Michael Woods made a major lifestyle change and is now proving his doubters wrong
Michael Woods wants to inspire others (Image: Tiger Watts)
A dad is proving his doubters wrong by undertaking the “biggest challenge of his life”. Michael Woods, 34, from West Derby, was born deaf and lives with his partner Susie and his children Isabelle and Joseph, who is also deaf.
Michael said he feels he has to work twice as hard in anything he does due to the condition, including navigating challenges every day that others never have to consider. He speaks openly about his condition on his social media channels and podcasts.
Michael told the ECHO: “Most people don’t realise how much work goes into understanding and being understood. Watching faces, reading lips, interpreting body language, it’s a constant effort.
“Growing up deaf, I faced a lot of assumptions about what I couldn’t do. People judged me before giving me a chance, which was frustrating. But instead of letting it hold me back, I used it to prove them wrong.”
As a child, Michael used to hate walking and wasn’t a very sporty person. However, that all changed in 2015. He wanted to get in good shape before the birth of his daughter Isabelle, and started going to the gym. After that he became interested in hiking and climbing.
Michael said: “It started in 2015 when I wanted to get fit for the birth of my first child. I started hiking as a way to get active, but I quickly fell in love with the mountains.
“There’s something about the raw beauty, the physical challenge, and the sense of achievement that hooked me. It wasn’t just about fitness anymore, it became about pushing my limits and finding myself in the process.”
Michael said being deaf has given him a stronger connection to the world around him. He said: “When I’m in the mountains, the silence isn’t just peaceful, it’s powerful.
“I experience the environment in a way that feels completely unique—through sight, touch, and even vibrations. It’s an intimate connection that many people might not think about.”
After his very first trip up a mountain, which was Snowdonia, Michael set himself the ambition of climbing Mount Everest one day, which is the highest mountain above sea level on earth. He said: “Climbing Everest isn’t just about me. It’s about showing the deaf community that we can achieve anything we set our minds to.
“Growing up, there weren’t many role models who showed that deaf people could take on big challenges like this. I want to change that.
Michael took up mountaineering in 2015 (Image: Michael Woods)
“I want the deaf community to know they belong everywhere—whether it’s on top of a mountain or in any other dream they have. This is my way of breaking barriers and inspiring others to go beyond their limits.”
Michael has had to climb various different mountains to prepare for Everest and at times has had to be creative. He was taking part in the Welsh Three Peaks Challenge in 2023, which involves reaching the peak of 15 summits in under 24 hours.
With just two peaks left, Michael felt his knee becoming stiff at around 1am in the morning. He had little food and drink left, just 7% on his phone battery and with no interpreter with him, a call to the emergency services wouldn’t have worked.
He said: “It was very painful for me when I was limping. I decided to take a rest. I sat down and I realised my knee was locked and I couldn’t walk anymore. The only signal was for the emergency services.
“I couldn’t tell them over the phone so I managed to text 999 and it actually managed to go through. We had that dialogue at the top of the mountain and they relayed it to the mountain rescue service.”
Eventually they came up with a solution. Michael’s call to 999 was sent to an answerphone, enabling his location to be tracked via GPS. A helicopter was then sent to help him.
Despite this and the other challenges he has faced, Michael believes it has made his success even more meaningful. He said: “In mountaineering, I’ve faced physical setbacks too, like altitude sickness and tough conditions.
“But the hardest part is often mental – overcoming self-doubt. Each setback has made me stronger, and I’m proud of how far I’ve come.”
Michael is hoping to climb Mount Everest next year(Image: Michael Woods)
Michael has secured his place on the 2026 Everest expedition with Seven Summit Trek. However, it will cost him £25,000 before flights are even taken into consideration.
He has started a GoFundMe page to help cover the costs and make his dreams into reality. There are a mixture of emotions as he looks ahead to the major challenge.
Michael said: “I’m feeling excited, nervous, and determined all at once. Everest is the biggest challenge of my life, but I feel ready for it. It’s been a long journey to get here, and I’ve trained hard physically and mentally.
Michael is already proud of what he has achieved in his mountaineering career so far. He said: “Looking back, it’s incredible how far I’ve come. When I started hiking to get fit for my first child, I never imagined it would lead to something like this.
“Now, I’m preparing for Everest, representing the deaf community, and inspiring others. It’s been a journey of growth—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
The person I was back then would never have believed this was possible, but I’ve learned that anything is achievable if you’re willing to work for it.” You can find out more about Michael’s fundraiser here.