About me...
People are often unprepared for my story, which fluctuates through immense adversity and success. Many find it emotional and inspiring, and that brings me joy as I share it.
I am a Portuguese endurance athlete and international keynote speaker committed to motivating people to aim high and create the life they desire.
Over the past 20 years, I have received numerous awards and recognition, but accolades were never my goal. I just strive to be the best version of myself, forever pushing my limits, to achieve audacious goals. You can call it a mindset, a mentality, or whatever resonates with you, but it undeniably produces results.
My journey began in a modest neighborhood in the beautiful Portuguese village of Avanca. My mother left when I was just two years old, and I was raised by Cristina, a widow and refugee from Angola, who took me in as her seventh child amidst her own struggles.
Cristina taught me invaluable lessons about resilience and integrity. She instilled in me the importance of hard work, commitment, and the belief that we must act against injustice. Her sudden passing when I was nine left a profound impact on me, but I carried her teachings forward as a guiding light.
I needed to do something
With limited options, I embarked on my career as a cleaner and eventually left Portugal in search of better opportunities. A transformative moment came during my time as a cabin crew member for Dubai’s royal family. A visit to Bangladesh opened my eyes to the stark realities of poverty, igniting an urgent desire to help. I refused to look away; I wanted to understand and make a difference.
Inspired by Cristina’s words, I established a foundation and a school aimed at breaking the cycle of poverty through education. Partnering with organizations in Dubai, I created internship opportunities for students to improve their lives and support their families.
However, when the 2008 recession hit, funding collapsed, and I found myself at a crossroads. That’s when sports came to my rescue.
Becoming an endurance athlete
As someone without a sports background approaching my forties, undertaking endurance challenges seemed daunting. But I knew I had to fight for those families depending on me. In 2011, I became the first Portuguese woman to trek to the North Pole, and in 2013, I summited Mount Everest.
With each challenge, I carried the spirit of those families in my heart. Over the years, I achieved eight Guinness World Records, including becoming the first Portuguese woman to trek to the South Pole and the first to summit K2.
An international speaker was born
This journey led me to discover a new purpose as a keynote speaker. I realized that by sharing my story, I could inspire others to aim higher and pursue their dreams.
Today, I continue to train for new challenges while actively helping children in need. In 2026, I’ll embark on another significant journey – but for the details, I invite you to follow my adventures on social media.
I want you to be part of this journey:
– A journey driven by hard work and heart.
– A journey where together, we can reach new heights.
You can join as a corporate or individual sponsor—every bit of support is welcomed.
Please check my agenda, and I would love to connect with you at my next talk in your city.
Let’s share this adventure together!