After climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for children's charities, an Orange County man is back to share his story.

Frank Welling?s trek to the top of Africa?s tallest peak took six days. But Welling, a chiropractor and personal trainer who runs a Warwick gym, was physically ready for it.

?Probably the last day, the summit day, was the hardest,? says Welling.

The descent, he says, was much quicker but not exactly painless. The steep decline put such pressure on his feet that his toenails lifted off. But Welling says it was well worth it because the climb was for charity. With sponsors, Welling raised $40,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project and Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The whole journey has also taught Welling that life, like climbing, is all about pushing yourself. Welling says his new perspective is translating into more demanding workouts for his clients at his gym.

?You have to grow by stretching. So pretty much, I'll just take it and give it to my clients and kind of get them out of their comfort box ? that's my job,? says Welling.