The Impossible First

Ages 10 And Up, Grades 5 And Up

In this Young Readers Edition of Impossible First—perfect for fans of My Shot by Elena Delle Donne and Shaken by Tim Tebow—Colin O’Brady vividly recounts his fifty-four-day, unsupported, record-shattering solo crossing of Antarctica using every ounce of his strength, years of training, and sheer force of will.

Prior to December 2018, no individual had ever crossed the landmass of Antarctica alone, without support, and completely human-powered. But Colin O’Brady was determined to do just that—even though ten years earlier a tragic accident raised doubts that he’d ever walk again normally.

O’Brady’s quest drew him into a head-to-head battle with British SAS Captain Louis Rudd—also striving to be “the first.” Enduring Antarctica’s sub-zero temperatures and pulling a sled that initially weighed 375 pounds—in complete isolation and through a succession of whiteouts, storms, and a series of near disasters—O’Brady journeyed 932 miles to a world’s first. Honest, deeply moving, filled with moments of vulnerability—and set against the backdrop of some of the most extreme environments on earth, from Mount Everest to Antarctica—The Impossible First reveals how anyone can reject limits, overcome immense obstacles, and discover what matters most.

About the Author

Colin O’Brady is a world record holding explorer whose feats include the world’s first solo, unsupported, and human-powered crossing of Antarctica, speed records for the Explorers Grand Slam and the Seven Summits, and reaching the highest point in all fifty US states in a record-breaking twenty-one days. He and a crew became the world’s first team to row a boat across the treacherous Drake Passage from South America to Antarctica. A Yale graduate, he is a renowned speaker and expert on mindset whose work has inspired millions. Through his nonprofit Beyond 7/2, he uses his expeditions to motivate young people to live active, healthy lives and pursue their biggest dreams. Native of the Pacific Northwest, he now lives in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, with his wife, Jenna Besaw, and dog, Jack. Engage with Colin and his new adventures on social media @ColinOBrady and find out more at ColinOBrady.com.