Young record breaker, Bryony Balen, painted an inspirational picture of how she became the youngest Briton to ski the full distance to the South Pole last month when she addressed students on Wednesday 8th February.

Barely older than most of the gathered Sixth Form audience, 21-year-old Bryony, from Derbyshire, detailed the challenges her team endured in achieving their history-making goal of ski-ing 705 miles (1,100km) from the coast to the pole. She also explained her strict pre-trip training regime, which included gaining two and a half stones and the unusual body building technique of dragging car tyres around Newcastle, where she is at university.

Bryony, who told how she consumed 6,000 calories a day during the attempt and still lost two stone over the seven weeks, fielded questions from the enthralled students and demonstrated some of the hi tech gear that helped her carve her name in the record books.

Bryony’s visit was part of Trent College’s innovative Whole School Programme, which aims to introduce a range of diverse external speakers to address students on a variety of topics to stimulate and inspire them while providing them with a broader view and a greater understanding of the world of politics, the arts, science, business and the media.

Trent College Assistant Head (Curriculum), Mr Tidy, said: “We are grateful to Bryony for giving up her time to come to speak to the students. I think most of them were sat stunned for most of her talk! She really did highlight how you can make anything happen if you want it badly enough and are prepared to make the necessary sacrifices. I know the students took a lot from Bryony’s visit and have been talking about it ever since.” 

Bryony skied for eight hours a day pulling a sled with a 60kg bag on her back containing food, equipment and a tent. She celebrated her 21st birthday during the adventure.