Not Your Typical Climber

Lou, the managing director of Flash Foxy, shares their journey in climbing, the evolution of the organization towards inclusivity, and the importance of creating supportive spaces for women and genderqueer climbers. They discuss the significance of community, the joy of climbing festivals, and the complexities of risk management in climbing. 

Chapters:
00:00
Introduction

06:30
The Evolution of Flash Foxy and Its...

Hannah, a journalist and climber, shares her journey into the world of climbing, her involvement with the Women's Climbing Symposium, and her passion for environmental stewardship through her initiative, Tidy Climbers. She discusses the importance of community in climbing, the challenges of littering in outdoor spaces, and the need for education and compassion in addressing these issues. 

Chapters:

00:00
Introduction

02:52

Amruta Wyssmann shares how she went from a new climber to proud member of the Swiss paraclimbing team. She tells Mel about the importance of community in climbing and her training plans. Amy also shares her aspirations for the future - including hopes for the 2028 Paralympics - her newfound passion for ice climbing, and her hobbies outside of climbing including cooking and reading fantasy novels.

NOTE: apologies, the audio quality f...

Ben Fitzsimmons from Refugees Rock shares his profound connection to climbing. Ben highlights his work with Refugees Rock, a programme that provides free climbing sessions for asylum seekers. We discuss the importance of access to climbing for diverse groups and the role of community support in enhancing the climbing experience. 

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About your host:

Mel ...

Bennett Rahn, a plus-size rock climber and mountaineer, shares her experiences of being a plus-size climber. Bennett tells host Mel Reeve about the importance of rage confidence, navigating gear accessibility, and the need for more representation in climbing. She reflects on building supportive communities, self-advocacy, and the journey from amateur to professional guiding. 

Chapters:
00:00
Introduction 

02:54
The J...

Charmian is the Climbing Lead at Wanderers of Colour, she tells host Mel Reeve about her journey into climbing, the challenges of climbing while pregnant, and the importance of building a community for people of colour in outdoor activities. 

She also discusses the founding of Wanderers of Colour, its mission to create inclusive spaces for climbers, and the significance of representation in the climbing community. 

Cha...

Prominent British climber Emma Twyford shares her journey to becoming the first British woman to send a 9a route. She reveals the challenges she's faced, including overcoming glandular fever and the transition from competition climbing to personal enjoyment. We also explore her efforts to empower women in the climbing industry through route-setting workshops.

Chapters:

00:00
Introduction 

01:56
From Outdoor to ...

 Pro climber and mental training coach Lor Sabourin shares their journey into climbing and outdoor adventure. Lor reflects on the importance of defining success on their own terms, and their experience as a non-binary climber. They share insights into managing fear while climbing, drawing from their expertise in mental coaching. Mel and Lor interrogate how it felt to be the first openly non-binary climber to conquer a 5.14 route, a...

Rock climbing and adventure photographer Irene Yee shares how she became a successful photographer focusing on representation in outdoor activities, including climbing. Irene and Mel discuss the impact of her photography, why she’s committed to creating diverse content, and the transformative power of climbing. We cover developing the skill of self-reflection, how to handle mansplaining at the crag, taking up space on and off the w...

Kimbrough Moore is a climbing enthusiast and philosophy professor, he joins us to share his perspective on climbing ethics. Find out how he got started in climbing, his competition experience, and his perspective on the issue of gender bias in climbing grades. Mel and Kimbrough discuss his ‘Brough code’, and how a more accurate and nuanced approach to grading can improve inclusivity in climbing.

Links:

https://linktr.ee/kim...

Jocelynne Flor is a Toronto-based climber and content creator whose engaging videos make the world of climbing feel accessible to everyone. Through her educational and inspiring content, Jocelynne shares her climbing journey. Mel and Jocelynne explore the driving force behind her creativity, and why it feels important to make climbing approachable for all. Discover how Jocelynne’s authentic storytelling and educational approach are...

Agus ‘AJ’ Guardiola, co-founder of ClimbOut Festival shares their experience creating an inclusive space for the LGBTQ+ community in outdoor climbing. Hear about their own climbing journey and the motivation behind starting ClimbOut Festival, as well as what it feels like to attend. Mel and AJ explore the work ClimbOut is doing to increase diversity and their advice on how to meet the needs of underrepresented communities to create...

Fallon Rowe is a climber with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (HEDS) and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). From competing in youth climbing competitions to trad and sport climbing as an adult, Fallon explores the importance of mental resilience and self-compassion in navigating the challenges of climbing with a health condition. Mel and Fallon consider the misconceptions and challenges faced by paraclimbers, and ...

Palestinian climber Asia shares how she fell in love with sport and explains the challenges of accessing outdoor climbing in Palestine. She opens up about how climbing provides an escape from the restrictions and hardships of living under occupation. We discuss how Asia uses her creative skills to shed light on the reality of life in Palestine and to challenge misconceptions. And we get excited about her work on inclusive outdoor f...

Hannah Morris started her YouTube channel as a way to share her love for climbing and as an outlet for anxiety. We discuss mental health, body image, and the pushback she has received as a woman with a prominent climbing platform. Mel and Hannah chat about inclusivity, her collaborations, and her aim to work with climbers pushing the sport in a positive direction. Hannah shares her most memorable experiences from her storied YouTub...

Not Your Typical Climber is a podcast that speaks to pro climbers, amateur climbers, hobby climbers, and anyone who finds joy in the sport. With a particular focus on the things that make us different and unique, the podcast uplifts the voices of those who have been underrepresented within climbing.

Every climber has a unique story to tell, and we're here to explore them.

Season 1 of the podcast coming soon, ...