Jo entered the Guinness World Records for the fastest female ascent of the seven summits. Jo also is the second British woman to ever climb Everest’s North Ridge.
In 2005 Jo Gambi and her husband, Rob, became the first couple to both climb the ‘Seven Summits’ and ski to the North and South Poles. Jo was also the first female and Rob the first Australian to achieve this. Remarkably they unwittingly achieved these records not only while Rob was in remission from his second bout of cancer, but also inspite of facing death along the way, while stranded high in the Himalaya.
With nothing more than Rob and Jo’s characteristic passion and determination, they also succeeded in completing the Seven Summits in record time.
Jo’s book ‘Holding On – a story of love and survival’ was successfully launched in the UK and internationally in 2006, and Jo is now in demand for speaking both at home and abroad. As a talented and keen photographer, Jo has captured images from some of the most remote and wild places around the globe and in addition to contributing to the prestigious Nikon Owner Magazine, she is currently working on her second, photographic book.
Jo’s university summer vacations saw her passion for travel and adventure develop as she worked overseas extensively in Kenya, Romania, Bolivia, US, Greece and Malaysia. With roles varying from sailing instructor and lifeguard to community, hospital and church based projects. In 1997, Jo’s career changed direction as she wanted to pursue a profession more dedicated towards helping people – something she had always enjoyed throughout her ten years of church youth work. After gaining a degree in Physiotherapy she worked at University College London Hospitals (UCLH), one of the country’s leading NHS trusts as well as working privately for the London Welsh Rugby Club and teaching Clinical Pilates.
Jo’s warm, gregarious personality combined with her dynamic and engaging speaking style enable her to inspire, challenge and motivate any audiences.
Whilst Jo’s achievements may seem out of reach for most people, audiences are often delighted and relieved to discover she is from a “very ordinary background” without any of the potential advantages of a privileged upbringing or education. By tenaciously overcoming personal obstacles, Jo has discovered that so many of life’s answers are within reach of us all. Jo loves the opportunity speaking brings her to inspire people to be the best they can be, maintain perspective, and passionately pursue their dreams.
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