E83: The role of climbing in our lives, thought provoking questions from Mimi White
Feb 9, 2024
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Psychologist Mimi White joins Sam and Aidan to discuss her recently published survey on the role of climbing in our lives. They explore the meaning of climbing, its impact on mental health, and the fine line between passion and obsession. They also delve into the connection between climbing and sports psychology, the limitations of focusing on climbing, and the role of climbing in personal growth. The hosts reflect on the emotional dependency they have on climbing, their day-to-day goals and energy balance, and the interdependence of brain and physicalities in climbing.
Climbing provides a unique lens through which to view the world and contributes to personal growth.
Passion in climbing can be both obsessive and harmonious, impacting motivation.
Memorable experiences in climbing are associated with personal growth, achievement, and adventure.
Climbing acts as a catalyst for personal growth, revealing both positive and negative qualities in individuals.
Deep dives
Climbing provides a variety of experiences
Climbing allows for a variety of experiences, from exploring different locations to meeting new people in the climbing community. It offers a unique lens through which to view the world and can contribute to personal growth.
Working on passion and motivation
The podcast episode discusses the concept of passion in climbing and how it relates to motivation. Passion can be understood as either obsessive or harmonious, and climbing can provide a mix of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.
Memorable experiences in climbing
Climbing can offer memorable experiences that are often associated with personal growth, achievement, and a sense of adventure. These experiences can be tied to specific climbs, moments of realization, or connections with other climbers.
Reflection on the qualities reflected in climbing
Climbing can reveal qualities in individuals, both positive and negative, and can serve as a catalyst for personal growth and self-reflection. It can highlight strengths such as persistence and willpower while also exposing weaknesses and areas for improvement.
Passion and Climbing: Exploring the Impact and Balance
The podcast episode delves into the concept of passion in climbing and its effects on other areas of life. It examines how climbers prioritize their time and the impact climbing has on various aspects of their lives. The discussion highlights the intricate relationship between climbing, personal commitments, and overall life satisfaction. The hosts share their own experiences and perspectives, providing valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of balancing climbing with other responsibilities.
The All-Encompassing Nature of Climbing
One key point discussed is the all-consuming nature of climbing. The hosts express their strong devotion and commitment to climbing, emphasizing how it can take precedence over other areas of their lives. They note that climbing often occupies their thoughts and provides a break from other worries and concerns. This passion for climbing impacts their time management and energy allocation, leading to intense focus and dedication towards the sport.
Finding Balance and Managing Priorities
The podcast also explores the challenges of balancing climbing with other responsibilities and goals. The hosts discuss how climbing can sometimes demand significant amounts of time and energy, potentially affecting other areas of life. They share personal anecdotes of juggling climbing with work, academics, family commitments, and other hobbies. While acknowledging that climbing can have a negative impact on certain aspects, they also reflect on the rewards and satisfaction it brings. It prompts a deeper examination of the trade-offs and compromises climbers make to pursue their passion.
A follow-along survey for the role of climbing in our lives: Sam and Aidan are joined by Mimi White a climber and psychologist as she collects data and runs us through her recently published survey (now closed). Complex and thought provoking, we both had to really think hard to answer these and it really got us pondering as we tried to cobble together our thought processes. I hope you enjoy trying to answer these questions for yourselves as much as we did and perhaps you'll even learn something along the way (a bit of a shock on this podcast).
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