đď¸ Navigating Bipolar Disorder While Pursuing High Altitude Mountaineering Goals with Viv Serrano
Thu Feb 05 2026
Viv Serrano is a mountaineer who progressed from local trails to the summits of Aconcagua, Kilimanjaro, Rainier, and Hoodâand she's just getting started.
But what sets Viv apart as an athlete is her honesty. She navigates bipolar disorder, manages stabilizing medications, and still shows up for the kind of training that demands a lot from both mind and body.
Hear about:
Climbing Kilimanjaro on an all-womenâs team as a Summit Scholarship recipientDeciding to climb Aconcagua, then getting diagnosed with bipolar disorder while trainingWhy Viv almost quit mountaineering and the words that kept her goingTraining modifications and medication considerationsWhat the outdoor community needs to talk about more: medication, therapy, and mental health acceptanceSupporting women by becoming a Trailblazer with The Cairn ProjectMisconceptions about mood disordersRead Vivâs blog post: 5 Things I Did to Train for Aconcagua as a Person Who Struggles with Mental Health Issues
Send this episode to a friend who loves real talk about mental health in outdoor adventure!
Check out these resources:
đą â â @Viviautumn18 on IGâ
â â â âĄď¸ The Cairn Project on IGâ â â
â â â ⨠The Cairn Project's newsletterâ â â
đĽžâ â â â Become a Trailblazerâ â â â
đ
â â â â Summit Scholarship Foundationâ â â
Like this episode? Leave a 5-star rating and review on your podcast app.
Make sure you subscribe to theâ â â â â See Her Outside Podcastâ â â â â so you donât miss a story!
Brought to you by the Alliance for Gender Equity in Outdoor Adventure (GEA Alliance). Hosted by Angie Lake and edited by Alyson Castonguay.
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Viv Serrano is a mountaineer who progressed from local trails to the summits of Aconcagua, Kilimanjaro, Rainier, and Hoodâand she's just getting started. But what sets Viv apart as an athlete is her honesty. She navigates bipolar disorder, manages stabilizing medications, and still shows up for the kind of training that demands a lot from both mind and body. Hear about: Climbing Kilimanjaro on an all-womenâs team as a Summit Scholarship recipientDeciding to climb Aconcagua, then getting diagnosed with bipolar disorder while trainingWhy Viv almost quit mountaineering and the words that kept her goingTraining modifications and medication considerationsWhat the outdoor community needs to talk about more: medication, therapy, and mental health acceptanceSupporting women by becoming a Trailblazer with The Cairn ProjectMisconceptions about mood disordersRead Vivâs blog post: 5 Things I Did to Train for Aconcagua as a Person Who Struggles with Mental Health Issues Send this episode to a friend who loves real talk about mental health in outdoor adventure! Check out these resources: đą â â @Viviautumn18 on IGâ â â â âĄď¸ The Cairn Project on IGâ â â â â â ⨠The Cairn Project's newsletterâ â â đĽžâ â â â Become a Trailblazerâ â â â đ â â â â Summit Scholarship Foundationâ â â Like this episode? Leave a 5-star rating and review on your podcast app. Make sure you subscribe to theâ â â â â See Her Outside Podcastâ â â â â so you donât miss a story! Brought to you by the Alliance for Gender Equity in Outdoor Adventure (GEA Alliance). Hosted by Angie Lake and edited by Alyson Castonguay.