Hannah Morris: Expanding the Comfort Zone, Managing Anxiety, Fun vs. Gains, and Learnings from a Hit YouTube Channel
Nov 13, 2024
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Hannah Morris, a climber and popular YouTuber known for her relatable content, dives into her personal journey of growth and anxiety management through climbing. She discusses the balance of fun versus performance in climbing, embracing challenges, and the valuable lessons derived from a 40-day intense training experiment. The conversation highlights the power of community support, the transformative nature of confronting fears, and practical anxiety management techniques, reinforcing how climbing can foster both personal empowerment and connection.
Embracing humility in climbing fosters personal growth and encourages climbers to confront their weaknesses for meaningful development.
Hannah Morris's relatable content emphasizes prioritizing fun over competition, making her approach appealing to climbers within their abilities.
Managing anxiety through climbing serves as an effective outlet, allowing climbers like Hannah to challenge themselves and find lessons beyond the sport.
Deep dives
Embracing Humility in Climbing
Learning to embrace humility in climbing can lead to meaningful growth and understanding. Often, the areas where climbers feel the most challenged are the ones that can teach them the most valuable lessons. Acknowledging that the lessons we resist learning may hold greater importance allows climbers to confront their weaknesses openly. This perspective encourages a mindset shift where struggling becomes an opportunity for personal development, fostering resilience and adaptability in the sport.
The Authenticity of Hannah Morris
Hannah Morris's popularity stems from her approachability and authenticity as a climber, making her a relatable figure for many. Unlike elite climbers who focus solely on pushing boundaries, Hannah's content resonates with those aiming to improve within their abilities, particularly at the V7 to V8 range. Her YouTube channel showcases not only her climbing journey but also her experiments, such as training like a pro for a specified period. Throughout this process, she emphasizes fun over competition while still striving for improvement.
Navigating Mental Health in Climbing
The discussion around mental health, particularly anxiety, reveals its pervasive influence on both climbing and daily life. Hannah openly shares her struggles with anxiety, illustrating how it affects her ability to communicate and engage fully during experiences. The conversation highlights that climbing can serve as a productive outlet to confront and manage fears in a controlled environment. By pushing beyond her comfort zones in climbing, like tackling high-water soloing, she finds lessons that extend to her life beyond the crag.
Experiments with Effective Training
Hannah's experiment of training like a pro for 40 days produced notable improvements in her climbing metrics, including significant gains in finger strength. While the specific routines contributed to tangible strength increases, the mental component of commitment and focus played a critical role in her success. Observing measurable progress inspired her confidence and willingness to tackle harder climbs. This experiment underscores the importance of structure and accountability in climbing training, balancing enjoyment and progression.
The Interconnectedness of Climbing Skills
A key insight from working with Coach B is the importance of focus on foundational elements, such as footwork, in optimizing climbing performance. Climbers often overlook aspects like foot placements and lower body mechanics while fixating on upper body strength. By understanding that the whole body functions as an interconnected system, climbers can improve their climbing efficiency and technique. Addressing minor adjustments in balance and grip can dramatically impact overall climbing success.
Learning from Climbing Legends
Spending time with climbing icons like Lynn Hill provides invaluable lessons about technique and humility. Hannah had the privilege of working with Lynn, which deepened her appreciation for the finesse and skill required in climbing. This experience not only enriched her knowledge but also reinforced the idea that mastery involves continuous learning and adaptation. Such interactions serve as a powerful reminder of the potential for growth in the sport, no matter one's current level.
BIG THANKS TO THE AMAZING SPONSORS OF THE STRUGGLE WHO LOVE ROCK CLIMBING AS MUCH AS YOU DO:
Rúngne: Soft threads and high performing chalk! Use Code STRUGGLE for 15% Off Bags, Buckets, Chalk & Apparel from Rúngne! Rungne.com
Crimpd: The absolute best tool for self-coached climbers to stay on track with training. Visit Crimpd.com to download the app for FREE and take your training to the next level.
The Struggle is carbon-neutral in partnership with The Honnold Foundation, whose mission is to promote solar energy for a more equitable world.
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This show is produced and hosted by Ryan Devlin, and edited by Glen Walker. The Struggle is a proud member of the Plug Tone Audio Collective, a diverse group of the best, most impactful podcasts in the outdoor industry.
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The struggle makes us stronger! I hope your training and climbing are going great.
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And now here are some buzzwords to help the almighty algorithm get this show in front of people who love to climb: rock climbing, rock climber, climbing, climber, bouldering, sport climbing, gym climbing, how to rock climb, donuts are amazing. Okay, whew, that’s done. But hey, if you’re a human that’s actually reading this, and if you love this show (and love to climb) would you think about sharing this episode with a climber friend of yours? And shout it out on your socials? I’ll send you a sticker for doing it. Just shoot me a message on IG – thanks so much!
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