I started mountain leading while at Uni, first with friends in the hiking club, then with Scouts back home. I realised I had a natural aptitude fr leading and started training for the skills. After I started my first job in Derbyshire I took up climbing, passed my ML(S) and SPA and carried on leading Scouts, and being led by Scouts, including trips to Arolla and the Jotunheimen. When I moved again I took up fell running and orienteering and my nav has come on leaps and bounds! I led more walks in winter in Scotland, went back to Norway, and on to East Greenland. Since then I've taken up more sports, passed my ML(W) and have led walks in Switzerland.
Although I've never led walks or climbs for money, I've always enjoyed it and try to strike a balance between my own fitness and objectives, and spending time leading groups when I want to be focused on their needs.
In the future I'd consider further training and assessment in other sports, such as going for a yachtmaster, Scottish off-piste skiing, and IML... but what's the rush? Mountain leader training has been fun, taught me valuable skills and given me a sense of achievement. I've pushed myself to go and get deeper experience in areas I may have otherwise given up for alternative sports, but it has stood my personal skills and professional (albeit unpaid) leading career in good stead. Thanks MLTB/A/E/S!