While most mums are busy juggling school runs and Zoom calls, Sofya, a Dubai-based businesswoman and mother of four, decided to take multitasking to new heights. On May 15, Sofya reached the 5,642-metre summit of Mount Elbrus, Europe’s highest peak, as part of her bold Seven Summits challenge – a mission to climb the tallest mountain on each continent in just 30 months. Oh, and she did it solo, braving icy winds and sub-zero temperatures while five other climbers turned back. No big deal.
At the top, she planted the UAE flag like a boss, ticking off another epic milestone in her globe-trotting mountaineering quest.
Her journey to the clouds began on September 2 last year, when she marked her 45th birthday by summiting Mount Kilimanjaro – and yes, the UAE flag made an appearance there too. So, what fuels her? Grit, gratitude, and a father who raised her like a mini action hero.
Born in Ukraine, Sofya’s toughness isn’t just for show. When Russia invaded in 2022, she walked 16 km in freezing cold to Poland, followed by a 16-hour bus ride to safety.
Now a successful entrepreneur running a hospitality interiors firm and a food & beverage chain in Dubai, Sofya is not just climbing for thrills. Her Seven Summits mission is also a tribute to the UAE; a place she’s called home for over two decades.
Next stop: another continent, another summit – and probably another mic-drop moment at the top.
(Contributed by Wajeeha Syed)