At 16, Jade Hameister became the youngest person to complete the Polar Hat-Trick—skiing to the North Pole (2016, age 14), crossing Greenland (2017, age 15), and skiing to the South Pole (2018, age 16)—covering over 1,300 km in brutal conditions. After her 2016 TEDx Talk inspiring young women, she faced sexist trolls posting “make me a sandwich” on YouTube, a misogynistic jab. In 2018, after a gruelling 37-day, 600-km South Pole trek enduring -50°C wind chill, blizzards, and a 100-kg sled, she posed with a ham and cheese sandwich at the Pole, posting this witty comeback that went viral. Her response turned hate into empowerment, earning global praise.

Background: Born June 5, 2001, in Melbourne, Hameister grew up in an adventurous family. Her father, Paul Hameister, a property developer and Seven Summits climber, joined her expeditions. She trekked to Everest Base Camp at 12 (2013). A student at Haileybury College, she balanced polar feats with Years 11–12 (2018). By 2023, she pursued a Bachelor of Commerce at Monash, focusing on sustainability (COP27, Davos). Awarded the Order of Australia Medal (2019) and Young Adventurer of the Year (2016, 2018), her story inspires resilience.

Struggles:

• Physical: Faced -40°C temperatures, polar bears, and thin ice at the North Pole (age 14). In Greenland (age 15), a blizzard and rain forced shorter travel days. The South Pole (age 16) had the worst weather in her guide’s 25 years, with frostbite and fatigue.
• Emotional: Struggled with isolation (music player broke day 9, South Pole) and negative self-talk. Returning to high school (Year 11, 2018) felt like “another planet” after polar extremes.
• Trolls: Dozens of “make me a sandwich” comments (2016–2017) mocked her achievements, a gendered attack she countered with humour.