Leigh de Necker is described as a top of the mountain, bottom of the sea kind of girl. As South African marine biologist, shark ecologist and science communicator with a passion for protecting sharks and rays, she holds a Master of Science degree from the University of Cape Town, where her research focused on the feeding ecology of apex predatory sharks in False Bay.
Leigh currently works for WILDTRUST’s WILDOCEANS Programme, where she helps drive legislative reform and policy initiatives to improve the protection of sharks and rays in South Africa. She is also a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor, a Class IV commercial diver, and has more than 20 years of diving experience.
“Do no harm. Take no shit”
Beyond her conservation work, Leigh is a TEDx speaker and has featured on Discovery Shark Week. She has represented South Africa in underwater hockey, completed numerous long-distance open water swims to raise funds and awareness for shark conservation, and is a New Balance-sponsored ultra-distance trail runner, supported by Garmin and Cadence Nutrition. She has completed multiple ultra-distance trail races, most notably the Ultra-Trail Cape Town 100 Mile race.
Leigh is also part of Mountain Search & Rescue and when she’s not underwater or in the office, she’s is usually in the mountains with her two rescue dogs, who accompany her on many of her training runs. A passionate advocate for “adopt, don’t shop”, she hopes to encourage more people to consider giving rescue animals a home.
Q&A with Leigh
1. What’s your biggest achievement / Something you’re proud of yourself for?
“I’m not most proud of any one particular award or achievement. Instead, I am most proud of building a life where my work, my values and my actions are aligned. I chose to follow purpose and passion over certainty and comfort, dedicating my career to protecting an animal I once feared, while embracing endurance sport as a way of continually exploring my own potential. One challenges me to contribute to something greater than myself; the other challenges me to become a better version of myself. Together, they’ve shaped a life that feels authentic, meaningful and deeply fulfilling.”
2. What’s your biggest fear / something that holds you back?
“My pets and my people mean everything to me, so naturally, losing them is my greatest fear. In day-to-day life, though, I wrestle with imposter syndrome more than I’d like to admit. Whether it’s in my work or endurance sport, I often question whether I’m capable enough, whether I’m doing enough, or whether I’m making enough of a difference. Working in conservation can amplify those feelings. Caring deeply about something that is constantly under threat means there are days when the losses feel far greater than the wins. It can be disheartening to know that while there are people dedicating their lives to safeguarding our natural world, there are far more that profit from its destruction. My greatest challenge is being part of this very unfair fight.”
3. What’s your biggest contribution / Something you like to share?
“I don’t think any of us have to change the world on our own. I just hope that the way I live my life encourages people to be a little kinder, a little braver and a little more curious – towards nature, towards each other, and towards themselves. I like to live by these very simple words: “Do no harm. Take no shit” – It’s being compassionate without being naïve. Kind, but with boundaries. Gentle, but determined.”
3. Fun Fact
“Will swim with sharks, but terrified of cockroaches.”
Thank you for being you!
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