Dec 10, 2020
Ella Al Shamahi is an archaeologist, explorer and stand-up comic who's been described as the 'real-life Lara Croft' as she travels the world exploring some of the world’s most dangerous and remote regions. Ella talks about her Channel 4 show exploring lost kingdoms of the Amazon, growing up in a conservative Yemeni community in Birmingham, getting herself into scrapes with terrorists, stolen DNA, Australian aborigines, remote tribes driving big expensive cars and being an archaeologist and stand-up comic.
On this episode we cover:
Her conservative upbringing as a Yemeni in Birmingham
The support of the community
Yemen’s stunning and exceptional landscape
‘The Manhattan of the desert’ in Yemen
Yet the devastating war
Kidnapping risks and landmines
Wondering if she should cover up more
The real life Lara Croft
What to wear for exploring the jungle
Her arms getting ‘eaten alive’
Lisa getting caught out in the Maldives
Being a kidnapping risk
The most dangerous situations she has been in
Feeling quite lucky that the most dangerous stuff hasn’t happened
Danger being a concept until it actually happens
A bunch of guys around you with guns
Identifying which tribes will be hostile
And what terrorist groups operate there
Assessing the team based on the above
Her father currently being in exile
Female archaeologists or adventurers being celebrated
Her new Channel 4 show - Jungle Mystery; Lost Kingdoms of the Amazon
Going on a crazy archaeological adventure to Brazil, Peru, Columbia, Bolivia
The early explorers of the Amazon referencing massive urban environments
Meeting incredible indigenous groups fighting for their survival
Stolen DNA and its connection to Australian aborigines
The traditional indigenous villagers with huge cars and no loin cloths
Being meticulous about portraying people accurately
Her BBC1 show with Chris Packham
Waterhole Animals with charisma and The Elephant Dictionary
Losing the plot during lockdown
All her work being cancelled
Being in a long-term war with the local squirrel
Decamping to the Swiss Alps
Travel during Covid
Switzerland and their guns
Trying to avoid being shot in hunting season
Becoming a stand-up comedian
Needing to laugh after visiting places that ‘are a bit dark’
Dying and thriving on stage at Edinburgh
The mental health aspect of lockdown
How not going anywhere can change your perspective on the every day things
Lisa getting overly excited on the day lockdown was released
How the narrowing of the horizons can make you appreciate things even more
Scotch eggs and a substantial meal
Listening to Lizzo and realising the damage on her private life
How it’s the worst time to be single
Levison Wood and being single