In today's episode, Mike sits down with Dr. Shaunna Burke, researcher, expedition climber, motivational speaker, and a woman redefining what it means to live with purpose in the face of adversity.
Diagnosed with Stage 4 incurable cancer, Shaunna is preparing for a historic return to Mount Everest in 2026 while undergoing treatment. This journey is being captured in the independent film Dying to Climb.
But this story isn’t about “fighting” illness in the traditional sense. It’s about something even more powerful: choosing to live fully alongside it.
From summiting Everest in 2005 to now returning with a renewed sense of mission, Shaunna shares how mountaineering, mindset, movement, and meaning have shaped her life. She also discusses how her groundbreaking research at the University of Leeds is transforming how we think about exercise, resilience, and quality of life for people living with Stage 4 cancer.
This conversation is a masterclass in mental toughness, purpose, adaptability, and hope proving that a diagnosis does not mean the end of ambition, adventure, or identity.
To find out more, see the links below:
Website: www.dyingtoclimb.com
Donate to Macmillan Cancer Support: JustGiving Page
Support the expedition: GoFundMe – Dying to Climb
Mike Grisenthwaite: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mgrisenthwaite/
CFC Active: https://linktr.ee/cfcactive
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