2025 Begins with Reflection

For me, 2025 began with reflection. And I have found that I care too much about competitive climbing. Allow me to explain. Recently, whilst competing, I have found myself getting overly stressed about performance. My focus has been on getting to the top of the wall and obtaining the maximum number of points. This is obviously a very two-dimensional approach to climbing, but it goes to show how easy it is to get "lost in the sauce" of competitive climbing. 

I had to have a conversation with my coach in which he reminded me that climbing is so much more than that. Climbing a rock is a process of exploration and execution - an undertaking that combines intellect and physicality. And as I continue to reflect on this conversation, I am remembering the beauty of me being awake and aware on a rock. So, now, my center of attention now goes to being fully focused on the rock and the movement whilst climbing!

Focusing on the climbing (instead of the points) in completion should also result in better overall competition performance. (How counterproductive the rat race is!) If I look at a climb in competition and see the undertaking mentioned above rather than a set number of points to be obtained, then I will simply climb the rock (what I love doing and what I do best) rather than obtain the points (what is stressful and counterproductive). All things considered, to be at ease with competition and to become an "artist (climber) of substance" I must focus more on the substance and less on the reward.

Location: Alexandria, VA, USA

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