Accidents on big mountains happen when people's ambitions cloud their good judgment. Good climbing is about climbing with heart and with instinct, not ambition and pride.

Nobody wants to end up super rich and famous - but divorced. I'm always clear on that and try to stay on the right side of the line.

Both faith and fear may sail into your harbor, but only allow faith to drop anchor.

Never depend on those luck moments – they are gifts – but instead always build your own back-up plan.

Is your ego small enough, and your backbone strong enough, to raise others up high on your shoulders?

When you find yourself thinking about someone or something in the same old negative way, just stop yourself. Think. Check. Change. Refresh. Job done. Smile. Move on. Do this enough times and you will change. For the better; for the stronger.

I come from a line of self-motivated, determined folk - not grand, not high society, but no-nonsense, family-minded go-getters.