Frozen Challenges, Warm Hearts: Natalie Yiu’s Antarctic Adventure for Youth Inclusion

Exploring Commitment and Resilience in the Face of Extreme Conditions

In a profound journey that blended extreme endurance racing with a heartfelt commitment to charity, our alumna (Part-time MBA, Class of 2017), an ultra-marathon enthusiast, recently completed “The Last Desert” in Antarctica over five days, from November 29 to December 3, 2024.

Organised by RacingthePlanet, “The Last Desert” is the final leg of four signature desert races, which include the Gobi March, the Namibia race, and the Atacama Desert in Chile. “These Deserts feature the most extreme environments on Earth, including the driest, windiest, coldest, and oldest deserts,” Natalie explained. It also served as a platform for Natalie to advocate for youth with intellectual disabilities (YID) through her fundraising efforts for, a local NGO dedicated to supporting youth with intellectual disabilities (YID).

Embracing the Challenge

Training for the Extreme

“The Last Desert” covers up to 250 kilometres over five days, with participants carrying emergency supplies in a backpack. Unlike previous desert races, which required a lot of running and hiking, Natalie focused on strength training to build the core stability necessary for navigating the uneven, snowy terrain. “Because it is a natural environment, there are gradual slopes going upwards and downwards with a lot of snow, which requires core strength to maintain the balance. I worked with a personal trainer for nearly a year, incorporating balance exercises and weight training to prevent injuries,” she shared.

Her training regimen included endurance runs, and a variety of strength training exercises designed to enhance her muscle resilience. In the last four months, she went on overnight hikes with her friends to adapt to the night environment.

The Trials of the Antarctic Environment

Even with all the preparations, trekking the Antarctica was no easy task. Known for its harsh conditions and breathtaking landscapes, the race challenged the participants with severe cold, strong wind, and treacherous terrain.

“The first day was particularly challenging, with ten hours of non-stop exposure in extreme cold. You can stop for drinking water or taking a short break, but during the course, we must keep moving” Natalie recalled. “I had other experiences at the Atacama Desert race in Chile, it was very windy but the weather was hot and dry. This time, it is cold going through my throat. I struggled with a sore throat but had to adapt quickly to the harsh environment.”

Natalie also suffered from fatigue after long-haul travel. It took two international and one domestic flights, with over 40 hours of travel to arrive in Ushuaia, the Southern point of Argentina. Then the racers were taken to the starting point by expedition ship. “We spent another two days in the Drake Passage, which had rough waters. I took motion sickness patch but some competitors did not come for breakfast as they got seasick”, Natalie said.

Nature as The Powerful Motivator

“We spent the first day on Half Moon Island, which is a 5K circuit and we were able to enjoy a 360-degree panorama view of different types of massive icebergs”, Natalie shared. She described the atmosphere vividly: “From afar, we can hear avalanches from ice sheet, we saw a lot of penguins, seals, seabirds flying all over. I closed my eyes at one point to just hear the sounds of nature. It made me appreciate how far I was from home, from my family and friends in Hong Kong, yet I was able to experience such a magical place“.

She recalled her encounters with other features “Seeing hundreds of penguins at Damoy Point and the whales’ tails from a distance at Danco Island was breathtaking.”

Running alongside Diverse Participants

53 racers representing 37 countries participated in The Last Desert, and they came from different professional backgrounds and walks of life. “In breakfast and dinner time, we sat at the dinner tables to mingle”, Natalie shared, “To be qualified for the Last Desert Antarctica, participants have to complete at least two other ultramarathon/ desert races. Once we connected with each other [other competitors], we were able to resonate strongly with the shared experiences we encountered”.

Running for a Purpose

Creating Awareness for Intellectual Disabilities

While not a requirement, competitors are encouraged to support charities of their choosing. Natalie chose to raise funds for the local NGO “StarUp”, an organisation dedicated to supporting youth with intellectual disabilities (YID), which was a key aspect of Natalie’s journey.

“From my previous races, I supported Oxfam and Hong Kong Cancer Fund. This time, I want to select another organisation that matched with my current mindset, life experiences, and stage”. After discussing options with an acquaintance at work, she learned about StarUp and felt an immediate connection.

“I met with the founder and visited the store [StarUp Wonder Store] in Sham Shui Po. The founder understood my race and suggested the idea of an expedition towel with penguins doing various sports, drawn by the YIDs. They are very talented at drawing and we would like to have this message to cheer up the global racers.”

Natalie immediately resonated with the founder’s vision. “This towel would not only raise funds but also bring awareness to their abilities,” she said, “I wanted to showcase their creativity and strength.” With the support of the race founder, this towel was hung on the expedition ship and placed in the cyber tent where all the international racers and crew members could see.

In the end, Natalie completed the race achieving 113km. As she crossed the finishing line, she pulled up the StarUp towel. “I was messaging the StarUp team everyday and I reached to the endpoint. They had been waiting for that moment; they couldn’t go there but I could. I brought their creation, messages and hope with me. It was beautiful.” 

The Impact of Fundraising

Through her efforts, Natalie and StarUp team have successfully raised over HK$100,000 for StarUp’s sustainability. These funds will be utilised to organise workshops that empower YIDs, teaching them valuable skills and boosting their confidence.

The workshops will focus on practical skills, such as leatherworking, which the youth can learn and apply, Natalie explained. “The organisation can reinvest the money to get more exposures. The funds will also support marketing initiatives to raise awareness about the capabilities of YIDs, breaking down societal barriers and stereotypes.”

Reflecting on the Journey

Lessons Learned from the Adventure

The experience in Antarctica taught Natalie valuable lessons beyond physical endurance. “I started my journey with Oxfam Trailwalker. I participated in 11 times of Trailwalker with different teammates. I enjoy the celebration of success at the end with the teammates, and of course, adding that with the fundraising efforts give me another level of meaningful fulfilment”.

As Natalie continued her journey, her resilience grew through participation in marathons and endurance races. “When I want to give up, I remind myself of the world around me and the many things to appreciate.” This mindset shift has allowed her to live with intention, prioritising valuable experiences over time wasted on less meaningful pursuits.

The Importance of Self-Care and Preparedness

Natalie also emphasised the importance of self-love and self-sufficiency, particularly during extreme challenges. “You have to take care of yourself properly and not to endanger others. You need to be self-sufficient, not having others to rescue you.” She explained, in the waters during the Antarctic race, she understood that careless actions could affect not just herself but the entire crew on board, as the ship might need to pivot to the hospital, which was 12 hours away from the original destination.

Natalie believes opportunities always come to those who are prepared. She stated. “Even if you’re not actively chasing it, when it comes, you need to be ready. And for this race, my mental and physical abilities have been building up from previous races that earned me this invited race to Antarctica.”

Advocating for Inclusivity in the Corporate World

With a background in HR, Natalie recognises the importance of inclusivity in the workplace. “It starts with the top management. You need to make them buy in and support your initiatives within the workplaces.” She emphasised when leadership actively participates in social impact initiatives, it sets a precedent for the entire organisation.

Other than top management, Natalie also reaches out to like-minded groups: “I also connect with liked-minded individuals among the employees from different departments and gradually we form a community outreach committee. Then from there, you are influencing a positive impact within the company. This creates a reciprocal loop within the organisation.”

Natalie believes that developing empathy and gratitude is crucial for the next generation of professionals. “Engaging in CSR initiatives is a great starting point to create opportunities for both sides [employees and people in need]; it allows employees to understand the diverse experiences of one another, fostering a more inclusive mindset,” she stated.

Conclusion: A Heartfelt Journey

Natalie Yiu’s Antarctic adventure is a powerful reminder of the impact one individual can have on the lives of others. Through her dedication to ultra-marathons and her commitment to supporting youth with disabilities, she inspires many to embrace challenges and champion inclusivity.

Her story will undoubtedly resonate with many, showcasing how extreme challenges can lead to meaningful connections and lasting change.