Sophie’s sport philosophy

 

Sophie at the top of Mt Everest May 21st, 2008

True believer that sport can help to make the world a better place. I fully support the “Sport for Development and Peace” mandate.

The ultimate goal of my world class challenges are way beyond any sport achievements. I want to bring sport to another level, I want to communicate sport as a broadcast and very powerful tool with unlimited leveraged.





" Sport has a crucial role to play in the efforts of the United Nations to improve the lives of people around the world. Sport builds bridges between individuals and across communities, providing a fertile ground for sowing the seeds of development and peace. "
Wilfried Lemke, Special Adviser to the Secretary General on Sport for Development and Peace

Sophie’s philosophy and passion for mountaineering



 Everest - View from Camp 3 (24,000ft)



View from Everest South Summit



Enjoying physical challenges and eager to touch the sky from the top of world, I decided to climb the highest peak in the world a few years ago.

Life is timing, and it is the perfect timing for me. I started off small, in Ecuador... Cotopaxi, highest active volcano in the world, located in Ecuador, was my first climb.

It was magic - astonishing. I was seeing the world upside down, I was touching the sky. It was the most beautiful thing I saw in my life. That is how I fell in love with mountaineering.

It was 2 years ago, in 2006. Since then, I climbed 15 others peaks all over the world, mainly in South America.

My strong sports background brought me confidence, physical and psychological strength which allowed me to have a great time, and make my expeditions a success.

I never wanted to conquer Mount Everest or any mountains but rather be part of something which will touch my soul.

My philosophy is taking my climb day by day and enjoying it.

It may seem out of context, but when you are climbing, you evolve in such harsh environment, that only happiness will fight anxiety, negative thoughts and fatigue-with a minimal amount of energy spent.



Sophie’s mountaineering training program

Sophie getting ready - Alpamayo in the background (Summit May 29th, 2009)

I select carefully each of my climbs to develop an extended climbing skills sets and to learn how dealing with change & adverse climbing situations. To optimize my learning process and my chances of summit success with extra prudence and safety, I designed a climbing program focusing on:

- Understand my body reaction to high altitude,

- Learn a good heath management,

- Build up appropriate physical and psychological strength,

- Develop strong technical and tactical climbing skills.

Climbing requires a panel of skills that you learn mostly with experience. That is why a rigorous selection of your climb is key. The level of difficulty foreach climbs has to increase gradually, always been goal oriented, test yourself, and bring you: confidence & more autonomy. As outcome, you will enjoy your climb, feel under control, and enhance your performance.