After 3 unsuccessful attempts, you finally reached the summit of Mount Everest last May. Where did this passion for mountains and mountain climbing come from?

I discovered the mountain a little by chance; I was always more attracted by the sea… It was during a trek in Nepal with ENGIE that I began to appreciate hiking. That first high-altitude hike (about 4,500 metres) was exalting: the joy of reaching the summit, the view of an immense sea of clouds and incredible sunsets… But beyond the spectacular beauty of our surroundings, we shared great moments of emotion and conviviality as a group. This climb was the first of a series – Kilimanjaro (5,895 metres), Mont Blanc (4,807 metres), Aconcagua (6,962 metres) – which finally led me to climb to the top of Everest (8 848 metres). I’m lucky because I adapt very well to the effects of altitude! I also practice other sports: crossfit, running, indoor climbing, swimming … I practice a sport every day for 1 hour, alternating the activities according to my desires. And during periods of physical training, this can go up to 10 hours of sport per week for at least 3 months to increase my endurance and strengthen my muscles. I also go out into the mountains regularly to climb on rock or ice. This kind of training is necessary if you want to climb a high summit.

Can you tell us about your adventures on Everest?

I undertook my first ascent in 2014. After a ten-day climb to arrive at base camp, located at 5,300m, we started training by making progressive excursions over a number of weeks to get our bodies used to the altitude (Editor’s note: on average, an expedition to the summit takes 2 months). It was after 4 weeks that I slipped and broke my ankle. A year later, I made a second attempt to reach the summit, and got to camp 1 at 6,000m (Editor’s note: you have to pass 4 intermediate camps before reaching the summit). Then an earthquake struck, leaving me unscathed but with one desire: to see my family. A few months later, I still hadn’t given up my dream to climb to the roof of the world, so I decided to go back. Slightly less confident than in my last two attempts, but in the end the climb went very well and I managed to reach 6,500m. But the mountain didn’t spare me, and a mere fit of laughter at that altitude caused an intraocular haemorrhage with temporary loss of sight. Once again, I was forced to give up.

Having arrived back in France, I didn’t want to go back. I had got the message: this particular mountain wasn’t for me. But then, I thought to myself that this bad luck couldn’t follow me a fourth time. So I went back to conquer Everest! After 8 weeks of extreme conditions, I finally managed to reach the summit and make my dream come true. When I arrived up there, I realized what an enormous privilege it was to be there. You look at all those majestic mountains around you, you admire the first gleams of the sun, and it’s magic, almost unreal.

These failures, and finally this accomplishment, must have had an impact on the way you deal with adversity, especially in your professional life…

These expeditions taught me to see things in relative terms, to take a step back in order not to act in haste. With an adventure like this, you can’t cheat: you’re confronted with yourself and your physical and mental limits in the face of nature, which is uncontrollable. And above all, you’re part of a group with whom you have to share your difficulties. My relationship with others has changed: on these expeditions, I came across different cultures, developed very close relationships in quite a short time, I opened myself up to other people. It also made me realise that nothing is impossible, even if you sometimes have to accept defeat. It’s all about perseverance. Today, in my work, I’m calm, I analyse situations and I adapt quickly to changes.

What’s your next challenge?

I would like to dive into the depths of the glaciers to observe the blue whales.

If you were…

A source of energy: the sun.

A famous person: Laird Hamilton, famous for having surfed the biggest waves.

An innovation: the development of local mini-grids, enabling access to energy in very remote areas.

A hashtag: #nevergiveup.