Career Highlights

  • Fight or Flight, 9b
  • Biographie 9a+
  • 2nd ascent of Flex Luthor, 9a+ 
  • Logical Progression (OS), 7c+ 900m
  • 8c Boulder 
  • 6th Place Lead World Cup, 2012
  • Big Fish, 5.14d (Deep water solo) 
  • FA ‘Toby’s Shipwreck,’ 7b Himachal Pradesh, India 450m
  • 8c onsight

Favorite places to live/ climb/ visit:

Wherever my current project is

Favorite type of climbing: 

Sport climbing, multipitch, deep water solo

What most people don't know about me:

I like to play the piano

Interview

  • Climbing

    When and how did you get into climbing? What keeps you interested? What fascinates you?

    I was introduced to climbing at a young age by my parents, and right away I was hooked. There’s a constant evolution with climbing that keeps providing new challenges and experiences. I’m still interested because I continue to learn and grow while doing what I love.

    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 always looked up to my parents the most, they played a crucial role in my climbing success. When I was young, I’d admire old photos and stories they would share and always dreamt of a similar life. Tommy Caldwell is pretty cool too, I hear he’s on the team?

    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?

    In climbing, a memorable milestone was completing my first 5.14 - I learned some valuable lessons about work ethic early on. Other milestones are going on my first expedition, or doing my first hard trad or DWS route. Those experiences helped shape my life and career today. A lot of what’s happened, I didn’t really recognize as big moments when they were happening. It’s only with a bit of distance and perspective that I see them for what they were.

     

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

    I’ve had numerous injuries that have set me back significantly. It’s okay to be frustrated, but don’t dwell on things too much. Setbacks are part of the process and should be expected. Low points teach you more than the highs, and you come back with a better perspective on both climbing and life.

    What is your favorite climbing related story / experience?

    Every trip comes with a good story.. you’ll have to ask me in person. Making a world cup final in my hometown of Boulder, CO was a pretty cool experience.

  • Training

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

    Strict? No. But I do train a lot, and I usually plan my training around upcoming projects. While I mostly just climb as much as possible, I prioritize strength training, fingerboarding, and endurance cycles when preparing for outdoor climbing. I balance it with periods of rest to avoid injuries.

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

    Consistency is key. Focus on building a solid foundation of strength and technique before overloading on advanced exercises. Listen to your body, rest and recovery are as important as hard training.

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

    Gyms are a great tool for training and for introducing more people to the sport. That said, outdoor climbing offers a different level of connection with nature and requires adaptability. Both are valuable, but nothing beats the rock.

     

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

    Yes & no I wish.

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

    Climbing skill is the foundation, but nowadays storytelling has become an essential part of the profession. I think someone said, “It’s not about the destination, it's about the journey.“

  • 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?

    Anyone can certainly try, some serious training can get you pretty far. At a certain point though, it takes more than just muscle memory.

    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 a great tool for motivation. In climbing, I set goals for each season or multiple seasons out. Having something specific to train for whether that’s a trip, specific climb, or even grade chasing can be used as fuel to motivate. In life, I aim to inspire others to challenge themselves and appreciate the beauty of climbing through photography and film.

     

    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?

    Trying things that are “too hard” motivates me because it offers more opportunities to learn and get better. If a project starts to feel impossible, I step back and analyze what I can improve.

  • Future of climbing

    Is there anything you would like to change about the current developments in climbing?

    I’d like to see climbing remain rooted in its adventurous side, even as it becomes more commercialized. Not every ascent needs to be shared online.

     

    Where do you see the sport going in the next years, what will change and what is your role going to be in it?

    The sport will keep growing through competitions, gyms, and media, but I hope it stays connected to its outdoor roots. My role is to continue sharing my passion, push myself, and promote sustainability and respect for nature.