Sophie's expeditions have taken her to the streets of Managua to the mountains of Madagascar and everywhere in between.
She is the Founder of AquaAid International, Sophie works with some of Central America and Sub-Saharan Africa’s most remote villages establishing sustainable sources of clean drinking water and basic sanitation.
Sophie is a Health Security Specialist with a concentration on the civil military relations in infectious disease outbreaks and biodefense, for which she has been awarded a Fulbright Fellowship from the US Department of State. Sophie holds a Bachelors in Environmental Science and Global Public Health from New York University and is currently working on a Master of Health Security at the University of Sydney.
Sophie is an avid sailor, has sailed across the Pacific Ocean, and holds a 200-ton captains license. At the time of certification, she was the youngest female to ever obtain a 200-ton MCA Yachtmaster Captains License.
Her passion for adventure and discovering indigenous ways of life has led her undertake descents of uncharted rivers in Madagascar, desert transect treks in Namibia, and ethnographic research in the Republic of Vanuatu. Sophie’s work has been featured by National Geographic and the United Nations. Sophie is a Fellow of The Explorers Club and Post-Graduate Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.
When not exploring Sophie lives between New York City and Sydney.
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Show notes
Currently driving a land cruiser around the outback in Australia
Using exploration to help achieve a more sustainable future
Being a ballerina before taking a pivot into science, travel & exploration
Changing her life at 16 and starting to work on super yachts
Coming from a low income, single parent family
Being determined to travel from a young age
Working as an unpaid deck hand
Becoming the youngest female to ever obtain a 200-ton MCA Yachtmaster Captains License
Sailing across the Pacific Ocean
Studying Public Health at New York City University
Being shocked by the water crises she came across
Founding an NGO, the challenges she faced and what she learned along the way
Returning to NYC and finding the Explorers Club where she was able to connect with other like minded individuals.
Heading on an expedition to the Republic of Vanuatu to search for the ‘Tribe of Female Chiefs’
What she learned about female leadership while spending time with the female chiefs
Sharing her knowledge and research with others
What daily life was like while she was over there, where she stayed what she ate and how she handled the language challenges
Women and the practice of water music
Feeling lonely and isolated even though she was surrounded by people
Heading back to NYC and dealing with the culture shock
Graduating from University and trying to decided what to do next
Booking a ticket to Madagascar and deciding to start the Sofia Log
Winning a scholarship to do an extended 2 year research program on water security in Central Africa
The challenges she faced over there and why she is not a river person
What she’s learned from committing herself to projects
Being a Youth Representative for the Explorers Club in the UN
The Sofia Log - what it is and why she started it
Why you have to find out what works best for you
Social Media
Website - www.sophiehollingsworth.com
Twitter - @TheSofiaLog
Instagram - @captsophie
Blog - www.thesofialog.com
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