What/who is God?

For me, it’s about what I witness around me. When I am surrounded by an incredible wilderness, I need no more proof that god exists. I feel the power of God when I am in any natural environment. When I was pushing myself to the limit on Everest, God became a source of strength and a companion.

Is your life predetermined or do you create it as you go along?

You can make your own luck if you are grateful for your opportunities and take advantage of those opportunities. There must be some great plan but it is about how you navigate it that makes the difference. It is also about how much we give back to mankind.

Describe yourself at 10 years old?

Hey, I could drive a car when I was ten! We lived in a semi-rural area and my mum’s friends used to tip me to drive to the shop for them. Perhaps that was my first taste of travel and discovery? I was actually quite shy!

Describe your life in one word?

Wild

Describe your last day one earth?

I would go surfing. All day.

What is on your tombstone?

“It’s been flippin’ busy – thanks God for a great life”.

How do you deal with fear?

Oh, I use it – it’s my protection mechanism…against all sorts of things. It’s a gift and I manage it by having contingency plans.

What has been your most frightening moment?

Oddly enough, I climb high mountains but the most terrifying moment was photographing in the townships amidst angry mob violence. The dynamics are so unpredictable and there is no effective contingency plan their.

What is your greatest dislike?

Inefficiency and bad food!

And about yourself?

Intolerance. And I don’t read enough.

Are you a Jack Russell, a Boxer or a Great Dane?

A Rotti

What talent would you most like to have?

To be able to endure without sleep.

What do you love about women?

Their innate ability to care and nurture. I just have to think of my Mum and my wife, Joy.

What do your friends think about you?

That in the short space of 25 years, I have managed to become such a great surfer! That I’m good looking and have a sense of humour, I’m athletic, ambitious, goal oriented and a helluva nice bloke! Ha ha ha

What do your enemies say about you?

I don’t know. Thank goodness.

What makes you sad?

Violent crime, starvation, poverty, drought, and young people who pass away too early.

What happens when you die?

You go on a wild cruise around the universe. Your spirit has total freedom to soar.

What are your four top values?

Courage, generosity, endurance and humility.

What advice would you give to a broken hearted 18 year old?

Know it will pass.

Have you ever had a near death experience?

I took a bad fall on Denali (highest in North America), but funnily enough, I never thought I was going to die. I did think I was going to die on a flight back from Kilimanjaro once– it was terribly frightening being in that high altitude turbulence on an old plane.

What’s next for Sean Wisedale?

A solo expedition to the South Pole to raise money for a school here in KZN. That, and a couple of Wisey’s.

What would you do if you had all the money in the world?

It would be great to make others more comfortable and give them opportunities. Education is a real key to life.

If you could break one rule, what would it be?

To cruise the planet without a passport…freely.

What does being a man mean to you?

I enjoy the freedom and ease of my physical being. I reached the top of the highest mountains in South America, Australasia, Africa and Europe with amazing women and they had a lot more to manage than I did! Like having to pee into a bottle!