012 Caroline Leon: Climber Overcomes Life-Changing Injury & Takes on World Record
06/23/21 • 56 min
Caroline recounts the story of her life-changing injury after having fallen from an outdoor climbing wall in Dubai. She was immediately rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries that included two shattered feet, a displaced & fragmented right pelvis that was no longer connected to the left side of her body and a bust fracture to part of her spine. Initially Doctors told Caroline that she might never walk again. After 14 surgeries, 23 blood transfusions and two years of extensive rehabilitation Caroline regained the ability to walk with the use of crutches.
After 4 years of healing, Caroline returned to work and co-founded the online fitness education platform A Life of Education. To mark the end of her recovery, in which she fully regained the ability to walk unassisted, Caroline endeavored to set a new Guiness World Record to become the first person in the world to summit all of the highest points in the Middle East and The Arabian Peninsula in the fastest possible time - a feat that had never been attempted by a woman alone.
Caroline became the first female mountaineer to climb 10 of the highest peaks across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in a record time of 28 days. Raising funds for children around the world through Gulf4Good, Caroline summited mountains in some of the world's most dangerous countries; Turkey, Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and the UAE.
Caroline has since gone on to speak publicly about mindset, healing and traveling across the Middle East on Dubai Eye, Virgin Radio, iHeart Radio & Off Script. She also shared her story on TEDX Dubai and various podcasts, News channels and TV interviews. As a result of the expedition Caroline was awarded the "Hero of the Year" and now represents Australia as an Ambassador for Expo 20/20.
What’s Next:
In Dec 2021 Caroline, with the support of DHL, is attempting another Guinness World Record, to summit the highest volcanoes in each of the 7 continents in the fastest possible time.
Caroline Leon is an Australian-born health and fitness advocate who holds a BA. in Medical Science, a Grad Dip. in International Health and is also a Health Coach, fitness professional and the Co-Founder of A Life of Education.
Follow her journey on Instagram: @caroline.d.leon
Hosted by: @beckylucyking
Thinking Off-Piste is brought to you by Mabey Ski, a Whistler-based adventure ski company creating bucket list ski trips across the globe. If you’re looking to get off the beaten track and away from the crowds, head over to mabeyski.com to discover what lies beyond your lift pass.
Caroline recounts the story of her life-changing injury after having fallen from an outdoor climbing wall in Dubai. She was immediately rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries that included two shattered feet, a displaced & fragmented right pelvis that was no longer connected to the left side of her body and a bust fracture to part of her spine. Initially Doctors told Caroline that she might never walk again. After 14 surgeries, 23 blood transfusions and two years of extensive rehabilitation Caroline regained the ability to walk with the use of crutches.
After 4 years of healing, Caroline returned to work and co-founded the online fitness education platform A Life of Education. To mark the end of her recovery, in which she fully regained the ability to walk unassisted, Caroline endeavored to set a new Guiness World Record to become the first person in the world to summit all of the highest points in the Middle East and The Arabian Peninsula in the fastest possible time - a feat that had never been attempted by a woman alone.
Caroline became the first female mountaineer to climb 10 of the highest peaks across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in a record time of 28 days. Raising funds for children around the world through Gulf4Good, Caroline summited mountains in some of the world's most dangerous countries; Turkey, Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and the UAE.
Caroline has since gone on to speak publicly about mindset, healing and traveling across the Middle East on Dubai Eye, Virgin Radio, iHeart Radio & Off Script. She also shared her story on TEDX Dubai and various podcasts, News channels and TV interviews. As a result of the expedition Caroline was awarded the "Hero of the Year" and now represents Australia as an Ambassador for Expo 20/20.
What’s Next:
In Dec 2021 Caroline, with the support of DHL, is attempting another Guinness World Record, to summit the highest volcanoes in each of the 7 continents in the fastest possible time.
Caroline Leon is an Australian-born health and fitness advocate who holds a BA. in Medical Science, a Grad Dip. in International Health and is also a Health Coach, fitness professional and the Co-Founder of A Life of Education.
Follow her journey on Instagram: @caroline.d.leon
Hosted by: @beckylucyking
Thinking Off-Piste is brought to you by Mabey Ski, a Whistler-based adventure ski company creating bucket list ski trips across the globe. If you’re looking to get off the beaten track and away from the crowds, head over to mabeyski.com to discover what lies beyond your lift pass.
Previous Episode
011 Aaron Rolph: Ski Touring the Haute Route in 31 Hours
Aaron Rolph recounts his recent solo attempt to ski the Haute route non-stop which he completed in one self-propelled, sleepless push in only 31 hours! The route from Chamonix to Zermatt is usually skied over a week and covers a distance of 125km and climbing almost 8,000m in ascent. In doing so, he became the first person in the world to complete the popular Verbier route in a single push, proving that "normal skiers" can achieve the extraordinary if they just set their mind to it. Aaron recalls what it's like to ski alone through the night, his experience filming extreme sports documentaries, and country appreciation.
Aaron Rolph is a full-time adventure athlete and photographer based between London and the French Alps.
Follow his updates: @aaronrolph / @britishadventurecollective
Hosted by: @beckylucyking
Thinking Off-Piste is brought to you by Mabey Ski, a Whistler-based adventure ski company creating bucket list ski trips across the globe. If you’re looking to get off the beaten track and away from the crowds, head over to mabeyski.com to discover what lies beyond your lift pass.
Next Episode
013: Tom Grant: IFMGA Guide Skiing First Descents Around the World
Steep skier, climber and IFMGA Mountain Guide Tom Grant shares his first-hand experience of skiing first descents all over the world. From technical lines in Baffin Island, BC to one of the world’s largest previously un-skied lines in New Zealand, Tom loves to push his boundaries and take on extreme descents. Hear about Tom's back-up plans for when things go wrong in the mountains and learn how to reach your optimum performance through flow state.
As an IFGMA mountain guide, Tom holds the highest level of certification worldwide and is part the only association permitted to work in the European Alps. Based out of Chamonix Tom specialises in alpine climbing, rock climbing, backcountry skiing, freeride, steep skiing and offers custom guiding for all abilities and aspirations.
Follow Tom's updates: tomgrant.guide / @tom_grant_
Hosted by: @beckylucyking
Thinking Off-Piste is brought to you by Mabey Ski, a Whistler-based adventure ski company creating bucket list ski trips across the globe. If you’re looking to get off the beaten track and away from the crowds, head over to mabeyski.com to discover what lies beyond your lift pass.
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