Sarka Wilde on Survival, Setbacks and Starting Again

She Nearly Died On A Mountain, But Calls It Her Most Successful Failure

Success stories are easy to celebrate. Failure stories are often where the real lessons live. In this episode of The Viking Chats, Kristjan welcomes back Sarka Wilde, Founder and Director of Distinct Property Consultants, to discuss an expedition that very nearly cost her life.

After months of training, fundraising and preparation, Sarka travelled to Argentina to attempt Aconcagua, the highest mountain outside Asia. Everything appeared to be going to plan until severe symptoms began developing at altitude. What initially seemed like fatigue quickly became something much more serious.

Eventually diagnosed with acute pulmonary oedema, a life-threatening condition caused by altitude, Sarka was airlifted from the mountain and rushed through multiple hospitals as doctors fought to stabilise her condition. The physical recovery was difficult. The emotional recovery proved just as challenging. Like many high achievers, Sarka had invested months of preparation into a single goal. When that goal disappeared overnight, she found herself confronting disappointment, self-doubt and questions about identity and purpose.

The conversation explores the psychological impact of setbacks, why ambitious people often struggle to show themselves compassion, and how important support networks become during difficult periods. Yet this is not a story about failure. It is a story about perspective. Although she never reached the summit, Sarka achieved two of her three major objectives. She raised more than £25,000 for the Propertymark Trust, dramatically increased awareness of the charity, and inspired support from across the property industry.

One quote from the episode captures the experience perfectly. Someone told her this was her "most successful failure yet". Looking back, Sarka agrees. The mountain may have won this time, but the mission achieved far more than she originally imagined.

For anyone dealing with setbacks, challenges or unexpected outcomes, this conversation offers a powerful reminder that success is not always measured by the destination. Sometimes it is measured by what is learned along the way.