Rosie Stancer – Defying Limits. Inspiring Humanity.

00:00:11: Welcome to Towards Humanity.

00:00:16: I am so excited to present you with our first guest, her name is Rosie Stanser who's a British explorer an enduroist athlete and motivational speaker known for his solo unsupported expeditions across Antarctica.

00:00:35: She skied vast distances alone in temperatures below minus forty degrees Celsius, hauling everything she needed to survive.

00:00:45: It's quite amazing that her journeys demanded exceptional mental resilience as much as physical strength.

00:00:53: today I'm delighted that you're here with us to share our powerful lessons on leadership decision-making under pressure and disciplined courage in the face of extreme conditions.

00:01:09: Welcome, Rosie Stanser to Towards Humanity.

00:01:12: We are thrilled to have you here!

00:01:16: Are you there?

00:01:18: I'm here

00:01:19: very much

00:01:20: and You've just returned from a wonderful trip across Saudi Arabia...I must say..you're definitely back in Showered and all that.

00:01:33: I'm back, and slightly more fragrant after nearly three months travelling through the length of The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

00:01:41: And oh boy it's good to be back in eating sensible non-squiggly food!

00:01:47: Well well...I totally applaud that something i would never be able to do.

00:01:52: but um..i'd love to ask you a real dive straight into this.

00:01:56: You know like what made your first one to explore?

00:02:01: What does say about human curiosity?

00:02:04: in your words, I'm dying to hear.

00:02:07: Well, funnily enough you've always immediately answered the question yourself because it is all about curiosity and that's a prerequisite of any explorer who merits such as job title eats never ending appetite or hunger for knowledge afresh going out and conquering places.

00:02:35: It's about learning, it is about discovery.

00:02:40: And I must admit when i first started albeit some fairly tomboy activities as a young girl When I used to climb trees because I saw my elder brother do it Well if he can do that then why cant I?

00:02:54: In this replayed itself later in life I was curious.

00:03:00: I saw and heard, read about all these hardy bearded male explorers going to the top in the bottom of the world.

00:03:10: You know?

00:03:10: The polar regions... And it was very much sort-of a territory of male testosterone!

00:03:17: Where

00:03:18: are the

00:03:18: women?!

00:03:19: Well, why can't we do it?

00:03:21: And so it was a rather abstract sort of awakening that curiosity.

00:03:26: Nothing to do in those days and were talking nineteen nineties nothing to do with the word environment.

00:03:31: That didn't really feature in one's vocabulary not just mine but anybody except for The sort-of profits such as you know our then Prince of Wales.

00:03:42: So I thought I never see what i discover by trying myself, breaking barriers.

00:03:52: And it really was breaking barriers even down to the kit that one tried to find an equipment with all designed and tailored for men but also you know then people said oh you won't be physically strong enough?

00:04:06: My holy grail was to prove actually women not in a feminist angry way bit as much strength.

00:04:18: It's just a different sort of strengths, it's the strength that lies in your head and your heart its grit determination and courage because with you know anyone can have curiosity but you can sit in your armchair be curious about what you're watching on television.

00:04:38: But you need to glue it all together.

00:04:44: And that's how I started.

00:04:46: I'm speechless because you actually answer in a couple of questions, I already had ahead-of time.

00:04:53: You know the fact that i also grew up In South Africa and we also played in The playground and We didn't have toys?

00:05:01: We just had nature and um...I climbed trees too but it Didn't lead me to want To become an explorer.

00:05:09: quite the opposite around to play the piano But That's another story.

00:05:14: I find that really... But there's

00:05:15: a very good point, i'm going to go of peace here and say well you know in bringing up our children I run a board for a charity called the Scientific Exploration Society where we encourage, help and support younger fledglings to get on-board exploration.

00:05:34: And with very young explorers because babies are an explorer if you think about it crawling around having look here there they're very nosy born a nosey Parker.

00:05:46: Sounds a bit cruel here, but we shouldn't really just throw all these toys at children because like you You've got to gym.

00:05:54: It's called the great outdoors,

00:05:55: you know At your absolutely correct?

00:05:59: We also.

00:05:59: I also grew up in a period of time In South Africa where we didn't have television.

00:06:05: So my next question was going to be about curiosity A bigger sense of imagination than the kids of today.

00:06:17: You know, we had to actually imagine a situation by listening... ...to radio and stories on the radio.

00:06:24: I remember as a kid We used have a program called Mark Saxon in Sergei.

00:06:28: i think it was BBC And that's scary enough to terrify me much more then how they've been watching television.

00:06:36: but you know coming back too this to use next exploration.

00:06:42: when?

00:06:43: When did exploration stop being about further and start been about understanding?

00:06:48: I mean, you've done so many explorations.

00:06:54: Well do you mean personally or generally not

00:06:57: because of this

00:06:59: person?

00:07:01: Because when i mentioned that first expedition which was very much.

00:07:08: well if the men can let's see what women are capable off and going off as a female into that world.

00:07:18: And it was about proving that we're capable of the men, it's about proving.

00:07:23: therefore we would make good teammates so to speak.

00:07:28: but I mean... To be really honest with Frank please no letters!

00:07:34: It is about glory and bagging firsts in those days.

00:07:39: We were all at it, breaking records getting into the Guinness Book of Records or that.

00:07:45: then by about my third expedition when I actually returned solo on my own to The Arctic on a solo bid to the North Pole i was so shocked as slapped in the chops with of what the place had become.

00:08:04: It was like being on a different planet and it made it so much dangerous, more perilous.

00:08:11: climate change!

00:08:12: It had changed because it was warming The ice was thinning There were more storms...the ice breaking up beneath me.

00:08:19: The bears were hungry Everything every element of it made absolutely perilous and extremist And nearly took my life several times which forced me to look at and to understand climate change, completely organically ignited this driving me into say-to people.

00:08:42: This is happening!

00:08:43: It's not just Gore and our then Prince of Wales talking about it... ...this is happening and its happening fast And the Arctic at that time are most visible measuring stick.

00:09:00: Now it's all around us to see.

00:09:01: So I think that was my, and that was two thousand six seven.

00:09:06: so That Was My Sort Of Damascus Moment Where i fully And Naturally Began To Understand The Real Drive Behind Meaningful Exploration As Opposed To Adventuring Is Having A Message of Import purpose and what could be greater than warning people about the peril that our planet is in?

00:09:35: I think your message is absolutely astounding, we need to hear more of it.

00:09:40: We need to understand this as something which can't close out eyes too.

00:09:46: Also like you are very active on climate change – just worked with the Pope about climate change.

00:09:57: But I love the idea that you as an explorer, besides you what do think people are really searching for when they explore?

00:10:13: Well actually sometimes almost at a time where you set off on an expedition yeah and tick box list if you want, like what's the impact of climate change?

00:10:25: If there is any in this particular part of the world and what has been done about it.

00:10:30: What measures are effective or those measures that I mean?

00:10:35: but on the other hand The truth with ease You set off not really knowing what your going to discover.

00:10:43: It's extraordinary because before explorations.

00:10:51: How long does it take you to prepare?

00:10:53: And can you just run us through some of the grueling exercises and vigorous techniques that

00:11:06: Yes, I mean first of all is grueling enough going through all the research and but then And all while particularly for say polo you start training.

00:11:15: You know at least two years before But as a result i just train all the time so i'm ready.

00:11:20: coils fraction.

00:11:23: But um tire Training is a superb way off getting naturally robustly strong and inured because It's not all about the strength and size of your biceps, it is no good just going to a gym because expeditions aren't as neat or clinical that they're clumsy things.

00:11:46: Stuff happens.

00:11:47: you don't anticipate.

00:11:49: so you want that all-round kind superwoman fitness where you are sprung for anything – so that your agile reflexes are fast.

00:12:04: Tire training is perfect because it's clumsy.

00:12:08: It's dirty, its muddy.

00:12:10: get wet you get cold.

00:12:12: You're not just pulling them your lifting them Your squatting with them?

00:12:17: You're throwing them and you'll probably getting chased by dogs in the woods as well.

00:12:23: It's really remarkable Because I've never held a towel a tire In my life even just you know changing attire on a car.

00:12:30: are you talking about attractor tie or a very large tire.

00:12:35: Well, rather like Huskies I have a whole sort of pack different tires... I mean collection!

00:12:42: Some women collect expensive handbags and i happen to collect tyres.

00:12:46: Oh my god that's gonna go down in.

00:12:49: history is wonderful saying..I do love it but you know listening to you makes me realise humans are not that different from each other, but we all do in different things to explore so as-so-to speak you know and whether it be filmmaking music authors writers.

00:13:13: But I have to ask you was there any time that you really felt oh my god i'm afraid this is something I didn't foresee?

00:13:25: Oh yes actually okay two very different fears.

00:13:38: The first is a fear that I think will relate to everyone listening and it kicks in before you set off, on the expedition.

00:14:04: And that fear is actually something, it's a huge deterrent to people in other walks of life.

00:14:13: It's big dark crevasse.

00:14:15: you've just got to leap over and I certainly have that normally before every expedition but generally its what I probably don't know about, it's the Hitchcock fear of The Unknown.

00:14:37: Then... ...the other fear is a more visceral type of fear and be very interested for any feedback from anyone who has encountered that moment before you think your going to die.

00:14:54: And what happens?

00:14:56: Because there are quite often different stages.

00:14:59: if there's time that leads you into that situation, where you're in a frightening situation.

00:15:07: But actually yourself aren't full of fear because your concentrating on getting yourself out of that situation.

00:15:17: Correct?

00:15:17: Absolutely

00:15:18: correct!

00:15:19: You are thinking and seeing everything... And then when you've done all the things and it's still happening around you.

00:15:30: And then, you feel absolutely suffused with helpless fear... It hits you!

00:15:39: There is nothing that can be done anymore.

00:15:43: Then that transcends into something much more spiritual rather than physical where you come to realise that your coming towards the end And it's a sort of what I refer to as a mopassable fear.

00:16:03: It's very, it's sort of gentle and lifts you up takes your way

00:16:09: but in some wonderful senses.

00:16:12: You know i have to say having gone through those moments um...you also Have given yourself permission to, as you say have those moments of incredible awareness when You are feeling this great fear and your thinking.

00:16:35: oh my goodness.

00:16:36: This is the end And I think it's very transformative in a way.

00:16:41: um...I Have had that up myself In different circumstances certainly not by exploring somewhere else But i do think That part and parcel of The whole journey the human journey.

00:16:57: And I think what you're describing is really appropriate, I would say for achieving great things in your life happen when you allow yourself to fail?

00:17:12: It's.

00:17:13: it's the fear of failure and the fear making a fool of yourself which you know, which is just nothing like yours.

00:17:25: There's nothing life-threatening about it.

00:17:28: but in a similar way I feel that having gone through the motions of feeling like You've made a fool of yourself Is That You Come Out The Other End?

00:17:43: Yes!

00:17:46: It IS.

00:17:46: and although i have to add a prescription here the carelessly filled with terror for you before you perform and you don't look frightened at all.

00:17:56: I can't tell, I'm like a frozen mad.

00:17:57: It's all an

00:17:59: act.

00:18:00: trust me it's only...it's all in acts!

00:18:02: You know when i do perform.

00:18:04: yes its different?

00:18:05: Well..I

00:18:07: think it is very interesting because um The word failure Is misattributed In so many ways to people And context Because I mean one thing that well Okay, it might be a bit sort of keeping it bridal to polar things.

00:18:24: But if you think of say Scott Captain Robert Falcon Scott who not only died on his way back from the South Pole with this team but also wasn't first to get there anyway which mattered in those days um Was he regarded as a failure?

00:18:45: No, because he gathered vital scientific research.

00:18:49: He also became a hugely important source of inspiration to our men in the trenches fighting The Great War.

00:18:57: Secondly, Ernie Shackleton—the boss made three separate attempts to reach the South Pole.

00:19:04: He died anyway, getting there on the third but first he missed by ninety seven miles decided to turn back because it was sensible and wasn't going.

00:19:13: make all away with his men in fact very courageous And we will know what happened next time when you know the ice swallowed up then the ship trapped him so he never reached a south pole.

00:19:31: And wonderful man Henry Worsley of our time, he died trying to complete his trilogy polar trilogy and was saluted for his noble valor.

00:19:43: I think you know does anyone regard any of those three great men as failures?

00:19:49: No absolutely not!

00:19:55: In many ways i believe that we're all drawn what we intend or what we end up doing.

00:20:02: You know, it's something that you're drawn to and one of the questions I really wanted to ask you was do humans when their survival is on the line people act differently?

00:20:19: They kinder they more together.

00:20:21: there intuition kicks in...you kinda know Always living in a protective environment is difficult one because it never pushes the boundaries of what I call towards humanity.

00:20:41: Yes!

00:20:42: Well, that's it with exploration.

00:20:44: You've got to try and strive to pick those boundaries out further because exploration is not just about discovery of places communities cultures etc.

00:20:57: It's about human potential.

00:21:01: And you've got have that curiosity about your boundaries because people will tell you what your boundaries are.

00:21:08: You're a woman, can't go to the North Pole in too small and frail or also you'd tell yourself sometimes what your boundary's are... And you've got to shut out those voices and go exploring your outer limits!

00:21:23: It is interesting that I think.

00:21:25: how do humans behave when survival is on there?

00:21:30: There were one of two ways sorts of people.

00:21:36: When your life has been under threat, you get to read people quite as you said intuitively because your instincts some which have been dormant for civilisations become awakened when it comes to survival – you hope!

00:21:52: And there are some who will turn inwards and they'll see everything happening quickly.

00:22:01: And it's all about panic, fast-forward fight for self survival often at the cost of teammates or other people involved.

00:22:12: Whereas what you hope and look for in a teammate is somebody who stays calm... ...and yes looks after themselves in order to look after the other people.

00:22:26: they tend to see things Slow motion correct.

00:22:31: Yes in a situation

00:22:34: Which is you know going back to our theory that I'm sure you agree too, but when push comes to shove and Unfortunately there's what we call tragedy people work together they become nicer They help each other You know and yes It it.

00:22:53: for me That's part of the human experience.

00:22:58: Have you ever met people along your journey that have taught you something about your own humanity?

00:23:06: Oh, well yes.

00:23:08: You've

00:23:08: just returned from one

00:23:10: Exactly!

00:23:12: Let's update it and let's move away from the freezing wastelands of the Polo regions.

00:23:17: Okay

00:23:18: Come and soar out in deserts Saudi Arabia I'd say classic.

00:23:23: there is the custom which is religious based on hospitality and thinking carefully of the real meaning of that word.

00:23:36: These people feel obliged but want to offer you shelter, food water no matter what you look like and no matter where come from or whatever they're doing the time something us westerns don't give so generously and they will give whatever they have to be hospitable towards you.

00:24:05: And some of the poorest dwellings nomadic dwellings that I encountered, um i found myself having the most magnificent feasts.

00:24:17: I

00:24:22: think it's what most people really lack is going outside of their comfort zone to a place far remote from their own and, you know engaging with the people of totally different cultures.

00:24:38: Most at that time my personal exploration has been through Asia where no one speaks the same language but we find our way to communicate And I think that's a wonderful thing about journey and humanity.

00:24:55: Yes!

00:24:57: In many ways, I know what you do Rosie is so on your own.

00:25:04: it's solo... ...and you've got so much time to be in your own mind.

00:25:10: That scares me more than being with the whole lot of people in different cultures who don't speak the same language.

00:25:18: So that's an extra, what is the word I'm looking for?

00:25:24: It's something else you've cultivated all your life has been okay by being alone in solitude so long.

00:25:34: Well i love it because it adds a dimension to intensifies The point of these journeys which particularly solo it's not just physical, its psychological and spiritual.

00:25:53: I think you're very rich in that area!

00:25:56: And i was going to ask you as well what surprised you about people from different places?

00:26:08: In similarities fashion like let's go or you went to Mongolia as well, I guess the question that i have for you is even though the cultures are very different what are the similarities

00:26:29: in

00:26:30: the people that you've met?

00:26:32: In these different regions of the world.

00:26:37: It was just so obvious when I encountered it.

00:26:41: and real true happiness, the holy grail that we're all seeking to find is found in simplicity and it's not found in materialism.

00:26:58: And some of the happiest people I've encountered have had very little.

00:27:03: yet they are content!

00:27:06: They have found their nirvana.

00:27:09: And I think that, you know in these remote places You find your own religion.

00:27:25: You've found your own God.

00:27:26: We can't impose it.

00:27:28: But yes i would say It was simplicity of life.

00:27:37: For me its like a village having grown up in Southern Africa.

00:27:43: In the village, you pass the baby around and one of the eldest teaches the baby arithmetic.

00:27:52: One teaches it how to cook, one teaches her how to hunt, one teachers its music And... It takes a village You know?

00:27:59: It depends on the size of the village But it all works!

00:28:06: Yes

00:28:08: and everyone has what they need.

00:28:09: And it's a bit like, in many respects I'm at my soul happiness almost contented.

00:28:19: besides when i am with my family... ...and my darling son Jock is when I'm alone whether its my sledge or camera or my cart.. ..and have so little of me that everything distilled down to what it takes for mere survival and that's wonderful.

00:28:38: And I still have the little luxuries in life, like people with the simplest lives you can still have an extra jelly baby when times are going on!

00:28:48: Okay for those who don't understand Jelly Baby... That is a sweet thing to eat?

00:28:55: Yes it sort of looks like.. You know if we had a secret supply what would we do about M&M's or something?

00:29:01: Oh okay let us switch to M&Ms exactly!

00:29:04: This is so fantastic inspiring to me, and this is why I love having you on the show because... ...I believe we're all here to inspire each other.

00:29:13: And it fits beautifully with humanity.

00:29:16: but i want to ask a more serious question if I may.

00:29:21: Was there ever a mistake that changed how you viewed or approached the world?

00:29:32: I think that uh.. ..I can remember vividly being quite harsh in judging some teammates on turning out to not have trained physically as hard as was needed and demanded for whichever expedition it was.

00:29:58: But then I came to learn through various humiliating experiences that actually, you know...I lacked the skills They excelled in.

00:30:09: maybe they were brilliant.

00:30:10: instead of you know the rubbish at pulling a sledge or yanking camel or something was but may be there we're going to fixing a stove that wasn't working or.

00:30:21: Repairing a sick camel who thought it was, therefore is coming too.

00:30:28: empathize with people for their strengths, yes but also for the weaknesses.

00:30:34: Because guess what?

00:30:35: We all have weaknesses!

00:30:36: There is no such thing as perfection and wouldn't it be awful if there was?

00:30:42: I actually believe that the world would spin off its axis if they were perfections.

00:30:46: It's the differences which make this world go round.

00:30:49: in my opinion we need more of them.

00:30:52: But you know... And i appreciate your answer.

00:30:58: Has exploration ever changed your identity or assumption about your own culture?

00:31:11: Yes, in that I'm actually very proud of our own culture.

00:31:19: And i think it serves to remind us we should respect and protect Other people's cultures are not superimposed on them because we're insular here in the UK.

00:31:35: We are an island and therefore, we have a long history of explorations.

00:31:39: cause obviously...we had nowhere to go but out beyond.

00:31:44: so whether by sea land deserts were busy at their exploring And it was normally with you know motives or exploitation where there is trade slavery, religion too.

00:32:02: And when it comes to culture as I was talking earlier about well religion really is a very organically nurtured thing and It's a big mistake To go out there and superimpose our culture on others.

00:32:22: I mean, you took the words out of my mouth being an island.

00:32:26: It's in your DNA it is history but not just the UK and...I wanted to ask you did you ever get anything wrong before you started exploring?

00:32:41: How has been an explorer changed your life in a nutshell?

00:32:50: My question to you is really like, were you different?

00:32:58: Before I became an artist and a composer.

00:33:01: And a performer... ...I had a lot wrong before i started doing it.

00:33:10: Now I realize from looking at through a different vantage point how It's not that was bad person or I think limited vision.

00:33:21: And I'm asking you the same question.

00:33:25: How interesting, there was.

00:33:27: I thinking that you had been performing on the keyboards because it comes so naturally to you and I guess exploration becomes very comfortably... To me i feel in the right place doing the right thing at the right time.

00:33:44: whenever I set off an expedition however like all the careers in plural that I used to pursue when i was young, were for all wrong reasons.

00:33:59: It's so embarrassing to admit too but initially doing things which I thought would impress and wow other people!

00:34:09: And of course...I wasn't very good at any of them because I tried to fit myself, squeeze like a big ugly sister into pinching hole pursuits fit.

00:34:21: And I realised that when I really rather bumbled into the world of exploration, but it felt so right?

00:34:33: That It was not something that could be ignored and there wasn't any point in questioning or justifying The poor income for instance.

00:34:45: It was unquestionably, unconditionally the right thing to do.

00:34:56: I believe that most of us have this thinginess which we are drawn too and it's obviously... That exploring for you is a drawcard.

00:35:09: And when i as child i also drew into the piano.

00:35:13: if there were pianos would play.

00:35:15: What did your parents

00:35:16: think about going into it as a professional?

00:35:19: Because I knew my mother at first disapproved of me getting into exploration.

00:35:25: Did that make you want to do more, or was just part and parcel of the story?

00:35:31: It's not that she made me want to Do More!

00:35:39: wasn't going to stop me, and that was the first expedition.

00:35:41: And I'm merely upset.

00:35:43: she's upset.

00:35:44: but then when i came back and told her what I had planned for the next one... and she is a wise out!

00:35:52: She just looked at.

00:35:53: him said now I am beginning to understand it is an irresistible tug like a cord.

00:36:00: would you better go do?

00:36:07: feel that most people who are successful in their endeavors and life have had One or two parents not actually like what?

00:36:17: Or agree with what they've done mine.

00:36:19: My parents were the same.

00:36:22: It didn't want to make me do it more Yeah, but it's just.

00:36:25: They didn't understand that there could be a way of life And I think you can get.

00:36:30: I think is great.

00:36:31: I think your parents did the best possible thing because It tests your metal.

00:36:37: And if somebody like your parents or best friend, whatever it is starts saying you know?

00:36:41: You mustn't do this and that one friend told me I was too old then If you start wavering... ...it's not in you!

00:36:52: I agree My endeavour just to be an instrument.

00:36:57: but on the other hand.. ..you go out there meet people and encounter different people from the world.

00:37:06: What responsibility do explorers have to the places they go through and people that encounter?

00:37:16: It's fascinating, actually.

00:37:19: One must be careful of avoiding an invasive role... ...and disrupting communities or going back into superimposing what preconceptions one might arrive at with.

00:37:37: So it's more the role that you play of quiet and learning rather than teaching, so its immersion and listening

00:37:51: or exploitation as well.

00:37:54: yes unfortunately I'm looking at a history book in my mind

00:38:05: You know, one of the earliest explorers... One of our greatest not ours but a Chinese explorer.

00:38:13: He called Zen her and he actually was the man who discovered for instance The Magellan Straits Not Magellan.

00:38:24: Everyone grabbed his victories after this including the Paris sub-america?

00:38:28: Yes!

00:38:29: And yeah he's an admiral, he is a diplomat And obviously a great explorer.

00:38:37: A lot of people tried to steal his thunder, but most of those early days and later explorations and explorers were all about trade... ...and it was about drawing in the map as opposed to drawing lines at that stage….

00:38:56: …but filling-in the map because like North West Passage opening up trade routes etc.. And look at the damage that some of them did.

00:39:08: Drake, his first voyages to America led to the slave trade?

00:39:12: Correct.

00:39:14: Well I can't throw stones around because part my missions are not all sort-of high brow objectives in a sense environmental or cultural.

00:39:30: One of the objectives, for instance, was to enhance Anglo-Saudi relations in some small way.

00:39:39: Voila!

00:39:43: But again that's the balance between curiosity and respect... If you look at a Mozart symphony or Beethoven symphony I keep on coming back.

00:39:58: It's the field that I know.

00:40:00: A lot of the famous composers wrote pieces that are loved today because they were paid, it wasn't out of this sense of you have to do it.

00:40:13: so there is a fine balance between curiosity and having to do something.

00:40:23: You've just come back from Saudi Arabia.

00:40:27: how do feel like your home now?

00:40:30: You were just, tell us quickly a brief description of the incense roof that you did.

00:40:36: How long was it?

00:40:39: Well... It was some two thousand kilometres

00:40:44: by foot with

00:40:45: camels.

00:40:46: yes and I had two camels And one called Beau and one called Peep.

00:40:55: Very nice.

00:40:57: Bo was sponsored by a friend, Andrea Tennant who comes from an organic and sustainability-led castle in Scotland called Loch Nabeau.

00:41:07: I had to get a wording for her there And so it was long way.

00:41:14: It was over very diverse terrain.

00:41:16: Everyone thinks that Saudi Arabia is all about big sand dunes but its not.

00:41:21: All sorts of different types of desert scapes, rock formations volcanic rock etc.

00:41:28: and meeting all the different communities particularly The Bedouin learning their ways.

00:41:35: Learning about their culture And also meeting a lot of the Saudi women and trying to find out About uh...the newly evolving role Of Saudi Women um..and generally Their Culture in the sense that you know, before I set off the any things people ever said about Saudi Arabia was they draw in their breath and say, ooh, Khashoggi.

00:41:57: Ooh, women's rights!

00:42:01: And just really-really... The fire behind it was like…I knew Saudi already but wanted to open up peoples' eyes um..about the kingdom and its diversity and very different types of culture.

00:42:16: that it's important to learn in order to understand and to visualise their vision of a sustainable future too.

00:42:27: So now that I'm back, um...I've got get the message across!

00:42:33: And i think one more powerful tools for exploration is you can get messages far away from the political rhetoric or the scientific jargon that you get about whether it's environmental politics of a place, because he can wrap your message up in the compelling narrative of adventure and an expedition.

00:43:08: Absolutely I mean.

00:43:09: for me there is nothing like standing up getting on your feet.

00:43:19: It's life-changing, which brings me to one of the questions that I think will wrap up a whole lot.

00:43:29: Questions about exploration.

00:43:33: and what do you think exploration reveals?

00:43:37: About humanity at its best And also at it's worst?

00:43:41: we've already discussed a little bit about The Worst.

00:43:49: I think the best thing about exploration is that it opens up people's eyes and minds to other cultures, The more respectful they will be whether it is a place in its communities or whether It Is just talking about the planet itself and getting to know it better through exploration And therefore respecting it more, and there for protecting.

00:44:36: Yes I mean you.

00:44:39: You answered that question that had about how would we do this differently if the world was unexplored?

00:44:46: We have to go out There again.

00:44:48: How would we do this differently?

00:44:50: And I think, you know the answer is how you just described it and iIwould say with respect.

00:44:58: Yes!

00:44:59: With respect...and that appetite to learn in order to respect and not impose our own ways upon anybody or anywhere.

00:45:14: And my final question to you is...

00:45:17: I have tried to impose Mars bars and things like that all over the place.

00:45:21: You gotta try these, they're amazing!

00:45:23: Yeah certainly bring some here or i'll be happy to have them now.

00:45:27: but when we conclude by saying what do you hope audiences watching this understand about humanity after hearing your story?

00:45:43: I hope they understand the value of humanity and that was.

00:45:49: none of us are superhuman.

00:45:51: We do all, each of us possess remarkable potential And in there dormant or active like yourself with your musical talents There is always something a diamond That the powers at be have bestowed on as an.

00:46:10: it's up to us to explore metaphorically all the different walks of life, and find out what that diamond is.

00:46:20: And then to harness it...to good!

00:46:24: I love your walk in the talk…and talking about doing it….I can't begin to tell you what a pleasure it has been having you on towards humanity because this is in my opinion what humanity is for me.

00:46:41: For me, it's having people like you share their stories so that the world can be a better place for understanding what drives us as human beings.

00:46:51: Thank you so much, Rosie Stanser!

00:46:55: Thank You Mark...you are an inspiration to ME as well!