World-renowned ice climber Margo Talbot shares her compelling story of healing and self-discovery amid the frozen landscapes of the planet. Born and raised in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Margo Talbot grew up with a distant mother who ruled the household with her eyes; a father who opted to spend much of his time away from home; and four siblings struggling to deal with their particular domestic situation. As a result of her familys dysfunction and her own growing mental illness, young Margo rarely smiled, had difficulty connecting with others, and was plagued with a black wave of anger and sadness that overshadowed much of the world around her. In time, drugs, alcohol, sex, and violence became her primary ways to connect with herself and others. From the depths of suicidal depression and a conversation with Death, Talbot eventually found solace and redemption in both the healing power of nature and the glory of climbing frozen landscapes in some of the worlds most pristine and challenging environments. Heart-breaking, honest, energizing, and inspiring, this is a remarkable memoir that shines a fresh light of hope on mental illness.
Margo Talbot is a climber and speaker who works with youth-at-risk and addictions programs, as well as individuals and organizations looking to enhance their mental fitness through a focus on vitality and resilience. A professional athlete, she teaches ice-climbing clinics all over North America. Her work has taken her from the Arctic to Antarctica, guiding clients on expeditions to the South Pole and Antarcticas tallest peak, Mount Vinson. She is the creator of The Vitality Spectrum, an essential tool for both recovery and optimal mental health as outlined in her 2013 TEDx talk Climbing Out of Addiction and Depression. Learn more about Margo at margotalbot.com. She lives in Canmore, Alberta.