EP 127: Jesse Firestone — Bouldering Tactics, Quantum Leaps, and Non-Physical Factors That Affect Our Performance
The Nugget Climbing Podcast
Climbing - Is There a Mine Set?
Climbing is a social thing, they can't perform when other people are watching. I think of that as emotional regulation too, being really important. That seems to be the place where a lot of people falter. Mine set is a big thing that i see climbers struggling with constantly. And specifically, how is your ability to stand under the boulder, or stand under the root and get into the zone to do the damned thing on command?
Jesse Firestone is an elite boulderer, a climbing coach, and a climbing philosopher. He’s also a good friend of mine from Oregon. We talked about quantum leaps in our progression as climbers, Jesse’s top 3 tips for climbers at different stages, non-physical factors that affect our performance, tips for flashing hard boulders, training changes after age 30, and much more.
*If you liked my episodes with Emil Abrahamsson and Martin Keller, don’t skip this one!
Check out Petzl!
Or shop for Petzl quickdraws at your local climbing shop!
Check out Feals!
Use this link to get 50% off your first order and free shipping!
Check out Crimpd!
Or download the Crimpd app! (Available for iOS and Android)
Check out PhysiVantage!
physivantage.com (link includes 15% off coupon)
Use code "NUGGET15" at checkout for 15% off your next order!
We are supported by these amazing BIG GIVERS:
- Leo Franchi, Michael Roy, David Lahaie, Robert Freehill, Jeremiah Johnson, Scott Donahue, Eli Conlee, Skyler Maxwell, Craig Lee, and Mark and Julie Calhoun
Become a Patron:
Show Notes:
thenuggetclimbing.com/episodes/jesse-firestone
Nuggets:
0:06:17 – Breakfast, considerations when building a home wall, and how to make climbing holds out of plywood
0:12:24 – Skin conditioning, and dishwashing gloves
0:15:19 – Applying too much stuff to our skin
0:16:56 – Climbing volume, and trying to add more things to make our injuries better
0:18:39 – Being obsessive
0:21:15 – Jesse’s first rest day
0:23:31 – Jesse’s early mentors in climbing, and taking opportunities when they come
0:25:28 – Identifying as a boulderer early on, and wishing he had rested more
0:27:53 – The Portland phase, and how to get pure raw strength in the climbing gym
0:31:27 – Dropping out of college to hit the road for 7 months, and why Jesse’s climbing ability skyrocketed
0:33:08 – The Bend phase
0:35:41 – How Jesse got into coaching
0:38:02 – Emotional regulation, mindset, and common mistakes
0:41:01 – An introduction to Jesse’s Performance Pyramid
0:43:30 – The tiers of the Performance Pyramid
0:47:52 – Jesse’s consistency, and which elements of the pyramid climbers are most resistant to
0:50:11 – Changing our circumstances, and thinking of our lifestyles as an investment
0:52:25 – Quantum leaps
0:54:07 – Spray walls, and the distractions of the climbing gym
0:56:24 – Jesse’s spray wall soapbox
0:58:01 – Emotional regulation strategies (breathing and mantras)
1:03:20 – Emotional regulation strategies (easy climbing with no agenda, and learning to climb alone)
1:04:57 – Beta selection, and the language we speak on the wall
1:07:39 – Pivoting of the torso
1:11:09 – Tough Strips
1:13:31 – MacGyvering solutions, and thinking outside the box
1:17:30 – Beating your head against bad beta, and the importance of finishing climbs
1:21:13 – “We’re all going to hit a point where we’re not climbing harder anymore.”
1:25:53 – 3 tips for beginners
1:32:54 – 3 tips for outdoor-focused climbers
1:37:02 – Summary of 3 tips lists
1:37:43 – Practicing technique on rock
1:38:35 – Flashing boulders, flash ethics, and tips that helped Jesse flash his first V10
1:49:43 – Two hard highball first ascents that Jesse climbed in 2021 (see show notes for videos)
2:00:58 – Why Jesse named one of his highballs Imposter Syndrome
2:03:24 – Being proud of the two highball FAs, and Jesse’s thoughts on repeating established highballs
2:04:36 – Exploring the feeling of being afraid, and exposure therapy
2:05:44 – Patron question from Xander: Have you had to make changes to your training after turning 30?
2:09:54 – Thinking in campaigns/seasons
2:13:31 – Fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD)
2:14:37 – Doing more training after 30
2:15:57 – Patron question from Joe: At what level of strength do we experience diminishing returns, and is it worth training the hinge if you can maintain that level without training it directly? (Ex. double bodyweight deadlift)
2:18:25 – Patron question from Joe: What is one piece of advice Jesse wishes he had taken earlier? (mastery, and being a barbarian)
2:20:44 – Patron question from Christopher: How do you handle it mentally if you start regressing on a project? (setting early goals for a session)
2:22:33 – Going into projects with inertia, and knowing when to walk away
2:25:03 – Why Jesse is moving to Leavenworth
2:26:37 – Using a yoga block to train for narrow compression moves on a V12
2:29:47 – Jesse’s thoughts on what it would take for him to climb V14
2:35:47 – Why Jesse and I are thankful for one another, and finding a climbing partner who will cut through your bullshit
The AI-powered Podcast Player
