We were lucky to catch up with Sarah Locke recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, thanks for joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

**The Risk That Redefined Everything: Turning a Diagnosis into a Movement**

In 2019, my life took a turn I never saw coming—one that flipped my world upside down, forcing me to reevaluate everything I thought I knew about myself, my strength, and my future. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) entered my life like an uninvited guest, disrupting my plans, my independence, and my sense of control. The diagnosis wasn’t just a label—it was a wake-up call, a reminder that life doesn’t always follow the carefully planned script we envision.

At first, fear took the wheel. MS is unpredictable, changing from one day to the next like a roulette wheel, dictating whether I wake up feeling strong or struggling to move. The uncertainty was overwhelming, and for a while, albeit a short while, I let that fear dictate my decisions. I pulled back from things I loved, questioning whether my body could keep up, whether I had the stamina to keep pushing forward. The future looked different now, and I had no choice but to adapt. I was diagnosed only a few short months before the pandemic came rushing in and the unknown created anxiety. I was making decisions to start medications that suppress my immune system and therefore open me up to any and all infections/viruses. I was scared of the world a round me.

But here’s the thing—I’ve never been one to sit back and surrender. As I processed my diagnosis, something inside me shifted. Instead of letting MS define me, I chose to redefine the narrative. The risk wasn’t just about learning to live with a chronic illness—it was about turning my pain into purpose. That’s how Locke’s Promise was born. We started with a group hike up Mount Washington to raise awareness and see if we could raise some money for the National MS Society because my understanding is they funded research that would someday, hopefully find a cure. We raised $10,000 on a facebook fundraiser page! I wanted to grow it, so 2 years later I introduced Climb the Peak for MS where it was an event run using the National MS Societies fundraising page but it allowed me to build and create the event. Fast forward to our 3rd year of the event and raising over $50,000 to date, we introduced 2 new events the MS Golf Classic, Swinging For A Cure and Rides & Wranglers for MS. It dawned on me that I didn’t have to do this alone, meaning the disease or the fundraising, and that’s where Locke’s Promise, Inc, really came to life and I officially signed and submitted the paperwork March 2025!

Starting a nonprofit from scratch was a massive risk. There were countless unknowns—would people rally around the mission? Would I have the energy to advocate, fundraise, and build something impactful while navigating my own health struggles? Would I fail?

But none of those fears outweighed the fire I felt inside to make a difference. I knew firsthand what it felt like to face MS head-on—the emotional weight, the financial burden, the need for a community that truly understands. And if I could create a space where others felt seen, supported, and empowered, then the risk was worth taking. The tag line and goal of Locke’s Promise is that those living or supporting someone with MS never have to do it alone! We are a support system, a sounding board and a place to ask for help whether it financially or otherwise. We will find the answers.

My hope is that Locke’s Promise becomes my *legacy*—a nonprofit that provides tangible support, spreads awareness, and amplifies advocacy efforts for the MS community. Through events, fundraisers, and educational initiatives, we’ve helped people facing MS feel less alone while also contributing to research for a cure.

The risk paid off in ways I never imagined. Locke’s Promise isn’t just a nonprofit—it’s a movement, proof that our greatest challenges can be turned into our greatest contributions. MS may have flipped my life upside down, but taking the risk to build something bigger than myself is what truly gave me my power back.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Turning Adversity into Advocacy: The Story Behind Locke’s Promise

For those who don’t know me, I’m Sarah, the founder of Locke’s Promise, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting, advocating for, and empowering those affected by Multiple Sclerosis (MS). My journey with MS began in 2019, when I was diagnosed with a disease I barely understood—one that flipped my world upside down and forced me to navigate life in ways I never anticipated.

Like many facing a life-altering diagnosis, I grieved the future I thought I had. I had been fearless, active, and unstoppable, hiking mountains, tackling obstacle courses, and pushing my limits every chance I got. Suddenly, I was faced with an unpredictable disease—one that could change how I felt day by day, hour by hour. MS made movement uncertain, forced me into a deep mental and emotional reckoning, and made me question how I could keep living a life that felt meaningful.

But here’s the thing—I don’t back down.

Instead of letting MS define me, I chose to turn my struggle into strength—not just for myself, but for the entire MS community. That’s how Locke’s Promise came to life. I wanted to create a space for education, awareness, and action, where those living with MS could feel seen, supported, and empowered to keep pushing forward, no matter the challenges. Where they didn’t feel alone.

What We Do at Locke’s Promise

Locke’s Promise is more than a nonprofit—it’s a movement built around community, advocacy, and tangible support. We focus on:

– Raising Funds for MS Research– Organizing fundraisers, events, and campaigns that fuel progress toward better treatments and, one day, a cure.
– Bringing Awareness – Amplifying real stories, educating people about MS, and shining a light on the daily realities of living with this disease.
– Creating Connection – Offering resources, support groups, and shared experiences for those navigating MS, so no one ever feels alone in their fight.
– Hosting Impactful Events – From hiking challenges to Jeep off-roading adventures and golf tournaments, we turn awareness into action, encouraging people to engage with the cause in ways that matter.

What Sets Locke’s Promise Apart?

MS is often invisible—it’s misunderstood, under-estimated, and far too many people don’t grasp the true impact it has on those living with it. What sets Locke’s Promise apart is our unwavering commitment to storytelling, awareness, and movement—not just sitting back, but taking action.

We make sure that those with MS aren’t just defined by their diagnosis but celebrated for their resilience. We take the narrative beyond medical jargon and statistics and focus on real lives, real struggles, and real victories—because every small step forward is worth celebrating.

What I’m Most Proud Of

There’s nothing easy about launching a nonprofit, especially while navigating MS myself. But if there’s one thing I’m most proud of, it’s this: creating something bigger than myself. Seeing people find community, support, and purpose through Locke’s Promise is the greatest reward I could ask for. And it started with the Board Members of Locke’s Promise, they were eager to come together and build something great together, something that gave us all a little deeper meaning.

Watching our fundraisers succeed, seeing MS warriors step into their strength, and knowing we’re fostering a movement that matters—these moments remind me why I took this risk. MS may have changed my life, but I refused to let it take my purpose.

What I Want You to Know

If there’s one thing I want people to take away from Locke’s Promise, it’s this: We are stronger together. Whether you’re battling MS, supporting someone who is, or simply looking to make an impact, there’s a place for you in this fight.

Every dollar raised, every conversation started, every step taken toward awareness—it matters.

MS may challenge us, but it will not break us.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One of the most powerful examples of my own resilience is my Mount Washington climb, a moment that tested not only my hysical strength but also my determination to redefine life with MS.

After my diagnosis in 2019, I faced the reality that my body no longer moved the way it once did. The long hikes I loved, the physical challenges that once fueled me—they all became uncertain. But rather than surrender to the limitations MS imposed, I set a goal that would push me to the edge—hiking Mount Washington, the tallest peak in the Northeast, as a fundraiser for the National MS Society.

The climb itself was brutal. My body fought me every step. The unpredictable terrain, the strain of exertion, the relentless uncertainty of how MS would react to the effort—it was all a battle. But I refused to stop. Supported by a group of friends who understood my determination, i pushed forward, stopping when needed but never giving up.

At a quiet pond nestled between peaks, I reached into my pack and pulled out a rock—a symbolic weight she had carried with me. It was painted with an orange feather, representing MS awareness, the act of letting go, and the burden of my diagnosis. I placed it on the shore and whispered “FU, MS” before turning back to the trail, leaving my fear behind and continuing the climb.

When I reached the summit, the emotion overwhelmed me. My body ached, but my spirit soared—because MS hadn’t won. I had conquered the impossible, proving to myself and the world that my diagnosis was just another challenge to overcome, not a limit on my strength.

And in the ultimate full-circle moment, my fundraiser hit $10,000 just as I descended the mountain, turning my pain into purpose, her fight into impact.

That moment wasn’t just about a physical victory—it was about me reclaiming control over my narrative, proving that no matter how hard the battle, I would keep moving forward.

My resilience isn’t just a trait—it’s who I am.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the greatest misconceptions about Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is that once you’re diagnosed, your life is over—that it’s an inevitable descent into disability, isolation, and limitations. It’s a fear that so many people internalize, especially in those first few moments after hearing the words, “You have MS.” But here’s the truth: MS isn’t a death sentence, and it doesn’t mean life suddenly stops—it just means you navigate it differently.

When I was diagnosed in 2019, my mind immediately raced to the worst-case scenarios. Would I still be able to hike, explore, adventure? Would my body betray me completely? Would I become someone defined by my diagnosis rather than my passions, achievements, and ambitions? The uncertainty was suffocating, and for a brief time, I let fear take control.

But here’s what I’ve learned, not just from personal experience but from countless others who are thriving despite MS: this disease may change how you move through the world, but it does NOT take away the ability to live, love, and succeed.

Yes, MS comes with challenges—flare-ups, fatigue, mobility changes—but it also comes with community, resilience, and adaptability. People living with MS summit mountains, start businesses, run marathons, raise families, and make an impact every single day. Their stories prove that MS isn’t an ending—it’s just a new chapter.

I’ve had to reframe my mindset, to recognize that while MS has reshaped certain aspects of my life, it has also pushed me toward purpose. It led me to create Locke’s Promise, to advocate for awareness, and to prove that people with MS are unstoppable.

So, if there’s one lesson I wish more people knew, it’s this: MS doesn’t mean you stop—it means you adapt, you fight, and you keep moving forward. The diagnosis doesn’t define you; what you do with it does.

Contact Info:

• Website: Our website launches on June 1st: www.lockespromise.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574949238113
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lockes-promise-inc/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNwHm-Ja8Hk

Image Credits

I took all the photos or created the photos that have been supplied in this submission :)