Jenn Drummond
This past May at the Purpose Summit in North Carolina, I had the absolute joy of meeting the fabulous Jenn Drummond — and let me tell you, she is every bit as inspiring in person as you’d imagine! Picture this: after surviving a near-death car accident, most of us would slow down, play it safe, maybe even wrap ourselves in bubble wrap. Not Jenn. She decided to climb mountains — literally — and not just any mountains. Today, she’s a world record-holding mountaineer, motivational speaker, and mom of seven (yes, seven!) who somehow finds time to make scaling the world’s toughest peaks look like just another item on her to-do list.
Her story has been officially recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the first woman to successfully climb the Seven Second Summits — the second-highest peaks on each of the seven continents. What an incredible feat! Congratulations, Jenn — you are a true inspiration.
Just after we connected at the Purpose Summit, Jenn was on her way to climb Mt. Denali in Alaska, and in a beautiful gesture of support, she offered to take the Markd Global flag with her. That moment sparked the beginning of a friendship that has only deepened my admiration for her grit, enthusiasm, wisdom, and sense of purpose.
I’m thrilled to share a glimpse of that conversation with you here:
1. What inspired you to tackle Denali as part of your climbing journey?
Denali is the highest point in North America, and being a world record-holding mountaineer, it felt like I should climb it. After completing the Seven Second Summits, Denali felt like a rite of passage. Denali demands the kind of mental and physical presence few places on Earth require. I wanted to face that—no porters, no Sherpas—just grit, gear, and growth. It was my chance to meet myself at a new edge.
2. What moment on Denali tested you most—was it physical fatigue from hauling gear, navigating whiteouts, or psychological strain of storm holds?
Honestly, it was the storm holds. Sitting in a tent for five days straight while the wind roared outside, with nothing to “do” but be—that was the true summit. I trained for the hauling and the cold. But no one trains for that much stillness in that much uncertainty. I could hear what I called “the mountain’s voice” whispering in those moments—telling me presence was the only path forward.
3. How did the team dynamics evolve as conditions deteriorated—especially after your lead guide was evacuated?
When our lead guide was evacuated, everything shifted. The illusion of structure dissolved. We had to rely on each other in new ways and make decisions from a collective perspective, rather than a hierarchical one. I had to step up, not as a hero, but as a stabilizer. Leadership in moments like that isn’t about barking orders. It’s about anchoring the energy, asking the right questions, and helping people come back to clarity when fear’s doing the talking.
4. You’ve emphasized that the journey isn’t just about altitude but inner transformation—what shifts did you notice in yourself during the Denali climb?
Denali stripped away performance. There was no room for ego. One unique moment that changed me is when another climbing team offered to melt snow for water for us without being asked. In that tiny act, I realized that was the summit. Selfless contribution. Shared survival. I left Denali less interested in checking boxes and more committed to building the kind of internal strength that doesn’t need a summit photo to prove its worth.
5. How does the choice to turn around and descend feel compared to reaching the summit?
Turning around takes more strength than pushing forward. On Denali, turning around wasn’t failure; it was a decision rooted in wisdom and respect. We think summits define success, but I’ve found that real success is knowing why you’re out there in the first place. I promised my kids I’d come home alive. That promise is my summit.
6. What lessons from Denali are you already applying in your next climbs?
Patience. Trust. And preparation with flexibility. Denali taught me that nature doesn’t care about your timeline, and the strongest climber isn’t the fastest—it’s the one who can stay grounded when plans unravel. I’ve started approaching every climb with more margin—more time, more grace, and more presence.
7. Which mountains are next on the horizon?
I’m heading to Mont Blanc on skis in April 2026 with some friends—and I’m so excited for the challenge and camaraderie of that adventure. It’s a different kind of summit: one that blends fun, technical skill, and deep connection with people I care about. That’s where I’m heading these days—toward climbs that stretch me, but also fill me up. Not just chasing records anymore, but meaning. Momentum. Memories.
8. Based on this experience, what advice do you have for climbers—especially women—who aspire to Denali or other high-altitude expeditions?
Don’t wait to feel ready. Train smart, pack light—but most of all, know your why. Denali doesn’t just test your legs—it tests your voice. It will ask who you are when things get messy. So practice speaking up. Practice advocating for yourself. The mountain may be remote, but the biggest climb is always internal.
9. What’s the next record or challenge that you will go after?
Right now, I’m focused on helping others break barriers—not just on mountains, but in their minds and lives. There’s another book in me, and I’m also planning to host an online event to help people rise into their next chapter. I believe every single person has a mountain inside them to climb—and my mission is to help them find it, face it, and summit it in their own way. That’s the challenge I’m most excited about now: elevating others.
