How did you get into climbing and other adventure sports?

    I found climbing in college and fell in love with it. After that, I lived in the back of my car for seven years, going on climbing expeditions. My mom and dad weren’t happy. They had saved up to put me through private school. They felt like I was throwing it all away.

When did you first pick up a camera? 

    I started by taking photographs for magazines. I loved the people I climbed with. They were from different walks of life, but they all were trying to do things that no one had ever done before. I wanted to share that with the world. 

Why do risky activities like climbing make for such good stories?

    Stories are interesting when the stakes are high. But you have to connect with the characters too. These stories are about the human spirit. They’re about what it looks like to fail or to achieve your dreams.  

Your work is hard and dangerous. How do you push through the challenges? 

    I take one challenge at a time. It’s like climbing. You look at a huge mountain, and it looks impossible. But when you look at the 5 feet in front of you, suddenly you can do it. 

What got you from unknown climber to award-winning filmmaker? 

    You have to really care about what you do. I throw myself into my work. I always have. It’s not about the awards. You have to do it because you love it.