9 Climbing Everest and Overcoming Personal Challenges

The GLocal

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Zed Alrefai, "The Godfather of Arab Mountaineers". Zed is one of the leading figures and role models for Arabs in the climbing community. He has personally mentored and motivated many Middle Eastern athletes and adventurers in many expeditions across Europe, Africa, Asia and South America. He is a man of many talents but his main passion has always been mountain climbing.

His journey to the top was not an easy one. A near death experience on Everest in 2001 didn’t deter him and his triumphant return in 2003 resulted in him making history as the First Arab man to climb Everest. His determination didn’t end there. He continued to acquire titles for the first Arab to climb the seven summits - the highest mountain on each of the seven continents.

Zed’s favorite quote is ”Push yourself beyond what you believe your limit is”. His long list of achievements are a reflection of this.

In 2012, Zed was chosen to be one of the nine regional Olympic torchbearers and experienced the once in a lifetime opportunity to carry the Olympic flame in the London 2012 Olympic torch relay in the UK.

He was also a part of the First Gulf Extreme team that completed the Marathon Des Sables and he is the founder of AMAC (Arabian Mountaineering and Alpine Climbing Club). Zed is an honorary member of the Pakistan Alpine Club due to his climbing and humanitarian work in Pakistan.

And lastly, Zed is also a published author. His book, Summit Glory, is a personal account of his climbing journey and his story is now taught in schools across Kuwait.

--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theglocal/message