The endurance athlete and mountaineer is launching a fundraising campaign to benefit Fillactive
Montreal, February 12, 2026 – Climbing the world's highest peak to highlight an invisible mountain: the barriers that prevent teenage girls from participating in physical activity. This is the challenge Emma Deguara has chosen. The endurance athlete and mountaineer is unveiling Project Everest today, a fundraising and mobilization campaign to benefit Fitactive, which will culminate with his ascent of Mount Everest in the spring of 2026.
Behind this image lies an alarming observation: 9 out of 10 girls are not active enough to fully benefit from physical activity, and by the end of adolescence, they are three times more likely than boys to have given up their sport.
An ascent as a collective symbol
Through Project Everest, Emma Deguara aims to transform an individual adventure into a collective movement. As she progresses toward the summit of Mount Everest (8,849 m), more than 10,000 teenage girls across Quebec will be regularly active, discovering new activities and regaining confidence in their abilities with their school's Fillactive team. Beyond the athletic achievement, Project Everest leverages the power of metaphor to convey a clear message: every girl has her own summit to reach, and physical activity can become a powerful catalyst for confidence, perseverance, and well-being.
« Mount Everest is a powerful symbol, but this project isn't about performance at all costs. It focuses primarily on the obstacles faced by teenage girls and the importance of providing them with spaces where enjoyment, confidence, and a sense of belonging prevail. " explains Emma Deguara. If my journey can inspire girls to believe in their potential and get back on track, then it has its full meaning. " adds the athlete who only started practicing his sport regularly five years ago.
Emma Deguara's preparation, from base camps to the summit, will also be documented through a series of content broadcast on her channel. YouTube.
A cause championed by the organization Fillactive
Project Everest is being conducted to benefit Fillactive, an organization that has been working since 2007 to combat the decline in physical activity among teenage girls. Through an inclusive, non-competitive, and fun-oriented approach, Fillactive reaches thousands of young girls in Quebec schools each year.
As confirmed by a major research project conducted in collaboration with the University of Montreal, the Fillactive approach generates concrete results, including an increase in physical activity and positive effects on self-confidence, mental health and sense of belonging, particularly among the most inactive adolescent girls at the start.
« Fillactive is thrilled to be part of Project Everest, which gives exceptional reach to our mission. Incorporating physical activity into daily life is a challenge for many, and Fillactive works with teenage girls, a group particularly affected by this reality. By transforming a personal achievement into a collective movement, Emma sends them a powerful message: their potential is immense, and every step counts. “This is a great opportunity for the public to join the movement and contribute to the fundraising campaign, which aims to raise $100,000,” emphasizes Kim Marois, Executive Director of Fillactive. The public is invited to support the implementation of programs that promote physical activity among adolescent girls in an inclusive and supportive environment.
To participate in the fundraising campaign, here
Everest Project Partners
The Everest Project can count on the support of committed partners, including RGP Financial Group, GURU, Shop Santé, The North Face, Aloex, and Novarnica, whose support contributes to the reach and success of this mobilization. The public will also be invited to participate in the various in-person activations planned throughout the campaign by following Emma Deguara on social media.
About Emma Deguara
Formerly Head of Legal Affairs and Compliance at RGP Financial Group, Emma Deguara is also an endurance athlete and mountaineer sponsored by The North Face. She is a co-founder of the 6AM Club and host of the Umea podcast.tmShe has learned to navigate two demanding worlds: business law and ultra-endurance sports. Through her conferences, collaborations, and public speaking engagements, she builds bridges between the world of business and the world of endurance.
About Fillactive
FitactiveFillactive is the leading organization for girls' physical activity. Its mission is to empower adolescent girls to be active for life through a supportive, inclusive, and non-competitive multi-sport approach where fun is always the priority. The organization is present in over 300 schools and reaches more than 10,000 adolescent girls each year. Since 2007, Fillactive has had a positive impact on over 220,000 girls.
