Cory Richards

Climber and photographer Cory Richards made history when he became the first American to climb a winter peak over 8,000 meters at the age of 29. Since then, the National Geographic adventure/expedition photographer has climbed and shot photos on expeditions ranging from Everest to the highest peak in Myanmar. More recently, the Eddie Bauer climber has also come forward to share more intimate struggles — of PTSD, infidelity, depression and alcoholism — opening up the conversation of the internal struggles of elite athletes.