Exploration AND Scientific Progress with Nanok Adventurers Gilles Denis and Nathan Goffart

AND is the Future - Exploring how we can make businesses sustainable AND profitable

Ilham speaks with Belgian explorers Gilles Denis and Nathan Goffart about their amazing Nanok Expedition, a unique six month triathlon across Greenland consisting of 3 disciplines: ski crossing along the Arctic Circle, kayaking at sea and vertical climbing. But their mission went beyond just exploration: they also collaborated with well-known institutions and universities in Belgium to provide in situ measurements and samples never before collected in such conditions that will further our understanding of climate research.

Timestamps
1:40 - What is the Nanok expedition
8:19 - Scientific aspect of the expedition
10:43 - Adapting to the challenges of the journey
13:11 - Opening a new path on a 550 meter cliff
17:28 - Incredible natural sights
20:14 - The power of the AND
24:41 - What can businesses learn from exploration?
30:00 - Advice to young adventurers and entrepreneurs
32:44 - What’s next?

Gilles Denis is a scientist and a tour guide for expeditions in high latitudes, especially in Greenland where he has been working since 2016. Nathan Goffart is an entrepreneur, an athlete and the managing director of his natural food supplement company.
Between April and September 2022, Gilles and Nathan embarked together on a 5 month expedition through the icy and deserted expanses of the ice sheet, along the wild and jagged coast of the south-east of the Land of the Polar Bears ("nanok" or "nanoq" in Inuit language) and among the granite oceans of South Greenland.
In preparation for their expedition, they asked themselves two questions: “what is exploring today when there is no land left to discover but rather land to preserve?” and “how can our project contribute to the preservation of the planet?” This led to their decision to join forces with scientists on climate and environmental research, turning their adventure into something more than a sporting challenge.
For additional details about the podcast, show notes, and access to resources mentioned during the show, please visit https://www.syensqo.com/en/podcast