Mastering
Mountains
Charitable Trust
Hope.
Support.
Adventure.
Mastering Mountains supports people with neurological disorders to experience hope and connection through self-directed outdoor adventure.
A life of adventure may feel out of reach. We are here to help.
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![A smiling woman with glasses holding a flag that says 'Mastering Mountains' in front of a mountain lake and forested mountains under a blue sky.]()
"Empowering & life-changing. I can barely hold the tears as I reflect on how deeply I have been cared for and supported in my disability and pathway back to the outdoors journey."
Raffaela Dragani
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![Two people in cycling gear standing on a gravel trail, holding a flag that says 'Mastering Mountains,' with a mountain bike and lush green trees in the background.]()
"Mastering Mountains has changed my life – I now have goals and aspirations that I never imagined were possible."
Jodie Leqeta
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![A woman standing on a mountain trail holding a 'Mastering Mountains' banner, wearing hiking gear and a backpack, with greenery and rocks in the background.]()
"Mastering Mountains helped me accept & open up about my diagnosis, showing me that setbacks aren't the end but part of the journey - and that I can still embrace adventure in my own way."
Steph Nierstenhoefer
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![Katy Glenie]()
"I had thought that my life could no longer be full of adventures in the outdoors after my diagnosis. I now know there are so many ways to seek and find adventure."
Katy Glenie
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![A man with sunglasses and a beard holding a sign that reads "Mastering Mountains" in front of a castle in Bavaria, Germany.]()
"You made my dream a reality. I cannot recommend the experience enough—every sight, smell, sound, taste, and feeling was incredible."
Sam Smith
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![Bryce Mackenzie]()
"This programme opened my mind. With a bit of help, I have achieved something that I thought I may not be able to do."
Bryce Mackenzie
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![Kirsten Dixon]()
"With the right support I can achieve more than I thought! I have shed some self limiting beliefs I imposed on myself with diagnosis."
Kirsten Dixon
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![David Kyle]()
"This has been trajectory altering, enabling me to continue MTB riding with friends and giving me more confidence about the future in terms of riding with my son."
David Kyle
Learn more.
Katy’s story.
Give the gift of hope.
We’re on a mission to help New Zealanders with neurological conditions find hope and community outdoors.
Per person, it costs us $6,800 to provide rehabilitation, mentoring and education for one year. As a charitable trust, we rely on donations to do our work.
Will you support our mission? With your help, more people will find hope again.
Our Partners
Mastering Mountains is grateful for the generosity and support of these organisations. We are proud to be associated with them.
Get inspired.
Te toto o te tangata he kai, te oranga o te tangata, he whenua, he oneone.
While food provides the blood in our veins, our health is drawn from the land.
- Māori whakataukī
Raffaela Dragani has functional neurological disorder (FND). She courageously shares her unexpected journey over the past 18 months. In particular, she talks about what it looks like to stay grounded when life shakes up your sense of stability.