Finding Passion and Purpose: Insights from Explorer Ella Al-Shamahi
Authored by Eto, Lower Sixth
On Wednesday 18 September, excitement buzzed among the Tonbridge Lower Sixth as they gathered for their first seminar of the year, eager to discover who the guest speaker would be. The anticipation was well rewarded with the arrival of Ella Al-Shamahi, a renowned British explorer, stand-up comedian, and evolutionary biologist. Raised in Birmingham and of Yemeni and Syrian heritage, Ella shared her inspiring journey, challenging stereotypes and reshaping the image of scientists and archaeologists today.
The Sixth Form Seminar programme is an annual series of talks designed with pupils my age in mind. It aims to foster an interest and understanding of philosophical, political, ethical, scientific, academic, and cultural topics that may not be covered in the regular curriculum.
Ella’s talk kicked off with a few jokes to gauge the audience’s sense of humour, before delving into the differences between her ‘real’ expeditions and those featured on TV. One memorable story was about her journey to the island of Socotra, Yemen. At the time, travel to Yemen had become increasingly dangerous, but Ella’s determination to reach Socotra led her and her team to board a cement cargo ship, navigating waters known for Somali pirate activity. Fortunately, they made it, and Ella described the experience as more than worth the risk. It’s this kind of daring adventure that keeps Ella “true to herself” and led her to be named as an “Emerging Explorer” by National Geographic.
Next, Ella spoke about our origins as a species, explaining how we once coexisted with other human species, such as Homo neanderthalensis and Homo erectus (which I found particularly interesting). She went on to explore her own journey to where she has reached today. Through a combination of hard work, talent, and networking, Ella has established herself as a true leader in her field.
Ella shared her story with us, admitting that when she was our age, she had no idea what she wanted to do. She encouraged us as a year group to block out the external noise so that we can focus on finding our true passions. She urged us to pursue them wholeheartedly once we find them, even if they don’t naturally fit together — just as her love for science and stand-up comedy. By following her own interests, Ella discovered the world of exploration. It all started with Ella searching for evidence to further her research, but it eventually ended with her being signed by National Geographic. In her own words, she “didn’t even realise she was being interviewed” to become a National Geographic explorer, but the point was that by relentlessly following her dreams, she rose to become a leader in her field.
It was true a privilege to hear from such an accomplished explorer, who despite her success, was entirely down-to-earth and relatable. As a school, we wish Ella all the best in her next adventures.
