WHO AM I?
Hi, I’m Cat Burford, or as some people know me, ‘The Molar Explorer’. This name is a nod to my day job as a dentist, but it’s also a reminder that life doesn’t have to fit neatly into one box.
In January 2025, I became the 13th woman in history to ski 708 miles, solo and unsupported, to the South Pole. This was a childhood dream, sparked by an inspirational Geography teacher, Allyson Taylor. It only took a few decades, a pandemic and a 40th birthday to set me on the path to Antarctica!
“adventure has always been a part of my life and Antarctica has held a special place since an inspirational Geography lesson back in 1995”
My love of exploration started in childhood, usually involving woods, wild spaces, and my bike. That curiosity has since carried me across the world, often using my skills as a dentist to provide dental care and training in remote communities.
I am first drawn by the landscapes, environment and geography that shape a place and then the people that call it home. From the Gobi Desert and Borneo, to Patagonia, South America, Nepal, Kenya, Zimbabwe and New Zealand, I have lived, worked and immersed myself in some fascinating cultures.
“I’ve always felt that there was a big challenge in me, and these experiences have taught me to rely on myself and test the boundaries of what I am capable of.”
These days, I live in Cornwall, a place suited to my love for the outdoors. The cliffs and beaches provide the perfect training ground for the tyre dragging that my polar expeditions require. I balance my passion for adventure with a career in dentistry.
I have a special interest in orthodontics, work with the out-of-hours emergency service and teach expedition dentistry as part of the faculty at World Extreme Medicine. Alongside clinical work, I’ve provided dental care and training in remote communities worldwide, gaining a first-hand understanding of how healthcare plays out in extreme and resource-limited environments.
“I love this mix and variety to my job, a vocation that I’ve worked toward from the day I went head over handlebars racing my sister on our bikes when I was just 10 years old.”
Since embarking on my polar journey, I have met and been supported by many incredible, unseen women within the community. I have learned just how much visibility matters, and I’m determined to shine a light on their achievements and the unique skills they bring. The narrative of polar travel and expeditions is beginning to shift and I’m proud to be a part of a growing wave of women adventurers reshaping the story.
Whether I’m hauling a pulk across the ice, working in my dental surgery in Cornwall or providing care to a remote community, my goal is the same: to explore, to connect, and to dare.
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INSPIRATIONAL SPEAKER
A gifted communicator, Cat shares her personal undulating journey of her expedition drawing out the key principles of how to nurture self-belief, and harness perseverance to reach beyond our doubts to achieve our dreams.
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CHARITIES WE SUPPORT
I wanted to use this opportunity to raise money for two charities close to my heart. Both of these organisations have a profound impact on the lives of people in need, and I feel privileged to be able to contribute to their causes.
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GET INVOLVED
We’re excited to collaborate with businesses who have an interest in polar environments and organisations who want to test their equipment and products in this incredibly demanding place - so get in touch and let’s talk!