Tag: indoor climbing

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Enormocast 282: Natalia Grossman – The Tyranny of Expectations

Photos: Lena Drapella, Christian Adam, Christian Adam. All courtesy of Black Diamond

On Episode 282 of the Enormocast, I sit down with US Olympic qualifier, Natalia Grossman. That’s right, Natalia is headed to Paris to represent the US in Lead and Boulder combined (speed is separate this time around). But this moment was caught during a bit of down time for Natalia as she ramps up for Spring comp season to ready for the Olympics in July. Natalia explains her beginnings and the over-the-top support of her folks, how the pandemic fit into her rise, and why her success lead to overtraining and burnout. Finally, Natalia vows to keep the pressure of her Olympic debut in perfect perspective as she shuns expectations and just wants to have a great experience and enjoy herself…and…you know, maybe win the gold…if it works out…would be cool.

Natalia on Instagram

Smile and Fight

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Enormocast 271: Charlie Schreiber – The Kids are Alright

On Episode 271, I am joined by climbing coach and former (maybe) competitor, Charlie Schreiber. Charlie coaches climbers of all ages, but the meat of this conversation is about youth climbing teams. Charlie has been a youth climbing coach since he was a youth himself. We discuss my own skepticism about the promise of youth sports, but Charlie allays my fears as best he can with his techniques for including ALL kids in the success of the program. By the end, I am not necessarily won over to the party-line on how good sports are for kids, but I am convinced that Charlie is one of the best youth coaches I’ve ever met.

Paradigm Climbing

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Enormocast 239: Janja Garnbret – Her Hardest Hue to Hold

On Episode 239 of the Enormocast, I have the privilege to sit down with Gold Medalist, Janja Garnbret. A Slovenian climbing hero, Janja, of course, took Gold at the inaugural climbing Olympics, but before that she was already the winningest climbing athlete of all time. As she beams into the interview from Oliana, Catalunya, a relaxed Garnbret talks about the pressures and joys of performing at the Olympics. Her secret seems to have been letting go of perfection. Now, as Janja faces her post Olympic period (until the next one), she is looking to continue to dominate the indoor field and set new standards for women’s outdoor climbing as well. But mostly, she wants to inspire girls and women to be their best and do what they love.

The Wall: Climbing for Gold

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