The Struggle Climbing Show
The best rock climbers in the world share their struggles and breakthroughs in Training, Nutrition, Tactics, and Mental Game. Hosted by Ryan Devlin. If you love rock climbing and want to get better at it, chalk up and pull on.
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Episodes
Wednesday Sep 13, 2023
Wednesday Sep 13, 2023
Elite climber Michaela Kiersch shares her struggles and breakthroughs in Training, Nutrition, Tactics, and Mental Game
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Michaela Kiersch has been crushing for decades. She’s the first woman to climb both 5.15a and V14 (9a+ / 8B+). The 5.15 was La Rambla, and as Michaela shares today, she doesn't feel like she has yet hit her limit in sport grades. Other notable sport sends for Michaela include the 14d/9a ascent of the Chris Sharma line Dreamcatcher in Squamish, a first female ascent of another classic Sharma route, Necessary Evil, and pretty much everything at the Red River Gorge, including the 14c FFA of The Golden Ticket. On the blocks she’s got a few V14 (8B+) sends to her name, including Tigris Sit and New Base Line, both in Magic Wood. And what’s perhaps more impressive than her ticklist is the fact that she’s done pretty much all of it while being a full-time student and youth coach. If you want to get psyched on what we’re all capable of accomplishing with busy lives and limited time to train… you’re in the right place.
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CHAPTERS:
Struggle: 0:10:10
Training: 0:12:01
Nutrition: 0:26:52
Tactics: 0:36:33
Mental Game: 0:46:00
Purpose: 0:57:14
Takeaways: 1:03:22
Follow along on Instagram @michaelakiersch and @thestruggleclimbingshow.
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The Struggle is on YouTube! Watch interviews with the sport's best climbers come to life with amazing footage and actionable takeaways that'll help you to level up your Training, Nutrition, Tactics, and Mental Game. Check it all out at YouTube.com/@thestruggleclimbingshow.
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BIG THANKS TO THE AMAZING SPONSORS OF THE STRUGGLE:
Crimpd: The absolute best tool for self-coached climbers to stay on track with training. Visit Crimpd.com to download the app for FREE and take your training to the next level.
SCARPA: Whether you’re a climber, trail runner, skier, or hiker, SCARPA offers an array of adventure footwear for the adventure seeker in you. with a commitment to sustainability. Shop the whole collection at SCARPA.com. SCARPA, No Place Too Far.
PhysiVantage: the official climbing-nutrition sponsor of The Struggle. Use code STRUGGLE15 at checkout for 15% off your full-priced nutrition order.
Frictitious Climbing: Check out their revolutionary doorway mount for hangboards (no drilling!) along with their amazing boards for training your fingers at home or on the road. Score 20% off a board when you purchase a doorway mount.
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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 gain access to 20+ hours of exclusive content featuring Chris Sharma, Alex Honnold, Nina Williams, Ravioli Biceps, Michaela Kiersch, Emil Abrahamsson and more? Support the show and the climbers who make it by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/thestruggleclimbingshow
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Still reading? You deserve a free sticker: Please rate and review the show -- it really helps us to reach a wider audience! Snap a pic of your review, 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 produced and hosted by Ryan Devlin. The Struggle is a proud member of the Plug Tone Audio Collective, a diverse group of the best, most impactful podcasts in the outdoor industry.
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The struggle makes us stronger. Let's climb hard and do good things in the world!
Thursday Sep 07, 2023
Thursday Sep 07, 2023
Dr. Tyler Nelson dives deep into all things finger strength 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 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. Get ready to get strong!
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Topics:
The difference between strength training protocols and hypertrophy protocols, and why many climbers are getting it wrong
How to balance off the wall finger strength training with on the wall climbing
Exploring the various methodologies of finger strength training
Why using a fingerboard doesn’t make sense for training strength in experienced climbers
Why most climbers are doing too many hang board reps that are too long for building strength
Proper set/rep schemes for building strength
Whether a no hang protocol like Emil’s viral routine is actually beneficial
Minimal edge training vs just climbing
The significant benefit of training fingers on an un-level edge
How to switch things up to build muscular endurance
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Follow along on Instagram @c4hp and @thestruggleclimbingshow.
Get $10 off a Tindeq with code C4HP at https://tindeq.com/?ref=530
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THANKS TO THE SPONSORS WHO SUPPORT THE STRUGGLE:
PhysiVantage: the official climbing-nutrition sponsor of The Struggle. Use code STRUGGLE15 at checkout for 15% off your full-priced nutrition order.
Fricition Labs is the official chalk sponsor of The Struggle. Level up your grip game with the best in the biz, free of fillers, rosins, and drying agents so your skin stays healthier. Use code STRUGGLE20 for 20% off at frictionlabs.com.
KAYA Climb: Log your boulder sends and access 35+ GPS guidebooks and 300k community-uploaded beta videos. Download for free, and get 20% the PRO version HERE
-The Struggle is on YouTube! Watch interviews with the sport's best climbers come to life with amazing footage and actionable takeaways that'll help you to level up your Training, Nutrition, Tactics, and Mental Game. Check it all out at YouTube.com/@thestruggleclimbingshow.
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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.
-
This show is produced and hosted by Ryan Devlin. The Struggle is a proud member of the Plug Tone Audio Collective, a diverse group of the best, most impactful podcasts in the outdoor industry.
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The Struggle makes us stronger. Thank you so much for supporting this show! And if you're still reading (wow!) would you take 10 seconds to rate/review the show? Thanks so much, it makes a big difference in reaching more climbers!
Thursday Aug 31, 2023
Thursday Aug 31, 2023
Coach Eric Horst continues the Road to 13a series with me as we explore my summer training (and what I did wrong), and then gets specific on how to level up my endurance and tactics for the hardest route I've ever taken on.
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Eric is the host of the Training4Climbing podcast, author of numerous climbing bibles, pro coach for decades, founder of Physivantage nutrition, and all around crusher in his own right. Regardless of your style, grade, or goals, this conversation will help you to plan your projects and training in a manner that leads to big gains. Topics covered include:
- Reviewing my summer training and where I hit and missed - Overview of the 13s I tried, and which one I chose- How to break down a limit route for training and tactics- Should I keep or lose strength training as we get in-season- How to build maximum endurance in 6 weeks- The impact of body composition on an overhung route- The power of believing
This BONUS episode is brought to you by Patrons and Subscribers of the show. If you're getting value from this podcast it would mean a lot to me if you'd consider coming aboard. For as little as $5 per month you get full access to Pro Clinics, bonus episodes, extended and ad-free episodes, and other cool perks. Thanks for supporting me if you can! www.patreon.com/thestruggleclimbingshow
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Follow along on Instagram @thestruggleclimbingshow and @eric_horst
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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.
-This show is produced and hosted by Ryan Devlin. The Struggle is a proud member of the Plugtone Audio Collective, a diverse group of the best, most impactful podcasts in the outdoor industry.-The struggle makes us stronger! Thanks for listening.
Wednesday Aug 23, 2023
Wednesday Aug 23, 2023
Elite climber James Lucas shares his struggles and breakthroughs in Training, Nutrition, Tactics, and Mental Game
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As a climber, James is incredibly accomplished and well-rounded, with impressive big wall sends that include freeing El Cap’s Freerider in a day along with loads of other big wall sends in the valley including the FA of Final Frontier, a Grade V 13b in the Valley. And while James is perhaps most experienced and known for his work on big walls, he has pushed himself into other disciplines with the goal of sending V10 boulders and 5.14 sport, the former of which he has done, and the latter of which he is zeroing in on. Beyond climbing, James is a prolific writer and photographer. He served as Senior Associate Editor of Climbing Magazine for 30 issues and has contributed to countless other climbing outlets, from Rock and Ice to Outside Mag to the Alpinist. This guy has some of the absolute best stories from his dirtbag days living in his Saturn and the caves of Yosemite, climbing with some of the biggest names in our sport, and bringing curiosity and stoke to all that he takes on.
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CHAPTERS:
Struggle: 0:05:43
Training: 0:09:59
Nutrition: 0:21:36
Tactics: 0:29:15
Mental Game: 0:42:15
Purpose: 0:53:26
Follow along on Instagram @james_lucas and @thestruggleclimbingshow.
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The Struggle is on YouTube! Watch interviews with the sport's best climbers come to life with amazing footage and actionable takeaways that'll help you to level up your Training, Nutrition, Tactics, and Mental Game. Check it all out at YouTube.com/@thestruggleclimbingshow.
-
BIG THANKS TO THE AMAZING SPONSORS OF THE STRUGGLE:
PhysiVantage: the official climbing-nutrition sponsor of The Struggle. Use code STRUGGLE15 at checkout for 15% off your full-priced nutrition order.
Frictitious Climbing: Check out their revolutionary doorway mount for hangboards (no drilling!) along with their amazing boards for training your fingers at home or on the road. Score 20% off a board when you purchase a doorway mount.
Crimpd: The absolute best tool for self-coached climbers to stay on track with training. Visit Crimpd.com to download the app for FREE and take your training to the next level.
-
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 gain access to extended and ad-free episodes, Pro Clinics with the sport's best, and rad swag? Support the show and the climbers who make it by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/thestruggleclimbingshow
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Still reading? You deserve a free sticker: Please rate and review the show -- it really helps us to reach a wider audience! Snap a pic of your review, post to IG, and tag @thestruggleclimbingshow so that we can find you, and we'll send you a sticker just because you're rad.
-
This show is produced and hosted by Ryan Devlin. The Struggle is a proud member of the Plug Tone Audio Collective, a diverse group of the best, most impactful podcasts in the outdoor industry.
-
The struggle makes us stronger!
Wednesday Aug 09, 2023
Wednesday Aug 09, 2023
Elite climber Emil Abrahamsson shares his struggles and breakthroughs in Training, Nutrition, Tactics, and Mental Game
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Emil is an incredibly strong boulderer with a particular talent for compression and sloper problems, along with harnessing dynamic movement. He has sent loads of the world’s toughest blocks, flashing up to V12 and redpointing up to V15, which he accomplished on the Dave Graham test piece, Story of Two Worlds. He documented that process beautifully on his YouTube Channel – which has over 100k subscribers and is growing fast. He has a real talent for bringing us viewers into his process, riding the rollercoaster of emotions from beginning to end. He also creates fantastic training content, most famous of which is probably the No Hang Protocol video he put out a couple years ago and went viral. Emil really exemplifies the intangible traits that make elite climbers who they are – an incredible work ethic, unstoppable passion, and seemingly unlimited psych to dig deeper and try harder than even seems possible.
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CHAPTERS:
Struggle: 0:08:43
Training: 0:13:36
Nutrition: 0:27:22
Tactics: 0:42:37
Mental Game: 0:56:07
Purpose: 1:06:22
Takeaways: 1:16:11
Follow along on Instagram @emilabrahamsson_ and @thestruggleclimbingshow.
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The Struggle is on YouTube! Watch interviews with the sport's best climbers come to life with amazing footage and actionable takeaways that'll help you to level up your Training, Nutrition, Tactics, and Mental Game. Check it all out at YouTube.com/@thestruggleclimbingshow.
-
BIG THANKS TO THE AMAZING SPONSORS OF THE STRUGGLE:
PhysiVantage: the official climbing-nutrition sponsor of The Struggle. Use code STRUGGLE15 at checkout for 15% off your full-priced nutrition order.
Fricition Labs is the official chalk sponsor of The Struggle. Level up your grip game with the best in the biz, free of fillers, rosins, and drying agents so your skin stays healthier. Use code STRUGGLE20 for 20% off at frictionlabs.com.
-
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 gain access to extended and ad-free episodes, Pro Clinics with the sport's best, and rad swag? Support the show and the climbers who make it by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/thestruggleclimbingshow
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Still reading? You deserve a free sticker: Please rate and review the show -- it really helps us to reach a wider audience! Snap a pic of your review, post to IG, and tag @thestruggleclimbingshow so that we can find you, and we'll send you a sticker just because you're rad.
-
This show is produced and hosted by Ryan Devlin. The Struggle is a proud member of the Plug Tone Audio Collective, a diverse group of the best, most impactful podcasts in the outdoor industry.
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Hope your climbing is going well, and if it's a struggle, just remember that The Struggle makes us stronger!
Wednesday Aug 02, 2023
Wednesday Aug 02, 2023
Dr. Natasha Barnes, elite climber and power lifter, demystifies weight training and offers up clear and simple guidance for climbers of all levels and training ages to build overall fitness that will serve us on and off the wall.
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This episode is sponsored by Patrons and Subscribers of The Struggle. Enjoy the full Pro Clinic, extended and ad-free episodes, and other perks by joining The Struggle Pro Access community. There's a level for everyone 🙌. Learn more at Patreon.com/thestruggleclimbingshow or if you listen on apple, you can subscribe right here in your pod app.
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Follow along on Instagram @thestruggleclimbingshow and @natashabarnes
If you'd like to work with Dr. Barnes, check out her various programs and coaching options at www.natashabarnesrehab.com
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This show is produced and hosted by Ryan Devlin. The Struggle is carbon-neutral in partnership with The Honnold Foundation and is a proud member of the Plug Tone Audio Collective, a diverse group of the best, most impactful podcasts in the outdoor industry.
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The struggle makes us stronger!
Wednesday Jul 26, 2023
Wednesday Jul 26, 2023
Elite climber Nina Williams shares her struggles and breakthroughs in Training, Nutrition, Tactics, and Mental Game (Part 2)
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Nina is a world famous climber, perhaps best known for her cutting edge high balls which include heady and impressive first female ascents of the stunning Buttermilk test pieces Too Big to Flail, a 50 foot V10, Evilution Direct, a 45 foot V11, and Ambrosia, a 50 ft V11. She is incredibly well rounded, with big wall ascents including the FFA of Grade VI Father Time, a 2,000 foot 5.13b in Yosemite, and on sport, Nina recently sent the nails hard 5.14b Rumney classic China Beach. Nina is a mental coach, board member of the American Alpine Club, and is passionate about her education and training in inter- and intra- personal communication… and she brings it ALL to this conversation.
Part 2 explores energy systems training, proper fueling for a send go, short-person tactics, managing fear, getting off-route on a free solo, and so much more!
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CHAPTERS:
Training: 0:05:15
Nutrition: 0:18:35
Tactics: 0:25:30
Mental Game: 0:35:52
Purpose: 0:57:04
Takeaways: 1:05:22
Follow along on Instagram @sheneenagins and @thestruggleclimbingshow.
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The Struggle is on YouTube! Watch interviews with the sport's best climbers come to life with amazing footage and actionable takeaways that'll help you to level up your Training, Nutrition, Tactics, and Mental Game. Check it all out at YouTube.com/@thestruggleclimbingshow.
-
BIG THANKS TO THE AMAZING SPONSORS OF THE STRUGGLE:
PhysiVantage: the official climbing-nutrition sponsor of The Struggle. Use code STRUGGLE15 at checkout for 15% off your full-priced nutrition order.
Frictitious Climbing: Check out their revolutionary doorway mount for hangboards (no drilling!) along with their amazing boards for training your fingers at home or on the road. Score 20% off a board when you purchase a doorway mount.
Crimpd: The absolute best tool for self-coached climbers to stay on track with training. Visit Crimpd.com to download the app for FREE and take your training to the next level.
-
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 gain access to extended and ad-free episodes, Pro Clinics with the sport's best, and rad swag? Support the show and the climbers who make it by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/thestruggleclimbingshow
-
Still reading? You deserve a free sticker: Please rate and review the show -- it really helps us to reach a wider audience! Snap a pic of your review, post to IG, and tag @thestruggleclimbingshow so that we can find you, and we'll send you a sticker just because you're rad.
-
This show is produced and hosted by Ryan Devlin. The Struggle is a proud member of the Plug Tone Audio Collective, a diverse group of the best, most impactful podcasts in the outdoor industry.
-
The struggle makes us stronger. Let's climb hard and do good things in the world!
Wednesday Jul 12, 2023
Wednesday Jul 12, 2023
Elite climber Nina Williams shares her struggles and breakthroughs in Training, Nutrition, Tactics, and Mental Game (Part 1 of 2)
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Nina is a world famous climber, perhaps best known for her cutting edge high balls which include heady and impressive first female ascents of the stunning Buttermilk test pieces Too Big to Flail, a 50 foot V10, Evilution Direct, a 45 foot V11, and Ambrosia, a 50 ft V11. She is incredibly well rounded, with big wall ascents including the FFA of Grade VI Father Time, a 2,000 foot 5.13b in Yosemite, and on sport, Nina recently sent the nails hard 5.14b Rumney classic China Beach. Nina is a mental coach, board member of the American Alpine Club, and is passionate about her education and training in inter- and intra- personal communication… and she brings it ALL to this conversation.
Part 1 focuses on a personal and vulnerable exploration into relationships - romantic and otherwise - and how they’ve impacted Nina’s climbing, career, and life. Her perspective and insights are sure to help the rest of us as we explore our own relationships, belay-tionships, and egos... in our never-ending quest to become better climbers, partners, and humans.
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Follow along on Instagram @sheneenagins and @thestruggleclimbingshow.
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The Struggle is on YouTube! Watch interviews with the sport's best climbers come to life with amazing footage and actionable takeaways that'll help you to level up your Training, Nutrition, Tactics, and Mental Game. Check it all out at YouTube.com/@thestruggleclimbingshow.
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Fricition Labs is the official chalk sponsor of The Struggle. Level up your grip game with the best in the biz, free of fillers, rosins, and drying agents so your skin stays healthier. Use code STRUGGLE20 for 20% off at frictionlabs.com.
PhysiVantage is 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 gain access to extended and ad-free episodes, Pro Clinics with the sport's best, and rad swag? Support the show and the climbers who make it by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/thestruggleclimbingshow
-
Still reading? You deserve a free sticker: Please rate and review the show -- it really helps us to reach a wider audience! Snap a pic of your review, post to IG, and tag @thestruggleclimbingshow so that we can find you, and we'll send you a sticker just because you're rad.
-
This show is produced and hosted by Ryan Devlin. The Struggle is a proud member of the Plug Tone Audio Collective, a diverse group of the best, most impactful podcasts in the outdoor industry.
-
The struggle makes us stronger. Let's climb hard and do good things in the world!
Wednesday Jun 28, 2023
Wednesday Jun 28, 2023
Cameron Hörst, a rising star and 9a climber in his anti-style, takes us to rock school with this Pro Clinic as he identifies common pitfalls and shares tips and tricks for Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced climbers to identify and embrace our anti-style... whether we're new to the concept or looking to bust through a plateau.
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This episode is sponsored by Patrons and Subscribers of The Struggle. Enjoy the full Pro Clinic, extended and ad-free episodes, and other perks by joining The Struggle Pro Access community. There's a level for everyone 🙌. Learn more at Patreon.com/thestruggleclimbingshow or if you listen on apple, you can subscribe right here in your pod app.
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Follow along on Instagram @thestruggleclimbingshow and @cam_horst.
You can connect with Cameron and explore working with him as a coach at cameronhorst.com
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This show is produced and hosted by Ryan Devlin. The Struggle is carbon-neutral in partnership with The Honnold Foundation and is a proud member of the Plug Tone Audio Collective, a diverse group of the best, most impactful podcasts in the outdoor industry.
-
The struggle makes us stronger. Let's climb hard and do good things in the world!
Wednesday Jun 21, 2023
Wednesday Jun 21, 2023
Elite climber Chris Sharma shares his struggles and breakthroughs in Training, Nutrition, Tactics, and Mental Game.
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Chris needs absolutely zero introduction but it’s worth hitting a few of the highlights because it’s so absolutely mind boggling when you’re reminded what he has achieved in this sport. At just 14 years old he won the adult US bouldering nationals. At 15 he freed the hardest route in North America at the time, 14c Necessary Evil. At just 20 years old Chris sent the world’s first consensus 5.15a, Ceuse’s Biographie / AKA Realization. He was also the first to climb 15b with Jumbo Love, and the second to climb 15c, just after Adam Ondra, as the two of them worked together on La Dura Dura. Chris also took deep water soloing to groundbreaking new levels when he sent the king line of Es Pontas, 15a, in Mallorca. He later put down a 15b deep water solo, Alasha, which is the hardest of the discipline. Chris has been dominating for so long, that it might be easy to simply refer to his groundbreaking contributions in the past tense… but that would be a mistake. Chris, just a couple months ago, sent his HARDEST route EVER, Sleeping Lion in Siurana, of which he gave the grade of 5.15c.
Chris climbs with such flow, and carries himself with an almost mythical yogi demeanor, it’d be understandable to just assume there hasn’t been a whole lot of struggle for him throughout his three decades at the top of the sport. But as you’ll hear today, there’s been plenty of struggle, both physically and mentally. Today Chris opens up with stories that I don’t believe he’s ever shared before.
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Follow along on Instagram @chris_sharma and @thestruggleclimbingshow.
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THANK YOU TO THE SPONSORS WHO HAVE BROUGHT YOU THE STRUGGLE AT ZERO COST:
Crimpd is the official fitness app sponsor of The Struggle. Visit Crimpd.com to download the app for FREE and take your training to the next level.
PhysiVantage is 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.
-
This show is produced and hosted by Ryan Devlin. The Struggle is a proud member of the Plug Tone Audio Collective, a diverse group of the best, most impactful podcasts in the outdoor industry.
-
The struggle makes us stronger. Let's climb hard and do good things in the world!