EVEREST: BEYOND LIMITS
A world-first woman-led ascent of Mount Everest
Jen Willis (Australia) — 54, mother and educator from Melbourne, returning to complete the final 848m of Everest after reaching 8,000m in 2023 while living with Multiple Sclerosis
Phunjo Lama (Nepal) — fastest woman to climb Everest, Nepal’s first female long-line helicopter rescuer, and one of only two elite female Nepali Everest guides
A one-of-a-kind partnership opportunity centred on a world-first story of human possibility.
Proudly endorsed by MS Australia • Raising awareness for MS • Documentary in progress
More Than a Climb. A Platform for Impact.
Everest: Beyond Limits is not just a return to the mountain — it’s the continuation of a story that resonates far beyond it.
As a woman living with Multiple Sclerosis, a mountaineer, and an experienced leader with decades in education and human performance, I bring a story grounded in courage, resilience, and identity — qualities that individuals, teams, and organisations deeply connect with.
In 2026, I return to Mount Everest alongside Phunjo Lama — the fastest woman to climb Everest and one of only two elite female Nepali Everest guides.
We come from very different worlds, yet share a commitment to preparation, responsibility, and forging our own path in environments where expectations are often narrowly defined.
Together, this expedition represents more than personal ambition. It creates a rare and credible platform to explore what it truly means to go beyond perceived limits — whether those limits relate to health, gender, age, background, or belief.
For partners, Everest: Beyond Limits offers far more than brand visibility.
It provides access to a real, unfolding human story — one that can be translated into keynote speaking, leadership training, facilitated conversations, and authentic storytelling that engages audiences and drives meaningful reflection and change.
This is a journey people want to follow.
And it’s a platform organisations can proudly stand behind — demonstrating their own commitment to courage, inclusion, and what’s possible when we choose to go beyond.
The Human Impact Arc: Inspiration → Engagement → Transformation
Inspiration
A real story of courage, identity and choice creates immediate emotional connection and belief.
Engagement
Audiences pay attention, share, participate and stay connected — while internal teams feel energised and aligned.
Transformation
Meaningful stories shift perceptions, deepen loyalty and strengthen connection to brands that support human possibility.
A Story Beyond the Summit
In 2023, at the age of 52, I became the first Australian with Multiple Sclerosis to climb to 8,000m on Mt Everest. I spent a night alone at the formidable South Col, but logistical mishaps meant turning back before the summit.
That moment became a turning point. I returned home not defeated, but determined — with clarity about what matters most: the will to keep going, to learn, and to share a story that helps others see new possibilities in themselves.
In April 2026, I will return to Everest — not just for my own climb, but to create a story that partners can share in.
For sponsors, this is an opportunity to be part of one of the most powerful empowerment stories of 2026 — with visibility across media, post-climb speaking, and authentic storytelling that connects deeply with people and drives lasting impact.
The Road to Everest
My relationship with the Himalayas began in 1995, when I trekked to Everest Base Camp for the first time. That journey planted a seed that stayed with me for decades — a call to return. Since then, every expedition I’ve undertaken has carried a dual purpose: pushing human limits, and raising funds and awareness for a cure for Multiple Sclerosis.
Everest Base Camp, Nepal, May 2024
In 2024, I guided a group of people also living with MS to Everest Base Camp. This was about more than reaching a destination — it was about inclusion, solidarity, and proving that adventure belongs to everyone. Together we showed that the world’s biggest mountains can be approached one step at a time, side by side.
Duration: 2 weeks
Mt Everest, Nepal, April/May 2023
Duration: 55 days
Altitude reached: 8000m
Everest in 2023 proved that my body has what it takes to climb at extreme altitude. Over 55 days I pushed through the Khumbu Icefall, the Western Cwm, and the Lhotse Face to reach the South Col at 8,000m. Turning back before the summit was a moment of disappointment — but also a turning point. I came home knowing I am capable at this level, and with a clearer purpose: to share my story in a way that inspires others to ask themselves, “If she can do that, maybe I can face my own mountain — whatever that looks like.”
Ama Dablam, Nepal, November 2022
Duration: 28 days
Altitude reached: 6500m
Ama Dablam had been my dream mountain since I first saw its ridges in 1995. Known as the “Matterhorn of the Himalayas,” it’s a beautiful but technically demanding peak. Reaching 6,500m on its steep faces was the fulfilment of a decades-long dream and a masterclass in trust, precision, and calm under pressure. It’s a reminder that the dreams we hold onto longest often shape us the most — and that it’s never too late to climb towards them
Mera Peak, Nepal, October 2022
Duration: 18 days
Altitude reached: 6476m
At 6,476m, Mera Peak was my first real taste of high-altitude mountaineering. It was the first time I climbed roped up, wearing crampons, starting out in the dark with a headlamp, and moving through the thin air above 6,000m. I reached the summit while battling COVID, which made every step heavier and more uncertain. But it was also the climb where I fell in love with mountaineering — and knew that no matter how uncomfortable it could be, I’d keep coming back to the Himalayas to climb again and again.
Partner With Me
Everest 2026 isn’t just about a summit — it’s about creating a story that inspires people and drives meaningful impact. By partnering with me, your brand stands alongside courage, determination, and possibility — with visibility across media, speaking engagements, and authentic storytelling.
Every partnership is custom-designed in collaboration. I’ll work with you to shape an approach that speaks directly to your audience, highlights your values, and delivers outcomes that matter most to your organisation.
Current sponsors already on board for 2026 include:
2023 sponsors and supporters included:
Media coverage has included:
Potential opportunities include (tailored together):
- Logo placement on expedition gear, website, and campaign materials
-Brand visibility across speaking engagements, media, and social channels
- Co-branded storytelling — weaving your brand into expedition updates, social content, and media in authentic, audience-relevant ways
- Bespoke leadership talks, mindset workshops, or team engagement sessions
- Inclusion in a short documentary-style recap of the climb, co-designed to highlight shared values and impact
