I'm getting older, turning 40 this year. I had a period where I thought each expedition had to be something harder, something faster. But you can't go on like that, or you're going to die.

The goal is not to solo. Of course, it is possible to move fast in alpine style also with a partner. I just need the right partner.

Everest is how it is right now. We have to fix ropes up there; we have the commercial expeditions. If you don't like that, go on another mountain or choose another part of the mountain. There's still space for everybody.

Of course I climbed Everest without oxygen, but it's not the end of the story for me. The summit itself is not what counts. It's how'd you get there, what'd you climb, and there are really great opportunities to climb on this mountain. It's a beautiful place.

Be the business never so painful, you may have it done for money.

When you're a music celebrity, your fans are used to spending money on you. They go to your shows. They want to look like you. They want to be like you. You become part of their life.

Of course, to have money is just great because you can do what you think is important to you.

Over the course of 20 years that I've been at NBC, I have never seen the amount of money I make reported correctly by the media.