Pioneers of the Possible
What does an astronaut, a history-making polar explorer, a world-leading conservationist, a tech innovator and visionary, a gender-breaking mountain guide, a leading woman CEO, and a world-renowned wildlife and nature photographer all have in common?
They will all join us from October 2025 to June 2026 as part of Pioneers of the Possible—a live event series hosted by Arctic and Antarctic explorer, climate advocate, and citizen scientist Sunniva Sorby, in collaboration with Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants (EBTSOYP).
This unique series shines a spotlight on extraordinary individuals who are rewriting the rules of what’s possible, breaking boundaries in their fields, and driving meaningful change in the world.
Over the course of her career, Sunniva has journeyed to some of the most remote and awe-inspiring places on Earth—from Antarctica’s icy expanses to the fragile ecosystems of the Arctic. Along the way, she has met extraordinary visionaries—scientists, explorers, innovators, artists, activists—whose work is shaping the future of our planet. Now, through Pioneers of the Possible, she brings them directly into classrooms and communities across Canada and the U.S.
Each monthly episode will feature an engaging conversation with someone who has dared to think differently, overcome extraordinary challenges, and forge new paths in exploration, science, conservation, technology, film, social justice, and more.
The series is designed to spark curiosity, foster hope, and empower audiences—especially young minds—to see how their own potential can help solve some of the world’s biggest challenges.
Pioneers of the Possible isn’t just about showcasing extraordinary people; it’s about making their ideas and experiences accessible, relevant, and deeply human. It’s about proving that we all have a role to play in building a better future.
Join Sunniva Sorby and EBTSOYP on this journey—meet the world’s changemakers, and discover what’s possible for you.
Angela is one of few female IFMGA mountain guides in the world with a career spanning over three decades. She was president of the American Mountain Guides Association and over the past 20 years has trained and examined aspiring guides. She’s led over 30 high-altitude mountaineering expeditions to the world’s Greater Ranges and guided remote trips from the Antarctic Peninsular to Arctic Svalbard. She skied from Sweden to Norway across Lapland, reached the South Summit of Mt. Everest and has led many technical all-women’s ascents.
Angela has a Master’s Degree in International Mountain Conservation, serves on the IFMGA board and is the vice president of the IFMGA Technical Commission where she leads climate change efforts and projects elevating women mountain guides worldwide. In 2011, she was named AMGA Guide of the Year and in 2022 received the AMGA Lifetime Achievement in Guiding Award.
What does it mean to be “well” in a world that keeps speeding up—where stress is constant, disconnection is common, and so many people are quietly carrying pain? More than ever, we need voices that help us understand the why beneath our habits, our health, and our suffering—without shame, and with real compassion. In this conversation, Dr. Gabor Maté invites us to look beneath the surface of stress, trauma, and illness, and to consider a different path forward: one rooted in truth, connection, and healing.
Join us for a powerful, human, and deeply relevant discussion—especially for educators, parents, and anyone navigating the pressures of modern life.
Gabor Maté is a retired physician who, after 20 years of family practice and palliative care experience, worked for over a decade in Vancouver’s Downtown East Side with patients challenged by drug addiction and mental illness.
The bestselling author of five books published in over 40 languages, including the award-winning In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters With Addiction, Gabor is an internationally renowned speaker highly sought after for his expertise on addiction, trauma, childhood development, and the relationship of stress and illness.
For his ground-breaking medical work and writing he has been awarded the Order of Canada, his country’s highest civilian distinction, and the Civic Merit Award from his hometown, Vancouver. His most recent book, The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness and Healing in a Toxic Culture is a New York Times,(London) Sunday Times and international bestseller.
We’re thrilled to welcome 95-year-old Grandma Joy and her grandson Brad Ryan to Pioneers of the Possible! Sunniva first met them all the way down in Antarctica in December 2025, where their joy, courage, and shared curiosity lit up the deck of their small expedition ship. Together they’ve visited every U.S. National Park and just about every continent on Earth—proving that adventure has no age limit and that the bonds between generations are some of the strongest forces on the planet.
Cady Coleman is a retired NASA Astronaut and USAF Colonel who flew twice on the Space Shuttle and spent 159 days aboard the International Space Station. A popular public speaker and media consultant, she is also a regular contributor for space exploration news and a Research Affiliate at MIT’s Media Lab.
Cady’s book, Sharing Space: An Astronaut’s Guide to Mission, Wonder, and Making Change is known for its insights and candid stories. She and her family were featured in PBS’s Space: The Longest Goodbye; and The Wonderful: Stories from the Space Station.
An improvisational flute player, she is known for her “Space Duet” with Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson and her work with the Irish band, The Chieftains. From space, she coached Sandra Bullock for her role in “Gravity.”
Cady lives in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts with her husband, glass artist Josh Simpson. They have two adult sons and two enormous Maine Coon cats, Saber and Max.
Past Lessons
Join us in conversation with Gemita Samarra a former synchronized swimmer, stuntwoman and lead stunt double for James Bond’s Spectre (among many other films) and writer and producer of an animated TV series highlighting forgotten women explorers.
Gemita is a half-Spanish, half-British professional who has spent most of her career in film as a stuntwoman. She has had the privilege of serving as the lead stunt double on high-profile productions, including 007’s SPECTRE, Game of Thrones, and Disney’s Peter Pan & Wendy. Gemita is a Jane of all trades… growing up the daughter of circus performers she had a natural attraction to adventure sports. She made it onto the Olympic pathway teams for both modern pentathlon and synchronized swimming before retiring to pursue a career in stunts.
She has worked across the globe with archeologists, activists and doctors as a photojournalist and has an ongoing research project on shortgevity (short life
expectancy).
Join us for this unique opportunity to sit in conversation with Ken Druck “Finding Strength After Hard Times”
Ken is one of the world’s leading authorities on grief literacy. In his talk, we’ll explore how to handle tough moments in life when we lose something or someone important to us. Whether it’s losing a loved one, moving away from a special place, or going through big changes, it can feel really hard to figure out what to do next.
Together, we’ll learn how to take care of ourselves during those hard times—by being kind to ourselves, asking for help, and finding ways to remember the people or things we’ve lost in meaningful ways. We’ll also talk about how to build strength and courage to keep going, even when things feel tough.
Ken Druck is an international authority on courageous living. Recipient of the Distinguished Contribution to Psychology award, he has inspired and guided audiences, clients, readers and communities for over 45 years. His new best-seller, How We Go On, are about meeting and mastering the “What now? Moments” in our lives. Ken’s life’s work since the tragic loss of his daughter, Jenna, in 1996, has come through his mission of service, founding The Jenna Druck Center, his Executive Coaching/Consulting practice, speaking career, writings and work as an educator and community leader.
Christiana Figueres, a visionary leader and Costa Rican citizen, served as the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) from 2010 to 2016.
During her transformative tenure, she united an extraordinary coalition of governments, corporations, activists, women’s groups, scientists, spiritual communities, financial institutions, and NGOs to achieve the historic 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change. This landmark accord saw 195 sovereign governments commit to limiting global warming to well below 2°C—and strive for 1.5°C—to safeguard the most vulnerable populations worldwide.
Since then Ms. Figueres has continued to foster rapid action on climate change. She is the co-author of The Future We Choose, The Stubborn Optimist’s Guide to the Climate Crisis (Penguin Random House 2019) and co-host of the popular podcast Outrage and Optimism.
Renowned for her groundbreaking approach to collaborative diplomacy, Christiana’s work has been globally recognized with numerous awards. Her leadership continues to inspire action and hope in the global fight against climate change. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation with a true pioneer who redefined what is possible.
Rachel is the founder and Executive Director of the international non-profit MarAlliance. She is a marine conservation scientist with over 30 years living in Central America and experience in development, environment and marine projects in Latin America, Africa, and Oceania.
Rachel and her team work towards win-win outcomes to rewild the seas with endangered marine wildlife while improving local knowledge and stewardship, livelihoods, and leadership capacities, notably to improve the sustainability of small-scale fisheries and wildlife tourism to build resilience in the face of impacts such as pandemics and climate change.
Her leadership in marine explorations and discoveries in 73+ expeditions globally has created cohorts of local researchers, explorers, and marine conservationists in data-poor countries, changed attitudes towards species such as sharks, and both consumer and fishing behaviours.
In 2011, she won the Whitley Fund for Nature Gold Award for her work with sharks and communities, in 2021 a prestigious Pew Marine Fellowship for work on hammerhead sharks and communities, in 2022 Oceana’s Ocean Hero Award in Belize and The Explorer’s Club EC50 award. She is most proud of her two sea-loving boys and her diverse, inclusive and talented team at MarAlliance.
Rebecca is a seven-time world champion, Hall of Fame athlete, Emmy Award-winning storyteller, host of What’s the Rusch podcast, and entrepreneur whose career exemplifies resilience, leadership, and the relentless pursuit of peak performance. Known as the Queen of Pain for her dominance in ultra-endurance sports, Rebecca has spent over three decades redefining what’s possible across mountain biking, adventure racing, climbing, and paddling. Her achievements include records at the Leadville 100 MTB and Iditarod Trail Invitational, summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro by bike, and becoming the first person to ride the entire 1,200-mile Ho Chi Minh Trail.
Rebecca’s Emmy-winning documentary, Blood Road, captures her deeply personal journey to connect with her late father, a Vietnam War pilot, showcasing her ability to transform challenges into purpose. This same spirit drives her nonprofit, the Be Good Foundation, which uses the power of the bike to foster community, remove unexploded bombs from war-affected regions, and create global impact.
A bestselling author of Rusch to Glory and an in-demand keynote speaker, Rebecca inspires individuals and teams to embrace an athlete’s mindset, pursue their personal podiums, and push beyond perceived limits. Recognized as one of Outside’s top 40 women in sport and one of the 50 most influential people in American cycling, she is the only athlete to be inducted into both the Mountain Bike and Gravel Cycling Halls of Fame.
Rebecca’s powerful storytelling, grit, and wisdom empower audiences to tap into their resilience, embrace growth, and redefine peak performance—both on and off the trail. Whether competing, speaking, or advocating for mental and physical health, Rebecca’s mission is to inspire others to find meaning, push boundaries, and build lives of impact.
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