The Struggle Climbing Show

Dr. Thomas Cunningham, MD

Elite climber Dr. Thomas Cunningham shares his struggles and breakthroughs in Training, Nutrition, Tactics, and Mental Game. 
 
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Dr Thomas Cunningham is a weekend warrior… who climbs at an elite level. He’s a board certified emergency medicine physician who has published several papers, holds multiple patents, and is currently working as Research Faculty at the University of Louisville. He’s also a husband and father of three littles. The guy is as busy as can be, but can he climb? Yeah. He just sent the super classic Red River Gorge test piece, Southern Smoke, which is pretty much the pumpiest 14c sport route you can imagine, and he’s working on the 9a direct start for that. He has also bouldered 8a, trad climbed 8a, and put up FAs up to 8a… and he probably puts in less time than you at the gym or the crag. Today he shares his scientific method as it comes to training and nutrition, and what he feels all of us – from beginners to pros – can do to optimize our time and level up in whatever our climbing goals are.
 
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CHAPTERS:
Struggle: 0:06:58
Training: 0:08:57
Nutrition: 0:32:34
Tactics: 0:45:49
Mental Game: 1:00:20
Purpose: 1:11:12
Takeaways: 1:26:54
 
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Follow along on Instagram @thomascunninghammd and @thestruggleclimbingshow. 
 
Gain (zero cost!) access to Dr. Cunningham's newsletter, blog, and research papers... or book a consult to really take things up a level: www.thomascunninghammd.com
 
Interested in Thomas's fitness tracker of choice? Get a free WHOOP 4.0 and one month free by CLICKING HERE. 
 
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The Struggle is on YouTube, y'all! I'm so psyched. Watch the best moments of my 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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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.
 
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. 
 
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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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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!
 
 

Alex Honnold

Alex Honnold dives into the world of bouldering, from exploring the Mellow culture, to what V18 could look like, to high balls and sketchy top-outs... this chat isn't what you're used to hearing about from the biggest name in climbing. 
 
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This episode is in collaboration with our friends at Climbing Gold. Stick around after the interview to hear Climbing Gold's latest episode "Not So Mellow". It's so good!
 
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Follow along on Instagram @alexhonnold, @climbinggold, and @thestruggleclimbingshow. 
 
The Struggle is on YouTube, y'all! I'm so psyched. Watch the best moments of my 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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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.
 
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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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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!

Tom Randall: Training up Energy Systems + Q&A

Tom Randall checks in on Ryan's training and offers up valuable insights that will help anyone level up their training and performance. 
 
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Usually exclusive to Patrons, this Coach Chat is available to everyone. Topics include:
- How to test and self-assess your training progress
- Timing energy system work
- Managing life stressors (allostatic load)
- What we can all learn from Chris Sharma
- Listener questions
 
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This episode is sponsored by Patrons and Subscribers of The Struggle. Enjoy the full Pro Clinic, early 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 @tompaulrandall
 
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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. Let's climb hard and do good things in the world!

Pro Clinic: Gym-to-Crag with Alex Johnson (Preview)

Alex Johnson, one of the best ever indoor + outdoor climbers, takes us to rock school with this Pro Clinic as she identifies common pitfalls and shares tips and tricks for Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced climbers to go from the gym to the crag... whether it's your first time outdoors or you're looking to bust through a plateau and make the most of your next trip. 
 
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This episode is sponsored by Patrons and Subscribers of The Struggle. Enjoy the full Pro Clinic, early 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 @alexjohnson89
 
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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. Let's climb hard and do good things in the world!

Chris Kalous

Host of the hit climbing podcast The Enormocast, Chris Kalous shares his struggles and breakthroughs in Training, Nutrition, Tactics, and Mental Game. 
 
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Chris Kalous has been the voice of climbing for over a decade now, bringing more than 250 episodes of The Enormocast to our ears and our hearts as we drive to the crag, run laps in the gym, or fold laundry. His voice, wit, and stoke are instantly identifiable, and if you’ve been a climber for more than a few days you’ve surely enjoyed your fair share of Enormocast episodes. As a climber, Chris has embarked on epic trips the world over, put up impressive first ascents, and tackled climbs so sketchy my palms were sweating just talking with him about them in this interview. He’s a climber to the core, with a dirtbag’s heart and a punk rock aversion to authority and regulation. He’s also a dad, a musician, and a guy who’s trying to keep the stoke as he enters new chapters in his climbing life. You're going to love this chat.
 
 
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CHAPTERS:
Struggle: 0:12:11
Training: 0:22:52
Nutrition: 0:34:14
Tactics: 0:41:07
Mental Game: 0:58:14
Purpose: 1:11:29
Takeaways: 1:21:16
 
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Follow along on Instagram @enormocast and @thestruggleclimbingshow. 
 
The Struggle is on YouTube, y'all! I'm so psyched. Watch the best moments of my 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. 
 
-
 
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 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
 
-
 
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!
 
 

Honnold, Megos, and More... coming to YouTube!

A quick update from the podcast/utility closet where I share some exciting news, launch a sick giveaway, and do a virtual happy dance for all of the cool stuff coming your way! 
Spoiler alert: https://www.youtube.com/@thestruggleclimbingshow
Let's GOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Road to 13a with Eric Horst

Eric Horst and I team up for this crossover episode as the GOAT Coach helps me chart a course to sending my hardest grade, 5.13a, this fall.
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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:
How to pick a project based on your self-assessment on strengths and weaknesses
Structuring in-season and off-season training
Establishing a 30k foot view of your training and climbing
How smaller goals can roll up into the main objective
The superpower of onsighting 
Training efficiently based on conditions and work/life balance
So so so much more!
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This episode is supported by PhysiVantage, the official climbing-nutrition sponsor of The Struggle. Created by climbers for climbers, their athlete roster includes Alex Megos, Natalia Grossman, Daniel Woods, Paige Classen, Matt Fultz, Jonathan Siegrist, Amity Warme and so many more! 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. 
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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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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. Let's climb hard and do good things in the world!
 

Pro Clinic: Big Wall Tactics with Jordan Cannon (Free Preview)

Jordan Cannon, a rising star and incredibly accomplished big wall climber, 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 level up their big wall and multi-pitch knowledge and tactics, whether you're brand new or ready to tackle El Cap.
 
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This episode is sponsored by Patrons and Subscribers of The Struggle. Enjoy the full Pro Clinic, early 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 @cannonjtc
 
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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. Let's climb hard and do good things in the world!

Expert Analysis: Mental Game with Lor Sabourin

Lor Sabourin joins the show to look back at this season's interviews with 10 of the biggest names in climbing, and helps us all to learn from where the pros have struggled and excelled in mental game. 
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Lor is an elite climber and coach with an expertise in the area of mindset, and they join the pod to look back at season 2 (featuring highlights from Jonathan Siegrist, Melina Costanza, Allison Vest, Peter Croft, and more) and shares actionable takeaways that we can all use to level up our own mental game and climbing. 
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Topics:
How to set motivating, healthy, and achievable goals
 
Working through performance anxiety   
 
Choosing (and being) a good partner
 
Ego, belonging, self worth, and community 
 
How to harness the send stoke when you’re not even climbing
 
Yes vs No Fall Zones 
 
How to turn falling into a relaxing process
 
What to note when you don’t send and when you DO send
 
Self advocacy and how to be welcoming to all at the climbs 
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This season is supported by PhysiVantage, the official climbing-nutrition sponsor of The Struggle. Created by climbers for climbers, their athlete roster includes Alex Megos, Natalia Grossman, Daniel Woods, Paige Classen, Matt Fultz, Jonathan Siegrist, Amity Warme and so many more! Visit www.physivantage.com/discount/STRUGGLE15 to receive 15% off your full priced nutrition order. 
 
This season is supported by Petzl, the official gear sponsor of The Struggle. Check out their Scirocco helmet, Djinn draws, Hirundos harness, and all of their bomber gear at your local shop! Access the inaccessible at Petzl.com.
 
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 @lor_sabourin
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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. Let's climb hard and do good things in the world!
 
 

Expert Analysis: Tactics with Kris Hampton

Kris Hampton joins the show to look back at this season's interviews with 10 of the biggest names in climbing, and helps us all to learn from where the pros have struggled and excelled. 
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Kris has been a force in the climbing community for decades as a climber, coach, writer, and podcaster. He joins the pod to look back at season 2 (featuring highlights from Jonathan Siegrist, Melina Costanza, Matt Fultz, Allison Vest, Guy McNamee, and more) and shares actionable takeaways that we can all use to level up our own nutrition and climbing. 
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Topics:
Fixing it before it's broken
The power of the flash
YouTube for beta?
Benefits of junky condies
Redefining what grades mean
Refreshing body and mind between attempts
Why YOU should be training on parkour style comp problems
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This season is supported by PhysiVantage, the official climbing-nutrition sponsor of The Struggle. Try their EndureX for increased endurance and recovery between attempts! Visit www.physivantage.com/discount/STRUGGLE15 to receive 15% off your full priced nutrition order. 
 
This season is supported by Petzl, the official gear sponsor of The Struggle. Check out their Scirocco helmet whihc exceeds safety standards and is suuuuuper comfy! Access the inaccessible at Petzl.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 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 @powercompanyclimbing
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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. Let's climb hard and do good things in the world!