We caught up with Tracey Hall, our inaugural Mastering Mountains Expedition Grant recipient. She’s heading to Machu Picchu later this year, and we asked her a few questions.

Nick (N): In a couple of sentences, tell us about who you are?

Tracey (T): I am a solo mum with an energetic 9-year-old boy. I have a pretty full bucket list and a good number of passions in my life. I have a love for life and everything in it.

N: What does your typical week look like?

T: I work full time as a high-voltage electrician, climbing power poles Monday to Friday. Weekends are usually always spent on some adventure with my son. We snowboard in winter, and tramp, camp, ride horses, ride motorbikes in the summer. In between, we spend time travelling around or hanging with our friends and family — they make my world go round and are very important to me.

N: In what ways are you involved in the community?

T: I am a member of Land Search and Rescue, which I LOVE! I love it because it involves my two greatest passions: tramping through the bush and helping people. We have training weekends once a month, which is always fun.

My local MS society, MS Central Districts, does a lot for the local MS community. That’s why I support it as a committee member and actively fundraise for it. Walking from Woodville to Wharati Peak was a fantastic experience, and I was blown away by people’s support and generosity.

I also get to do a bit of public speaking, in front of many different groups. These have included a group at Massey University and a group called The Gathering, along with a few others. Most often, I speak about my journey with MS and living life filled with meaning — my hope is to inspire others to get active. Some schools have asked me to talk about disabilities and bullying. I hope my story can help stop bullying in schools.

As a high-voltage electrition, I have been invited to join the Electrical Workers Registration Board. The Board is a government body that comes up with rules and regulations to keep people safe. It’s a huge honour to be part of this organisation, and to input back into my industry.

N: How long have you had MS?

T: I have had Multiple Sclerosis for just over 2 years.

N: What’s the one or two things you find most challenging about life with MS?

T: For me, fatigue and the loss of strength in my leg are the two biggest challenges. I find this especially hard when I enjoy being outdoors and staying active. Taking MitoQ helps keep me energised, however!

N: What’s one or two things that you hope to change, with the help of the grant?

T: One of the biggest things is people’s perspective of MS, themselves and others. Someone can have a disability, but it doesn’t mean you have to be disabled! I hope that this grant helps me prove to people that if you have a goal and set your mind to it, you can accomplish anything. I found myself in a wheelchair in February 2018 and here I am now, working my butt off as I train hard for Machu Picchu!

N: Tell us about your goal and why you chose it.

T: For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to go to Machu Picchu, but I never really thought it could happen. Machu Pichu is a fascinating place and is considered to be one of the wonders of the world. It is also a sacred and spiritual place, and in the old times, it was accessed only by the Inca Trail. On the trail, you climb to amazing heights. I can’t wait to be well above the clouds and looking down on other mountains —it gives me goose bumps just thinking about it. This will be an extraordinary goal to accomplish. I hope that in completing it, I will learn new things about myself and redefine what’s possible.

N: What are the challenges you must overcome to achieve your goal?

T: My last relapse was a nasty one. It has left me with a weak right leg and also the further complication of clots in my leg and lungs. I am working very hard to regain the strength, and I am making good progress in sorting out the clots. Exercise and medication makes all the difference.

N: If you could tell other people with MS one thing, what would it be?

T: Never give up. No matter how hard it seems/feels/is, keep pushing forward and don’t look back.

You can follow Tracey’s journey on Instagram.