“My earliest memory of being outdoors is taking breaks from pedalling on family cycling trips to play on the wild beaches of North West Scotland.

We cycled around the campsite in the evening until way past our bedtime while all the parents were wrapped up in belay jackets drinking their brews. I’ve treasured these memories for years.

Being outside is where I feel happiest and I love the sense of remoteness and the fresh air. Climbing takes you away from roads and tracks and you’re always with people who also love and appreciate the outdoors.

I spent the majority of my spare time at school and University outside so perhaps that’s why I feel most like myself in the outdoors. I would struggle if I had to spend a lot of time working indoors.

Once I graduated from Art School, I travelled and worked four seasons back-to-back in New Zealand, Australia and Japan as a ski instructor. Afterwards, I wanted to settle in Scotland and be an outdoor instructor all year round, but I didn’t know where to start. My close friend Emma introduced me to Glenmore Lodge, Scotland’s National Outdoor Training Centre. I got a job there working on the domestic team and this is where it all began. I discovered an amazing community of climbers and professional instructors from all over the UK and an opportunity to pursue my life of adventure as a career. I have never looked back.

"4 lessons in strength I’ve learned through my life as a deaf mountain climber"