Maria Da Conceicao’s eyes sparkle with an intensity that reflects a life of profound challenges and extraordinary achievements. Born in Portugal, Maria’s story began with adversity. At just two years old, her mother fell ill, and an African immigrant cleaner, Maria Cristina Matos, took her under her wing. This new maternal figure, already stretched thin with six children of her own, never turned her back on Maria, raising her to be resilient, compassionate, and driven – qualities that define Maria to this day. From these humble beginnings, Maria evolved into a symbol of relentless pursuit of transformative change.
Maria’s voice is steady and filled with conviction as she explains her philosophy: “To break with your inner cycle, you need to climb your mountains every single day.” These words are not just metaphorical for Maria; they are a lived experience. She became the first Portuguese woman to summit Mount Everest and complete expeditions to the last degrees of the North and South Poles, transcending physical and metaphorical peaks.
Her journey from a cleaner, who excelled as “the Ronaldo of cleaning,” to a celebrated member of an Emirates Airlines cabin crew, gave her a worldview shaped by stark contrasts. Her pivotal moment came during a layover in Bangladesh, where the stark poverty inspired her to establish the Maria Cristina Foundation. This initiative has since educated over 600 children, despite facing numerous financial crises threatening its continuity.
Reflecting on the struggle to fund her foundation, Maria recalls, “In the early days, there seemed to be an abundance of money in Dubai, but when the recession hit, donations dried up almost overnight.” Her response was to leverage her athletic prowess to draw attention and resources, undertaking awe-inspiring feats of endurance. She holds 10 Guinness World Records for marathons, ultramarathons, and Ironman triathlons (in which she completed 6 Ironman triathlons on six continents in 56 days in 2017), each a testament to her unyielding determination.
“My story is not an ordinary one, and it is far from complete – may the challenges I took on and the tears and struggles I encountered along the way encourage you to make the world a better place and reach beyond your own limits,” Maria asserts, her narrative weaving through the tapestry of her many accolades and ambassadorships with brands like Kcal Extr and Up and Running.
Maria’s life is a litany of awards recognizing her contributions and spirit. From the ‘Mulher Inspiradora Running Category’ by Revista Activa in 2021, GQ Portugal Woman of the Year 2016, Cosmopolitan Female Role Model of the Year 2015, Sustainability Leadership Award 2013, to the ‘Barbie Role Model Award’ in Portugal in 2017 and Most Exceptional and Innovative European Women of the Year 2007, each accolade underscores her role model and leader impact. Her entrepreneurial spirit was acknowledged when she was voted Alhan Hot 100 Entrepreneur in UAE 2010, and her humanitarian efforts were highlighted as she was named Emirates Humanitarian Woman of the Year in 2009.
Beyond her records and awards, Maria leads by example, continuously transforming lives through motivational workshops and inspirational talks. She empowers individuals across the globe to aim higher for themselves and others, embodying innovation and leadership at every step. “The future needs heroes. Not the kind in capes, but those willing to contribute to something larger than themselves. Everyone can help someone,” Maria states emphatically, her life’s work echoing this message.
She’s also a celebrated writer, with five books to date. Her books reflect her extraordinary journey from adversity to global change-maker, blending personal narrative with a call to transformative action. ‘A Woman on Top of the World,’ ‘Butterfly Stories 1 & 2,’ ‘Altered Path,’ and ‘The World Needs Superheroes’ are not just stories but manifestos for change, inspiring readers to recognize their potential for heroism and to take action. Her life and literary work inspire and challenge us to make a meaningful difference in the world.
As our conversation concludes, the depth of Maria Da Conceicao’s impact is palpable. Her journey from the cleaning floors in Portugal to the highest peaks of the world, and into the hearts of those she inspires is a profound reminder of the power of resilience and commitment. Her story challenges us to reflect on our potential to be catalysts for positive change in the world.
Indeed, as Maria often reminds us, “The story is far from complete.” For Maria, for those she aids, and for all of us, the journey towards a better future continues – rich with the promise of transformation and driven by the unyielding power of the human spirit. Maria Da Conceicao is not just a voice for the future; she is an active architect, inspiring all of us to reach our highest potential.
