Holly Budge, a 31-year-old adventurer based in Lake Taupo, New Zealand, has set two world records in less than 12 months. In October 2008 she became the first woman to skydive in front of Mount Everest and in August 2009 completed the world's longest horse race, 1000kms across Mongolian wilderness, in just nine days!
She has worked in the adrenaline sports industry for over nine years as an experienced skydiver and freefall camera flyer with more than 2,000 jumps, a qualified rock climbing instructor and an accomplished equestrian event rider.
As well as being an adventurer, Holly is an award-winning interactive designer. At the age of 24, her ambitious drive took her back to university where she graduated in 2005 with a First Class Honours Degree in Interactive Media Production. Holly discovered a niche in skydiving training and made it her goal at university to learn the relevant skills to build E-FLI, an award-winning multimedia e-learning platform for skydivers. She is continuing her work on the global success of E-FLI, but is also dedicating time to new adventures and guest speaking.
Holly and her mother, Linda, set up Spirit Midas Jewellery in 2006, creating bold and independent handcrafted jewellery. They share their passion for glass, metal & colour from opposite sides of the world. Holly recently set up a glass bead studio in New Zealand, where she creates vibrant beads and unique pieces of jewellery. Linda uses her silversmithing skills to complement Holly's glass beads with intricate silver designs & high-quality semi-precious gemstones from her workshop in the heart of Hampshire, UK. Their jewellery designs have been showcased in both hemispheres and are sold online.
View Holly's photo gallery here