Riddle me this… Catherine Capon

Up close and personal with the British Adventurer, Naturalist and Environmental Activist

 

If you knew then what you know now, would you still do it?
If I knew before embarking on my ecotourism project that I would vomit in front of a boat full of South African men, get multiple leech bites in Malaysia, break my leg, suffer severe dehydration, almost get arrested in Mexico and have a Gorilla urinate on my head, would I still have gone? Absolutely, 100 times over! Lifetime experiences aren’t always plain sailing.

What’s the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
Find a way to be paid for something you are passionate about and you will always be fulfilled in your career.

What’s the weirdest rumour you’ve ever heard about yourself?
That I’m dating Leonardo DiCaprio. Although I’m pretty sure I started that one!

What was your biggest break?
I’d say my biggest break came when I took a huge risk. I moved back in with my parents and took a job with a significant pay cut. I felt I had nothing to lose and found a career path that truly excited me.

Do you consider yourself lucky?
I was lucky enough to be born into a country where I can travel freely and gain a fantastic education; so absolutely yes. On a day to day basis I think If you are a positive person you can see luck around you every day.

What most important in your life?
Free wifi! Just kidding! To learn constantly, to try to be content in every moment and aim to make a positive difference to the planet and people who I come into contact with.

What brands do you admire?
I admire any brands who incorporate improving people’s lives and minimising environmental impact into their brand strategy. Any brand who is only about making profit in this day and age won’t last long with the power of social media letting consumers have their say. I also admire brand in the ‘sharing’ space like AirBnB and ZipCar and those that use waste products to create new items. I’ve been lucky enough to work with the Virgin group and the work that Virgin Unite has undertaken in the past years is hugely admirable.

Do you have a guilty pleasure and if so, what is it?
My guilty pleasure is that I love dressing up and doing my hair and makeup. I spend so much time being sweaty in rainforests or salty in a wetsuit that it’s a real treat to feel preened and girly every now and then.

Describe your personal sense of style.
When travelling I’d say I’m functional with a hint on glam.  At 5’2″ I’m in heels wherever possible!

This article was originally published in Riddle Magazine