Karen has always been passionate about exploring the great outdoors. But when she was just 21 years old, she fell while climbing a sea cliff. The life-changing accident left her paralysed from the chest down. But she didn’t let that stop her from doing what she loved the most - going on adventures. She has since skied across icecaps, hand-cycled the world’s biggest mountain ranges, and even become a British paralympic gold medallist. Karen is now gearing up for her biggest adventure yet, a record-breaking journey across the Antarctic. It will be the first time any woman who can’t walk has been to the South Pole and will be an enormous mental challenge as well as a physical one.
The Extraordinary Ordinary, from Women of the Year, shines a light on incredible achievements by women who you’ve probably never heard of (until now), but whose passion, dedication, and fierce determination has changed society, their communities and the world, in ways that will inspire and uplift you.

Written and hosted by: Mojo Abidi
Produced by: Clare Lynch
Executive producer: Jo Baring
The Extraordinary Ordinary is brought to you in partnership with Silicon Valley Bank UK