From wingsuit BASE jumping to record-breaking South Pole expeditions with Ellen Brennan Frat and Liv Arnesen

By Jessica Severin de Martinez,

Carol Chen, Megan Fitzgerald, Robyn Doyon-Aitken , Meg Dalton, Chion Wolf

Published February 14, 2025 at 8:36 AM EST

1 of 3 — 2018 World Wingsuit League (WWL) China Grand Prix

Wingsuit flyer Ellen Brennan of USA jumps off a mountain during the 7th World Wingsuit Championship at Tianmen Mountain on September 15. 2018 Zhangjiajie, Hunan province, China.

Wang He / Getty Images AsiaPac

2 of 3 — Ellen Brennan Frat is a wingsuit BASE jumper and extreme sports athlete based in France. She has become known as the ‘Fastest Flying Woman in the World’ due to her exceptional performances in wingsuit competitions.

Ellen Brennan Frat is a wingsuit BASE jumper and extreme sports athlete based in France. She has become known as the ‘Fastest Flying Woman in the World’ due to her exceptional performances in wingsuit competitions.

Ellen Brennen Frat

3 of 3 — Liv Arnesen is a Norwegian polar explorer, educator, and lecturer. In 1994, she became the first woman to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole. In 2001, she and American polar explorer Ann Bancroft became the first women in history to sail and ski across Antarctica’s landmass.

Liv Arnesen is a Norwegian polar explorer, educator, and lecturer. In 1994, she became the first woman to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole. In 2001, she and American polar explorer Ann Bancroft became the first women in history to sail and ski across Antarctica’s landmass.

By The Liv Arnesen Foundation - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10985104

What drives someone to ski solo across Antarctica or leap off cliffs in a wingsuit?

Meet Liv Arnesen, the first woman to ski alone and unsupported to the South Pole, and Ellen Brennan Frat, the ‘Fastest Flying Woman in the World.’

From battling -30°F winds to soaring at 100 mph, these women share their extraordinary journeys of courage, resilience, and pushing boundaries.

Suggested episodes:

GUESTS:

Ellen Brennan Frat: a wingsuit BASE jumper and extreme sports athlete based in France. She has become known as the ‘Fastest Flying Woman in the World’ due to her exceptional performances in wingsuit competitions
Liv Arnesen: a Norwegian polar explorer, educator, and lecturer. In 1994, she became the first woman to ski solo and unsupported to the South Pole. In 2001, she and American polar explorer Ann Bancroft became the first women in history to sail and ski across Antarctica’s landmass

Jessica Severin de Martinez, Carol Chen, Meg Fitzgerald, Robyn Doyon-Aitken, and Meg Dalton contributed to this show.

Audacious with Chion Wolf is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Tune In, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.

Join the conversation on Facebook,Instagram, TikTok, and email.