About Me – Yuen Li

Before starting Nomad Adventure, Chan Yuen-Li became eminently qualified for the job by gaining a law degree, working as a shepherdess in Scotland, an Outward Bound instructor in the Lake District and Colorado, becoming an award-winning newspaper journalist and theater critic, as well as holding part-time jobs washing dishes and packing condom instructions into boxes.

In the last 25 years, Yuen-Li has pioneered the development the outdoor industry in Malaysia. With many first ascents to her name and setting up the first climbing gym in the country, she was responsible for introducing thousands of Malaysians to the sport of rock climbing. As an enthusiastic kayaker, Yuen-Li also made the first descents of a number of whitewater rivers, including Sungai Kampar.

In 1998 Yuen-Li gained international acclaim when she captained Toyota Team 2020 in the world’s toughest race, the Eco Challenge in Morocco, They became the first Asian team to complete an Eco Challenge race and the team’s inspirational efforts became the focus of the Emmy Award winning television program of the race. The team went on to race in four more Eco Challenges and win the Team Spirit Award. She brought the sport of adventure racing to Malaysia. As course designer and Race Director for an amazing 17 adventure races in 8 years, Yuen-Li has also acted as a safety and race consultant on AXN’s urban adventure races in Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

Yuen-Li is the Regional Director for Asia for Rescue 3 International and also an instructor trainer for Swiftwater Rescue and Technical Rope Rescue and a Wilderness First Aid Instructor. In 2015, she qualified as a Level 3 Instructor with the International Rafting Federation.

Yuen-Li fervently believes that adventure is an artful canvas that expands our sense of who we are and what is possible. Above all, she appreciates being an evolving spirit on this planet.