Cathy O'Dowd is a South African author and climber who now lives in Andorra, in the Pyrenees mountains. She was the first South African (of either sex) to climb Everest and the first woman in the world to climb Everest from both sides. She has been climbing for over 30 years. She is also passionate about ski mountaineering and rock climbing. She works as an inspirational speaker on the international corporate speaking circuit.