Pushing Boundaries with Sofie Lenaerts
In the latest episode of The Heels Forward Podcast powered by Montea, we sit down with Sofie Lenaerts to explore key themes at the heart of personal growth, leadership, and pushing beyond limits. This episode takes you on a journey through remarkable achievements, the power of perseverance, and the art of learning from failure.
An extraordinary career: from highway patrol to Seven Summits
Sofie combines her work as an inspector with the federal highway police with her passion for mountaineering. She is the first woman from the Benelux to complete the Seven Summits – the highest peaks on each continent, including Mount Everest. A feat that demands not only physical strength, but above all, mental resilience.
“Mountaineering is all about teamwork. You never reach the summit alone,” says Sofie.
She reflects on collaboration, the vital role of Sherpas, and the importance of humility in a world where personal ambition can often take center stage.
Lessons from the mountains: failure as fuel for growth
In her book ‘Between Heaven and Earth – 7 Life Lessons from the Mountains’, Sofie shares the insights she gained along the way. To her, failure is not the end, but an essential part of the process.
“Failure is an opportunity to grow,” she explains. In the podcast, Sofie speaks openly about setbacks, the difficult decisions made during expeditions, and how these moments shaped her – not only in the mountains, but also in everyday life.
*This photo was taken of Sofie with her climbing partner Paul at the summit of Mount Everest.
The power of mindset: resilience and positivity
Sofie emphasizes the importance of a mountain mindset – a positive mental attitude that helps you navigate uncertainty, setbacks, and changing circumstances.
Not just while climbing, but also in professional environments where teamwork, leadership, and personal development are key.
“When you lose courage, you also lose sight of solutions,” she says. Drawing from her own experience, Sofie now guides others on expeditions, during talks and training sessions, helping them strengthen their mental resilience.
Key takeaways
- Teamwork is essential: no one reaches the top alone.
- Resilience drives success: dealing with failure is just as important as achieving your goals.
- Conscious leadership: inspire and guide without dominating.
- Mountain mindset: keep a positive outlook, even under pressure.
- Pushing boundaries takes courage – and humility.
*Sofie with her partner Stef.
Why listen to this episode?
This episode offers more than just inspiration from physical peaks. Sofie’s stories of personal growth, collaboration, failure, and achievement are a must for anyone looking to challenge themselves – whether you're climbing a literal mountain or striving for any big goal.
Watch the full episode with English subtitles:
Montea created The Heels Forward Podcast to give a platform to inspiring voices – and to show the people behind the job titles.
Sofie Lenaerts is a powerful example: a trailblazer driven by perseverance, vision, and a warm, human perspective on both success and failure.
