The Struggle Climbing Show

Expert Analysis: Tactics with Eric Hörst

GOAT Coach, Eric Hörst, joins the show to look back at Season 1's interviews with 10 of the biggest names in climbing to see what themes and takeaways there are through the lens of Tactics.
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Eric literally wrote the book on Training for Climbing, which has numerous foreign translations and sold hundreds of thousands of copies worldwide. In addition to that, and 7 other books to his name, Eric is a member of the International Rock Climbing Researchers Association and is a published researcher. He’s been climbing for 45 years and coaching climbers for more than 30 of those. Eric’s love of climbing is perhaps only surpassed by his love of helping other climbers, of all abilities, to level up their training and performance, which he is doing with his business PhysiVantage. Eric is about to drop a masterclass on tactics, so chalk up!
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Topics:
Pursuit of mastery
Efficiency on route
Looking at climbing through a long lens
Rethinking a crux sequence
Sub-maximal training to improve top end
The importance of the people you climb with
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This season is supported by PhysiVantage, the official climbing-nutrition sponsor of The Struggle. Visit www.physivantage.com/discount/STRUGGLE15 to receive 15% off your full priced nutrition order. 
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The Struggle is carbon-neutral in partnership with The Honnold Foundation, whose mission is to promote solar energy for a more equitable world. 
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Want to be a podcast hero and score yourself some rad limited edition swag? Support the show and the climbers who make it by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/thestruggleclimbingshow
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Follow along on Instagram @thestruggleclimbingshow and @eric_horst. 
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Free Sticker Alert! Please rate and review the show -- it really helps us to reach a wider audience! Snap a pic of your review and post to IG and tag @thestruggleclimbingshow so that we can find you, and we'll send you a sticker just because you're rad.
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This show is hosted by Ryan Devlin and produced by Mary Mathis and Ryan Devlin, with additional support from Emily Holland.
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Let's climb hard and do good things in the world!
 
 

Expert Analysis: Nutrition with Caitlin Holmes

Caitlin Holmes, Certified Nutritional Specialist, joins the show to look back at Season 1's interviews with 10 of the biggest names in climbing to see what themes and takeaways there are through the lens of Nutrition.
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Caitlin received her MS in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine and now runs a nutrition coaching business where she primarily works with climbers and outdoor enthusiasts to develop effective nutrition plans for long-term health and performance. She’s also the co-host of The Average Climber Podcast which is equal parts informative and entertaining. Caitlin came prepared and ready to spill the tea on all things nutrition so that we all can get the most out of our training and climbing. Get ready for a nutrient-dense episode!
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Topics:
Performance nutrition vs everyday nutrition
Are sweets and treats evil?
Body composition vs "lighter is better" mentality
Protein and other supplements
Fad diets
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Want to dial in your nutrition with Caitlin's guidance? Visit caitlinholmes.com to set up a consult and view her coaching plans, or check out her self-guided program, Empowered, and score 20% off with code STRUGGLE at checkout!
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This season is supported by PhysiVantage, the official climbing-nutrition sponsor of The Struggle. Visit www.physivantage.com/discount/STRUGGLE15 to receive 15% off your full priced nutrition order. 
 
This episode is supported by Athletic Greens. Visit www.athleticgreens.com/struggle to receive a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D and 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase.
-
The Struggle is carbon-neutral in partnership with The Honnold Foundation, whose mission is to promote solar energy for a more equitable world. 
-
Want to be a podcast hero and score yourself some rad limited edition swag? Support the show and the climbers who make it by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/thestruggleclimbingshow
-
Follow along on Instagram @thestruggleclimbingshow and @dirtbagnutritionist. 
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Free Sticker Alert! Please rate and review the show -- it really helps us to reach a wider audience! Snap a pic of your review and post to IG and tag @thestruggleclimbingshow so that we can find you, and we'll send you a sticker just because you're rad.
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This show is hosted by Ryan Devlin and produced by Mary Mathis and Ryan Devlin, with additional support from Emily Holland.
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Let's climb hard and do good things in the world!
 
 

Expert Analysis: Training with Dr. Tyler Nelson

Dr. Tyler Nelson from Camp 4 Human Performance joins the show to look back at Season 1's interviews with 10 of the biggest names in climbing to see what themes and takeaways there are through the lens of Training.
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Tyler is bringing cutting edge science to the world of training for climbing and, in the process, he is blowing up myths of training that we’ve long thought to be true and helping climbers, from pros like Alex Johnson to everyday climbers, identify exactly what types of training will take their climbing performance to new heights. In graduate school Tyler completed a dual doctorate/masters degree in exercise science with an emphasis on tendon loading and rehabilitation. He is also a certified strength and conditioning specialist through the NSCA and teaches conferences worldwide on a host of topics. Strap on your helmet, this one is packed with truth bombs!
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Topics:
Fast fingers vs strong fingers
Injury prevention and rehab
How to know when you're approaching junk mileage
Common plateaus and how to break through
The pyramid scheme
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This season is supported by PhysiVantage, the official climbing-nutrition sponsor of The Struggle. Visit www.physivantage.com/discount/STRUGGLE15 to receive 15% off your full priced nutrition order. 
-
The Struggle is carbon-neutral in partnership with The Honnold Foundation, whose mission is to promote solar energy for a more equitable world. 
-
Want to be a podcast hero and score yourself some rad limited edition swag? Support the show and the climbers who make it by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/thestruggleclimbingshow
-
Follow along on Instagram @thestruggleclimbingshow and @c4hp. 
-
Free Sticker Alert! Please rate and review the show -- it really helps us to reach a wider audience! Snap a pic of your review and post to IG and tag @thestruggleclimbingshow so that we can find you, and we'll send you a sticker just because you're rad.
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This show is hosted by Ryan Devlin and produced by Mary Mathis and Ryan Devlin, with additional support from Emily Holland.
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Let's climb hard and do good things in the world!
 
 

Expert Analysis Overview

Ryan explains what to expect with the upcoming Expert Analysis episodes, reveals the lineup of wizards who will be lending their expertise, and looks back, through a lens of struggle, at Season One's 10 interviews with the biggest names in climbing.
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This season is supported by PhysiVantage, the official climbing-nutrition sponsor of The Struggle. Visit www.physivantage.com/discount/STRUGGLE15 to receive 15% off your full priced nutrition order. 
 
This episode is sponsored by FrictionLabs. Chalk up less and climb more with FrictionLabs! Visit www.frictionlabs.com and enter code STRUGGLE20 at checkout for 20% off your first order.
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The Struggle is carbon-neutral in partnership with The Honnold Foundation, whose mission is to promote solar energy for a more equitable world. 
-
Want to be a podcast hero and score yourself some rad limited edition swag? Support the show and the climbers who make it by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/thestruggleclimbingshow
-
Follow along on Instagram @thestruggleclimbingshow
-
Free Sticker Alert! Please rate and review the show -- it really helps us to reach a wider audience! Snap a pic of your review and post to IG and tag @thestruggleclimbingshow so that we can find you, and we'll send you a sticker just because you're rad.
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Let's climb hard and do good things in the world!

Lynn Hill

Elite climber Lynn Hill shares her struggles and breakthroughs in Training, Nutrition, Tactics, and Mental Game. 
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It’s hard to overstate just how impactful, badass, and groundbreaking Lynn has been on the sport of rock climbing and beyond. If you are a climber then you are standing on her shoulders. Lynn has been a dominant force in pretty much every discipline of climbing. She has won world cups as a comp climber, she was the first woman to onsight 8a, she was the first woman to climb 5.14, and most famously, she was the first human, man or woman, to free climb El Cap… as well as the first human, man or woman, to free it in a day.  With her famous line, "It goes, boys," Lynn smashed not only the glass ceiling on the sport of rock climbing, but also egos, doubts, and the common conventions of rock climbing at the time. Lynn continues to climb at an incredibly high level to this day, as well as champion gender equality and environmental issues as a fierce and outspoken advocate. We look back at her incredible career and life through the lens of struggle, and cover a lot of new territory in this chat that is both inspiring and useful for climbers of all level.
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This season is supported by PhysiVantage, the official climbing-nutrition sponsor of The Struggle. Visit www.physivantage.com/discount/STRUGGLE15 to receive 15% off your full priced nutrition order. 
 
This episode is supported by Athletic Greens. Visit www.athleticgreens.com/struggle to receive a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D and 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase.
-
The Struggle is carbon-neutral in partnership with The Honnold Foundation, whose mission is to promote solar energy for a more equitable world. 
-
Want to be a podcast hero and score yourself some rad limited edition swag? Support the show and the climbers who make it by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/thestruggleclimbingshow
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SHOW NOTES:
Struggle: 0:08:00
Training: 0:11:35
Nutrition: 0:13:56
Tactics: 0:18:45
Mental Game: 0:27:02
Purpose: 0:37:15
Takeaways: 0:44:00
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Follow along on Instagram @thestruggleclimbingshow and @_linacolina_. 
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Free Sticker Alert! Please rate and review the show -- it really helps us to reach a wider audience! Snap a pic of your review and post to IG and tag @thestruggleclimbingshow so that we can find you, and we'll send you a sticker just because you're rad.
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This show is hosted by Ryan Devlin and produced by Mary Mathis and Ryan Devlin, with additional support from Emily Holland and Joel Wafford. 
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Let's climb hard and do good things in the world!
 
 

Dru Mack

Elite climber Dru Mack shares his struggles and breakthroughs in Training, Nutrition, Tactics, and Mental Game. 
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Dru Mack is a master of endurance, perseverance, and psych. He grew up climbing on the long overhung sandstone routes of the Red River Gorge, and after sending pretty much everything there, he’s now tackling some of the toughest sport climbs in the western US and in Spain. How good is he? Well, in 2021, Dru put down 21 5.14s, including the insanely hard 14d, Life of Villains. He’s an incredibly hard working, gracious, and very cool person who shares actionable beta for pros to weekend warriors, and then opens up about mental health, addiction, mentorship, and grief. If you're a human, you will gain a lot from this conversation. 
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This season is supported by PhysiVantage, the official climbing-nutrition sponsor of The Struggle. Visit www.physivantage.com/discount/STRUGGLE15 to receive 15% off your full priced nutrition order. 
 
This episode is supported by Athletic Greens. Visit www.athleticgreens.com/struggle to receive a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D and 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase.
-
The Struggle is carbon-neutral in partnership with The Honnold Foundation, whose mission is to promote solar energy for a more equitable world. 
-
Want to be a podcast hero and score yourself some rad limited edition swag? Support the show and the climbers who make it by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/thestruggleclimbingshow
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SHOW NOTES:
Struggle: 0:05:17
Training: 0:7:46
Nutrition: 0:16:46
Tactics: 0:20:26
Mental Game: 0:26:15
Purpose: 0:29:34
Takeaways: 0:42:08
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Follow along on Instagram @thestruggleclimbingshow and @drumack5. 
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Free Sticker Alert! Please rate and review the show -- it really helps us to reach a wider audience! Snap a pic of your review and post to IG and tag @thestruggleclimbingshow so that we can find you, and we'll send you a sticker just because you're rad.
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Let's climb hard and do good things in the world!
 
 

Justin Salas

Elite climber Justin Salas shares his struggles and breakthroughs in Training, Nutrition, Tactics, and Mental Game. 
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Justin is a ridiculously strong boulderer and comp climber, with a seriously impressive resume including two IFSC silver medals, five national championships, and a world championship to his name. He’s a V-double-digit climber who just keeps getting stronger… oh, and he also happens to be blind. But if you think that holds him back you’re wrong. He was the first para-climber ever to send V11, and he’s also pushing into some super hard territory on sport routes. Did I mention he’s blind??? Justin is one of the kindest, most impressive, and stoked people I’ve ever had the pleasure of interviewing. And as you’ll hear in this chat, he is a really informed climber and has a ton of great advice for us. Beyond the crag, Justin is doing inspiring work to make climbing more accessible to the visually impaired, and he’s really pushing the sport forward for para-climbers as a member of the Adaptive Climbing Group.
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This season is supported by PhysiVantage, the official climbing-nutrition sponsor of The Struggle. Visit www.physivantage.com/discount/STRUGGLE15 to receive 15% off your full priced nutrition order. 
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This episode is sponsored by FrictionLabs (which happens to be Justin's chalk brand of choice as well). Chalk up less and climb more with FrictionLabs! Visit www.frictionlabs.com and enter code STRUGGLE20 at checkout for 20% off your first order.
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The Struggle is carbon-neutral in partnership with The Honnold Foundation, whose mission is to promote solar energy for a more equitable world. 
-
Want to be a podcast hero and score yourself some rad limited edition swag? Support the show and the climbers who make it by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/thestruggleclimbingshow
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SHOW NOTES:
Struggle: 0:05:00
Training: 0:15:00
Nutrition: 0:20:17
Tactics: 0:25:30
Mental Game: 0:29:10
Purpose: 0:34:46
Takeaways: 0:42:28
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Follow along on Instagram @thestruggleclimbingshow and @vengasalas. 
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Free Sticker Alert! Please rate and review the show -- it really helps us to reach a wider audience! Snap a pic of your review and post to IG and tag @thestruggleclimbingshow so that we can find you, and we'll send you a sticker just because you're rad.
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Let's climb hard and do good things in the world!
 
 

Alex Johnson

Elite climber Alex Johnson shares her struggles and breakthroughs in Training, Nutrition, Tactics, and Mental Game. 
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Alex Johnson is one of the most badass boulderers out there, and she just keeps getting stronger. She’s won Nationals 5 times and has 2 World Cup gold medals, she has bouldered 100 v10s (what?!) and famously sent the insanely tough V14, The Swarm. What she experienced AFTER she finally sent that life goal project will probably surprise you. AJ has dialed in her training to a science and she pulls the curtain back on that in our chat, along with so much more. Beyond climbing, Alex is advancing LGBTQ+ issues as an ambassador with Athlete Ally, and has helped to develop some really cool giveback products with Evolve and Athletic Brewing. As Alex shares, she goes 100% or not at all… and that is clear in this interview.
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CHAPTERS:
Struggle: 0:04:14
Training: 0:6:52
Nutrition: 0:15:25
Tactics: 0:21:22
Mental Game: 0:31:29
Purpose: 0:40:02
Takeaways: 0:47:52
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This season is supported by PhysiVantage, the official climbing-nutrition sponsor of The Struggle. Visit www.physivantage.com/discount/STRUGGLE15 to receive 15% off your full priced nutrition order. 
-
The Struggle is carbon-neutral in partnership with The Honnold Foundation, whose mission is to promote solar energy for a more equitable world. 
-
Want to be a podcast hero and score yourself some rad limited edition swag? Support the show and the climbers who make it by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/thestruggleclimbingshow
-
Follow along on Instagram @thestruggleclimbingshow and @alexjohnson89
-
Please rate and review the show -- it really helps us to reach a wider audience! If you'd like to score yourself a free sticker (and obvs you do), rate/review the show and snap a pic of that, then post to IG and tag @thestruggleclimbing show so that we can find you, and we'll send you a sticker just because you're rad.
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Let's climb hard and do good things in the world!
 
 

Alex Honnold

Elite climber Alex Honnold shares his struggles and breakthroughs in Training, Nutrition, Tactics, and Mental Game. 
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Alex Honnold is the biggest name in rock climbing and has tackled some of the sport's biggest climbs. He's the only human to free solo El Cap, a feat that is just mind boggling. He holds the El Cap speed record of the The Nose with his bromance Tommy Caldwell, with whom he’s completed numerous envelope-pushing adventures such as the Fitz Traverse, the Yosemite Triple Crown, and the CDUL. He is so skilled, controlled, and dominant on big walls and heady climbs, one wonders if he even knows what struggle is. Well you’re about to find out. Beyond climbing, Alex is the founder of the Honnold Foundation, whose mission is to support solar energy for a more equitable world. Alex shares the non-profit’s humble beginnings, where its heading, and why we should embrace solar now.
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CHAPTERS:
Struggle: 0:03:58
Training: 0:5:03
Nutrition: 0:13:19
Tactics: 0:16:28
Mental Game: 0:21:53
Purpose: 0:28:44
What's Next: 39:27
Takeaways: 0:43:45
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This season is supported by PhysiVantage, the official climbing-nutrition sponsor of The Struggle. Visit www.physivantage.com/discount/STRUGGLE15 to receive 15% off your full priced nutrition order. 
-
The Struggle is carbon-neutral in partnership with The Honnold Foundation, whose mission is to promote solar energy for a more equitable world. 
-
Want to be a podcast hero and score yourself some rad limited edition swag? Support the show and the climbers who make it by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/thestruggleclimbingshow
-
Follow along on Instagram @thestruggleclimbingshow and @alexhonnold
-
Please rate and review the show -- it really helps us to reach a wider audience! If you'd like to score yourself a free sticker (and obvs you do), rate/review the show and snap a pic of that, then post to IG and tag @thestruggleclimbing show so that we can find you, and we'll send you a sticker just because you're rad.
-
Let's climb hard and do good things in the world!
 
 

Kevin Jorgeson

Elite climber Kevin Jorgeson shares his struggles and breakthroughs in Training, Nutrition, Tactics, and Mental Game. 
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You know Kevin from his iconic first free ascent of The Dawn Wall along with Tommy Caldwell, a climb that took over 6 years to put together and is widely known as the most challenging big wall route in the world. Kevin is an incredibly accomplished climber, from dominating comps as a youth to becoming one of the strongest boulderers in the world with sends up to V14, including first ascents on the now classic Buttermilk highballs The Beautiful And The Damned and Ambrosia. In this episode, Kevin shares his struggles and breakthroughs, from being terrified of the height on El Cap, to fear of failure, to recovering from a recent pulley injury. We also dive into his incredibly inspiring work to introduce a million kids to climbing through his non-profit organization called 1Climb, and also his work to open up a world class gym in his home town.
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CHAPTERS:
Struggle: 0:05:11
Training: 0:7:19
Nutrition: 0:15:12
Tactics: 0:18:52
Mental Game: 0:24:05
Purpose: 0:34:40
Takeaways: 0:41:35
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This season is supported by PhysiVantage, the official climbing-nutrition sponsor of The Struggle. Visit www.physivantage.com/discount/STRUGGLE15 to receive 15% off your full priced nutrition order. 
 
This episode is supported by Athletic Greens. Visit www.athleticgreens.com/struggle to receive a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D and 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase.
-
The Struggle is carbon-neutral in partnership with The Honnold Foundation, whose mission is to promote solar energy for a more equitable world. 
-
Want to be a podcast hero and score yourself some rad limited edition swag? Support the show and the climbers who make it by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/thestruggleclimbingshow
-
Follow along on Instagram @thestruggleclimbingshow and @kjorgeson
-
Please rate and review the show -- it really helps us to reach a wider audience! If you'd like to score yourself a free sticker (and obvs you do), rate/review the show and snap a pic of that, then post to IG and tag @thestruggleclimbing show so that we can find you, and we'll send you a sticker just because you're rad.
-
Let's climb hard and do good things in the world!