When Wendy Booker noticed that her legs were going numb, she figured it was because of jogging. A few months later — when she was just 43 years old — she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Within the past 20 years, that diagnosis would have typically been a life sentence in a wheelchair. But Wendy wanted more for herself and for her family.

She talks to Growing Bolder about setting new goals for herself after the diagnosis, such as becoming the first woman with MS to conquer the world’s seven summits. She now credits mountain climbing with changing her life.

To check out her blogs from the climbs, click here.