Batkhishig Baldroj, a Mongolian cancer survivor and mountaineer, beat the odds on the world’s highest mountains. After overcoming second-stage breast cancer and summiting Manaslu in 2024, she stood atop Everest on May 18, 2025, her third consecutive 8000-meter success in three years. We caught up with Batkhishig, still glowing from her climbs, to talk about her recovery, her Everest ascent, and her mission to inspire others.

Can you tell us what first drew you to the mountains and how your mountaineering journey began?

For the past 10 years, I’ve been focused on keeping my body healthy. I got back into sports, playing volleyball and riding with a bike group we formed to motivate others to stay active and healthy as well. Whenever people had free time, we’d run, bike, and climb mountains together. Around 2016, I became interested in mountaineering and climbed 15 mountains in Mongolia, each over 4,000 masl.

You’ve climbed peaks across Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, and now the Himalayas. What made you set your sights on Mt. Everest?

In 2021, I successfully climbed Lenin Peak (7,134m) and Khan Tengri (7,010m). Then, in 2023, as preparation for Everest, I climbed Mount Lhotse (8,516m), the fourth-highest mountain in the world, on May 18th, becoming the first Mongolian woman to do so. After descending from Lhotse, I fell ill and had to rest for several days. What I didn’t know at the time I had second-stage breast cancer, I had climbed Mount Lhotse without knowing it. Once I returned home, I was diagnosed and spent eight months, from 2023 to 2024, in recovery. Yet despite everything, I dreamed of returning to the Himalayas to climb again. Just three months after completing my treatment, a Singaporean friend sponsored me for the Manaslu (8,163 m) expedition, which I successfully climbed on September 24th, 2024. Every mountaineer’s dream is to climb Mount Everest. After raising funds for the trip, on 18th May 2025, I summited Mount Everest.

When you attempted to climb Everest in 2023 but couldn’t secure funding, you still summited Lhotse. How did you manage the funds for that climb?

When I received an offer to climb Everest, I prepared thoroughly in 2023. The people who would go with me promised that the Mongolian government would finance it. However, we did not receive the money to climb Everest. Since I had lost hope that the government would provide money, I sold my car and climbed Lhotse instead. And on May 18^th, I became the first Mongolian woman to successfully climb the 8516 meters high Lhotse, the 4^th highest peak in the world.

You later discovered you had second-stage breast cancer during that time. How was it diagnosed?

At the time, my body was not feeling well, but thanks to my many years of training, I completed the climb and returned safely. When I returned home, my health did not improve, and I later learned that it had been 7 months since I had symptoms of cancer. Then, I spent my time recovering from my second-stage breast cancer at the National Cancer Center. Since then, I have been treated for 8 months and have been rehabilitating.

How did you find the strength, mentally and physically, to keep going after the diagnosis?

After the diagnosis, I was disheartened and could not stand up during chemotherapy and surgeries, but despite this, I did my best to meditate and walk little by little. Those activities contributed to my recovery immensely. Mentally, I knew I could climb mountains like Mt. Lhotse, but physically, I could not. Part of climbing taller and taller mountains was to push myself physically and become healthier. To build up to that, I climbed some 4000m mountains in Mongolia to climb Manaslu.

What was the recovery process like after your surgery in December 2023? Were there moments you doubted whether you’d return to climbing?

After the surgery, my body was in pain, but my mind recovered easily. Therefore, my surgery was successful, and I recovered after 6 months. Because my tumor had not spread while waiting for the surgery, I started meditating and drinking baking soda water every morning. I heard that baking soda water has a lot of health benefits. Fear is something that would hurt others or me, so I told myself to never give up and just keep moving forward.

In September 2024, you summited Manaslu to inspire others battling cancer. What did that summit mean to you personally?

My goal was big, and my dreams were bigger. To achieve my goal, I decided to climb Manaslu in August 2023, to raise funds and spread the message that cancer is curable. Before the climb, I kept convincing myself that I was walking in recovery and that I was completely cured. While people were eating their lunch, I would take 5-15 minute naps. People with cancer are told not to eat white flour, rice, spicy food, sweets, and sugary drinks, so I didn’t eat anything except eggs. My main goal was to climb, and I was walking so that wouldn’t lower my immune system. To climb successfully, I didn’t eat much food and lost weight by barely eating anything. When the climb was successful, I was happy, dancing, and laughing. Such activities felt refreshing to me.

How did you prepare physically, mentally, and logistically for your successful Everest climb in May 2025?

I had been training to climb Everest in 2023 and watched a lot of movies. So I had already built up my mental stamina. But I was very unsure about my training, so I played volleyball competitions twice a week. Since winter is cold in Mongolia, I couldn’t train by cycling. This time, my training wasn’t as good as it was in 2023. My goal this time was to bring positive energy to people with cancer and repeat the message that cancer is curable, and that belief pushed me forward into helping me climb Mt. Everest.

What went through your mind when you finally stood on the summit of Everest?

Every person has a goal to achieve. As someone who has overcome cancer. I was happy that Mother Nature had heard me and had fulfilled my dream, so I cried with gratitude, greeting loved ones from the summit of Everest.

How has your journey been received in Mongolia by the public, fellow climbers, and those fighting illness?

Everyone prayed for me to have a successful return home, and when I did, I was interviewed on many media platforms such as radio, television, and websites, and I have heard many praises for my achievements. And by bringing positive news to people, I hoisted the flag of the National Cancer Center on Everest. I was awarded the MEDAL OF HONOR by the National Cancer Center on June 3, 2025, for my valuable contribution to the spread of good deeds.

Was there a particular person or moment that kept you motivated through your hardest days?

During the most difficult times, when I was recovering from cancer, my family, my beloved sister, and my friends gave me my strength. Especially my friend Badamtsesteg. My sister Tungalag who came to take care of me during my chemotherapy. I am very grateful to these people.

Do you have future climbing goals, or are there new dreams you’re now pursuing?

My dream is to climb all 14 mountains above 8000 if funds are available. Currently, I am mentoring young climbers and helping them with training.

What advice would you give to anyone, especially women, facing challenges that seem hard to overcome?

Everyone has dreams, big or small. A dream is like a short video clip of your imagination that gives you meaning, happiness, and inspiration. A dream is a goal that comes to you for free, but it is worth achieving. Life is short, so I hope that you are true to your goals and do what you dream of. The universe is testing you, so never give up. Good luck and thank you again.