Maria’s story is one that reaches great heights, but also one that takes many falls. Her path has often been steep, with plenty of twists and turns often out of her control. It’s a story that takes audiences on a journey, where they cannot help but be immersed in the difficult situations that she has had to face.

From a difficult beginning, losing a mother at 2 years old and again at 9 years old, Maria has faced adversity from an early age. How Maria went from a difficult start in life to become the first Portuguese woman to summit Mount Everest is just one of her incredible stories, and there are many more.

She is also the first Portuguese woman to the North Pole and the South Pole. She has 8 Guinness World Records for running ultra-marathons and Ironman Triathlons, despite having no background in sports.

Maria is now a multiple award winner. Realizing that her story has the power to inspire, Maria speaks at events around the world to encourage people to pursue their own goals and dreams, to aim higher and achieve more in life for themselves and others.