**Steph reaches the top of Omanui / McKinnon Pass with her daughter**. Credit: Steph Nierstenhoefer

Congratulations to Steph Nierstenhoefer, who recently completed her mission to walk with her family for four days, along all 53 kilometres of the Fiordland’s Milford Track. Steph’s incredible determination and persistence have resulted in this fantastic achievement.

When Steph applied for the Mastering Mountains grant, she had been quietly carrying a heavy load for some time. Just a year earlier, in August 2023, she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. This diagnosis had come on the heels of two years of difficult health challenges.

At the time, Steph told almost no one. It was something she kept quiet and shared only with her partner. She was still working, trying to navigate the reality of living with MS. She found herself retreating from friends, cancelling catchups, and avoiding questions she wasn’t prepared to answer. “It was like living a double life,” she remembers.

“Without Mastering Mountains, I may not even have these goals right now,” Steph says. “Now, I can live my life freely.”

— Steph Nierstenhoefer

Steph’s diagnosis was taking a toll both mentally and physically: “I wasn’t feeling well, and the stress of the whole situation was exacerbating my symptoms. On top of that, I knew I was likely to lose my job as well. It was an incredibly challenging time.”

A spark of hope

Steph has long dreamed of completing all of New Zealand’s Great Walks. After conquering the Tongariro Crossing in 2019, her journey was paused by health challenges and the pandemic.

When Steph’s community advisor from MS Auckland suggested she apply for the Mastering Mountains Programme, which held the possibility of continuing her mission, she did not hesitate to apply. Exercise had always been important to her, but in recent years it had felt out of reach. Still, there was something about the opportunity that sparked hope. She didn’t expect to get a place on the programme, but decided that if she did, she would go public with her diagnosis.

**Steph, walking the Milford Track**. Credit: Steph Nierstenhoefer

Receiving a place filled Steph with a sense of validation. It acknowledged her struggle with invisible symptoms – and her potential to move beyond them. Now, with the support of the grant, she could attempt another walk: the Milford Track, which winds through some of Aotearoa’s most beautiful landscapes.

Steph did end up losing her job, but this became a gift in disguise. With the extra free time, she could focus fully on her health: on physiotherapy (funded by the programme), rebuilding strength, and preparing mentally for the journey ahead. The combination of physical support through physiotherapy and emotional support through mentoring enabled Steph to adapt, rest, and push herself within her new limits.

Her rehab journey wasn’t without its challenges – fatigue, illness, and frustration. She recalls a particular moment at the beginning of her training, when she became very ill and was confined to bed: “It was quite demoralising, because I had to start from scratch again,” she says. Yet, Steph’s resilient mindset kicked in: “I learned to pick myself up again,” she says, “I realised that my body is stronger than I sometimes give it credit for.”

The Milford Track

TIn February 2025, Steph achieved her goal of completing the Milford Track. It took four days, and equipped with a number of strategies to manage her fatigue, she completed it with her family by her side. “I shared my strategies with them at the beginning of my training, and they’d prompt me to rest or ask how I was feeling. Their reminders to take breaks, slow down or simply refuel on a regular basis made a big difference.”

Steph still plans to hike all the NZ Great Walks within the next eight years, with the Routeburn Track next on her list.

**Out on a training mission**. Credit: Steph Nierstenhoefer

Shifting perspective & telling her story

Reflecting on her journey, Steph experienced two significant shifts. One was her attitude to her physical ability. In the 25 years prior to her diagnosis, she had been an active runner, competing in numerous events and races. Although she may not be able to run 10 km anymore, she can still do 4 km. She came to realise that changes in her physical capacity merely redefined her abilities and offered the opportunity for acceptance and a new perspective. “I’m learning to accept that things are different,” she says. “It’s not a straightforward journey, and it might be my norm in the future to have setbacks. It’s okay ... things don’t need to be perfect.”

Perhaps the biggest shift for Steph came when she began to share her story. She started an Instagram account to document her journey, something she never thought she’d do. “I’m a fiercely private person,” she says. It was terrifying at first, but this turned out to be a positive experience. Telling her story has resulted in overwhelming support and affirmation from her community.

**At the highest point of the Milford Track, Steph takes a moment to appreciate the landscape**. Credit: Steph Nierstenhoefer

An exciting future ahead

The grant was nothing short of life-changing for Steph. “Without Mastering Mountains, I may not even have these goals right now,” she says, “I think I would’ve continued to live a double life, without telling anyone what’s really going on. Now, I can live my life freely.”

Living with MS still brings its share of ups and downs. “Some days, I feel great; others, I struggle just to get moving,” she admits. But she’s no longer afraid of setbacks. Instead, she’s learning to embrace them, trusting that persistence pays off and progress will come. “It’s been about grit,” she explains, “accepting challenges, adapting, and refusing to give up on my love for the outdoors.”

Steph knows she can’t predict the future, but she no longer sees that as something to fear. “I’ve learned to embrace uncertainty with a sense of adventure,” she says. “The future feels exciting again.”