“Many people find it hard to understand what it is about a mountain that draws men and women to risk their lives on her freezing, icy faces – all for a chance at that single, solitary moment on the top.”

I am not fearless. I get scared plenty. But I have also learned how to channel that emotion to sharpen me.

I always wanted to be Robin Hood or John the Baptist when I was growing up.

Some of the greatest survivors have been women. Look at the courage so many women have shown after surviving earthquakes in the rubble for days on end.

The difference between ordinary and extra-ordinary is so often just simply that little word – extra.

I love home cooking, and I’m not a great one for fast food.

I love Ray Mears. He’s brilliant. He’s so rude about me in the press, it’s outrageous!

As a society, we’ve become terrified of failure, but you can’t grow without risking it.

And Jesus, the heart of the Christian faith is the wildest, most radical guy you’d ever come across.

Life is an adventure that is best lived boldly

You don’t need to go to the ends of the earth, you don’t need to climb Everest to have a great adventure, it’s invariably on our doorstep.

I think it’s fun running with dogs. They’re always so fit and fast.

Survival requires us to leave our prejudices at home. It’s about doing whatever it takes – and ultimately those with the biggest heart will win.

The rewards of the wild and the rewards of the survivor go to those who can dig deep, and, ultimately, to the guy who can stay alive.

Live a wild, generous full, exciting life – blessing those around you and seeing the good in all.

Make a little time to be quiet by yourself every day and just be.

One killer exercise that’s really great is pull-ups with your legs out level. That’s my favourite. It’s such functional core strength, and that’s why I can climb up trees and down vines.