My Cat 1 racer wife uses a 36 on her XTR 1x11. I offer this information for no reason other than shameless bragging. She's awesome.
Your wife is an animal. And I mean that as a compliment.
I'm thinking of stepping up to a 34T, 36T would be pushing it for me... too weak and too fat.
I wish my wife would race. She rides, but not on an MTB. 
Thanks - she is amazingly strong. I remember when I was stronger than her. It's quite a while back now.
She did consider stepping it down from the 36 after we did a ride with friends (another crazy-fast lady and her husband, who is more my speed) in a park where it was either climbing or descending and the grades were ridiculous. I was suffering on my 22/36, so her 36/40 was turning out to be a bit steep for even her.
