Born and raised in Lima, Peru as a child Silvia Vasquez-Lavado endured a period of sexual violence that would haunt her for much of her adult life. Nearly 30 years later, while attending a meditation retreat in Peru, she had a vision of reconnecting to her inner child and the two of them walking in a valley surrounded by mountains. This propelled her to journey through the Himalayas and reach the base of Mount Everest. It was a revelation –“The shadow of the mountain was the only thing big enough to swallow my shadow.” Silvia developed a sense of resilience, strength, compassion – and finally rediscovered her courage.
“She began to feel healed. And she kept climbing.”
Another epiphany came in 2013, when, after losing her mother to cancer and undergoing a divorce, she summited Aconcagua and realized that she had to help others. “I had this voice again that said, ‘You have to continue.”
So Silvia Vasquez-Lavado founded Courageous Girls, a non-profit group dedicated to helping victims of sexual violence find their own sense of peace and closure through trekking. She decided to turn survivors into empowered people by helping them find that inner strength within themselves, knowing from her own experience how difficult that can be when wrestling with shame.
In 2016, Silvia Vasquez-Lavado climbed Everest, and two years later completed all the Seven Summits, becoming the first openly gay woman to do so. Being sandwiched between the Himalayas on either side felt like being held by the mountains. Nothing ever made her feel so safe and so terrified at the same time. The experience was one of sublime vulnerability and mutual compassion between her and the mountains.
Now, Silvia Vasquez-Lavado is a humanitarian and compassionate social entrepreneur driven to rouse vulnerable populations by providing alternative solutions & methods for empowerment, education and advancement.
Silvia Vasquez-Lavado book, In The Shadow of the Mountain, is her remarkable story of heroism and community, one which awakens in all of us a lust for adventure, gratitude for the strong women in our lives, and faith in our own resilience.
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Alex Goryachev is a globally recognized technology operations executive, a Wall Street Journal Bestselling author of “Fearless Innovation,” and an expert in advancing innovation culture and monetizing new technology. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, he has successfully commercialized emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and […]
Confidence Staveley is Africa’s most celebrated female Cybersecurity Leader, Talent Developer, Blockchain Security Professional, Global Speaker and Inclusion advocate. She has achieved numerous professional certifications and industry recognitions for her outstanding work. Confidence is an official member of the Forbes Technology Council, an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs, and technology executives. Winner of the […]
Ellie Shefi epitomizes resilience and determination. Despite enduring a lifetime of challenges, including abuse, homelessness, cancer, and ongoing health struggles, Ellie has consistently defied the odds and embraced a life of empowerment and service to others. Her journey is a testament to the power of mindset, resilience, and resourcefulness. As an attorney, entrepreneur, best-selling author, […]
You might recognize Derek Hughes as one of the recent finalists on America’s Got Talent but his experiences range far beyond that. Derek’s original comic voice and strong interactive magic make him one of the most requested acts working today. Derek performs regularly at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, California where he was recently nominated […]
In 1987, John O’Leary was a curious nine-year-old boy. Playing with fire and gasoline, John created a massive explosion in his home and was burned on 100% of his body. He was given less than a 1% chance to live. This epic story of survival was first showcased in Overwhelming Odds, the book his parents […]
Ryann Richardson is a tech marketer-turned-founder and Diversity & Inclusion leader spent 10 years building brands then made history when she became the 50th Anniversary Miss Black America Her work earned her a spot as the youngest honoree on Savoy Magazine’s list of Most Influential Black Executives in Corporate America and set her on the […]
Ken Schmidt is one of the world’s most admired authorities on competitive differentiation, brand loyalty and the power of authentic human connection in business. Best known for his leadership role in the legendary turnaround of Harley-Davidson Motor Company, he helped pull the brand back from the brink of collapse by reigniting passion, rebuilding trust and […]
Dr. Paula Stone Williams is an advocate and renowned globally for her tireless work in championing gender equity, LGBTQ rights, and religious tolerance. As a transgender woman, Paula brings a unique and invaluable perspective to her endeavors, shedding light on the profound disparities inherent in societal structures. A dynamic keynote speaker, Paula’s story of transition […]
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