Khoo Swee Chiow was the first Singaporean to conquer Mount Everest as part of the country’s inagural expedition to earth’s highest mountain.
The achievement ignited Khoo Swee Chiow’s career and he soon joined an elite rank of professional mountaineers. Over the last 26 years, he has gone on to summit K2 (8,611m), Kanchenjunga (8,586m), Lhotse (8,516m), Makalu (8,485m), Cho Oyu (8,188m) and Shishapangma (8,027m). Now approaching 60, Khoo remains a relentless adventurer and has his sights set on ticking off the remaining Eight-thousanders (the 14 mountains more than 8,000m above sea level). It would make him the first person to tackle these and his already completed Explorer’s Grand Slam.
Khoo’s story is a lesson in the art of the possible. His trekking and fitness pursuits were initially a hobby alongside his career at Singapore Airlines. Growing up in the flat terrain of Singapore, Khoo knew little about climbing. But on a trip to Nepal, he saw Everest for the first time and was immediately inspired. Achieving his dream several years later enabled Khoo to pursue adventure full time. Sponsorship came easy as Singapore’s trailblazer and he supplemented this with leading his own guiding expeditions.
Today, Khoo is a highly sought after expedition consultant. He has organised over 120 expeditions and regularly takes groups to places like Kilimanjaro, Nepal and various peaks across southeast Asia. Having conquered some of the world’s harshest landscapes, he also shares his personal lessons on leadership, risk-taking, peak performance, resilience and reframing mindsets through various workshops and corporate keynotes. Some of his clients include Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Volvo, Procter & Gamble and DHL.
Aside from his mountaineering accomplishments, Khoo has also cycled from Singapore to Beijing, roller skated from Vietnam to Singapore, kayaked across the Philippines, and swam across the Malacca Straits.
Khoo is the prolific author of 5 autobiographical adventure books and has appeared in documentaries for NHK. Known for his go-getter spirit, Khoo Swee Chiow’s approach to goal setting and a never-give-up attitude resonates through all areas of both business and personal life. His messages never fail to inspire and leave audiencea with a renewed sense of purpose.
