Jyoti Ratre’s journey is a stunning testament to the strength of willpower and the fire of passion. From being married at 18 and defined by familial responsibilities to summiting Mt. Everest at 55, she defied every limitation society placed on her. Refused by trainers and told her lungs were too weak, she created her own path — training in a weighted jacket while doing household chores and conquering mountains one peak at a time. As the oldest Indian woman to scale Everest and a trailblazer who has climbed the highest peaks on five continents, Jyoti proves that age, gender, or circumstance can never cage a dream fueled by purpose. Her transformation from a small-town homemaker to a record-setting mountaineer and entrepreneur is not just inspiring — it’s revolutionary. Jyoti Ratre is an adventurer, entrepreneur, and a living testament to the power of determination. In 2024, she made history as the Oldest Indian Woman to summit Mt. Everest, proving that age is no barrier to bold dreams. A seasoned mountaineer and runner, she has also conquered the highest peaks across five continents, inspiring countless others to break limits and rise — both literally and metaphorically. As an entrepreneur, Jyoti brings the same grit and passion to her work, empowering people to pursue their purpose with courage and conviction. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx