Deshun uses her life-experience to help her bridge many of the sensitive economic, cultural and gender divides our societies face. She came came to prominence in 1996 when selected to participate in South Africa's first Everest Expedition. She has subsequently been on 13 high altitude expeditions on 5 continents and weaves her own stories into memorable presentations.
A gifted speaker, facilitator and trainer (for over 15 years), Deshun is sought after for the inspiration she provides without the rah-rah.
Born into a working-class family in a township outside Uitenhage, South Africa, it isn’t only physical crevasses which Deshun has successfully crossed - as a businesswoman and sportswoman.
Since 1996 she has addressed diverse groups in 11 countries and many of South Africa’s largest companies have used her as keynote speaker.
As a trainer and facilitator, she has worked in the past for the Pacific Institute and the I CAN Foundation gaining knowledge in the areas of internal motivation and goal setting.
In 2003 Deshun tackled the 'Seven Summits' – attempting to climb the highest peak on each continent: Mt. McKinley (North America); Aconcagua (South America); Mt Kilimanjaro (Africa); Mount Elbrus (Europe); Mt Vinson (Antarctica); Carstensz (Australasia). To date she has been on five of the 'Seven' and summitted two. In 2003 she came within 500 vertical metres of the summit of Mt. Everest (Asia, 8850m).
She is one of twenty-two South African ambassadors for the Laureus Sports Foundation. Others include Lucas Radebe; Desiree Ellis; Jacques Kallis; Shaun Pollock, Bryan Habana; John Robbie and Natalie Du Toit.