BIO
Meghan Buchanan is an Aerospace Engineer, Adventure Athlete, and Motivational Speaker. She has set her sights on becoming the 1st US Woman to complete the Adventurers Grand Slam (climbing the world’s 7 Summits and unsupported expedition to the North and South Poles). Meghan is no stranger to taking on the impossible and defying odds.
Meghan faced adversity from an early age, when her family learned she was dyslexic at age 7. She was determined to overcome stereotypes and discrimination; to pursue a career as a female engineer with learning differences. She has a BS in Aerospace Engineering and a ME in Engineering Management, both from the University of Colorado, and currently works fulltime as a Sr. Principal Engineer IPTL. As a young girl, Meghan found release and acceptance in the outdoors hiking with her father throughout Colorado. She first summited Kilimanjaro with him in 2005.
Her passion for the outdoors was nearly taken away in 2011, when, in the back bowls of Vail, Meghan suffered a life-threatening snowboarding accident, severely breaking her femur. Told she may have to use a cane the rest of her life, Meghan challenged herself to not only regain mobility, but to hike Kilimanjaro again in 2013. Soon after she set a higher goal to take on the remaining Summits and the North and South Poles.
Using her tools of GGRIT, she committed to further develop her skills and experience, inspire others through example, and prove the extraordinary is truly possible. Meghan summited Mt Everest May 2022 and became the 1st Rocket Scientist to climb the 7 Summits. April 2024 she will complete the Last Degree Ski to the North Pole making her the 5th US Woman to complete the Explorers Grand Slam.
Meghan dedicates her climbs to raising awareness for Dyslexia and Learning Differences (Disabilities). She is extremely active in changing the narrative on how society and individuals perceive and limit those with Learning Differences. “Dyslexia gave me GGRIT”.
Gratitude – Growth – Resilience – Integrity – Tenacity
ADVENTURE ATHLETE
Choosing To Rise: A Journey Through The Extreme
Life doesn’t get easier. But you have the choice every day to dig in, grit it out and get better at dealing with any challenge. I hope to inspire and teach others to apply GGRIT to reach their full potentials. GGRIT is a choice. Choose to RISE!
MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER
Let’s Take A Step Back To Understand How I Got To This Place
Facing adversity as early as 7, when my family learned I am dyslexic, I was determined to overcome stereotypes and discrimination to pursue a career as a female engineer with learning differences.
As a girl, I found release and acceptance in the outdoors, hiking with my father throughout Colorado. I first summited Kilimanjaro with him in 2005. This was all taken away (2011) in the back bowls of Vail, when I suffered a horrendous, life-threatening snowboarding accident, severely breaking my femur. Told I was lucky to be alive and I would have a cane the rest of my life, I once again had to focus and set my intent.
After 2 years of intense physical therapy, a titanium allergy, and surgeries, I persevered to not only climb Kili again, but to take on the 7 summits.
Explore Nature
“Get In Touch”
