E117: Beth Rodden returns! - A light through the cracks and general natter
Oct 2, 2024
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Beth Rodden, an accomplished author and returning favorite guest, dives into her recent book 'A Light Through the Cracks' and shares her writing journey. The conversation touches on the emotional rollercoaster of book releases and the importance of vulnerability in storytelling. They discuss shifting dynamics in the climbing culture, especially for women, and reflect on success and identity in climbing. Beth also emphasizes the need for balance between busyness and well-being, blending genres in narratives, and the joy of climbing adventures ahead.
Beth Rodden discusses the emotional complexities of writing her book 'A Light Through the Cracks,' reflecting on her growth and experiences as a climber.
The podcast highlights Beth's struggles with injuries that prompted her to reconsider her identity and relationship with climbing.
Beth shares insights from a trip to Spain that revealed the pressures of competitive climbing and the importance of personal satisfaction.
The conversation emphasizes the evolving nature of climbing for Beth, focusing on connection and enjoyment rather than mere performance achievements.
Deep dives
Beth Rodden's Remarkable Climbing Journey
Beth Rodden is a prominent figure in the climbing community, known for her incredible achievements on challenging routes. She has established herself as an elite climber, having tackled significant climbs over her career, including notable hard trad routes. Over the years, she transitioned from high-level trad climbing to exploring multi-pitch routes and bouldering, showcasing her versatility as a climber. In addition to her climbing pursuits, she has recently penned a book titled 'A Light Through the Cracks,' which delves into her life experiences and reflections on climbing.
The Process of Writing 'A Light Through the Cracks'
Beth shares that the writing of her book was not a straightforward journey, but a reflection of her life experiences and growth as both a climber and an individual. Transitioning from the initial apprehension about the book to fully embracing the writing process, she discovered a space where she could articulate the many layers of her life story. The collaborative nature of her writing experience with others helped her to uncover deeper insights into her own life and the climbing community. Ultimately, this process has led to the creation of a compelling narrative that resonates with both climbers and non-climbers alike.
Facing Personal Challenges and Injuries
The podcast explores Beth's struggles with injuries that impacted her climbing performance and her identity as a climber. These challenges forced her to reckon with feelings of inadequacy and to question her relationship with climbing. She candidly shares her journey of navigating the emotional obstacles that arose from this phase of her life, illustrating the connection between physical injuries and mental well-being. Through these experiences, Beth comes to appreciate the complex relationship she has with her body and the importance of recognizing her worth beyond climbing achievements.
Revisiting Relationships and Old Climbing Scenes
Beth reflects on a trip to Spain where she reunited with old climbing friends, but also had to confront the reality of her changed identity in comparison to her peers. This experience highlighted the challenges of returning to old environments after significant personal growth and shifts in priorities. The encounters during this trip caused her to reflect on the pressures and expectations she once faced in the competitive climbing community. Through this, she realized the importance of emphasizing personal satisfaction and joy in climbing rather than solely focusing on achievement.
The Evolution of Climbing Perspectives
The discussion highlights Beth's evolving relationship with climbing, moving from a focus on performance and competition to embracing climbing as a tool for connection and enjoyment. She recognizes that the climbing world places immense pressure on individuals to achieve specific grades and performance benchmarks, but she is now more interested in the genuine experiences climbing provides. Beth acknowledges the enjoyment she derives from being in nature and connecting with others rather than solely measuring her worth through climbing accomplishments. This perspective shift allows her to enjoy climbing for the intrinsic value it offers her life.
Navigating Authenticity and Vulnerability
In the conversation, Beth discusses the challenge of being open and authentic while also navigating her vulnerabilities, particularly in the context of her book. She expresses the importance of allowing herself to be seen as a complex individual rather than a one-dimensional climber. The recognition that her story contains both triumphs and painful experiences illustrates the reality of being human, and this transparency can forge deeper connections with readers. Through her writing, Beth aims to foster discussions about mental health and the nuances of climbing culture in ways that allow both climbers and non-climbers to engage with her experiences.
The Impact of Climbing on Personal Life
The podcast concludes with reflections on how climbing experiences intertwine with broader life lessons and personal growth. Beth acknowledges that the lessons learned through climbing can translate to other areas of life, contributing to resilience and self-awareness. Her journey illustrates the complexities of balancing passion with personal well-being, and as she navigates motherhood and other responsibilities, she finds new ways to approach climbing. Ultimately, Beth's story encourages listeners to appreciate their unique journeys in climbing and to recognize the many facets of their identities beyond the rock face.
Beth, one of our absolute favourite ever guests is back! Since we last spoke Beth finished her book, released her book, and we've both read her book. So we talk a lot about that, the process of writing it and what we took from it. There are a few tangents and just general chat thrown in as well.
If you haven't yet picked up a copy of her book we'd both highly recommend it!
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