It’s given me a community, almost all of my self confidence, so many wonderful memories and friendships!
1. What do you do when you are not climbing? (Other hobbies/ sports)
I’m reading, watching anime, cruising my longboard, practicing capoeira, practicing yoga, practicing aerial silks, playing piano, drawing, doing origami, knitting, learning about wildlife and conservation, or eating.
2. If you had to name one thing that gets you totally psyched about climbing, what would that be?
The high excitement of facing a new challenge that forces me to focus and use my body, as well as the high I get from completing a climb I thought for sure I would fall off of.
3. What is the most memorable climb/ boulder problem that you have ever completed or attempted?
Most memorable is when I came very close to completing a v10. It was a pink climb with crimps, and all the feet were volumes. All I had left was the last two moves and I couldn’t figure out what the sequence was.
4. Do you have any ongoing projects that are just driving you crazy?
In all this time, I’ve never been climbing outdoors. So I’d like to get some of my physical goals checked off like a 10 second 1 arm lock off at 90-degrees, a one-arm pullup, a successful 1-3-5 reach on the campus board using my left arm, and a 5.13 flash on lead. Then go climb on some real rocks.
5. If you never discovered climbing, what would you be doing now?
Honestly, I’d be constantly chasing an unrealistic fitness goal by running and doing random machine exercises in a gym. Climbing has given me more than just fitness, I train for competition and the ability to do certain moves on the wall. Any muscle tone came as a side effect of the hard work and I appreciate the method.
6. Favorite music to send to!?
‘High with me’ by Yahtzel!
7. Climber that you most look up to?
That’s a tough one, I started climbing really late so I only heard of the legends long after they completed their feats. I would have to say Ashima Shirashi because she was the most relatable and impressive athlete to me when I first got seriously into the sport. However, my favorite climbers at the moment are Tommy Caldwell and fellow ambassador Sienna Perez!
8. Top 3 Climbing locations?
Probably the Rocklands in South Africa, Hueco Tanks in Texas and Mallorca, Spain. Then again I have yet to climb outside.
9. Your favorite BetaLabs product.
Definitely my purple/gray Buck-It. I bring it to every competition, its perfect to store my brush, my phone, scorecard, training notebook, pencil, and snacks!
10. Why do you climb?
Initially I climbed because it was a way to stay fit and track my progress. Along the way it’s given me a community, almost all of my self confidence, so many wonderful memories and friendships, and a gateway to the outdoors. Now I climb because I’m so obsessed with it that there wouldn’t be any other way for me to live.
