Should everybody climb? Pt. 2
Last weekend, Nancy and I went to Marseille for a long weekend of rock climbing. We booked an Airbnb close to the climbing walls of the national park, the ocean, and our favorite restaurant in Le Goudes. It didn’t take long to feel the impact of not climbing consistently over the past few months. Arriving with less strength and routine immediately reminded me of the relationship between performance and consistency—and the simple truth: I need to climb more.
The good thing about outdoor climbing is that it’s more than just climbing. The hikes to the walls along the breathtaking Calanques coastline and the picnics throughout the day make it so enjoyable that it doesn’t really matter whether we climbed four or seven routes. Spending time together in nature naturally leads to different thoughts and conversations between Nancy and me.
Even though I wasn’t as well prepared, the climbs went surprisingly well. Over the past few months, my ability to focus on the present moment has become stronger. From a safety perspective, this is essential. You have to be fully present and avoid distractions—because if you fall, awareness can help you fall “correctly.” Don’t get me wrong, climbing can be dangerous. I experienced my first big outdoor fall this time. But after a few minutes, it actually gave me more confidence—confidence in the feeling of falling and in Nancy’s ability to belay me safely.
Being present allowed me to announce the fall milliseconds before it happened. That gave me the chance to push off the wall and gave Nancy time to prepare and catch my weight. It lifted her off the ground slightly and made me feel like I landed softly in my harness.
Reflecting more on climbing, it’s a great practice in keeping your mind where it should be—paying attention to your breath and moving slowly. All of this holds meditative qualities, and even though I’m physically exhausted after a day of climbing, my mind feels clear and sharp.
We live in a time filled with uncertainty, which can lead to endless hours of distraction. Now more than ever, it’s important to have practices, routines, and people around us that support a clear mind—for both personal and professional growth. Climbing and Nancy are among those grounding elements for me, and I’m grateful to have them.
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