Erik Weihenmayer is a celebrated and accomplished athlete, despite losing his vision at the age of 13.

Redefining what it means to be blind, Erik has transformed the image of blindness and opened up the minds of people around the world.

He has never let his blindness interfere with his passion for an exhilarating and fulfilling life.

First (and only) blind person to summit Everest (on May 25, 2001), Erik has also climbed all 7 continental summits, and pursues an amazing pantheon of athletic and adventure activities; most recently (August 2011) finishing 2nd, with Jeff Evans and Aaron “Ike” Isaacson in ABC’s Expedition Impossible – a blind guy beating out all but one of 12 other teams in an incredibly physically demanding adventure race across Morocco.

In addition to being a world-class athlete, Erik is also the author of the book Touch the Top of the World, published in ten countries and six languages. According to Publisher’s Weekly, Erik’s memoir is “moving and adventure packed, Weihenmayer tells his extraordinary story with humor, honesty and vivid detail, and his fortitude and enthusiasm are deeply inspiring”.

Erik is passionate about the charity “No Barriers, USA” (on which he serves as Board Chair), demonstrating through his own continuing achievements that disabilities do not disable people.

No Barriers empowers people to push past their own real and perceived barriers, achieve a pioneering mindset and better understand their own potential, despite living their lives with physical challenges or living with hidden or self-imposed challenges.

No Barriers is a powerful community of modern day pioneers who use the experience of nature to promote innovation, education and assistive technologies that create transformative life experiences and inspire people with challenges to live full and active lives.