OBrady - The impossible first: from fire to ice--crossing Antarctica alone

MORE PRAISE FOR THE IMPOSSIBLE FIRST

Thrilling. Moving. Astonishing. The Impossible First takes you past the limits of whats possible, revealing the inner potential in all of us. Colin shows us that greatness isnt about the achievements of life, its about how you get there and with who. This isnt simply an adventure story, its a story about the human experience.

Lewis Howes, author of The School of Greatness

The body-breaking physical trials Colin endured and his mind-expanding, spiritual experiences are described here in an epic tale of adventure and discovery.

Paul Simon, Grammy Awardwinning songwriter

Colin OBradys world-first accomplishment in solo crossing Antarctica is a triumph of lasting importance, and The Impossible First, his narrative of how it all unfolded, is an adventure classic. Colins voice and vulnerability are bound to spark a connection in anyone who picks up this phenomenal book.

Aron Ralston, author of Between a Rock and a Hard Place

As an entrepreneur and mother, I am so inspired by Colins story. His strength, fortitude, and perseverance are a lesson not just for adventure-seekers but for everyone. This is a page-turning story about the resilience of the human spirit, relevant to anyone with big goals and dreams.

Sara Blakely, founder and CEO of SPANX

The Impossible First challenged me to rethink everything about my life and work. Like millions of others, I watched from afar as Colin attempted his crossing, reading the reports he filed and staring with wonder at the photos he posted. But until now, I only knew bits and pieces of what actually occurred. Somehow, I finished this book feeling even more in awe. In describing Colins achievements, words like epic and incredible seem too small.

Chris Guillebeau, author of The Art of Non-Conformity and The Happiness of Pursuit

Colins story of organization, determination, and focus is a page-turner and an inspiration to adventurers, entrepreneurs, and leaders regardless of their field.

Tim Boyle, president and CEO of Columbia Sportswear

Captivating as hell Colins resilience and ability to constantly problem solve and persevere, despite the doubts and fears, are inspiring. I know Ill turn to this book when I need a reminder that nothing is impossible when youve cultivated the mindset of a champion.

Jesse Itzler, author of Living with a SEAL

Looking for a true story that inspires you to your very core? Look no further. The Impossible First is a riveting journey for the ages. Colin will help you understand how far humans can go and will inspire you and those around you!

Joe De Sena, founder and CEO of Spartan

In his quest to be the first to complete an unassisted solo crossing of Antarctica, OBrady showed himself to be a brilliant student of extracting more from himself. Read this riveting account for its exciting scenes of obstacles surmounted, but also because it will inspire you with whats possible if you just get the little things right.

Dave Asprey, author of Super Human

Colin inspires the sh!@ out of me. [He] continues to show that theres virtually no limit to what humans can achieve when they have a will that cant be broken. Hes a modelboth for his staggering accomplishments and his drive to motivate others.

Tom Bilyeu, CEO of Impact Theory

The epic journey that Colin has embraced shows all of us that nothing is beyond our reach so long as we keep a positive voice in our heads telling us, I can do this, I am strong, I am capable. Colin once said, Achievement is not for the select few. We all have a reservoir of untapped potential waiting to be released, and Colins will never be drained. This book shows how deep it truly is.

Greg Norman, formerly the worlds #1 ranked golfer

Colins story and his fifty-four-day, record-setting trek across Antarctica show that great triumphs often spring from personal challenges. Definitely recommended as morning reading to feel inspired and take on your own impossible firsts.

Hal Elrod, author of The Miracle Morning

Manifesting the life you want thats the true adventure Colin takes us on. Through his epic tale of solo crossing Antarctica, as well as other firsts, OBrady will inspire you to show up every day, push the edge of possible, and above all have fun.

Dierks Bentley, #1 bestselling singer and songwriter

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Copyright 2020 by Colin OBrady

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First Scribner hardcover edition January 2020

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Interior design by Kyle Kabel

Front cover and spine photographs courtesy of the author

Back cover photograph by Samuel A. Harrison

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data has been applied for.

ISBN 978-1-9821-3311-5

ISBN 978-1-9821-3313-9 (ebook)

For Jenna B
The love of my life
The keeper of my memories

Impossible is just an opinion.

Paulo Coelho

T his is a work of nonfiction. To write this book, I relied on journals that I began in childhood, voice and video recordings as well as photographs that I took in Antarctica and on my previous expeditions, conversations with individuals who played a role in my journey and life beyond it, personal memories, and researched facts.

No names have been changed and there are no composite characters. Others may remember details or events slightly differently. Any misinterpretations or errors are my own.

Although Im American and typically note temperature in Fahrenheit, all temperatures in this book are recorded in Celsius since that is how weather forecasts were shared with me via the international weather report. Keep in mind, at forty below zero Fahrenheit and Celsius meet and are equal to each other. During my journey I tracked progress in both nautical miles and statute miles, but in this book I report my progress solely in statute miles for ease and consistency.

I started thinking about my hands.

That was my first mistake.

After forty-eight days and more than 760 miles alone across Antarctica, the daily ache of my handscracked with cold, gripping my ski poles twelve hours a dayhad become like a drumbeat, forming the rhythm of my existence. And that night the ache got to me. As I pulled my sled into a blizzard of cold and whitemy jacket thermometer read thirty below Celsius, with blasting gusts of wind that made the windchill at least fifty belowI started picturing how intensely pleasurable it would feel to get out of my mittens.