t mean you have to walk away from an opportunity. Be persistent, stand your ground. Don’t just give up every time someone tells you “no.”