Episode 5 - First Females Podcast
Chasing Dreams: Manal Rostom’s Everest Journey
This week, I am thrilled to share the extraordinary story of Manal Rostom - the first Egyptian woman to summit Mount Everest. Her journey is a powerful testament to resilience, representation, and the courage to embrace big dreams, even when they seem out of reach.
Having climbed Everest with Omar Samra, the first Egyptian man to climb Everest in 2007, I am honoured to be able to share this story of the first Egyptian woman to reach the summit.
Dreaming Big
Manal grew up in Kuwait, surrounded by oceans and deserts - a far cry from the towering peaks of Everest. Yet, despite her environment, the dream of climbing the world’s tallest mountain became her calling. Faced with cultural barriers and discouraging stereotypes about women in adventure sports, Manal refused to let the limitations others placed on her define her own aspirations.
Her journey started with Kilimanjaro, a climb that paved the way for her love of mountaineering. From there, she took on increasingly challenging summits, including Elbrus and Mont Blanc. Through years of preparation, setbacks, and sacrifices, Manal persisted with determination, proving that passion and hard work make even the most ambitious dreams attainable.
Overcoming Challenges & Breaking Barriers
Her summit push brought physical and emotional challenges unlike anything she had faced before. From battling exhaustion to enduring loneliness at Everest Base Camp, Manal had to dig deep to keep moving forward. But she also knew her climb wasn’t just for her. As the founder of Surviving Hijab, a global community that empowers hijabi women, she saw her ascent as a way to represent millions of women who face barriers in society and sport.
Standing on Top of the World
On May 16, 2022, Manal reached the summit of Everest, overcoming fears, doubts and a panic attack to make history. She describes the dawn breaking as a ‘magical’ moment but she also felt the fear on the summit. Her journey to the top was more than a personal achievement - it was a symbolic moment of representation and empowerment for women everywhere.
Representation Matters
Beyond the mountains, Manal has broken barriers as Nike’s first hijabi athlete and ambassador. Her work in advocating for inclusion in sports has helped reshape the narrative around Muslim women in athletics, inspiring a new generation to see possibilities where few existed before.
By chance, Manal and I were both in Nepal at the same time this year and we seized the opportunity to meet in person, share experiences, celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first female ascent of Everest and of course a chance for me to thank her for being on the podcast and present her with a copy of ‘Junko Tabei Masters the Mountains’, by Rebel Girls.
Manal’s episode on First Females is a raw and inspiring look at her journey, filled with reflections on resilience, identity, and the importance of representation. Her story reminds us all that daring to dream big can lead to incredible heights.
Listen to the episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Amazon Music.
You can continue follow Manal’s adventures on:
Instagram: @manirostom
Website: www.manalrostom.com
Facebook: @manirostom79
YouTube: @manirostom
TikTok: @mani.rostom