Opportunity cost
Everything in climbing performance comes down to opportunity cost. Genetically speaking, we all have different starting points, and different rates of improvement, so our potential is always specific to us. But given enough time, almost anyone can achieve a very high level relative to their own potential. Whether or not you can climb a certain…
Common tactical errors
I think of tactics as your decisionmaking skills related to your performance: your ability to do the things that boost your ability the most, and not do the things that would drag you down. Every time you make a conscious decision, that’s an opportunity for your climbing in that session to be better or worse.…
Client spotlight: Chelsea Murn on a fall 2024 sending spree
Chelsea had a killer season, sending a ton of V8s and V9s – several of them notoriously difficult for shorties. I caught up with her to ask a few questions about her training and mindset for this sending spree! A lot of tactics probably contributed to your success this season, but what were some of…
2025
A lot of people are making resolutions right now. Some people are just making goals, and that’s an interesting distinction to me. I didn’t make any goals in 2024. I don’t think that held me back from achieving great things. But I also didn’t make any resolutions in 2024. And in some ways I think…
Principles of Problem Solving: A climbing tactics & technique class
I’m releasing my tactics and technique master class. Read more about it and get registered here: https://www.camp4humanperformance.com/principles
Doing the Dishes
For 13 years, my dog Ty has been perennially ahead of me, uncatchable. He’s always pushed me to move faster. For me, the toughest thing about having an aging dog has been moving faster than him for the first time. Cardio isn’t top of mind for most climbers, but maybe at least part of the…
Summer 2024 Updates
Couple little updates for those who still check my blog! Principles of Problem Solving I’m about to drop a climbing technique & tactics course! No one knows about it yet. But you, loyal blog reader, shall be rewarded for your commitment to text-based information. My course is called Principles of Problem Solving and it will…
Living in the panopticon: self-talk and climbing’s social media nightmare
Panopticon: a vantage from which you can see everything; all-seeing. From Ancient Greek pân, “all” + optikós, “visible”. Words have power. In our self-talk before we even begin climbing, in the things we say to each other on the hike in, in the things overheard at the crag, and in the vast quantity of media…
Going deeper than moves & missing the forest for the trees
When we think about climbing, we usually break it down into moves. Even climbing media about cutting-edge routes like DNA, or B.I.G. breaks them down into a series of moves. And it makes sense. Moves are the obvious way of interacting with the wall. Moves are eminently visible, as they often come with dramatic shifts…
Thoughts on frustration & a brief update
If you’re having a frustrating climbing session, here’s a thought: Get pissed all you want, but that session is going to go by. And guess what? The same is true of your day, your week and your life. It’s not all that surprising that the biggest tools for becoming a more focused & effective climber…
Loading…
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.