Climbing Mount Everest Without Legs. Hari Budha Magar on Prosthetics, Mindset & Human Potential.

00:00:00: This is not going to be overnight change.

00:00:02: Just me, you just doing it... It's not gonna be enough.

00:00:05: so we need to inspire as many people with disability as possible So that they can love whatever their loved too do.

00:00:12: if there any problem We need bring up and discussing about.

00:00:16: I dedicated my life until the last breath To making awareness of disability.

00:00:29: Hi!

00:00:30: I'm Sarah Delagarde and i am eighty percent human, and twenty percent bionic.

00:00:34: Welcome to Taste of Bionics the podcast that focuses on tech innovation The future of health care And Human Potential.

00:00:42: So today's guest is Harry Buddha Magar a former Gurkha soldier disability campaigner and one Of the most remarkable mountaineers of our time.

00:00:51: Well at least...I think so.

00:00:53: After losing both legs above the knee while serving in Afghanistan Harry rebuilt his life through sport & adventure And in twenty-twenty three, he became the first double above knee amputee to summit Mount Everest.

00:01:06: In January twenty-two-six, he completed The Seven Summits after reaching the top of mount Vincent and Antarctica.

00:01:14: But this conversation is not only about records.

00:01:17: it's also about identity.

00:01:19: After Trauma – the technology we learn trust why humans are drawn towards difficult things And what happens when body, mind and bionics are tested together at the edge of endurance?

00:01:31: As a fellow double amputee and someone preparing for South Pole expedition.

00:01:35: I have many questions.

00:01:37: Harry welcome to Taste Of Bionics!

00:01:40: Oh thank you Sarah.

00:01:42: good to see you.

00:01:43: Great to meet as well...I mean i have followed your adventures on social media for quite some time now.

00:01:49: so What I normally do is that, start the conversation with what i call a taste test.

00:01:59: So im going to ask you choose between two expressions and words.

00:02:03: let's give this ago.

00:02:04: so if i asked you Do You Prefer Mountains or Oceans?

00:02:10: Definitely mountains.

00:02:12: Hello me too!

00:02:13: I was just talking about my husband last night how some people have the desire to take a boat out on the ocean and do some crazy crossings of The Atlantic.

00:02:25: And I'm like, I could not imagine anything worse!

00:02:28: I am terrified of the water but it might be because if i fall into the ocean...I mean..i can't swim right?

00:02:35: ..and the prosthetics would totally sink me.

00:02:38: so I'm a mountain person as well.

00:02:41: Next choice would be preparation or instinct.

00:02:46: I think preparation.

00:02:48: Okay, okay.

00:02:51: Fear or excitement?

00:02:54: Nile excitement!

00:02:59: But we'll talk about fear as well and what drives us to go beyond fear.

00:03:04: Next one is technology or mindset?

00:03:08: Mindset

00:03:10: Solo achievement or team success.

00:03:15: I'm always a team worker.

00:03:16: Um, uh...I am not individually competitive guy.

00:03:20: even you see me on the mountain raising high sex but there's so many people behind me and also my military job is a team work.

00:03:30: So for me it's sub-team.

00:03:34: No i totally agree!

00:03:35: I'm same as well.

00:03:36: It's like..i can't do anything without support of other peoples.

00:03:40: so definitely being successful being part of a team.

00:03:46: I think that, right?

00:03:47: But this one next question.

00:03:50: Everest or Antarctica?

00:03:53: A hundred percent the best!

00:03:55: Really?!

00:03:57: Okay okay i'm definitely going to ask you few questions about that.

00:04:00: um... Right ok last one is limits or possibilities?

00:04:06: Possibilities?

00:04:07: yeah Yeah.

00:04:08: We can push the limits if you think positively and we push ourselves up, yeah?

00:04:14: Okay I agree okay.

00:04:15: so now after...we've talked about your records as well but i was going to take a step back because i would like to find out more about you as a person before all of these records were set.

00:04:27: um..i know that you're a soldier And i'd like to found out bit more about that.

00:04:33: So Can You Tell Me A Bit About your military life?

00:04:37: So I grew up in Nepal at the age of nineteen and i joined a British army, moved to the UK.

00:04:46: Served around the world as part my job.

00:04:50: Serving into five continents And in ten lost both legs on two IEDs.

00:05:02: so improvised explosive device.

00:05:04: This technical name is simply homemade bomb.

00:05:08: So I was a step in and blown up, lost both of my legs above the knee and sustained multiple injuries so injured right arm here And some other bits as well.

00:05:26: yeah that's my military drive.

00:05:27: i had very good career in the army served fifteen years.

00:05:33: Sadly, I couldn't do longer which we say could.

00:05:38: But you know life is like that and one chapter closes then we move on to the next one?

00:05:48: Well... You certainly did!

00:05:50: What..I mean i tried think back before my own incident happened And sometimes how much that incident has changed me.

00:06:03: Do you remember who you were before the injury and who have become after it?

00:06:11: Yes, I think people see my slightly differently but from...I'm still a same guy who grew in remote part of West Nepal to now.

00:06:29: Maybe you look me different, maybe I don't have legs now.

00:06:33: Have some scars?

00:06:35: Maybe have climbed the mountains... You know put a uniform on but inside my heart I'm still the same guy with same mind and same heart.

00:06:50: when i was injured after losing my legs even some of my friends they started treating me differently.

00:06:58: I'm still the same guy, but i think in my identity.

00:07:02: why is?

00:07:03: yeah um.

00:07:05: I was a Nepali boy became a British army uh you know in a Gurkharism and then now Then I become either my identity to be came double amputee.

00:07:19: uh injured guy injured soldier had.

00:07:22: now people know me as a mountain air who climbs mountain without legs.

00:07:30: Yeah, I mean you know your are a bit of big deal kind legend right?

00:07:35: You set so many records and we'll get into that.

00:07:38: what fascinated me the most is questions.

00:07:41: people have to me all time saying like wait did they incident changed?

00:07:47: personally for me it's like i don't think so.

00:07:51: same answer as u had was feel like im very similar person than before like in terms of mindset and finding solutions where people would see problems.

00:08:02: I think i already had that, but it almost appears that having been so close to death just sharpened that mindset?

00:08:10: I don't know if you felt like that!

00:08:13: If you step on an IUD and your limbs are blown apart... That is as close to deaf as you can get

00:08:20: right?!

00:08:21: Do you think that closeness has made you realise how precious life?

00:08:27: Absolutely.

00:08:30: I think, uh...I grew up a bit more and became- I came to know about life And my mindset also changed a lot.

00:08:45: You know before maybe i used to see the obstacle.

00:08:48: now i see opportunity Because there's lots of things.

00:08:53: but for two years it was very difficult because, you know I grew up in Nepal where disability is slightly looked differently than the waste and i thought myself that would be the burden.

00:09:14: You know, I had done something wrong in my past lives or maybe I'm punished for that.

00:09:19: So yeah... That took quite a while to overcome that you know?

00:09:24: I used go to the societies and they just looked me down And there was too much sympathy towards me.

00:09:31: Oh!

00:09:31: You know like this Which didn't really help but also fit young souls out.

00:09:42: You know running everywhere around and now When I couldn't climb on my wheelchair from the floor, you're not gonna go to toilet myself And I could make a tea.

00:09:52: Myself is little things that he couldn't able to do.

00:09:55: the thing's I Couldn't play football with my son, you know?

00:09:59: Yeah, no, I can in.

00:10:01: I have put my son on my lap when my wheels here to fill your town.

00:10:05: He loved it.

00:10:11: But I wish, you know... I could do many other things and even going a family or one to another place.

00:10:19: we have to like adopt it.

00:10:22: And from what did You use?

00:10:25: What Do You wear?

00:10:27: It's simple!

00:10:29: We feel so grateful that I looked back having Lake for people who they can't just imagine because they already got it.

00:10:42: So, you know as I was saying so in how easy that is and learn how to use those legs and so, painfully couldn't even put a five minutes on your limbs in the first.

00:10:57: And slowly you build up on that.

00:10:58: it takes years and years just working... ...and I'm not still perfect now!

00:11:04: And i couldn't do all things like if there's something in the kitchen when they sell out there.. ..you know?

00:11:11: You can jump or climb on steps which makes more dangerous.

00:11:16: So if you are on a wheelchair, just do the simple things.

00:11:24: But in many other ways is like I feel so grateful that I survived and couldn't bring everybody back home.

00:11:36: You know we lost lot of people in Afghanistan And some people they never came back to your home.

00:11:47: Also, I look at Nepal and what my classmates are doing in Nepal.

00:11:53: What am i doing now?

00:11:55: Yeah!

00:11:56: I feel like it's very precious And you know...I'm very grateful to be alive.

00:12:05: This is why the one thing pushes me that forward and something to live my life, make it meaningful as much possible so that people from other communities or our next generations who learn something.

00:12:29: I agree with many of the points you are making but one commonality we have is I mean, a lot of people ask the question and say like wait how can you be even positively minded in this way?

00:12:48: How can you live

00:12:50: day-to-day?".

00:12:51: And often i hear people saying if that would have happened to me then probably try not continue living.

00:12:59: I can see where those dark moments were.

00:13:03: So, i definitely have been very close to depression or even in depression at some point.

00:13:08: particularly the first two years are the hardest right?

00:13:13: But then the overriding feeling that I had and it seems similar to you is that...I'm grateful because know how close this was!

00:13:24: It's hard work of all these people around me.

00:13:28: So in the first instance, the paramedics, doctors and surgeons then you know the prosthetists and OTs that helped us navigate this new world.

00:13:39: but I guess the bit still gets me today.

00:13:42: so for me it's been four years.

00:13:46: what gets me is there…I can override frustration of being stuck and not being able to zip up my code or put a button through.

00:13:57: that sometimes can get extremely frustrating, but what really gets me is when people look at me and pass the judgment.

00:14:07: When they say in the beginning I was in a wheelchair and my husband was pushing me around the hospital and people would talk to him about me while i was sitting in the chair And it's like...I can hear you guys!

00:14:20: Why are you talking?

00:14:21: And I think that's the moment where you realise, that perception is going to be altered forever.

00:14:26: Like before the accident... You know?

00:14:29: ...I felt like.. ..I had an identity that people could respect but after the accident all of a sudden i was pushed into category when things were no longer possible Where people looked at me and say well-you're disabled now.

00:14:44: so you are now pushed in this box where most things.

00:14:51: Well, you can't do this.

00:14:53: You can't go back working...you can't walk more than twenty steps or climb mountains!

00:15:01: Have you had that similar experience where people just assumed they couldn't do things anymore?

00:15:21: Sometimes it's very, very sympathetic.

00:15:23: It is like he will fall down and everybody putting their bar around him.

00:15:30: Come on man!

00:15:31: If I need help I'll ask you don't worry.

00:15:33: You are my friends.

00:15:35: Sometimes was say...I used to go to my community parties.

00:15:44: This poor guy, as you've said that they're talking and the other one's like this poor guys.

00:15:50: he lost his legs.

00:15:52: And yeah, why he should be staying at home?

00:15:55: Why you know it is difficult for him to come here.

00:16:00: You know these things.

00:16:00: like I'm human and still wanna meet the people... I want have fun!

00:16:11: Being disabled means that i can't just poor or miserable and live off of benefits.

00:16:21: Yeah, you know what I mean?

00:16:24: But that is also things that pushed me.

00:16:26: That makes sure...I saw them.

00:16:29: What can't be done Just before I climb.. I said You want to go and climb Mount Everest.

00:16:36: Nobody believed in me.

00:16:37: My family didn't believe Me my friends did not believe In me.

00:16:41: Forget about others So.

00:16:45: but somehow I just kept it going And my mom used tell me You're stupid, you just survived.

00:16:59: What is not enough for you?

00:17:02: Stay at home look after your wife and children.

00:17:06: when?

00:17:07: why are you choosing these dangerous things?

00:17:12: And I get it as a mom.

00:17:15: possibly maybe i would be saying the same thing to my children But I think, you know for me it was like say something that had my childhood dream.

00:17:27: Something that wanted to show the people prove its possible and simply i want start somewhere else do something else And have done a lot of sports and adventure.

00:17:46: passion was always on the mountain.

00:17:48: My proposal is always in a mountain and through that mountain I can tell the world, you know anything is possible.

00:17:56: so it's just a mountain.

00:17:58: A lot of boys actually think to change their way they don't work.

00:18:05: So i have changed my ways after doing lots of sports and adventure.

00:18:12: You know I swim faster than I used to have legs.

00:18:19: So I have done a lot of sports and adventures.

00:18:23: After doing all that, if we can adapt our life according to the time situation or ability then anything is possible.

00:18:37: We didn't use just us to go on another planet You know?

00:18:42: Who made this possible?

00:18:43: with humans, we challenge ourselves.

00:18:46: Learned, adopted, innovated so... We went to another planet!

00:18:50: So me a guy with no legs just you know standing on top of the Everest should be possible.

00:18:58: that principle that always.

00:19:00: I believe that and then That was true And it is right.

00:19:06: See i can totally Empathise.

00:19:09: what that as well because When I started talking about my aspiration to climb Kilimanjaro, people around me had exactly the same reaction where they're like wait that's not possible because your accident happened less than two years ago.

00:19:24: How can you think doctors told you wouldn't walk more than twenty steps a day and do want go back to Kilimanjaro.

00:19:32: try this all over again but with two prosthetics?

00:19:36: That is not possible!

00:19:37: And I think the more people were saying that it wasn't possible, the more it convinced me that i needed to try out and see like well what if we redefined the limits right?

00:19:48: If people say you can't do this for me.

00:19:51: It was almost an incentive to say oh wait let me try because you think it's impossible but I don't think so.

00:19:57: is that something that you felt as well?

00:19:59: or was there something else to change perception for the people that looked at you and assumed that you wouldn't be able do it?

00:20:08: or was something personal within yourself?

00:20:14: It resonated with me.

00:20:16: I think one thing is, after doing all those things you can do anything, it's just a different way of doing the things.

00:20:34: And then after that I simply wanted to sort people what is actually possible and i don't want other disabled people to waste their time.

00:20:49: make sure they grab their passion whatever their hobbies are an excel from there than just feeling sorry for themselves or blaming someone else, you know?

00:21:00: So the one thing is I want to make sure and make awareness of disability that we might have... There's no one perfect in this world.

00:21:11: Everybody has our weakness.

00:21:15: Some of them, some of us we may have like our arm or legs.

00:21:19: Or other part power body whatever that might have a weakness doesn't mean you can do anything.

00:21:26: so make sure the people with disability they believe themselves and achieve something at least one step further than what actually You know, just going through in their mind and so on.

00:21:45: I remember that you couldn't drive as this injured... ...and wanted to go down into a bank So worried that, oh how am I going to get my wheelchair?

00:21:57: Is the bus has a wheelchair access.

00:22:01: The bank has a wheel chair access.

00:22:03: How can i go there?

00:22:05: what other people will say and it's like your own mind defeats you instead of you go out And start tackling the problems You know.

00:22:12: now I just Go.

00:22:15: answer if I need help guys Can I have some help please?

00:22:18: Somebody will help me.

00:22:20: So even I don't mind, so I go to swimming pool.

00:22:24: I used take my wheelchair now and just drag myself on the floor.

00:22:28: You know it doesn't really matter whatever or what other people thinks And make sure we overcome our minds.

00:22:37: We can overcome our internal mountains If you do that if have confidence.

00:22:43: i think The another thing was, you know as I said about how people in the communities if my family is to how they looked at me.

00:22:58: And also before we went climbed Everest Nepal government put a ban on double amputees and visually impaired people with disability, the awareness is needed to people around us.

00:23:23: You know?

00:23:24: Our family members.

00:23:24: sometimes they help and support us but sometime they discriminate us.

00:23:29: you know there's other people who do that.

00:23:32: so our families...our community..the authorities & governments I'm sure we need to make awareness of it.

00:23:42: Honestly,

00:23:43: if I knew that all the problem on Everest there was no legs.

00:23:48: There is a band you know?

00:23:51: You had to raise a lot of money and build team then...I don't think so.. I would have attempted.

00:23:59: even So i went start facing problems and challenged this one by one One point.

00:24:07: while my aim was about how to over turn the band then you know forgetting completely climbing and in a how-to work on the band.

00:24:18: that was my focus.

00:24:20: so yes absolutely it changed my mindset.

00:24:26: That's what pushes me, now also I went Afghanistan to fight until my last breath.

00:24:36: This is not going to be overnight change, I know.

00:24:38: So just me you doing it... It's not gonna be enough.

00:24:43: so we need to inspire as many people with disability that they can love whatever their loved too and not just our generation.

00:24:55: it wouldn't be enough because you can hide the disability, you can eliminate this ability.

00:25:01: It's a one of natural cause.

00:25:03: somebody has to go to work or pursue their dreams Or someone just born without fault.

00:25:13: So if there is any problem we need bring up and discuss that is only way you know, hopefully will inspire as many as possible and I dedicated my life to until my last breath.

00:25:30: To making awareness of disability.

00:25:33: whatever i would do it'll be linked with making awareness that people with disability simply can't do anything.

00:25:43: That's an incredible mission for sure!

00:25:46: Im just shocked.

00:25:48: there was a ban in place and that in order for you to climb Everest, you had to overturn the ban.

00:25:55: How complicated was it?

00:25:57: It is super-complicated!

00:25:59: I have no clue about law or constitution in Nepal.

00:26:04: The Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities has no clue as well.

00:26:13: So,

00:26:15: we tried diplomatic means.

00:26:17: You know I went to some of the former ministers you know new ministers and politicians And i told them that...you know..I need a hell help!

00:26:30: There's two things they said to me.

00:26:34: one thing they said was get a special permit so you can go and climb Everest.

00:26:41: I would rather not climb Everest, but this you can't just ban the people because of do think that they can't do it.

00:26:51: You can imagine like say you know banning women or Sabrina hide of people or separate in different group of people, whatever that is.

00:27:03: You just can't do this.

00:27:04: This absolutely against human rights with even they can't Do.

00:27:10: you can't just ban them?

00:27:14: So it's bigger than climbing ever so.

00:27:20: yeah

00:27:23: I agree but what a victory to have overturned That.

00:27:26: does It mean that the ban has now lifted?

00:27:29: I mean, not that i want to but if i were to go up Everest like now because you've shown the example.

00:27:38: And that is bigger than Everest right?

00:27:42: So one of my biggest achievements and even seven summits was much more important.

00:27:52: then there was put a limit on people with disability.

00:28:00: We destroyed that wall.

00:28:05: Initially we tried with diplomatic means, it didn't work.

00:28:07: they said bring a proposal and you know will have look at... And I realized that the proposal needs to go through four different ministries.

00:28:15: They had to pass it and finally has to board by parliament.

00:28:19: Who's gonna do then?

00:28:20: It is nobody going there.

00:28:22: You don't have a drive or meaning for them.

00:28:26: it didn't work and I thought that yeah, i'm not going to climb for my lifetime if you're gonna go with that.

00:28:35: Then we went to United Nation in Geneva and there's this point but problem was the united nation.

00:28:42: Yeah probably

00:28:44: the united... Wow!

00:28:45: You pushed it?

00:28:46: Well yes you have no choice but wow..

00:28:49: So so I didn't sleep about three months just to going here and there.

00:28:55: you know I went the

00:28:56: U.S.,

00:28:56: I'm going to meet the ambassadors, you know he's here in Nepal's ambassador in London New York And we're going to met British American Ambassador and other embassies too meeting the politicians and, you know giving interviews to funding the case.

00:29:21: So many went on... And

00:29:25: how long did that take?

00:29:26: you finally get the permit?

00:29:29: Can you imagine it was a lot quicker than we thought.

00:29:33: So the ban came in December, twenty seventeen and we were able to overturn it on March, twenty eighteen.

00:29:44: Okay!

00:29:46: That was about four months you know.

00:29:49: so which is in law takes years.

00:29:55: But we put a lot of pressure on from media to very high-profile disabled persons, to disabled organisations and other countries.

00:30:12: The United Nations didn't... Probably the United Nations is whatever decision they make can force countries to apply that rule.

00:30:23: there.

00:30:24: We had no choice other than going to Supreme Court and five decades, which is what we did.

00:30:29: That's unbelievable!

00:30:31: And so I mean Everest wasn't the only mountain that you climbed?

00:30:34: You climbed several afterwards... Did you encounter a similar problem for other mountains or was it once you climbed Everest everybody else like okay i think he can do this.

00:30:47: No more bands for Harry?

00:30:52: It was quite straightforward Yeah, so especially I didn't have plan to do a seven summits other mountains.

00:31:00: My plan was because I grew up in Nepal and we are very patriotic about Everest.

00:31:05: there's lots of you know books and poems songs films about Everest And it is.

00:31:17: everybody knows the Everest even i travel around the world People say, what are you from?

00:31:23: I said, yeah.

00:31:24: From Nepal and... And then asked them who do they know?

00:31:29: that is in Nepal now?

00:31:32: maybe somewhere in Africa or in Asia.

00:31:37: Do you know about Everest?

00:31:39: Yeah it's in there!

00:31:44: So so i was very fascinated by ever since.

00:31:47: this is why i told you know, whether I'm tragic or everything.

00:31:51: So because everyone's always meant to me and it was my childhood dream...I couldn't do when i was young!

00:31:57: I tried did when I was in service And I could not be able to do that.

00:32:01: after losing my legs After gaining those confidence traveling around all looking at the snowy mountain.. I thought how am I going climb without legs?

00:32:13: That is what I think and some ways took a very long time.

00:32:20: Try it, even try.

00:32:22: And once I tried that... It took over six years to complete the

00:32:31: mission.".

00:32:32: Wow!

00:32:33: So of course being an amputee myself…I know quite a bit about prosthetic failure and in day-to-day life is frustrating.

00:32:42: but when you are on a mountain like Everest then becomes a question of survival.

00:32:47: so i'm interested how extreme cold and altitude, what it did to your body as a double above knee amputee.

00:32:55: What happened?

00:32:58: So you know that if we lose our weight out legs become loose and fall off from us And If we put the weight on our stomach doesn't go inside the circuit On the mountain whatever You're going to lose weight.

00:33:23: But I used socks and also when you design, we designed a slightly tighter circuit because it was going to go great.

00:33:34: A lot of my friends they told me that yeah so don't have to worry about losing them.

00:33:40: Sadly i told him...

00:33:42: Well there are some advantages as you can get frostbite on your feet for sure!

00:33:49: But I told them that, you know...I can't afford to lose more limbs.

00:33:54: So we installed the heating system on my socket and not going for like a luxury but make sure it protects from frostbite.

00:34:07: so then i don't loose more limbs..

00:34:10: Yeah because in my residual limb's blood flow is different.

00:34:16: The surface of my residual limbs is colder than the rest of my body, then that isn't normal temperatures and normal circumstances.

00:34:24: So I can imagine it.

00:34:27: blood flow becomes quite important when you are climbing in those conditions like super cold.

00:34:33: so you had a heating system installed inside your socket?

00:34:36: Yeah but i have to plan B as well.

00:34:39: what if we run out battery fails or damage?

00:34:46: even we adopted my summit suit.

00:34:52: We made a small Hannah Wommer's pocket, so I tried putting the Hannah Wommers inside the socket and realized that without oxygen it doesn't work!

00:35:09: There's no oxygen in there.

00:35:11: Of course,

00:35:11: because they're activated through oxygen right?

00:35:14: Yeah

00:35:15: yeah I didn't realize that!

00:35:19: Why is not warming it and just... It doesn't work without oxygen.

00:35:23: so instead of that we made the pockets around my especially bottom up my you know stomp where whoever it ends.

00:35:35: We made it elastic to cover up so that the air doesn't come in, just close down.

00:35:44: So we did that if that felt and actually worked!

00:35:50: And yeah I didn't lose my further limbs.

00:35:57: But then another question is like you had special adaptations made because your replacement knees... Your bionic knees.

00:36:05: they are activated through microprocessors that is battery operated.

00:36:12: But you didn't wear them all the way to the top of Everest, right?

00:36:15: You had shorter versions with no battery-operated knees.

00:36:24: That's what I'm looking at... The photo on your book, the front cover of this picture.

00:36:30: Simply what i do is adopt my climb according terrain and also time and situation as well.

00:36:40: So I adopt to achieve, be on the summit of Mount Everest always be a summit up any mountains.

00:36:49: so You know, those micro-froces of knees with the sockets is one leg more than five kilograms.

00:36:57: It's difficult to handle it on a mountain and I can't control my knees as well!

00:37:02: So...so i use this sort or version of it.

00:37:06: The crampon were never designed for double abopney amputees And we designed it.

00:37:12: We actually simply DIY'd it To go into their press.

00:37:17: Thanks to the autobuck that they have made This is really good, that it broke on Everest as well.

00:37:26: But now because of the Autobug and they made like a truly super strong with the Titanium's.

00:37:33: after that you'd never... It never broke.

00:37:36: See

00:37:37: this is the advantage of doing something no one has done before us.

00:37:41: That forces to innovate right?

00:37:43: So The special setup probably available for other people?

00:37:54: It's not available to other people because, you know... I think financially or business-wise it doesn't clear how many double above me MPT will be climbing.

00:38:04: Okay

00:38:05: fair enough!

00:38:06: So so i possibly but there is the system that they can ask a copy of that and in an autobocker on supreme assured that they would be very happy too.

00:38:17: design that whatever I have, which is quite simple and easy thing to do honestly.

00:38:23: That's what another things pushes me... We just didn't climb mountains you know?

00:38:34: we did a lot of research and innovation in prosthetics.

00:38:42: This is not just going to help the future empathy, but this will help science and technology.

00:38:48: Because I think whatever that we are using somebody in the past they invented us you know?

00:38:55: To do that they invested their time skill knowledge experience money.

00:39:04: so why we are privileged?

00:39:07: Now i can talk to you or universally because invented for us, did it for a challenge themselves and innovative these things.

00:39:17: So I think some of the life lesson that we learn is going to be useful not just from amputees but many other people who push their boundaries.

00:39:33: you know innovating them so they can help future generations.

00:39:39: Yeah i totally agree.

00:39:40: I mean that is a motivation of mine now as well.

00:39:44: The fact, it's something we haven't touched on but the fact amputees to climb Everest, but you also gave inspiration to people like me who woke up in hospital.

00:40:09: I thought my life was going to be over that nothing exciting would ever happen for the next forty years.

00:40:19: and then i came across your story.

00:40:26: maybe I should give it a go as well.

00:40:28: So really important to have those role models, you know?

00:40:31: You're giving inspiration – changing the laws and other people with physical disabilities.

00:40:40: That's great!

00:40:41: And that inspiring me do my next adventure hoping also become an inspiration for somebody

00:40:48: else.".

00:40:50: It was meaning asking this question like so…you've done The Seventh Summit.

00:40:56: Tell me honestly, which one was the hardest to climb and why?

00:41:02: I think Everest was definitely hard.

00:41:05: Because there is that terrifying Kumbu Icefall you go through for eleven hours.

00:41:16: we went at night to minimize this.

00:41:20: so if any of your audience who doesn't know kumbu ice fall It's broken ice, holding each other and it is moving.

00:41:37: So imagine that you've got a small ice cube to put in the glass and hold it like this but much bigger than these buildings And two smaller ones You know?

00:41:53: so...it can collapse anytime.

00:41:56: So even like before I went to, uh-uh-uh.

00:42:01: Uh-uh, we-I reached the Everest base camp at three of the row fixing team.

00:42:05: one of them you know said that collapsed and just buried him.

00:42:09: You can't take them out.

00:42:10: this is gonna be more going to collapse than what people are gonna die.

00:42:12: so...so..so um That's the denser who have on the mountain.

00:42:20: Tell me about Antarctica because now my personal obsession going to put together a team to go December, twenty-twenty seven and not Mount Vincent so that I'm skiing the last degree.

00:42:36: So the hundred and eleven kilometers to the South Pole which is hopefully not as hard to complete than climbing a mountain like Everest or Mt.

00:42:48: Vinson.

00:42:50: but tell me about your experience out there.

00:42:53: what made Antarctica special for you?

00:42:55: It's amazing.

00:42:57: So sometimes, you know I go to like one of the most remote places in the world and... ...I think what am i doing here?

00:43:05: leaving my family behind taking this risk?

00:43:09: Spending so much money!

00:43:12: You know why am I doing that?

00:43:14: What actually brought me

00:43:15: here?!

00:43:18: In fact it brings people around the world or somewhere else where you never imagine that you will be.

00:43:27: And I think it's a dream and dreams with the purpose of bringing us around, my dream took me... Antarctica is an amazing place!

00:43:45: You would have never seen this kind of place in the world.

00:43:52: It was very cold So I'm sure you're getting prepared for that.

00:43:56: And, um...I think it's simply again adopting according to the time situation and your abilities so adapting in a way with your team and the kit and equipments that are going use.

00:44:17: Yeah if you can do this then You know, it's not gonna be easy.

00:44:24: Nothing is going to.

00:44:25: nothing is easy in life But I think any adventure has a risk and If he has a reason it is unique in its own way.

00:44:37: but you know nothing.

00:44:40: i Think nothing can't be achieved.

00:44:43: In my view anything can be achieved as long as you Yeah put the things together Adopted be flexible And yeah, if you knock down and get up again.

00:44:58: If we failed once site again climbing Mount Everest took nearly six years for me to even get up to the Everest.

00:45:11: just try one shot.

00:45:14: So as long that they don't give up You'll get there.

00:45:18: There is a principle I use because my mom used to tell me You know, you're stupid why are doing this?

00:45:25: And my friend said oh your crazy and mad.

00:45:29: This is

00:45:29: dangerous.".

00:45:29: I think it can be a little bit crazy and bad but... ...I try not to be stupid because if i become stupid.. ..I'll kill myself and I will kill my team-my friends as well.

00:45:43: so.... As long as you do that you adopted I'm pretty much sure that you make it!

00:45:51: And wish all the bravest And I'm also looking into North Pole, South Pole some ways.

00:45:58: So so...I would love to hear more about and how you did it.

00:46:02: um yeah or maybe i might just be similar time like a year.

00:46:11: I think twenty-twenty seven is gonna be quite oddly for me.

00:46:15: You're

00:46:16: thinking we are going bumping each other on the way to the south pole?

00:46:23: Maybe I'll go after you and just follow your track.

00:46:30: Yeah, for me what the attraction is apart from pushing boundaries raising awareness that people with disabilities are still able to do things but really struck when I climbed Kilimanjaro this beauty of natural environment the mountainscape that I was seeing, I felt like I were so small in this vast environment and beauty.

00:47:00: And it made me feel my problems are not that important.

00:47:04: because look at me – I'm just a tiny speck walking around this place!

00:47:10: It

00:47:11: is something that i wanted to replicate again…and the surroundings that I'm in, right?

00:47:19: And i can totally imagine Antarctica being that place where you feel like on another planet.

00:47:23: You're so far remote from everything and you find yourself So small!

00:47:28: So insignificant That you think what am I complaining about?

00:47:33: Look at me In this incredible environment.

00:47:37: Would you agree with it?

00:47:39: Absolutely

00:47:40: absolutely.

00:47:41: You don't need big things.

00:47:43: It's just so intimidating.

00:47:45: You know, look at these rocks and mountains.

00:47:49: And just... you're not even an

00:47:52: ant!

00:47:54: Yeah exactly

00:47:55: A little rock falls down and hit your head.. you are done.

00:47:58: One slip you were done.

00:48:01: Something was wrong.

00:48:02: maybe something?

00:48:04: You are done.

00:48:06: If the mountain doesn't welcome you simply you are not welcomed.

00:48:11: I came back from Everest and went to climb.

00:48:16: It's not climbing, so hike up to a penny fan in South Wales.

00:48:25: We felt it!

00:48:27: So now my motto is no mountain is too high and no mountains are too small.

00:48:35: Yeah I think we should underestimate any of the mountains or any nature because nature is way way more powerful than us.

00:48:45: If you don't respect it, it is very simple.

00:48:49: It will kill us!

00:48:49: You don't really care how famous or how powerful you are... How beautiful your look doesn't really matter.

00:49:04: It's a nature and it treats everybody the same way.

00:49:08: And if we don' t respect it?

00:49:09: It will simply take our life.

00:49:13: Yeah,

00:49:14: I know that's for sure.

00:49:15: So my question is like now you've completed your challenge of conquering the seven highest summits on Seven Continents?

00:49:25: Like what's next?

00:49:26: What are you going to do next?

00:49:28: Is Antarctica something that you would like to do at last degree expedition?

00:49:33: or if there was anything else... Are we gonna see you in space at some

00:49:37: point?!

00:49:39: How far are

00:49:41: Honestly, I would love to go express if somebody takes me out.

00:49:44: But you need a lot of skill and study a lot... And i'm not sure whether prepare to study that much.

00:49:55: but yeah..I am completely open!

00:50:01: As I said before , I will be making awareness of disability until I die and I think I'm forty seven now and I'm still young enough to do some more adventures.

00:50:14: So, yeah... I'll follow up on some of the adventures.

00:50:18: so next month i am going to Australia to hike up to Mount Kojiasku which is a tallest mountain in Australia with thirty other injured soldiers and veterans something that means me, you know.

00:50:41: A lot of my friends told to me that they were climbing Everest.

00:50:44: so Hawaii is going to climb the smaller mountain and in my view it's not about what we do but why are we doing it?

00:50:57: And you and I will go do the same thing with completely different outcomes.

00:51:05: So why did i choose seven summits?

00:51:09: was, how can I make awareness of disability around the world?

00:51:13: And this is why I choose Seven Summits and that iconic mountain in their own way.

00:51:20: So next month I'll do that look to climb another mountain in twenty-twenty seven an arm in a preparation for something that cannot able to do North Pole to South Pole or South Pole to North Pole.

00:51:41: so So I might pass you across somewhere in the middle, but when do think it's possible?

00:51:46: It is a long way to go.

00:51:51: But i'm looking into that how we can make this possible and something to keep continuously inspiring and making awareness of disability just keep going because If you do one dream, say another dream and other dreams.

00:52:11: So that's what happens in your dream never finishes till you die.

00:52:18: so we just keep it going until the end.

00:52:22: Yeah wow thank you very much.

00:52:24: I mean i'm very excited to be reading your book as well.

00:52:31: Yeah, I can definitely recommend that to our listeners for sure.

00:52:35: as the you know nothing is impossible.

00:52:38: That's what it says on the front cover doesn't it?

00:52:40: One man seven summits no legs No limits!

00:52:43: That's your motto-no legs no limits.

00:52:45: i love It

00:52:48: Yes and The name of my book this called Concording Dreams As You Saw.

00:52:54: And So So this was the name of my Everest expedition.

00:53:05: And it became a name for seven summits expeditions and now, in my book is called Conquering Devs.

00:53:12: It's not just about climbing big mountains Just climbing how to climb from the floor you know, growing up in remote place in western part of Nepal to joining the British army which is super tough.

00:53:35: And losing legs and how to overcome that?

00:53:41: So it's not just about one point.

00:53:45: my dream was maybe sit on a wheelchair go toilet myself at some point so its all over come again absolutely achieving bigger mountains.

00:53:58: Sometimes we have invisible mountains that we need to overcome, I told you about...I was so scared of going just to the bank from my you know my married quarter and sometimes instead of like going out and keep solving those problems with just worry too much and then start blaming someone!

00:54:19: And i hope this book will help people achieve their dreams, whatever that they have and it would make them climb one mountain whether internal or physical mountains.

00:54:35: So please enjoy my book so I can improve on the next person!

00:54:44: And

00:54:44: we could make more valuable to other people who read.

00:54:49: For sure at this point i wanted you a question all of my guests, and it's about your thoughts on the future.

00:54:58: So what gives you the most optimism for the future?

00:55:01: What would that be?

00:55:03: I'm not super optimistic in this but... ...I want whole world to have a universal system where we don't need to climb stairs.

00:55:26: You know, everywhere the wheelchairs can run around.

00:55:30: People with disability can go on their own if they can.

00:55:37: that is their system.

00:55:38: so why we design these steps?

00:55:40: because it's designed for people who have legs and yeah... We can design them.

00:55:46: now to a lot of buildings.

00:55:49: you know high-rise building No, that's not it.

00:55:52: There are all lips and there is many multiple lips.

00:55:55: in little lips go their or rams And doesn't cost more money to do that.

00:56:00: I would love to see a universal system That were accessible for everyone

00:56:11: Yeah!

00:56:12: And i think we're making great progress In getting there because people also realising It does just about people with disabilities like us, but it's also preparation for the future.

00:56:24: We are an aging population in most of the countries in this world and you know that although you get more issues to have your mobility so a ramp or wheelchair is going be useful for people with mobility issue because old age.

00:56:39: So its not something that just benefits us amputees It benefits everyone.

00:56:43: ultimately I think i share optimism.

00:56:48: we are still raising so much awareness for this, and I share your optimism that the world is going to be more accessible over time.

00:57:00: And it's also easier for to, you know, drag a suitcase instead of lifting up those heavy suitcases too.

00:57:09: You pushing the buggies... Exactly!

00:57:15: All things if we don't need to lift and get in there can prevent injuries from that and lots of things could be done.

00:57:23: so yeah You know, I grew up in Nepal and I visit many remote places.

00:57:31: And some of the places has no accessibility at all.

00:57:35: you know?

00:57:37: You know...I was having toilets here in Nepal so i carry my achir and hole to do toilet because I can't squat!

00:57:50: So there are many places on the world where when we go down the mountain You know, see that so I can put it on the top.

00:58:01: And have a seat done.

00:58:02: but you know what is will?

00:58:07: We'll find our way to doing things and as long we have confidence go out tackling those challenges.

00:58:18: then just worrying about ah!

00:58:21: What's going to happen you know, how am I going to do it?

00:58:24: Is there toilet or

00:58:25: not?".

00:58:25: And a lot of other things.

00:58:28: So if we have confidence that is what gives us the courage go and tackle those challenges.

00:58:37: That's perfect ending our conversation.

00:58:39: Thank You so much Harry.

00:58:41: It was such pleasure speaking with you today.

00:58:44: Honestly all the best for your next adventure.

00:58:46: Maybe we're gonna cross paths in South Pole Who knows?

00:58:51: Amazing!

00:58:53: Yeah, yeah.

00:58:53: Thanks so much for having me and I wish you all the very best for the South Pole!

00:58:59: I was very privileged to flew there but at some point i would love to go underground physically So... Oh yes?

00:59:07: ...I wish you a very best.

00:59:09: Thank You All right, well dear listeners that's it for this episode of Taste Of Bionics.

00:59:14: Thank you very much listening and if enjoyed as I did please subscribe so never miss an episode!

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00:59:26: We will be back in two weeks.

00:59:28: In the meantime we'd love hear what your think share feedback tell us your story send us your questions at podcastatotobock.com.

00:59:39: So stay happy, stay safe and see you next time.