In a world where boundaries still exist—not just on maps but in minds—Harpreet Kaur Chandi MBE has carved out a path of her own across the most unforgiving landscapes on Earth. A British Army officer, physiotherapist, ultra-marathon runner, and polar explorer, Chandi is not merely rewriting the history of polar expeditions—she’s transforming what it means to challenge the impossible, especially as a woman of color.
Harpreet Kaur Chandi: From Derby to the Edge of the Earth
Born in Derby in 1988/89 into a traditional Sikh Punjabi family, Harpreet Kaur Chandi’s path was never conventional. Nicknamed “Preet,” her early years were driven by passion and perseverance. At just 14, she left home to pursue professional tennis in Surrey, and by 16, she was training under Jiří Novák in the Czech Republic. But even before adulthood, life taught her its first lesson: dreams evolve.
When tennis no longer stirred her soul, Chandi didn’t quit; she pivoted. Back in the UK, she focused on academics and discovered a new passion for running. From marathons in the Peak District to grueling ultra-marathons like the Marathon des Sables across the Sahara, her resilience only grew.
Breaking Norms and Battling Perceptions
For Harpreet Kaur Chandi, success wasn’t simply a matter of endurance—it was a constant battle against the stereotypes that clung tightly to her identity. “Especially in my community, it’s those closest to us who sometimes hold us back,” she reflected. Being an Indian woman in polar exploration made her an anomaly—a status that brought not only media scrutiny but also incredulity from her ethnic circle.
Yet these doubts became her drive. When someone told her they’d never seen frostbite on someone with her skin tone, Chandi didn’t retreat. Instead, she pushed harder, determined to prove that boundaries, whether physical or social, are meant to be crossed.
Harpreet Kaur Chandi: An Army of One
Chandi’s foray into the military began at 19 when she joined the Territorial Army. By 27, she was serving full-time in the British Army’s Royal Army Medical Corps. Her postings took her across the globe—from Nepal to Kenya to a UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan. Her military training became a backbone of discipline and resolve, shaping the explorer she would soon become.
Promoted to captain and serving as a Clinical Training Officer with 3 Medical Regiment, Harpreet continued pushing her limits, even competing in the Lanyard Competition—a grueling 40-mile endurance challenge. These experiences laid the groundwork for something truly historic.
The Frozen Frontier: Antarctica
In 2021, Harpreet Kaur Chandi MBE announced her mission to trek solo and unsupported to the South Pole. Armed with a 200-pound sledge and 48 days of supplies, she set off on 7 November 2021 from Hercules Inlet. She skied over 700 miles alone in the vast, icy wilderness, facing bone-chilling winds, isolation, and exhaustion.
Each night, she uploaded heartfelt voice notes—dedicating them to mentors, friends, and loved ones. Her messages were filled with courage, gratitude, and undying spirit. Even just 15 nautical miles from the Pole, she had the clarity of mind to ask her friends to be her bridesmaids in a voice message—a reminder that even in the loneliest of places, connection matters.
On 3 January 2022, after 40 days, 7 hours, and 3 minutes, she reached the South Pole, becoming the first woman of color to complete a solo, unsupported expedition to the South Pole and the third fastest solo woman in history to do so. The feat was more than personal—it was generational.
“I wanted to show people that you don’t have to fit the mold. You can break it and still succeed,” Chandi declared.
Redefining Limits Again: The Record-Breaking 2022/23 Expedition
Unwilling to stop at one record, Harpreet returned in November 2022 to attempt a full solo crossing of Antarctica. Though weather forced her to stop just shy of her original finish line, she still shattered the world record for the longest solo and unsupported polar expedition, covering 868 miles.
And in 2023, she aimed for another audacious feat: the fastest solo ski expedition by a woman. Starting on 26 November and reaching the South Pole by 28 December, she not only beat the previous time but did so while believing she was behind—only to later find out she was over a day ahead.
The Role Model We Need
Harpreet Kaur Chandi MBE is more than an explorer—she’s a symbol. A symbol of resistance against expectations, of strength in solitude, of hope for countless young girls who don’t see themselves represented in stories of daring and discovery.
Her accolades reflect her impact:
-
MBE in the 2022 Birthday Honours, presented by the Princess Royal at Windsor Castle
-
Woman of the Year and Inspirational Award at the Women in Defence Awards 2022
-
Honorary Doctorate from the University of Derby
The British Army’s Chief of General Staff praised her “grit and determination,” and the world took note. Retired Major General Lamont Kirkland summed it up best:
“She will undoubtedly become a role model for young people from diverse and ethnic backgrounds to see a world with challenges rather than barriers.”
Harpreet Kaur Chandi: Leaving a Legacy on Ice
In a land where no life grows, Harpreet planted a flag not just of accomplishment but of inspiration. She rewrote the narrative not only for herself but for every woman of color who dreams beyond borders, stereotypes, and silence.
In her own words, “It’s about believing in yourself, even when others don’t. Especially then.”
Also Read : US Visa Interview Changes: New Rules Effective September 2