A Conversation with Lucia Janičová

Lucia Janičová - photo courtesy of Lucia Janičová

This week on First Females, I’m joined by an extraordinary woman - Lucia Janičová, the first Slovakian woman to summit Everest. Lucia’s journey to the top is a story of resilience and courage both on and off the mountain. From overcoming personal challenges to preparing for the death zone, her experience is nothing short of inspiring.

A Mountaineer, Scientist, and Mother

Lucia’s path to Everest wasn’t conventional. She didn’t grow up in the mountains - instead, she discovered climbing later in life as a way to relax her mind and recover from some traumatic personal experiences. A single photo of a rugged ridge in Scotland sparked her obsession with mountaineering, and from that moment, she pursued adventure with relentless determination.

What started as an unexpected passion grew into something much bigger. Lucia trained hard, learned to take control of her own expeditions, and pushed herself to new limits - all while balancing her scientific career and raising her daughter. She didn’t just climb Everest; she did it with purpose, raising funds for Women’s Aid in the UK and single-parent families in Slovakia to access education, causes close to her heart.

Preparing for Everest

Lucia’s road to Everest was filled with obstacles. She had no experience at extreme altitude, no financial backing, and the challenge of juggling family life with intense training. But instead of letting that stop her, she found ways to adapt - seeking expert advice, fine-tuning her training, and carefully managing risk.

Standing on Top of the World

May 12, 2024 Lucia reached the summit of Everest, becoming the first Slovakian woman to do so. Her journey is proof that resilience, preparation, and belief in yourself can lead to incredible achievements. Whether it’s navigating frozen slopes or overcoming personal struggles, Lucia embodies the strength it takes to keep moving forward.

Film: Everest - A Mother’s Peak

Launching in Autumn 2025, you can find out more about ‘Everest - A Mother’s Peak’ at www.hotaches.com.

This episode is packed with wisdom, adventure, and raw honesty about what it takes to step outside your comfort zone and reach new heights.

Listen to the episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Amazon Music.

Please be aware that there are references to topics which listeners may find triggering. Details can be found in the show notes.

You can continue to follow Lucia’s adventures on:

Instagram: @lucia.janicova

Website: www.luciajanicova.com

Episode 4 - First Females Podcast