46 Hours to the Top: Kilimanjaro, Breathwork & Breaking Limits with Katja & Sandra

💥 Episode Summary

What happens when two ordinary women make an extraordinary decision?

Join Roy Castleman on this electrifying episode of the Power Movers Podcast as he welcomes Katja Hasfeld and Sandra Abdul Karim, two Wim Hof Method instructors who took on one of the toughest challenges imaginable—climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in just 46 hours.

For most climbers, summiting Africa’s tallest peak is a slow journey. The average route takes 6 to 8 days to allow the body to properly acclimatize. But Sandra and Katja did it in less than two—with no shortcuts, no excuses, and no compromise on safety. Just breathwork, mindset, and community.

Through raw vulnerability, heartfelt stories, and powerful insights, they reveal how breath saved them, how mindset transformed them, and how connection carried them to the summit.

This episode isn’t just about a mountain—it’s about what happens when you strip away the excuses, breathe through the fear, and trust the process.

🧭 What You’ll Learn

• Katja’s journey from chronic back pain and low energy to full-body vitality through cold and breath
• Sandra’s powerful pivot from corporate finance to conscious movement and emotional freedom
• Why the Wim Hof Method became the most transformational tool in both their lives
• How commitment, community, and breathwork carried them up 5,895 meters in just 46 hours
• The difference between a “retreat” and a true rite of passage
• Why most people never access the real power of their breath—and how to start
• How this journey redefined their limits—and their leadership

🧠 Key Takeaways

• 💨 The Breath is a Tool: Most people don’t know how to breathe. Sandra and Katja show how mastering your breath can unlock clarity, strength, and calm—even in chaos.
• ❄️ Cold Exposure is a Mirror: From ice baths to altitude training, cold helps you access the truth of your nervous system—and rewire how you respond to stress.
• 🧱 The Only Real Limit is the One You Believe: Whether it’s back pain, burnout, or self-doubt, these women broke through by building physical and emotional resilience.
• 🤝 The 4th Pillar—Community—Matters: Training together, breathing together, and supporting each other created a bond that carried them when legs were weak and minds wavered.
• 🧗‍♀️ 46 Hours Up, Lifelong Change Down: Climbing Kilimanjaro in 2 days taught them—and now teaches us—that every wall we hit is actually a doorway to deeper power.

🧑‍💼 About the Guests

Katja Hasfeld

Based in Germany, Katja spent 15 years as a teacher before discovering the Wim Hof Method transformed her physical energy and emotional capacity. Today she leads workshops, retreats, and breathwork journeys across Europe.

🔗 Find her on the Wim Hof website

Sandra Abdul Karim

A former corporate finance professional turned yoga teacher and wellness leader, Sandra now teaches yoga and breathwork in corporate settings and leads immersive retreats in Sweden and beyond.

🔗 Find her on the Wim Hof website

Together, Katja and Sandra are co-leading transformational retreats that blend nature, breath, and mindset to create space for lasting change.

🌍 Mentioned in This Episode

• Wim Hof Method: Breathwork, cold exposure, and mindset
• Mt. Kilimanjaro (5,895m): Typically climbed in 6–8 days—Sandra and Katja did it in 46 hours
• The Two-Hour Plank Challenge: A test of focus, mindset, and connection
• Retreats in Austria, Sweden, Norway, and Poland
• The 4th Pillar – Community: Why connection may be the most underestimated healing force

🫁 For the Overwhelmed Business Owner

If you’re burned out, overstimulated, or stuck in “always-on” mode—this episode is for you.

You’ll discover simple, science-backed tools that can help you reclaim energy, clear your mind, and reconnect with your body—without needing to climb a mountain (but hey, maybe you’ll want to after this!).

📞 Connect with Roy:

📧 roy@allthepower.co.uk

🌐 www.allthepower.co.uk

💼 LinkedIn: Roy Castleman