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The Struggle Climbing Show

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

Mar 12, 2025
Climbing coach Francis Sanzaro, a philosopher with a PhD and author of "The Zen of Climbing," shares insights on achieving peak performance through a Zen mindset. He challenges the obsession with 'sending' and emphasizes the importance of joy in climbing. Sanzaro discusses overcoming anxiety with mindfulness, the dangers of chasing flow, and the connection between personal worth and climbing success. He advocates for embracing fear and understanding your mental game to improve both enjoyment and performance on the rock.
01:32:41

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • A Zen mindset promotes enhanced performance and joy by encouraging climbers to reduce mental clutter and embrace mindfulness practices.
  • Climbers should avoid tying their self-worth to their performance; this detachment fosters a healthier and more enjoyable relationship with the sport.

Deep dives

Getting Out of Your Own Way

Athletes are encouraged to minimize the mental barriers that hinder their performance. By focusing on the connection between mind and body, climbers can enhance their climbing experience. This involves letting go of self-doubt and allowing the body to perform instinctively. The podcast discusses how reducing mental clutter leads to improved performance and greater enjoyment in the sport.

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