Maxime Chaya

Maxime Chaya
Maxime Chaya

‘There is an Everest for Everyone’
Born December 16, 1961(1961-12-16)
Beirut, Lebanon
Residence Baabdat , Lebanon
Nationality Lebanese Lebanon
Alma mater London School of Economics and Political Science
Occupation Sportsman, Climber, Explorer, Professional Speaker, Corporate Ambassador
Spouse Pascale Melhem Kesrouani (Poupa)
Children Edgard & Kelly
Signature
Website
www.maximechaya.com

Maxime Edgard Chaya (born December 16, 1961) is a sportsman, mountaineer and explorer from Lebanon. On May 15, 2006, he was the first Lebanese to climb Mount Everest, completing the Seven Summits challenge.[1][2][3] On December 28, 2007, he also became the first from the Middle East to reach the South Pole on foot from the Antarctic coast,[2] after an unsupported and unassisted journey that lasted 47 days. Then, on April 25, 2009, he was again the first from the region to reach the North Pole on foot, all the way from Canada.[4] In doing so, he became the 16th person in history to complete the Three Poles Challenge.[5] Last, Maxime is the 6th person in history to complete the Explorers Grand Slam.

Contents

Bio

Maxime Edgard Chaya was born and raised in Beirut until the year 1975 when the civil war saw him and his family take refuge abroad. He pursued his education overseas in Greece, France, Canada and the United Kingdom where outstanding academics led him to graduate with a Bachelor of Science Honors degree from the London School of Economics (LSE).

Maxime then spent a year as a trainee at Republic National Bank of New York’s head office on Fifth Avenue before foregoing post-graduate studies and returning home to take over the family’s Foreign Exchange business. In 1999, he founded his own company VO2max, and through it, organized races and competitions for Lebanese youth of all ages. Cycling, both road and Mountain Bike, triathlon, road running, trail-running, rock climbing, ski touring and freeride were all part of the VO2MAX challenge series of events from 1999 to 2003. [6]

Besides organizing events for others, and the youth in particular, Maxime showed great interest in competing personally, and seemed to excel in every discipline he would adopt. Despite the lack of professional training and advice (his country was at war), his rigorous training, coupled with unfailing determination, perseverance and willpower won him several awards and trophies in a host of disciplines both at international level.

Maxime now resides in Lebanon with his two children: Edgard and Kelly. Despite work and family life, he has kept his fitness level at the very top but has gradually put down his rackets, skates, and various balls to take up more open air sports such as trail running, biking, backcountry skiing, and climbing.

Since his partnership with Bank Audi on the “Seven Summits Project” in January 2003,[7] it has been one successful expedition after another for Maxime, acquiring experience, knowledge and wisdom, while discovering new limits within him, and 'Growing Beyond His Potential' summit after summit.

Major sporting achievements

Maxime Chaya visiting the 14th Dalai Lama in Dharamsala-India where he offered His Holiness a signed copy of his book Steep Dreams.

National

International

  • Numerous national representations at international events.
  • 2nd overall: “Trophée du Nil” (Egypt – 1998)
  • 3rd overall: “Raid Thai” (Thailand – 1999)
  • 1st place: “Kenya Sports Safari” (Kenya – 2001)
  • 23rd: UCI World Masters Championships (Canada - 2001)
  • Among the first Lebanese to complete an “Ironman” triathlon (Holland – 2002)

Expeditions

In the year 2000, while on a visit to Kenya for an international mountain-bike stage race that he won, Maxime went on to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in nearby Tanzania. Little did he know that this was to be the first of his 'Seven Summits', and as he watched the sunrise from the roof of Africa, he pondered over his desire to challenge himself yet further on these new sports grounds in the great outdoors: the high mountain.

Over a three-year climbing odyssey, Maxime took on each of the 'Seven Summits' (the highest peak on each continent), raising the Lebanese flag -and national pride- on every occasion. Still intent on thriving, Maxime subsequently went on to achieve the 'Three Poles'.

In 2006, Discovery Channel launched a reality television series entitled Everest: Beyond the Limit. It is a multi-episode documentary that portrays the two-month expedition and the struggles, highs, lows, triumphs and despairs of 11 climbers aspiring to stand on the summit of the world's highest peak. Maxime was one of those climbers. The series turned-out to be a tremendous success to the point that it was repeated in subsequent years, with different climbers in what was known as Series II and Series III. As Maxime said in many interviews about his Everest expedition,[8] reaching the summit -and more importantly, coming back- should never be taken for granted. This is a serious endeavor that could put even the finest climbers' lives at risk. Everest may not be as technical as some other 8,000 meter peaks, yet its sheer height greatly magnifies any problem that is not dealt with immediately. This -the altitude- is what makes Chomolungma (the Tibetan name for Everest) unique and worthy of all the respect it deserves.

On May 15, 2006, Maxime, exhausted after his successful summit bid, sees his triumph turn to tragedy as he encounters a dying climber on his way back from the summit of Everest. The name of the distressed climber was David Sharp. Maxime and his Tibetan Sherpa Dorjee , tried their best to help. They spent more than an hour next to the stricken climber, whom they did not know, desperately trying to revive him. Unfortunately, Sharp was unconscious and frozen from the knees down. He did not respond to the oxygen administered. Maxime later reported that although very sad of the man's fate, he was confident that nothing more could have been done for him at that stage. "He was much closer to death than he was to life."

Climbed peaks and reached landmarks

Fiscal Stamp Issued by the Lebanese Ministry of Finance commemorating Maxime’s South Pole Success

Climbed, and raised the Lebanese flag on all Seven Summits

Public recognition

Awards and distinctions

In November 2010, Maxime lead a team of 7 ambassadors (Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Korea, Romania, Spain and UK) to raise funds for the nine Beirut Marathon partner charities. After rigorous training sessions headed by Max, each ambassador ran one leg of the relay (10km, 7km or 5km) while Max ran the complete marathon, alongside his fellow ambassadors, supporting them along the way. On this first year that the Beirut Marathon introduces the notion of 'running for a cause' Maxime was able to raise $57,033 which he distributed equally among the nine NGOs.
  • December 2003: Knighted by the President of the Republic. “National Order of the Cedar” - Rank: Knight.
  • May 2006: Decorated by the President of the Republic. “National Order of the Cedar” - Rank: Officer.
  • May 2008: Awarded the “Paul Harris Fellowship” by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.


Stamps

  • July 2007: Postal Stamp Issued by the Ministry of Finance commemoration Maxime's ascent of Mount Everest[9]
  • April 2008: Fiscal Stamp Issued by the Ministry of Finance commemorating Maxime’s South Pole Success.

Calling cards

  • March 2008: Kalam Cards (calling cards) issued by the Ministry of Telecommunications commemorating Maxime’s successes. Two cards: One commemorating the Everest success on May 15, 2006; and another card commemorating the South Pole success on Dec. 28, 2007.

Inspirational speaking

Schools, Universities and Clubs

As part of his own CSR, Maxime regularly visits school, universities and clubs across the region delivering his presentation entitled: “There is an Everest for Everyone”.

Max Chaya Launching his book STEEP DREAMS: My Journey to the Top of the World at Salon du Livre in BIEL Beirut

List of some Schools and Universities visited by Maxime Chaya to address and motivate the students:[10]

Companies

Maxime also speaks to companies at annual events. He delivers a more elaborate, corporate presentation also entitled “There is an Everest to Everyone” where he draws the parallel between mountain climbing and the challenge of business and life.[11]

Lebanese Max Chaya behind his mask during his North Pole expedition

Philanthropy

Charities

Max serving the guests and donors at a Toufoula fundraising event.

Maxime is increasingly solicited to endorse and speak on behalf of charities and NGOs across the region and beyond:

NGOs

Board memberships

Publications

Book: Steep Dreams: My journey to the Top of the World

Lebanon's foremost sportsman and climber, Maxime Chaya was the first person from his country to hoist its flag atop Everest, and he did so en route to ascending the highest mountain on every continent - the Seven Summits - while also skiing to the North and South Poles. Written in conjunction with New York Times bestselling author Richard Buskin, and illustrated with more than 700 stunning, high-quality, comprehensively captioned photos, 'Steep Dreams: My Journey to the Top of the World' tells the story of Max’s adventure-based achievements; of his brushes with death in a wide variety of settings, along with the physical pain, mental anguish, soul-searching, emotional highs and ultimate satisfaction of not only surviving, but also learning to contend with the forces and marvels of nature. It is, in short, the gripping, sometimes harrowing, always rewarding tale of one man’s incredible trans-global journey and the realization of his most heartfelt lifelong ambition.

References

  1. ^ NOW Lebanon (February 3, 2008). "Talking To: Maxime Chaya".
  2. ^ a b Jamie Furniss, Al-Ahram Weekly (January 31, 2008 - February 6, 2008). "Conquering oneself".
  3. ^ Allen G. Breed and Binaj Gurubacharya, Associated Press (July 16, 2006). "Did Everest Climber Sharp Have to Die?"
  4. ^ Dalila Mahdawi , Daily Star (April 29, 2009). "Lebanese explorer first Arab to reach N. Pole"
  5. ^ John Werner, Waco Tribune (June 29, 2009). "Waco attorney and Mount Everest climber make trip to North Pole"
  6. ^ German Financial Times Journal Financial Times Deutschland
  7. ^ " Bank Audi 7 summits
  8. ^ Discovery Channel (March , 2007). "Max Chaya".
  9. ^ The Three Poles (July , 2007). "Maxime Chaya Everest Lebanon Stamp".
  10. ^ Max Presentations-Schools-Universities
  11. ^ Max Presentations-Companies
  12. ^ Lorient Le Jour(June 30th,2006 ). "Maxime, Lutte contre la drogue"
  13. ^ Arc-en-ciel Lebanon (December 12, 2008)." Mr Maxime Chaya, parrain libanais du projet: L’École agit "
  14. ^ SEAL USA "Seal Events 2010"
  15. ^ Max vedette du gala de N.Y. pour la levée de fonds au profit de SEAL {October 1st, 2010} "Maxime pour la levée de fonds au profit de SEAL"
  16. ^ Blogging Beirut (February 11, 2010)."Chaya's Toufoula Fund raising"
  17. ^ BNL ( August 16th, 2010 ) ." Maxime guest of honor"
  18. ^ BNL (August 16th,2010)
  19. ^ ThinkGreen Founder."ThinkGreen Founder Maxime Chaya"
  20. ^ BMA Maxime Running for Charity."“Maxime Chaya Running for Nine Partner Charities”
  21. ^ Max Chaya Member of WLAR."Mr. Maxime Chaya, Member"

External links


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