Favorite places to live / climb / visit:
Rodellar
Favorite type of climbing:
Rock climbing and sport climbing
What most people don't know about me:
Most people don’t know that I ride horses, and it’s also one of my biggest passions :)
Interview
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Climbing
When and how did you get into climbing? What keeps you interested? What fascinates you?
I’ve been climbing since I was eight, but honestly, climbing has been part of my life forever. Even before I started climbing training, I climbed every tree in the neighborhood :) What I love most about climbing is working on a tough route- figuring out the moves that seem impossible at first and putting the sequence together. Completing a route like that feels amazing and keeps me motivated to keep training and pushing my limits.
Who was your childhood hero? Do you consider yourself a role model now? Does it influence you at all that other people look up to you?
I didn’t really have a climbing hero when I was a child- there wasn’t one particular person I looked up to. But now, someone who inspires me a lot is Natalia Grossman. We were both dealing with injuries at the same time, and I really admired the way she approached that situation. I tried to approach my own in the same positive mindset and to celebrate even the smallest progress, which helped me a lot.
What have been the most important milestones in your life so far, both in climbing and in everyday life? And did you recognize them immediately as such or only later on?
One of the most important milestones in my climbing journey was sending my second 8b+ in Flatanger, Norway. Even though it was my second route at this grade, it felt like my biggest challenge so far. It was extremely long, very overhanging, and physically demanding, requiring about 30 minutes of full-body effort. After falling near the top, I struggled with the boulder problems at the bottom for several days and even started to doubt whether I could finish the route. Finally completing it was incredibly satisfying, knowing how much effort and persistence it took. In everyday life, a major milestone for me is my decision to study physiotherapy. I’ve always wanted to help athletes recover and get back to the sports they love. At first, I was worried that this career might be difficult to combine with climbing, but I realized that if something is truly important to me, I can find a way to make it work.
What were your greatest failures / setbacks / injuries? How did you cope with them and how did you come back from them?
My worst injury was a torn pulley in my ankle. I was afraid I wouldn’t recover in time for my planned trip and struggled to trust my foot again. What really helped was staying positive, working patiently with my physio, celebrating small progress, and having the support of my coach. I chose to treat the whole experience as a chance to come back stronger to climbing – during that time, I trained however I could, on one leg or just using my arms.
What is your favourite climbing-related story / experience?
I think every climbing trip with friends is a great experience. We often travel to Spain and Germany, and what I really enjoy is not only the climbing itself but also the rest days. Those days are usually filled with swimming, eating ice cream, and exploring new places, which makes the whole trip even more special
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Training
Do you have a strict training schedule for when and how you train throughout the year?
I train throughout the year following a plan set by my coach. Together, we set goals that I work towards over the months. Usually, I spend the winter training intensively at the climbing gym and taking part in competitions. For me, competitions are part of the training and also a lot of fun. My main goal is outdoor climbing, so when the weather warms up, I combine gym training with climbing outside. Throughout the year, I also do exercises from my physiotherapist to strengthen my whole body and prevent injuries.
What advice can you give to somebody looking to improve their training routine?
Climbing with really strong friends can seriously boost your training, because being around them pushes you to climb harder. Sometimes, when I have to train alone, I find it difficult to stay motivated.
What do you think of indoor climbing gyms in relation to climbing on actual rock?
I think climbing gyms are essential for preparing for outdoor trips. They help build strength, endurance, and other skills you need to climb difficult routes on actual rock.
Are you able to do a one-arm pull-up? How about a single finger?
Unfortunately, I’m not able to do any yet, but in the future I would like to work on it because it’s a very impressive skill
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Psychology
Is it possible for anybody to eventually perform a one-armed pull-up or get to the top of the Eiger/Matterhorn, or do you really have to be born for it?
I believe that with hard work and consistency anyone can make progress and achieve success. However, if someone has the right predispositions and favorable genetics, they will be able to reach their goals much faster and with less effort. Consistent training can raise anyone’s level, but without those natural advantages a person often has to spend much more time and energy- and since life is not only about climbing, that extra time may simply not be enough to ever reach the very highest level, like 9c
How important is it to set goals in professional sports? What are your goals / targets you are working towards in climbing and in life?
For me setting goals is essential in professional sports. They are my main source of motivation when I go through tough periods, when training feels hard or progress seems slow, reminding myself of my goals gives me the extra push I need to keep going. Goals are also crucial for training, because they bring clarity and structure. Clear goals also make training more effective, since you know exactly which areas to focus on and improve in order to reach them. In climbing, my aim is to steadily raise my level and one day complete my dream route. I know it will take time, but what matters most is not losing the joy and sense of freedom that climbing gives me. I want to enjoy the journey as much as the achievement itself. In life, my goal is to keep learning, become a physiotherapist, and help athletes recover from injuries and return to the sport they love because I know from experience how difficult that process can be
How do you deal with extremely hard climbing problems? Do you ever get frustrated and give up on them or do they motivate you even more?
At first, when I stand in front of a really hard route, I often feel overwhelmed by how difficult it looks. I prefer trying such climbs with someone else, because we can motivate each other and figure out the beta together. Once I give it a try, I usually end up enjoying it a lot. I really like the process of working on a route, because doing hard moves and sequences feels so satisfying. What motivates me even more is seeing progress quite quickly, which is always exciting. Of course, there are also moments when things don’t go well. I do get frustrated sometimes and start doubting whether I’ll be able to finish the route before the end of the trip. But I always try to stay positive, enjoy the climbing itself, and never give up. I know that if I didn’t give it my all and just walked away, I would regret it much more than if I tried my best and still didn’t send the rout
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Future of climbing
Is there anything you would like to change about the current developments in climbing?
Climbing is becoming really popular, and more people are doing indoor climbing these days. Because of this, indoor boulders and routes tend to be easier than they used to be, which makes it harder for athletes in Poland to train at a high level. There are simply fewer challenging climbs available for competition preparation or outdoor climbing. To perform at the top international level or tackle the hardest outdoor routes, athletes need access to really demanding boulders and climbs
Where do you see the sport going in the next years, what will change and what is your role going to be in it?
I think climbing will continue to grow in popularity over the next few years, which will also increase the demand for coaches. I plan to take a coaching course, and I hope that one day I will have the opportunity to become a coach myself and help train talented athletes