ES+ | No.3 | 2025/2026 What do you understand by success? Success has nothing to do with reaching the top. For me, success is not climbing all fourteen eight-thousanders, but being able to devote myself to mountaineering professionally. Our society tends to place too much value on results and achieving goals, but the journey is much more valuable than the goal itself. Which weighs heavier: the glory of getting to the top or the responsibility of returning? The responsibility of returning, each and every time. I have always been clear about this: no summit is worth more than anyone’s life. To reach the summit of all fourteen eight-thousanders, we undertook 26 expeditions. Although the pressure to keep going was sometimes intense, when the mountain tells you to turn back, you have no choice but to obey. What are your summits today? Far from the mountains. Now, one of my goals is to leave a legacy, to be a kind of role model for society. By inspiring and helping women continue to break through the glass ceiling. That is what I want to devote my life to from now on. What would you say to a young woman who dreams of climbing her own eight-thousander? That life is not easy. There will always be good times and more difficult times, but you have to believe in yourself. In today’s demanding and competitive society, we must turn a deaf ear to those who do not support us, strive hard, be consistent and, above all, never stop enjoying the journey. “When the mountain tells Which sportsperson is an example for their contribution you to turn back, you have to society, beyond their profession? no choice but to obey” Serena Williams, because of her fighting spirit and for being an inspiration to so many women, and Pau Gasol, for his work as an ambassador for Brand Spain and for raising our international profile. Which is the best mountain in the world? Motherhood. The best, and the hardest. What has a passion for mountaineering brought to other aspects of your life? The mountains have taught me not to go crazy when I achieve success and not to deny my failures. Also to look at myself in the mirror, to be self-critical and to try not to repeat the same mistakes. There is no DNA for success: it is about trying, failing, learning and trying again. What is the most important lesson you have learned from failure? Learning to be humble. A mountaineer would always like to climb the eight- thousanders by the most difficult route, but they are not always capable of doing so. For me, the greatest lesson is the humility of knowing where I can climb and 57