The Struggle Climbing Show

Latest Episodes:

Sanni Honnold: Creating Peak Life Experiences Outdoors, How to Improve at an Accelerated Rate, and Dealing with Jerks at the Crag Mar 19, 2025

Show notes

Join The Struggle’s Patreon community to get 100+ hours of Bonus Episodes, Pro Clinics, Uncut Videos, and Submit Questions for Future Guests. FREE TRIAL available!

https://www.patreon.com/thestruggleclimbingshow

In this episode climber, Outwild co-founder, and life coach Sanni Honnold discusses:
• Quick progression in her climbing
• The three types of climbing partners and why they matter
• The pitfall of always climbing with better partners
• Creating core memories by pushing the comfort zone
• How to identify and plan a life-changing adventure (quickly)
• HTK communication
• How to handle vibyness at the crag
• The power of being "psycho nice"
• Outwild retreats

BIG THANKS TO THE AMAZING SPONSORS OF THE STRUGGLE WHO LOVE ROCK CLIMBING AS MUCH AS YOU DO:

Rúngne Club: Turn your passion into rewards, join the Rúngne community & start earning!
PhysiVantage: the official climbing-nutrition sponsor of The Struggle. Use code STRUGGLE15 at checkout for 15% off your full-priced nutrition order.
Boulder Bears: Taste like candy, kick like coffee! Each caffeinated gummy bear contains collagen and 20mg of caffeine so you can take care of your tendons while dialing in the perfect level of boost and focus for your sesh. Plus, they're crazy delicious. Score a free travel pack plus 15% off using code STRUGGLE
5-Year Training and Performance Journal: The most important climbing tool I use! Takes just a few minutes each day, and yields amazing insights year after year. If you’re psyched on training and performance, this is the journal for you. Log, reflect, send.

Shoutout to Matt Waltereese for being a Victory Whip supporter on Patreon! So mega.

Follow along on Instagram @thestruggleclimbingshow and YouTube /@thestruggleclimbingshow
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The Struggle is carbon-neutral in partnership with The Honnold Foundation, whose mission is to promote solar energy for a more equitable world.
-
This show is produced and hosted by Ryan Devlin, and edited by Glen Walker. The Struggle is a proud member of the Plug Tone Audio Collective, a diverse group of the best, most impactful podcasts in the outdoor industry.
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The struggle makes us stronger! I hope your training and climbing are going great.
-
And now here are some buzzwords to help the almighty algorithm get this show in front of people who love to climb: rock climbing, rock climber, climbing, climber, bouldering, sport climbing, gym climbing, how to rock climb, donuts are amazing. Okay, whew, that’s done. But hey, if you’re a human that’s actually reading this, and if you love this show (and love to climb) would you think about sharing this episode with a climber friend of yours? And shout it out on your socials? I’ll send you a sticker for doing it. Just shoot me a message on IG – thanks so much!

Francis Sanzaro: Boosting Performance with Mindset Tools and Why We Shouldn't Chase Flow Mar 12, 2025

Show notes

Join The Struggle’s Patreon community to get 100+ hours of Bonus Episodes, Pro Clinics, Uncut Videos, and Submit Questions for Future Guests. FREE TRIAL available!

https://www.patreon.com/thestruggleclimbingshow

Climbing Coach Francis Sanzaro joins to discuss:

How a Zen mindset can boost performance and joy
Why 'sending' shouldn't be the goal
What to do when things get scary on route
Why top climbers don't call 'take' when something goes wrong
The problem with chasing flow (and what to chase instead)
The pitfall of attaching self-worth to a send

BIG THANKS TO THE AMAZING SPONSORS OF THE STRUGGLE WHO LOVE ROCK CLIMBING AS MUCH AS YOU DO:

SCARPA: Whether you’re a climber, trail runner, skier, or hiker, SCARPA offers an array of adventure footwear for the adventure seeker in you. With a commitment to sustainability. SCARPA, No Place Too Far.
Rúngne Club: Turn your passion into rewards, join the Rúngne community & start earning!

And check out ALL the show’s awesome sponsors and exclusive deals at thestruggleclimbingshow.com/deals

Shoutout to Matt Waltereese for being a Victory Whip supporter on Patreon! So mega.

Follow along on Instagram and YouTube: @thestruggleclimbingshow

This show is produced and hosted by Ryan Devlin, and edited by Glen Walker. The Struggle is carbon-neutral in partnership with The Honnold Foundation and is a proud member of the Plug Tone Audio Collective, a diverse group of the best, most impactful podcasts in the outdoor industry.

And now here are some buzzwords to help the almighty algorithm get this show in front of people who love to climb: rock climbing, rock climber, climbing, climber, bouldering, sport climbing, gym climbing, how to rock climb, donuts are amazing. Okay, whew, that’s done. But hey, if you’re a human that’s actually reading this, and if you love this show (and love to climb) would you think about sharing this episode with a climber friend of yours? And shout it out on your socials? I’ll send you a sticker for doing it. Just shoot me a message on IG – thanks so much!

Stian Christophersen: Smarter Training, Faster Recovery, and the Science of Optimism Mar 05, 2025

Show notes

Join The Struggle’s Patreon community to get 100+ hours of Bonus Episodes, Pro Clinics, Uncut Videos, and Submit Questions for Future Guests. FREE TRIAL available!

https://www.patreon.com/thestruggleclimbingshow

Elite climber, coach, and physio Stian Christophersen explores:

Learning how to handle pain better
The mental and social side of injury
The importance of the mind-body connection as it pertains to injury recovery
Why some pro climbers remain more injury free than others
The benefit (and example) of having a standardized warm-up
How to safely train full crimp
How to improve performance and reduce injury risk on boards
What to do after a pulley injury
Ice or heat? Rest or loading? How to treat an acute injury
Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) for injury recovery and performance
Massage: placebo or proven?
The future of climbing science

BIG THANKS TO THE AMAZING SPONSORS OF THE STRUGGLE WHO LOVE ROCK CLIMBING AS MUCH AS YOU DO:

SCARPA: Whether you’re a climber, trail runner, skier, or hiker, SCARPA offers an array of adventure footwear for the adventure seeker in you. with a commitment to sustainability. Shop the whole collection at SCARPA.com. SCARPA, No Place Too Far.
5-Year Training and Performance Journal: The most important climbing tool I use! Takes just a few minutes each day, and yields amazing insights year after year. If you’re psyched on training and performance, this is the journal for you. Log, reflect, send.
Rab Equipment: For more than 40 years, Rab have been crafting rugged, high-performance clothing and equipment that give you absolute protection, comfort and freedom in the mountains. Nothing fancy or over-engineered – just honest, hard-working gear you’d rather repair than replace. Learn more at Rab.equipment.
Rúngne Club: Turn your passion into rewards, join the Rúngne community & start earning!

And check out ALL the show’s awesome sponsors and exclusive deals at thestruggleclimbingshow.com/deals

Grab Stian's book, The Climbing Bible: Managing Injuries

Shoutout to Matt Waltereese for being a Victory Whip supporter on Patreon! So mega.

Follow along on Instagram @thestruggleclimbingshow and YouTube /@thestruggleclimbingshow

The Struggle is carbon-neutral in partnership with The Honnold Foundation, whose mission is to promote solar energy for a more equitable world.

This show is produced and hosted by Ryan Devlin, and edited by Glen Walker. The Struggle is a proud member of the Plug Tone Audio Collective, a diverse group of the best, most impactful podcasts in the outdoor industry.

The struggle makes us stronger! I hope your training and climbing are going great.

Adrian Ballinger: Pro Clinic on Mountaineering and How to Have Big Adventures in the Big Mountains (FREE) Feb 26, 2025

Show notes

In this Pro Clinic, Adrian Ballinger covers:

How to learn basic mountaineering skills near home
The best mountains to start your journey
Life-changing trips that require only one week off work
How to train for a high altitude objective, even if you live in Miami
The coolest 20k foot peak in the world
How to manage high altitude illnesses
Pre-acclimitization hacks that reduce time away from home by 50%
Summit success rates
Factors that might shut down a summit attempt
How to manage risk on a trip, and understand which risks are ‘real’
Expeditions in big mountains that range from $500 to $95,000
How big mountain experiences can influence and improve our sport climbing

Gain instant access to the FULL Pro Clinic by supporting the show as a Patron (you can even check it out for FREE with a 7-day trial):

https://www.patreon.com/thestruggleclimbingshow

Shoutout to Matt Waltereese for being a Victory Whip supporter on Patreon! So mega.

Follow along on Instagram and YouTube: @thestruggleclimbingshow, @adrianballinger, @alpenglowexpeditions

Explore what Alpenglow Expeditions is all about: https://alpenglowexpeditions.com/

The struggle makes us stronger! Let's get out there and try hard. Thanks for supporting the show, y'all.

Pete Whittaker: Embracing Struggle, Building Strength, Managing Fear, and Crack School Feb 19, 2025

Show notes

Join The Struggle’s Patreon community to get 100+ hours of Bonus Episodes, Pro Clinics, Uncut Videos, and Submit Questions for Future Guests. FREE TRIAL available!

https://www.patreon.com/thestruggleclimbingshow

Elite climber Pete Whittaker explores:

How to get better at struggling
Who gives up first when things get tough: him and Tom
How he's building strength and power
Improving training results by focusing on intention
His wild experiment with weight
Expedition tactics and his epic Greenland trip
How he uses technique to climb harder without being stronger
Heel hooking 101
The most scared he’s ever been on route
Tips on how to place gear and assess its quality
The launch of Global Crack School

CHAPTERS:

Struggle: (0:07:52)
Training: (0:15:44)
Nutrition: (0:49:51)
Tactics: (1:03:20)
Mental Game: (1:27:45)
Purpose: (1:44:49)

BIG THANKS TO THE AMAZING SPONSORS OF THE STRUGGLE WHO LOVE ROCK CLIMBING AS MUCH AS YOU DO:

ForceBoard: A better way to train fingers. Portable, accurate, and created to train finger strength and endurance exactly how YOU need it. Score $10 off and support the show by using code STRUGGLE10 at checkout.

Rab Equipment: For more than 40 years, Rab have been crafting rugged, high-performance clothing and equipment that give you absolute protection, comfort and freedom in the mountains. Nothing fancy or over-engineered – just honest, hard-working gear you’d rather repair than replace. Learn more at Rab.equipment.
Rúngne: Soft threads and high performing chalk! Use Code STRUGGLE for 15% Off Bags, Buckets, Chalk & Apparel from Rúngne! Rungne.com
5-Year Training and Performance Journal: The most important climbing tool I use! Takes just a few minutes each day, and yields amazing insights year after year. If you’re psyched on training and performance, this is the journal for you. Log, reflect, send.

And check out ALL the show’s awesome sponsors and exclusive deals at thestruggleclimbingshow.com/deals

Shoutout to Matt Waltereese for being a Victory Whip supporter on Patreon! So mega.

Follow along on Instagram @thestruggleclimbingshow and YouTube /@thestruggleclimbingshow

To learn more about Global Crack School, head over to https://www.wideboyz.school/opt-in

The Struggle is carbon-neutral in partnership with The Honnold Foundation, whose mission is to promote solar energy for a more equitable world.

The struggle makes us stronger! I hope your training and climbing are going great.

Anna Hazelnutt | Crag Chat: Sending Belly of the Beast (14b), Big Emotions on a Big Wall, Tattoo Talk, and Listener Questions Feb 15, 2025

Show notes

Join The Struggle’s Patreon community to get 100+ hours of Bonus Episodes, Pro Clinics, Uncut Videos, and Submit Questions for Future Guests. FREE TRIAL available!

https://www.patreon.com/thestruggleclimbingshow

Anna Hazelnutt is back with another Crag Chat packed with laughs, musings, updates, struggles, beta, and whatever else is on our minds, including:

Sending her hardest climb yet!
Breakdown of Belly of the Beast (14b) in El Salto
What happens when the send isn't happening
Big emotions on the big wall
Balancing life and climbing
New send... new tattoo?
Listener questions
OnlyFans update (obviously)

Watch the uncut video at The Struggle's or Anna's Patreons:

patreon.com/thestruggleclimbingshow

patreon.com/annahazelnutt

Shoutout to Rúngne for sponsoring this Crag Chat! Use code STRUGGLE20 to get 20% off your chalk order, or code STRUGGLE to get 15% off store wide on everything else. Plus, you can score free shipping to the U.S. on a bunch of new bundles (on top of the 15% off code)!

Shoutout to Rab Equipment for keeping Anna warm on those long cold days in El Salto! For more than 40 years, Rab have been crafting rugged, high-performance clothing and equipment that give you absolute protection, comfort and freedom in the mountains. Nothing fancy or over-engineered – just honest, hard-working gear you’d rather repair than replace. Learn more at Rab.equipment.

Check out Anna’s latest videos on her YT channel: youtube.com/@annahazelnutt

Check out The Struggle’s latest videos at: youtube.com/@thestruggleclimbingshow

Follow along on Instagram @thestruggleclimbingshow and @annahazelnutt

This show is produced and hosted by Ryan Devlin. The Struggle is carbon-neutral in partnership with The Honnold Foundation and is a proud member of the Plug Tone Audio Collective, a diverse group of the best, most impactful podcasts in the outdoor industry.

Coach Karly Rager: How to Plan, Prep, and Perform on your Next Climbing Trip Feb 12, 2025

Show notes

Join The Struggle’s Patreon community to get 100+ hours of Bonus Episodes, Pro Clinics, Uncut Videos, and Submit Questions for Future Guests. FREE TRIAL available!

https://www.patreon.com/thestruggleclimbingshow

In this conversation with Coach Karly Rager of Project Direct Coaching we cover:

Common pitfalls climbers make when planning trips
How to be performance-driven without blowing a trip on one route
Building a grade ladder rather than pyramid
The importance of pattern recognition in a new area
Capacity training to prep for a trip
How to structure rest for optimal performance
Should we do supplemental training while on a trip
The four goals to set for every trip
How to work a limit project on a trip
Listener questions on training, movement, and finger strength

BIG THANKS TO THE AMAZING SPONSORS OF THE STRUGGLE WHO LOVE ROCK CLIMBING AS MUCH AS YOU DO:

PhysiVantage: the official climbing-nutrition sponsor of The Struggle. Use code STRUGGLE15 at checkout for 15% off your full-priced nutrition order.
5-Year Training and Performance Journal: The most important climbing tool I use! Takes just a few minutes each day, and yields amazing insights year after year. If you’re psyched on training and performance, this is the journal for you. Log, reflect, send.

And check out ALL the show’s awesome sponsors and exclusive deals at thestruggleclimbingshow.com/deals

Shoutout to Matt Waltereese for being a Victory Whip supporter on Patreon! So mega.

Follow along on Instagram and YouTube: @thestruggleclimbingshow

Magnus Midtbø: How to Improve Indoors, Are Kneepads Aid, and His Insane Training Plan Feb 05, 2025

Show notes

Join The Struggle’s Patreon community to get 100+ hours of Bonus Episodes, Pro Clinics, Uncut Videos, and Submit Questions for Future Guests. FREE TRIAL available!

https://www.patreon.com/thestruggleclimbingshow

Elite climber Magnus Midtbø explores:

Adam Ondra’s lost Dawn Wall footage
Climbing with PewDiePie and what we can learn from it
How to improve on comp style dynamic and coordination problems in the gym
Adam Ondra’s secret finger nail tip
Building a successful YT empire, clothing brand, and more
Learnings from training with Alex Megos
Are rest days actually important
How kneepads are totally changing the game
What’s more important, flexibility or finger strength
Magnus’s insane training week

BIG THANKS TO THE AMAZING SPONSORS OF THE STRUGGLE WHO LOVE ROCK CLIMBING AS MUCH AS YOU DO:

PhysiVantage: the official climbing-nutrition sponsor of The Struggle. Use code STRUGGLE15 at checkout for 15% off your full-priced nutrition order.
ForceBoard: A better way to train fingers. Portable, accurate, and created to train finger strength and endurance exactly how YOU need it. Score $10 off and support the show by using code STRUGGLE10 at checkout.
Rúngne: Use code STRUGGLE20 in February to score 20% off your chalk order! Or code STRUGGLE for 15% off everything store wide.
5-Year Training and Performance Journal: The most important climbing tool I use! Takes just a few minutes each day, and yields amazing insights year after year. If you’re psyched on training and performance, this is the journal for you. Log, reflect, send.

And check out ALL the show’s awesome sponsors and exclusive deals at thestruggleclimbingshow.com/deals

Shoutout to Matt Waltereese for being a Victory Whip supporter on Patreon! So mega.

Follow along on Instagram @thestruggleclimbingshow and YouTube /@thestruggleclimbingshow

The Struggle is carbon-neutral in partnership with The Honnold Foundation, whose mission is to promote solar energy for a more equitable world.

The struggle makes us stronger! I hope your training and climbing are going great.

Road To V8 with Nate Drolet: Winter Training Plan Jan 29, 2025

Show notes

Join The Struggle’s Patreon community to get 100+ hours of Bonus Episodes, Pro Clinics, Uncut Videos, and Submit Questions for Future Guests. FREE TRIAL available!

https://www.patreon.com/thestruggleclimbingshow

In this episode, Coach Nate Drolet consults with me on my bouldering goals and beyond, including:

The importance of building a pyramid as a sport climber
The benefit of a developed endurance system even if you’re a pure boulderer
My test metrics and what they mean for my training plan and goals
How to improve one's bouldering grade without getting stronger
The diff between a sport climber who boulders, and a boulderer
How to try really hard every single go
How to craft gym bouldering sessions
Filming ‘baseline’ boulder problems to gauge progress
The value of lighting up improbable problems and grades
The "7 Try" rule
Route selection
Training legs for bouldering

BIG THANKS TO THE AMAZING SPONSORS OF THE STRUGGLE WHO LOVE ROCK CLIMBING AS MUCH AS YOU DO:

ForceBoard: A better way to train fingers. Portable, accurate, and created to train finger strength and endurance exactly how YOU need it. Score $10 off and support the show by using code STRUGGLE10 at checkout.
5-Year Training and Performance Journal: The most important climbing tool I use! Takes just a few minutes each day, and yields amazing insights year after year. If you’re psyched on training and performance, this is the journal for you. Log, reflect, send.

And check out ALL the show’s awesome sponsors and exclusive deals at thestruggleclimbingshow.com/deals

Shoutout to Matt Waltereese for being a Victory Whip supporter on Patreon! So mega.

Follow along on Instagram and YouTube @thestruggleclimbingshow

Connor Herson: Trad Phenom, 5.15 Without Hangboarding, and the Value of 'Easy' Days Jan 22, 2025

Show notes

Join The Struggle’s Patreon community to get 100+ hours of Bonus Episodes, Pro Clinics, Uncut Videos, and Submit Questions for Future Guests. FREE TRIAL available!

https://www.patreon.com/thestruggleclimbingshow

In this episode, elite climber Connor Herson explores:

What social media doesn't reveal about the process of hard climbing
Struggling with training, and avoiding hangboarding and weightlifting
How projecting 5.15 feels similar (and different) to projecting lower grades
Lighter is not better on big walls
His unexpected send of Magic Line, one of the hardest trad crack climbs in the world
Movement and technique vs strength and power
Creative gear placement strategies for trad climbing
The benefit of top rope sessions
The tradeoff between comp climbing and outdoor climbing
Why climbing easier routes is so important

CHAPTERS:

Struggle: (0:10:48)
Training: (0:29:10)
Nutrition: (0:47:05)
Tactics: (0:51:46)
Mental Game: (1:04:22)
Purpose: (1:06:13)

BIG THANKS TO THE AMAZING SPONSORS OF THE STRUGGLE WHO LOVE ROCK CLIMBING AS MUCH AS YOU DO:

Rúngne: Soft threads and high performing chalk! Use Code STRUGGLE for 15% Off Bags, Buckets, Chalk & Apparel from Rúngne! Rungne.com
Boulder Bears: Taste like candy, kick like coffee! Each caffeinated gummy bear contains collagen and 20mg of caffeine so you can take care of your tendons while dialing in the perfect level of boost and focus for your sesh. Plus, they're crazy delicious. Score a free travel pack plus 15% off using code STRUGGLE
Rhino Skin Solutions: Perform, Cleanse, Repair… repeat! The absolute best skin care products crafted specifically for climbers, whether you’re pulling hard indoors or out. Use code STRUGGLE to score a whopping 20% off your purchase!
5-Year Training and Performance Journal: The most important climbing tool I use! Takes just a few minutes each day, and yields amazing insights year after year. If you’re psyched on training and performance, this is the journal for you. Log, reflect, send.

And check out ALL the show’s awesome sponsors and exclusive deals at thestruggleclimbingshow.com/deals

Shoutout to Matt Waltereese for being a Victory Whip supporter on Patreon! So mega.

Follow along on Instagram @thestruggleclimbingshow and YouTube /@thestruggleclimbingshow

The Struggle is carbon-neutral in partnership with The Honnold Foundation, whose mission is to promote solar energy for a more equitable world.

The struggle makes us stronger! I hope your training and climbing are going great.

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