#114 Lisa Thompson - Conquering the 7 Summits, Surviving Cancer, and Redefining What’s Possible

In episode #114 I’m speaking to Lisa Thompson; a world-class mountaineer, cancer survivor, and someone who has made a habit of tackling life’s toughest challenges — both on the mountains and off. She’s summited Everest, K2, and completed the Seven Summits, which means she’s stood on the highest peak of every continent. But what makes Lisa’s story so special isn’t just the mountains she’s climbed—it’s how she’s used those experiences to push through fear, adversity, and self-doubt. Lisa’s journey into mountaineering started with a bit of defiance, and after battling breast cancer, she didn’t just return to climbing — she came back stronger, eventually becoming the second American woman to summit K2. Through her company, Alpine Athletics, she now helps others prepare physically and mentally for their own adventures. Her book, Finding Elevation, has been getting some incredible reviews. Chuck Garcia, CEO of Climb Leadership International, describes it as “beautifully written” and a story anyone facing challenges can relate to. Johanna Garton, author of Edge of the Map, called it “an honest and gripping look at the world of high-altitude mountaineering,” while Garrett Madison, the world’s premier Everest guide, highlights how Lisa’s writing brings readers into the intimate world of fear, self-discovery, and pushing limits. This is episode #114 and Lisa Thompson!