In this episode of Life Stories, Shara sits down with Patti Shales Lefkos, an adventurous writer, humanitarian, and former educator who proves it’s never too late to follow your calling. After retiring from a 37-year career in education, Patti returned to school at 60 to study journalism and eventually began writing books about her travels and humanitarian work.

Her love for Nepal led her to trek thousands of kilometers through the Himalayas and start a nonprofit helping communities rebuild after the devastating 2015 Nepal Earthquake. Through fundraising, storytelling, and partnerships with local organizations, Patti has helped build schools, rebuild homes, and support education for children in remote villages.

Patti also shares stories from her incredible 800-kilometer trek on the Great Himalaya Trail at age 77, what she has learned about resilience and privilege, and why she believes anyone can make a difference by simply taking one step at a time.

To find out more about Patti's work, visit pattishaleslefkos.com