I discovered in my mid 20s that I had Acrophobia - an extreme and irrational fear of heights. I couldn't even hike up a hill because if I happened to glance back the way I came, I would freeze on the spot, until my hiking partner pointed me back uphill and told me not to look down.

After several embarrassing hiking incidents, I decided to confront my fear head-on by going to the local climbing gym. From my very first climb, I was hooked. Soon I was teaching people to climb at the gym on a regular basis, leading the women's climbing nights and organizing climbing events.

But that was all indoors. Pulling on plastic is fun, but nothing compared to real rock. I started climbing outdoors with some friends and discovered cool new climbing phrases like "Elvis legs," "leaving DNA on rock," or "Can you give me some Beta on that route you just sent?" Not to mention jugs and racks. Don't ask.

Nevertheless, I was gripped with new enthusiasm and passion.

I've been climbing more than 11 years, mostly trad and sport. I have taken numerous training courses with International Mountain Climbing School in North Conway, NH, and I have taken the American Mountain Guides Assocation (AMGA) Top Rope Site Management Course. I work for Sterling Rope Co., a climbing and rescue/safety rope manufacturer, as their dealer services manager and events coordinator. As the events coordinator, I organize 4-5 women's climbing events per year throughout the U.S., as well as rescue/safety training events.

I still have a healthy fear of heights, but it is manageable. Most of the time. When my Elvis legs start shaking on a steep ledge, I revert back to my old way of controlling my fear. Don't look down.