Ep. 22: Conquering the Unthinkable

In 2009, in the first month of his first tour of Afghanistan with the British Army, James Rose had his legs blown off when he stepped on an IED. He barely survived with his life. Yet in 2019, he became the first double, above-the-knee amputee to climb Mount Kilimanjaro unaided.

The decade in-between saw James struggle with PTSD, weight gain, alcohol and drug abuse… but also, the unending support of his now wife, who finally convinced him to try the sport of rowing. This inspired a turnaround in physical and mental health, which led in turn to winning medals for Team GB in the 2018 Sydney Invictus Games, in sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball, and then that unprecedented ascent of the tallest free-standing mountain in the world – a climb James completed in the same number of days as it took me, your host, only a month beforehand.

In a frank and free-wheeling interview, James shares his life story, talks frankly of the problems he faced after losing his legs, and offers motivation for those encountering similar seemingly insurmountable hurdles. He also talks of his ultimate goal: becoming the first double, above-the-knee amputee to climb Mount Everest.

Also in this episode: more about Episode 20’s subject matter, Black Travel, and Episode 21’s focus on winter hiking.

James Rose on Instagram

James in the media:

James featured on ITV news

James in the Daily Mirror

James in Republic World

On video:

James Rose ascending Kilimanjaro by Zara Tours

James Rose: A double amputee and his love of the mountains

James Rose: No excuses

Invictus Games

Help for Heroes, the charity James supported on his climb up Kili.