I come from a line of self-motivated, determined folk - not grand, not high society, but no-nonsense, family-minded go-getters.

• I never wanted to do TV. I just did what I was trained to do through the Special Forces, and I've been doing that from a very young age.
• Americans are cool if you show just a chink of vulnerability, they respond so much. They'll pat you on the arm and say, 'Hey kid, you're all right.' Brits will respond but they are much more cynical.
• Some of the greatest survivors have been women. Look at the courage so many women have shown after surviving earthquakes in the rubble for days on end.
• I loved climbing because of the freedom, and having time and space. I remember coming off Everest for the last time, thinking of Dad and wishing that he could have seen what I saw. He would have loved it.
• The line between life or death is determined by what we are willing to do.
• My faith isn't very churchy, it's a pretty personal, intimate thing and has been a huge source of strength in moments of life and death.
• As for my diet, I try to eat lean, clean and healthy - nothing too surprising. And I avoid too much meat or dairy because they slow you down.
• I always had a really natural faith as a kid. Where I knew God existed and it felt very free and pretty wild and natural, and it wasn't religious.
• Faith is personal if it's to be real.
• My faith isn't very churchy, it's a pretty personal, intimate thing and has been a huge source of strength in moments of life and death.