Lee Donald, a fitness entrepreneur based in Aberdeen, has made history by becoming the seventh female from Scotland to summit Mount Everest.
On 13 May 2024, Lee achieved this remarkable feat despite facing numerous personal and physical challenges.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
Why? Free to subscribe, no paywall, daily business news digest.
Lee, who has been helping women achieve their fitness goals without dieting or gym memberships since 2011, overcame significant obstacles to reach the world’s highest peak.
Her journey to the summit was particularly noteworthy given her fear of heights and exercise-induced asthma.
What makes her accomplishment even more impressive is that she completed her intensive training for the expedition in just one year.
The Everest climb was not only a personal triumph for Lee but also a charitable endeavour. She raised over £7,500 for Friends of ANCHOR, a charity supporting cancer and haematology patients in the North-east of Scotland, in honour of her late grandfather.
Lee’s ascent of Everest marks a significant milestone in her personal journey. Having previously battled a 15-year eating disorder, depression, and alcohol issues, she views this achievement as symbolic of her progression from what she describes as “rock bottom to the top of the world”.
Lee told Aberdeen Business News: “Having had a love for the mountains and being obsessed with Everest from a young age – conquering the highest mountain in the world was a lifelong dream come true.
“It was also highly symbolic in completing my journey from rock bottom to the top of the world and all the challenges, obstacles and setbacks I’ve endured and overcome.
“Facing my fears and pushing beyond limits I ever thought were possible has had a monumental impact. The growth I’ve experienced both mentally and physically has changed me forever.”
In addition to her mountaineering success, Lee has established herself as a prominent figure in the fitness industry, accumulating 28 business awards.
She plans to share her experiences in both life and business at an upcoming event titled “Into The Death Zone: From Rock Bottom to The Top of The World”.
The event is scheduled for 26 March 2025 at the Beach Ballroom in Aberdeen, marking the one-year anniversary of her departure for Everest.
Through her story, Lee aims to inspire others, demonstrating how setbacks, obstacles, and mental health issues can be channelled into resilience, strength, and success.
