“We realised that we definitely didn’t want to be in hospital medicine.”
Liesel and Celeste Geertsema traded hospital corridors for mountain trails.
The twin sisters left conventional medicine to pursue adventure, finding fulfilment and an unexpected retirement plan along the way. Their journey proves it’s never too late to change course.
Here’s their story…
What work were you doing previously?
We started our medical careers in South Africa, studying at Stellenbosch University. After graduation, like many South Africans, we sought adventure in the UK. For almost two years, we worked locum positions in emergency medicine and orthopaedics.
Our path took an unexpected turn when we received an offer for a five-month locum in New Zealand. As Celeste puts it, “So off we went for five months, and we stayed for 17 years.”
In New Zealand, we initially continued with orthopaedics. Then, a trekking trip to Nepal changed everything.
What are you doing now?
We’re pursuing a Master’s degree in Extreme Medicine through World Extreme Medicine (WEM) and the University of Exeter. We’re also involved in expedition medicine and adventure sports.
Why did you change?
Our journey to adventure medicine was a gradual one, sparked by our love for travel and outdoor activities. As Celeste explains, “We realised that we actually wanted to go back to our roots, you know, the adventure medicine.”
Our experiences in sports medicine, particularly working at ski resorts and covering major events like the FIFA World Cup, showed us the excitement of practising medicine outside traditional hospital settings.
We wanted to combine our medical skills with our passion for adventure and working with young people in challenging environments.
When was the moment you decided to make the change?
The pivotal moment came during a trek in Nepal’s Gokyo Valley. Celeste vividly recalls, “I remember sitting behind a rock at 5,000 metres in the Gokyo Valley, smoking a cigar. I don’t know why we did, but we did, and we started talking about what we wanted to do for the rest of our lives, and we realised that it definitely wasn’t hospital medicine. We didn’t want to be in a hospital.”
Are you happy with the change?
Absolutely. Liesel says, “For me, this is a question of opening as many doors and windows as possible and see what turns up.” We’re excited about the opportunities this new path offers, not just for our current careers but for our retirement too.
How did you go about making the shift?
After our Nepal epiphany, we quit our hospital jobs and took positions at a ski resort in New Zealand. We alternated between treating ski injuries and working in military camps. We then specialised in sports medicine and worked in Qatar, including organising medical services for the FIFA World Cup.
What similarities have you found between sports medicine and expedition medicine?
Both fields challenge you to adapt medical care to unique environments. As Celeste notes, “You have to modify your equipment and approach to suit the conditions.” Emergency preparedness is crucial in both contexts, requiring thorough advance planning and practice.
There’s also a holistic aspect to care in both fields. You get to know your patients well, whether they’re sports team members or expedition participants. This reminds you to see each patient as a whole person.
Liesel adds, “It’s not just about dealing with emergencies and when they get sick, but it’s also, how do I optimise their performance?”
What was the most difficult thing about changing?
Stepping out of the conventional medical career path was challenging. It required us to think creatively about how we could use our skills in non-traditional settings.
What help did you get?
We’ve always had each other for support. Celeste says, “She allows me to dream and fly. So she inspires me.“ We also found mentors in the adventure medicine field who guided us.
What have you learnt in the process?
We’ve learned the value of thinking outside the box and being adaptable. Skills from expedition medicine, like optimising performance and seeing patients holistically, translate well to traditional medical settings too.
We’ve also realised that our career doesn’t have to end with retirement – it can evolve into something even more exciting.
What do you wish you’d done differently?
We wish we’d discovered this path earlier, but we recognise that our previous experiences have all contributed to where we are now. It’s actually perfect timing for planning our retirement years.
What would you advise others to do in the same situation?
Don’t be afraid to close one door to open another. Your unique experiences are your superpower – use them! And remember, it’s never too late to chase your dreams or plan for an adventurous retirement. As Celeste says, “If I had discovered this when I was 20, my career would have looked different. But I’m very happy that we found it now, because it’s awesome.”
How does this fit into your retirement plans?
Celeste explains, “This is my retirement plan. Once I’m retired, not even once, hopefully we’ll start doing things before that. But I don’t want to retire and sit and do nothing. I would love to be participating in expeditions and being actively involved in the adventure medicine scene.”
Liesel adds, “I’ve already semi-retired, basically. So for me, this is about opening as many doors and windows as possible and seeing what turns up. It’s about putting yourself in the right place at the right time, meeting the right people, learning the right things, and then the world is your oyster.”
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