Brecht D'Haeseleer

When and how did you get into climbing and what kept you interested / fascinated in the sport?

I've been going to the mountains with my parents since I was little and so I grew up climbing, hiking and mountaineering. Since about 3 years I have been climbing more intensively and am in the competition team of the climbing gym where I climb (climbing gym Bleau - Ghent).

Who was your childhood hero and do you consider yourself a role model now? Does it influence you at all that other people look up to you?

I am a fan of Alex Megos. I find it inspiring how strong he is, carrots for power 😊.
I climb mostly for myself, but like the appreciation.

What were the most important milestones in your life so far, both in climbing and in everyday life? Did you immediately recognize them as such or only later on?

This year, I felt I really took a step forward with some 8a's 2nd attempt and my first 8b.
And, of course, my cat Janja 😊.
 

What were your greatest failures / setbacks / injuries? How did you cope with them and how did you come back from them?

I can sometimes get frustrated when I get scared when preclimbing. Over the last year, I have made a lot of progress in this but it is still difficult at times.

What is your favorite climbing related story / experience?

A month of climbing in Briançon France with my dad and other climbing friends. Vanlife through the mountains.

Do you have a strict training schedule for when and how you train throughout the year?

I don't have a stitch training schedule, though I do train 4 times a week with my climbing gym's competition team. We also have a spray wall at home, where I sometimes climb with my dad.

What advice can you give to somebody looking to improve their training routine?

For young climbers, I think it is important to just climb a lot and, above all, have fun climbing.

What do you think of indoor climbing gyms in relation to climbing on actual rock?

I very much enjoy climbing indoors. Given my height, I can climb higher levels outside because there are more creative solutions for smaller climbers there.
 

Are you able to do a one-arm pull-up? How about a single finger?

Not yet. But I'm practising for a one-arm pull-up... 😊

How much of the success as a pro climber is due to show and how much due to actual climbing skill?

I noticed that outside attention to my climbing grew as my performance improved. Given my age, I am not a professional climber. I do dream of a career as a pro climber. But above all, I think having fun in climbing is the most important thing. Then we'll see where climbing takes me.

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 think training and commitment are what make you particularly good at something. But you cannot make the effort if the passion is not there. In addition, you do see that some people have real talent and sometimes it goes faster for them.

How important is it to set goals in professional sports? What are your goals / targets you are working towards in climbing and in life?

Goals are important for motivation. But big goals are made up of small goals and they are a pathway to them.

How to you deal with extremely hard climbing problems? Do you ever get frustrated and give up on them or do they motivate you even more?

So far, I have only projected very short routes because I don't like doing it for longer. 
My 8b I climbed in 2 half days, and the 8a's were in single attempts each time.