Record-setting mountaineer — and mom of 7 — shares how she fits exercise into her hectic schedule
Gabby Landsverk
Updated ·5 min read
World record-setting mountaineer Jenn Drummond makes time for climbing and fitness, even with a busy schedule.
She said she fits in workouts while spending quality time with her seven kids.
Drummond said a near-death experience inspired her to take more intentional time for self-care.
Jenn Drummond is a world record-setting mountaineer, recently earning the title of first woman to climb the second-highest summit on all seven continents.
She's also a mom of seven, ranging in age from 10 to 16, and said tackling some of the world's most daunting peaks helps her be the best version of herself for her family, and teaches her kids an important lesson about prioritizing self-care.
"There's barely any moms that climb. It's very much a double standard, and that's part of why I took up the pursuit," she told Insider. "It's about teaching my kids they're allowed to have passions that take them out of the home by showing them, not just telling them."
Long an avid hiker, Drummond started pursuing mountain climbing challenges in October 2020, reaching the summit of Ama Dablam in the Himalayas to celebrate turning 40. In part, she was inspired after a near-death experience in a car accident in 2018 which she said taught her to spend less time second-guessing herself and more time being intentional about what matters to her.
As a result, she's learned to power through grueling challenges like weathering mountaintop storms or finishing a summit even after her climbing partner had to be airlifted off the mountain with a case of frostbite. The trick is not to let the unknown become overwhelming, and focus on what you can control, according to Drummond.
"Your brain cares about the next hard thing, and it's going to try to keep you safe by eating bonbons on the sofa," she said. "We all have mountains. Mine happen to be literal, but the same principles apply."
But you don't have to be a lifelong athlete — or even climb mountains — to prioritize fitness in a hectic routine, according to Drummond.
One of her goals in setting records is to show that it's possible for everyday people to accomplishment big feats while still juggling the demands of a busy life, even if you're only making progress a few steps at a time.
"It's not the 45 minute perfect workout on the Peloton. It's the teeny little things that you can add to your day, that's where you start," Drummond said.
Teamwork is essential to mountain climbing, from support teams who coordinate supplies, to family who help care for Drummond's children while she travels.Sandro Gromen Hayes
Small sessions of exercise add up throughout the day
Drummond said part of her mountaineering success is that she came from an athletic background, and so already had some fitness experience when she started climbing. But she also needs to make time to train for her intense hobby.
One key to staying in shape is keeping fitness enjoyable, which for her means getting outdoors as often as possible, especially with her family.
"I get bored indoors. I can't walk on the treadmill for an hour without feeling like I'm dying, but I'm happy hiking for hours," she said.
Drummond said she also carves out moments to work on fitness throughout the day even while keeping up with her family's packed schedule. For example, she'll bring a box or bench and do step-ups while watching her kids' soccer game, or practice wall sits at home while catching up with her mom on the phone.
"You have to learn to let it not be perfect. If you have an hour workout planned and can only do 30 minutes, it's better than nothing," she said.
Another workout hack is lugging around bottles of water on hikes or to her kids' events, which keep everyone hydrated along with provided a DIY weighted vest for Drummond's training. As she gets tired, she can empty out the water to lighten the load.
Most importantly, Drummond said she's learned to adjust quickly when things don't go as planned, whether that's on a mountainside or at home.
"Just keep going. If you turn around, you're never summitting," she said.
A consistent bedtime is a key part of being rested enough to climb mountains, Drummond said.Sandro Gromen Hayes
Rest and self-care need to be a priority, not an afterthought
Along with setting aside time for her mountaineering trips and training, Drummond said getting enough sleep is essential, which means having a clear boundary with her family about when she needs to go to sleep.
"The most important part of my routine is bedtime," she said. "I take this seriously. I expect to climb hard, I have to recover hard."
Part of her ability to balance work, family, and climbing is being deliberate about where her time goes, Drummond said.
"On Sundays, I make sure I'm doing something one-on-one with each person, block out time for family and respect it," she said.
Drummond said her near-death experience in 2018, and the sometimes-scary experiences climbing mountains, are an important reminder to make the most of the hours and days, and not take any moments for granted.
"You no longer live under the assumption of, I'll make time for it. It forces you to live a life of intention," she said. "I don't get to chose when I die, but I get to chose how I live."
