Erik Weihenmayer: podcast appearances and interviews

Erik Weihenmayer, born on September 23, 1968, is an American athlete, adventurer, author, activist, and motivational speaker. He is known for his groundbreaking achievements in mountaineering, including becoming the first blind person to reach the summit of Mount Everest on May 25, 2001. This accomplishment earned him a feature on the cover of Time magazine. Weihenmayer completed the Seven Summits in September 2002, making him one of only about 150 mountaineers to do so at that time, and he was the only blind climber to achieve this feat. In 2008, he added Carstensz Pyramid to his list of ascents, thereby completing the Eight Summits. His notable climbs also include the Nose of El Capitan in Yosemite in 1996 and Losar, a 2,700-foot vertical ice face in the Himalayas, in 2008. Beyond mountaineering, Weihenmayer co-founded No Barriers in 2005, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people of diverse backgrounds and abilities improve their daily lives. In 2014, he and blinded Navy veteran Lonnie Bedwell kayaked the entire 277-mile length of the Grand Canyon, often regarded as one of the most challenging whitewater routes. As a prominent speaker worldwide, Weihenmayer focuses on inspiring others to live a 'No Barriers Life'.