I have met some of my greatest friends, including my fiancé, through climbing! The community in climbing is so supportive, even during competitions. You just can’t get that with any other sport.
1.When did you start climbing?
I started climbing in November 2005. I remember the exact month because, I embarrassingly enough, made an AIM screen name climbergirl1105.
2.What do you do when you are not climbing? (Other hobbies/ sports)
For the past year, when I was not climbing I was doing school work and internships for my masters degree! Now that I have finished my masters, I will be working as a special education teacher. Being a special educator is my other passion in life besides climbing! But in my rare free time where I am not teaching or climbing, I try to spend as much time as I can with friends and family, whether it’s just going for a walk around the neighborhood or trying out a new restaurant!
3.If you had to name one thing that gets you totally psyched about climbing, what would that be?
One thing that gets me totally psyched about climbing is the community. It’s always a good time projecting climbs with friends or even strangers! I love how everyone feeds off each other’s psych, it is such a high! Especially getting the “send train” going!
4.What is your most memorable comp?
My most memorable competition was the Dark Horse Final Series last year. I have been competing in Dark Horse competitions since high school, but I have never felt that good at a competition before. I stuck dynos on the first try and I even flashed the last climb! There were some big names there, so going home in 4th place was an honor.
5.What is the most memorable climb/ boulder problem that you have ever completed or attempted? (inside or out or both)
My most memorable climb completed was “Eat Your Wheaties” in Hueco Tanks. That was my first big climbing accomplishment outside in 2012. I loved the flow of the climb and I was super psyched on it. My coach Obe helped me work through the climb and I ended up sending it in a few goes! To this day I can still remember most of the moves on that climb!
6.Do you have any ongoing projects that are just killing you?
I currently don’t have any ongoing projects, but I am super psyched to get outside this fall and start some!
7.If you never discovered climbing, what would you be doing now?
If I never discovered climbing, gosh I have no idea what I would be doing. I have always had a love for fitness, so I would probably just be lifting in a boring gym and still teaching, but that life does not seem nearly as exciting as my life now with climbing in it!
8.Favorite music to send to!?
I don’t really have specific music that I prefer to send to. I honestly get the most psyched when listening to my favorite newly-discovered song on repeat in any genre!
9.Climber that you most look up to?
The climber I look up to the most is Shauna Coxsey. She just always looks like she’s having a great time, but at the same time, is insanely strong!
10.Top 3 Climbing locations?
Oh gosh I don’t know how to choose my top three climbing locations! I currently just moved out west to Washington so I’m super psyched to check out Squamish (which is 3 hours from me!!!), Red Rocks, and Joe’s Valley.
11.Do you prefer pulling plastic or real rock?
I prefer pulling on plastic in competitions, but I also like real rock to get that sense of adventure and the outdoors.
12.Why do you climb?
The simplest reason I climb is: because I love it! It’s the most rewarding passion, keeps me fit, and there are never ending climbs out there to try. I used to play soccer and run track, but that got repetitive doing the same thing every time. With climbing, it’s always new and exciting, that feeling of checking out a new climbing spot or gym is not replaceable with any other sport. I also climb because I have met some of my greatest friends, including my fiancé, through climbing! The community in climbing is so supportive, even during competitions. You just can’t get that with any other sport.
