Helen Thayer
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Insights with Helen Thayer,
World Adventurer and Inspirational Motivator

Did you know that one of our industry’s products played a pivotal role in helping Helen Thayer become the first woman to walk alone to the magnetic North Pole? Pulling her own sled without the help of dog teams or snowmobiles, Thayer, age 50, accomplished this amazing fete with limited supplies (no pun intended).

Hosiery News recently had the honor of learning many amazing life and business lessons from this remarkable woman, who has gone on to explore the far corners of the world, including becoming:

• The first woman to walk 4,000 miles across the Sahara Desert
• The first woman (at age 63) to walk across the 1,600-mile Mongolian Gobi Desert
• The first non- Indian to kayak through 1,200 miles of a remote area of the Amazon

When did your zest for exploration begin?
At age 9, I climbed a mountain carrying my own backpack. My parents always challenged me to set large goals and challenge myself.

Do you have a guiding philosophy?
Most people and businesses are too closed within themselves and never push beyond their comfort zone. But I believe in setting the horizon to infinity and using one’s imagination to live life without limits.

What can businesses learn from your “Life without Limits” philosophy?
The first step is to dream big and imagine all your possibilities. The next step is to plan in great detail. I plan for success, but I also plan for all the obstacles in my way. When I set my sights on walking to the North Pole, I knew that polar bears would be a serious threat in the wild. So I brought my dog Charlie with me. There are always going to be obstacles, but you must have a plan to overcome them.

Why do you believe people and businesses fail to accomplish their missions?
We have been conditioned to think that we can just flip the TV channel to find a way out. But one must analyze scenarios ahead of time and plan to solve difficult problems. It takes work and creativity, but one can overcome any problem if he/she really wants to.

So how has our industry helped you accomplish your missions?
That’s simple. I don’t go anywhere without my Thorlos®! Thorlos ® socks have been with me to the North Pole, across the Gobi and Sahara Deserts, and down the Amazon River.

Jim Throneburg and the Thor-Lo people are so dedicated and it shows in their products. They are truly a caring family and their socks are uniquely good for your body. Without Thorlos® on my feet, I wouldn’t dare go anywhere.

What is it about Thorlos ® that is so important?
When you are walking 18 hours a day in extreme conditions, cushioning and shock absorption is critical. Thorlos® perform superbly. The moisture wicking is important as well. They are just kind to your body.

They even make great gloves in the Arctic! When I walked the Gobi Desert, I wore out two pair of boots. But I have never worn out my Thorlos®.

Where are your Thorlos taking you next?!
We have many more adventures planned, though our focus at the moment is motivating students to live life without limits.

My husband, Bill, and I have founded Adventure Classroom, an educational program designed to bring an awareness and respect for different cultures to young people. We have reached over 1 million young people so far and will be expanding the program to China as well.

Although kids often view the world in a negative light without hope for their future, we work to inspire them to set goals, plan for success and never give up. There is not only hope but a bright future ahead for those who are prepared to set goals and work toward them.

Hosiery News thanks Helen Thayer for her time and inspiration. Her lessons apply to us both as individuals and business leaders. For more information about Helen and her adventures, please check out her websites, www.helenthayer.com and www.adventureclassroom.org.