The Nugget Climbing Podcast

EP 223: Aidan Roberts — Navigating Pro Climbing, Establishing His Two Hardest Boulders, and Glimpsing Mastery

Jun 10, 2024

Aidan Roberts, a top boulderer, discusses professional climbing and media, new challenging boulders proposed, and reflections on podcasting. Topics include transitioning to a home base, balancing passion with livelihood, navigating climbing media and sponsorships, exploring climbing narratives and social media challenges, challenging climbs and training experiences, rediscovering a fresh approach to climbing, embracing the flow of climbing, and reflecting on climbing projects and grading.

03:35:25

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Episode guests

Aidan Roberts

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

A focus on intricate movements and unique wall features in mastering challenging climbs.

Importance of presence and enjoyment in achieving climbing flow and satisfaction.

Gratitude for climbing experiences aiding personal growth and mastery.

Balance between ambition and enjoying the climbing process over grading climbs.

Exploring diverse climbing locations in Finland for new developments and experiences.

Reflecting on personal development in climbing and finding fulfillment beyond achievements.

Deep dives

Introduction and Initial Reflections

Aiden Roberts reflects on the period after doing the climb Alfane, noting a sense of validation and ego satisfaction from the climbing limelight. He spent time in Sheffield for training with coach Ollie Torr and climber Toby Roberts. The focus was on training power moves, including climbing more dynamically, to prepare for upcoming projects.

Intro

5min

Reflections on Transitioning to a Home Base and Balancing Passion with Livelihood

22min

Navigating Climbing Media and Sponsorships

23min

Exploring Climbing Narratives and Social Media Challenges

10min

Reflections on Climbing Journey and Evolving Experiences

6min

Challenging Climbs and Training Experiences

6min

Climbing Challenges and Lessons Learned

30min

Rediscovering a Fresh Approach to Climbing

33min

Embracing the Flow of Climbing

12min

10.

Training Routine and Collagen Importance in Climbing Sessions

2min

11.

Exploring Mastery in Climbing and the Significance of Finding the Perfect Climb

4min

12.

Reflecting on Climbing Projects and Grading

19min

13.

Navigating the Complexity of Climbing Grades and Self-Worth

26min

14.

Exploring the Possibility of Sailing to the States

2min

15.

Climbing 'Burden of Dreams' in Finland

13min

16.

Reflections on an Interview with Aiden and Encouragement for Listener Support

2min

Aidan Roberts returns to the podcast! Aidan is at the cutting edge of bouldering and is one of the most genuine people I’ve had the pleasure of talking to. We talk about professional climbing and today’s media landscape, and he brings us up to speed on the last year and a half of his climbing and shares the full stories of ‘Spots of Time’ and ‘Arrival of the Birds’, two new boulders proposed 9A/V17.

We recorded this a couple of days after my chat with him and Sam on their podcast. I was honored to join them and I loved the conversation. Check it out for some reflections amongst the three of us about our podcasting and climbing.

Watch the Video Interview:

EP 223: Aidan Roberts Returns — Uncut Video

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We are supported by these amazing BIG GIVERS:

Michael Roy, Craig Lee, Mark and Julie Calhoun, Yinan Liu, Zach Emery, Alex Pluta, and Matt Walter

Show Notes:

thenuggetclimbing.com/episodes/aidan-roberts-returns

Nuggets:

(00:00:00) – Intro

(00:04:59) – Recooperation phase

(00:08:18) – Powering through

(00:10:24) – Course corrections

(00:13:58) – Climbing as his work

(00:21:45) – Enduring austerity

(00:24:17) – His role as a pro climber

(00:29:28) – Our relationships with climbing

(00:35:54) – Navigating pro climbing

(00:45:44) – Valuing integrity

(00:49:11) – Climbing media & being impressionable

(00:52:51) – Reflecting on experiences

(01:04:23) – Aidan’s last year and a half

(01:08:54) – The Midnight Project (Arrival of the Birds)

(01:33:30) – Trying Burden last Fall

(01:41:47) – Ticino with Shawn Raboutou

(01:46:41) – Back to The Midnight Project

(01:50:28) – The Helvellyn Project (Spots of Time)

(02:03:39) – Training in the UK last winter

(02:07:03) – Sending Spots of Time

(02:08:18) – Sending Arrival of the Birds

(02:30:31) – Glimpsing mastery

(02:33:33) – Appreciating the places we climb

(02:38:06) – Proposing grades

(02:52:01) – Is Arrival of the Birds 9A+?

(03:08:35) – Exhausted & reexamining eating

(03:12:42) – His foot injury & next climbing steps

(03:14:23) – Plans for an EXTRA

(03:18:22) – An adventurous attitude

(03:20:04) – Burden of Dreams

(03:26:03) – Finnish bouldering

(03:32:48) – Wrap up

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The Nugget Climbing Podcast

EP 223: Aidan Roberts — Navigating Pro Climbing, Establishing His Two Hardest Boulders, and Glimpsing Mastery

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Introduction and Initial Reflections

Discovery of the Midnight Project

Initial Attempt and Return to the Midnight Project

Further Exploration and Reflection

Story of Finding the Perfect Climb

Chasing Flow and Execution

Session with Special Meaning

Gratitude for the Climbing Experience

Reflections on Climbing Achievements and Grading Challenges

Finland as a Climbing Destination and the Significance of Other Boulders

Exploring Personal Growth and Motivations in Climbing

Get the Snipd
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AI-powered
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Discover
highlights

Save any
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The Nugget Climbing Podcast

EP 223: Aidan Roberts — Navigating Pro Climbing, Establishing His Two Hardest Boulders, and Glimpsing Mastery

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Introduction and Initial Reflections

Discovery of the Midnight Project

Initial Attempt and Return to the Midnight Project

Further Exploration and Reflection

Story of Finding the Perfect Climb

Chasing Flow and Execution

Session with Special Meaning

Gratitude for the Climbing Experience

Reflections on Climbing Achievements and Grading Challenges

Finland as a Climbing Destination and the Significance of Other Boulders

Exploring Personal Growth and Motivations in Climbing

Get the Snipdpodcast app

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Discoverhighlights

Save anymoment

Share& Export

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Discoverhighlights

Get the Snipd
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highlights

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