David Lim

David Lim, best known for leading the first Singapore Mount Everest Expedition in 1998, was unable to reach the summit due to an injury. Following this expedition, he was affected by Guillain–Barré syndrome, a rare nerve disorder. Despite these obstacles, Lim's perseverance and tenacity have led him to lead over 15 expeditions since 1999, including the first all-Singapore ascent of Argentina's Aconcagua and a solo climb of Ojos del Salado. He also successfully led the first Southeast Asian team to summit virgin peaks in the Tien Shan mountain range and formed subsequent teams to summit three more. His audacious attempts included a 4 km ridge traverse encompassing two virgin peaks in the Manang region in Nepal.

Lim's leadership expertise extends beyond mountaineering. Since 1999, he has been a sought-after leadership expert and motivational speaker, offering programs and keynote presentations in 83 cities across 34 countries. His expertise in negotiation skills and building high-performing teams, as well as his unique, humorous, and interactive presentation style, have made him a valuable addition to client events and sustained change initiatives. Beyond his climbing experiences, Lim draws on his academic background, holding a B.A. in Law from Cambridge University.

As an author, Lim has penned two books: "Mountain to Climb: The Quest for Everest and Beyond" and "Against Giants: The Life and Climbs of a Disabled Mountaineer." These publications offer an insight into his climbing journeys and his life as a disabled mountaineer. He also runs a leadership and coaching consultancy, Everest Motivation Team Pte Ltd, and has developed a leadership and team simulation called Everest Challenger®.

Lim's contributions to motivational speaking have led to significant recognition. In 2009, he became the first Singaporean to earn the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) credential, an independently audited evaluation of quality, processes, and maturity. This places him among fewer than 12% of the 6000 professional Global Speakers Federation (GSF) professional members who hold this accreditation. In 2013, he received the CSPGlobal (now known as the Global Speaking Fellow) title, a credential conferred on those who demonstrate mastery of core global speaking competencies. This designation is held by fewer than 30 professionals worldwide. In 2020, he became a speaker Hall of Fame awardee.

Despite his challenges and setbacks, Lim continues to climb and inspire. He remains a veteran of over 70 alpine and expedition ascents around the world, with recent achievements including scaling a 6000-metre virgin peak in Qinghai and making the first single-day, mobility-impaired ascent of the 4092m Mt Kinabalu in Borneo in 2013. His story of resilience and his leadership expertise continue to impact audiences worldwide.