Climbing Gold Who The F@#k is Hamish McArthur?
Oct 3, 2025
Hamish McArthur, an elite young boulderer and surprise fifth-place finisher at the Paris Olympics, shares his incredible journey. He candidly discusses how competitions reshaped his perspective on climbing and what it was like to approach the Olympics as an underdog. Hamish reveals his intuitive training methods and the joy he finds in bouldering projects rather than hard routes. Plus, he reflects on the creative process behind tackling world-class problems like Megatron, emphasizing that enjoyment and mindset make daunting climbs feel achievable.
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Underdog Olympics Run
- Hamish qualified for the Olympics unexpectedly and intentionally skipped other World Cups that season.
- He treated the Olympics as one event to protect his personality and mental health while performing well.
Compete Selectively To Stay Yourself
- If competition harms your personality, treat major events as singular, bounded projects to protect relationships.
- Limit competing frequency so you can stay aligned with your values and avoid becoming self-centered.
The Power Of Not Knowing
- Not knowing your ranking can be an advantage because it prevents self-limiting expectations.
- Hamish argues that many climbers are already physically capable of more than they attempt.