Jan Meek
Adventurer - Motivational Speaker - Polar Maiden @Meek & Wild
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WORK HISTORY
Adventurer - Motivational Speaker - Polar Maiden @Meek & Wild
I have had the good fortune to have wonderful adventures - rowed with my son across the Atlantic Ocean, walked to the Magnetic North Pole, been part of Sir David Hempleman-Adams\' trek to the Geographic North Pole and now I\'m off to the South Pole (Dec 2018) as organiser and founder of the unique Polar Maidens team (#womenlessordinary - I speak about my adventures; either as After Dinner Speaker; a good yarn or as Keynote or Inspirational Speaker for Corporate, Conferences, Schools, Charities, Rotary or any other such organisation. I can weave my story around the themes as required.The Polar Maidens are a team of ‘ordinary’ women (aged 24-74) who are undertaking a 20 day trek to the South Pole in December 2018. I’m the 74 year old! We hail from from Ireland, England and India - see a recent BBC News clip - https://polar-maidens.net/2018/09/19/polar-maidens-bbc/. Aileen, Caroline, Tanvi, Madhabilata and I are becoming #womenlessordinary.In my early career I was a continuity girl for TV and film. I had an office next door to Roger Moore’s dressing room whilst he was filming ‘The Saint’! I later worked in Saudi Arabia for the United States Geological Survey, ran several businesses (including a childrens’ boutique and a wedding venue), was the Town Mayor of Chipping Norton and studied Chinese in Taiwan. In the 90’s after the tragic death of my husband, I found a passion for adventure and this became my way of life. In 1994, I cycled around China. In 1998 I rowed 3505 miles across the Atlantic with my son in a 23ft rowing boat. 2007 found me racing 403 miles to the North Magnetic Pole (as part of David Hempleman-Adams\' expedition) and in 2008 I trekked to the Geographic Pole. These adventures earned me Guinness World Records including- First mother and son team to row any ocean (1998)- Oldest woman to row an ocean in a mixed pair (1998)- First mother and son team to reach a pole (2007)
SKILLS
ABOUT JAN MEEK
Experienced Motivational Speaker with a demonstrated history of working in the entertainment industry. Adventurer and multiple Guinness World Record holder. Founder/leader of the Polar Maidens expedition to the South Pole in December 2018.(#womenlessordinary - The Polar Maidens are a team of five ‘ordinary’ women (aged 24-74) from England, Ireland and India. Our goals for this epic 20 day challenge in Antarctica are:1 – SCIENTIFIC: Find out how women of different ages react to the same extreme conditions and recover physically and emotionally. It’s been done with men and with athletes – but not a team of more ‘ordinary’ women. Prof Chris Imray, from Warwick Medical School, is an international leader in extreme medicine. He will be advising the Polar Maidens on physiological and psychological measurements.2 – PERSONAL: Undertake a rather more personal mission of completing the journey of renowned explorer, Tom Crean, from Scott’s 1910 expedition. He is the grandfather to one of the Polar Maidens. By reaching the South Pole a century later, the Polar Maidens are also showing how far women have come since the 1900’s in terms of physical strength and spirit.3 – ENVIRONMENTAL: Tanvi, one of the Polar Maidens, is advising the team on how they can be the most environmentally friendly expedition to the South Pole. They will be planting trees on their return to offset their carbon footprint and using as much recyclable equipment as possible. The team want to reinforce the message of how important it is to preserve this unique Antarctic environment.4 – PHILANTHROPIC: Raise funds for the INSPIRATIONELLE FOUNDATION so that grants can be given to more women and young people looking to complete an extraordinary project.Skilled in Event Management, Journalism, Media Relations, Corporate Communications, and Fundraising. Strong media and communication professional graduated from Richmond and East Sheen Grammar School for Girls.
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