012 Caroline Leon: Climber Overcomes Life-Changing Injury & Takes on World Record

Thinking Off-Piste

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.