Five Women Under One Roof
Nivi Geisler’s childhood was infused with the warmth of a uniquely feminine household. Raised alongside her mother, Elisabeth, her aunt, and her two cousins, Nivi’s formative years unfolded in a close-knit community of women.
From left: Nivi Geisler’s mother, Akisooq, Arnajaraq (her cousins), and Nivi with her aunt Kathrine. Five women bound by love and support.
Photo: Private
The environment was vibrant, with the tiniest family members often dressed alike in cheerful floral prints, making it easy to mistake them for sisters. This nurturing backdrop instilled in Nivi a deep understanding of community, empathy, and resilience—values that would profoundly shape her views on family roles and personal opportunities.
Though officially an only child, Nivi’s life was anything but solitary. Her aunt’s daughters, along with a wealth of half-siblings from both her biological and stepfathers, created a bustling family dynamic. “Technically, I’m an only child, but I’ve always had siblings around me,” Nivi laughs, reflecting on her lively upbringing.
Nivi poses with her cousins, all donning identical polka dots—exuding the unity of sisterhood.
Photo: Private
Her parents’ separation meant they never lived together, yet her stepfather, Frederik Egede, was a constant source of support. Nivi’s biological father, Rink Heinrich, was more a shadow than a presence during her early years, only becoming significant when she herself became a parent. This realization sparked a strong desire in Nivi to ensure her children had the bond she craved, particularly a relationship with their grandfather. “It suddenly became very important to me that my children also knew their grandfather,” she notes with determination.
Nivi’s early relationships laid crucial groundwork for her identity, but they were complemented by an unquenchable thirst for movement. A genuine love for physical expression and exploration was nurtured during her childhood.
Movement from Childhood
Nivi’s passion for sports didn’t come out of nowhere. Her mother, an active woman, introduced her to various sports early on, with fond memories etched in her mind. “I was probably six when we ran from Nuuk to Nuussuaq—back when Nuussuaq was new. Climbing that hill was a challenge I’ll never forget,” she reminisces with a broad smile.
Throughout her youth, Nivi dabbled in everything from taekwondo to handball, but it was clear early on that she was drawn to the outdoors.
With a determined gaze, nine-year-old Nivi speeds through children’s races in Nuuk.
Photo: Private
“There was always something within me that sought adventure. I thrive when I can feel the wind in my hair and the ground beneath my feet—not the squeaky floors of indoor sports venues,” she reflects. Her introduction to cross-country skiing at six was meaningful, but it was at seven, when strapped onto alpine skis, that Nivi found her true calling. “Skiing was my entire youth—it was pure joy,” she asserts, enthusiasm radiating from her as she recalls those thrilling days.
Each day after school, Nivi would dash to the ski hill, returning home only when the lift closed. In skiing, she discovered both a sense of belonging and the spirit of competition, propelling her onto the junior national team and providing unforgettable experiences.
While she was initially drawn to the adrenaline of alpine skiing, it’s the peace of cross-country skiing that now resonates with her. Nature constantly beckons.
Alone in Denmark – Home with a Family
In 2003, Nivi moved to Sisimiut with aspirations of becoming an arctic engineer. Her education began at DTU’s campus in Sisimiut before continuing in Lyngby, Denmark. There, she encountered Jonas Jensen, and unexpected life changes soon followed. Pregnant and a year ahead in her studies, Nivi faced the daunting challenge of moving alone to Denmark.
“The transition to Denmark was a complete culture shock. It was tough, and I felt isolated at times,” she admits. After a year, she chose to return to Greenland, determined to give birth to her daughter, Upaluk, in her homeland. “I wanted to bring my child into the world surrounded by my roots. I didn’t want to raise a single mother in Denmark,” she said resolutely.
There Nivi welcomed her daughter, and on her next trip to Denmark, she would not be alone. With Jonas at her side, they settled into family accommodations, and Nivi soon gave birth to their son, Qunaaq. However, by the summer of 2009, the family returned to Nuuk, presenting Nivi with mixed feelings. “It was wonderful to come back, yet strange—I had been away so long it felt almost like being a guest in my own country,” she reflects.
Freedom and Finding Stability
Though Nivi and Jonas’s relationship eventually faltered, they attempted to reconcile several times until they finally parted ways in 2016. Yet they continued to share a home for two more years. In 2018, after securing a job with Inuplan, Nivi finally claimed her own space—physically and mentally. “It was liberating to have that room to breathe,” she says, with a hint of a smile.
As her children spent alternating time with her, Nivi began to cherish moments of solitude. Yet, her active lifestyle remained integral to her motherhood. From the time her children were young, they were introduced to skiing. “Both kids were exposed early on. My youngest wanted to ski the moment he saw the rest of us out on the slopes,” she laughs. Running was also incorporated into their lives, often with the kids in tow, albeit taking on some of the distance themselves. Before long, they managed the three-kilometer journey from kindergarten to home on their own.
Today, her children are 20 and 17, yet they still accompany her for outdoor activities, defying the common teenage trend of shunning exercise with their mother.
From left: Nivi with daughter Upaluk and son Qunaaq after a family ski outing in Sisimiut.
Photo: Private
The Waters of Fear
Around 2012, as her relationship with Jonas unraveled, Nivi began exploring longer-distance running. “I’ve always loved to run, but joining the NAAPE running club awakened a passion within me for longer distances—a therapeutic escape from being a full-time mother,” she shares.
In 2013, she discovered that no Greenlandic woman had yet completed an Ironman. The challenge ignited something deep within her. With a determined group of eight other Greenlandic women, she trained for the event. However, when Ironman Copenhagen arrived in 2014, only two would advance to the starting line—Nivi among them. What followed was a daunting experience; she had never swum in open water before taking the plunge.
“I felt overwhelmed and nearly panicked amidst the throngs of people. When a boat approached me, asking if I wanted to quit, I glanced back at the finish line—it was absolutely not an option,” she recalls with resolve.
In that chaotic moment, Nivi turned onto her back, gazing upward at the sky. “I found calmness in nature, and with that clarity, I swam through the distance,” she narrates. Despite suffering a flat tire on the bike segment, her perseverance shone as she sprinted toward the finish line, propelled by the cheers of fellow Greenlanders. “In contrast to the chaos of the water, I felt right at home on the run. I was unstoppable,” she beams.
Since embracing the title of Iron Woman, Nivi has sought to push her boundaries further. In 2023, she participated in the DR program Sled Patrol, where a group of 18 women competes to prove their mettle for the Sirius patrol. Although her stint was brief, it became a pivotal moment, particularly when participants faced the challenge of jumping into the harbor on a dark evening.
“I had developed a fear of water after my Ironman experience. I was terrified, even to the point of tears. Overcoming that fear took determination—so I jumped,” she recalls with a newfound pride.
Emerging from the water transformed her; she recognized her courage and resilience, akin to being reborn. “It was euphoric to shed that anxiety and realize that water isn’t dangerous. I’ve reclaimed it—I own it now,” she states.
The Dream of the Inland Ice
During one of Nivi’s many runs, she crossed paths with Louise Petersen, another dedicated runner. A stimulating conversation led to a proposition: What if they became the first-ever individuals to traverse the Inland Ice? The idea resonated with Nivi, setting her heart racing.
Without much deliberation, she accepted, instinctively aware that this challenge would stretch her limits. “It may seem impulsive, but I felt an immediate spark when Louise asked. I had been searching for a challenge,” she explains.
The planned route from Kangerlussuaq to Isortoq is still in its infancy, faced with logistical hurdles that loom large. Yet for Nivi, this endeavor is no longer just a dream—it has become a mission. A journey into the great unknown filled with curiosity, determination, and courage awaits as she aims to realize this aspiration by April 2027.
“There are no limits—only those we create in our minds. We have the potential for so much more than we realize. With willpower, we can achieve anything,” she asserts with unwavering conviction.
As the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, Nivi stands proud at the finish line, welcoming her son Qunaaq after a ski competition. He is currently enrolled in a skiing high school in Norway.
Photo: Private
Nivi hopes to continuously embrace new challenges. “I envision a future where I’m still gliding on cross-country skis, embraced by nature—that’s true freedom,” she reflects, her eyes gleaming with anticipation for what lies ahead.