Pro Climber Talks about Facing Fear and Managing Risk- Hazel Findlay

Jun 27, 2025

Hazel Findlay, a pioneering professional climber known for her bold ascents, shares her insights on facing fear and managing risk in climbing. She explains the difference between emotional fear and rational judgment, emphasizing the importance of mindfulness and breathing techniques. Hazel discusses how climbing serves as a psychological training ground for controlling fears and building resilience. Their conversation also covers the transition from ego-driven goals to a focus on passion and gratitude, providing valuable tools for climbers at all levels.

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ANECDOTE

Sea Cliff Climb With Real Consequences

Hazel describes climbing Muy Caliente, a 150-foot sea cliff with sparse gear and real risk of hitting the ground.
She weighed rope fall distances, slippery rock, and potential hard catches before deciding to climb.

INSIGHT

Climbing Builds Presence And Resilience

Hazel climbs because it makes her present, gives meaning, and connects her to body and others.
She sees climbing as mental training that strengthens emotional tolerance and life skills.

ADVICE

Weigh Risks Against What You Value

Decide acceptable risk by weighing value of the experience against possible costs and the risk of not doing it.
Recognize risk is personal and draw your own line instead of assuming others value safety differently.

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I love climbing because there's an amazing intersection of mental and physical skills, and it pushes me every time I go out. Today I get the incredible blessing to interview one of my favorite climbers- Hazel Findlay!

I've been watching Hazel in climbing films for at least a decade, she's an incredibly strong, but also wise climber, who has pushed the limits of the sport. She's the first British woman to climb E9 6c - one of the hardest and simultaneously dangerous grades in climbing, but she doesn't have a death-wish, she makes careful intentional choices about how she goes about climbing. Today we talk about anxiety, calming the body, self talk, the ego, and why Utah is amazing!

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Therapy in a Nutshell and the information provided by Emma McAdam are solely intended for informational and entertainment purposes and are not a substitute for advice, diagnosis, or treatment regarding medical or mental health conditions. Although Emma McAdam is a licensed marriage and family therapist, the views expressed on this site or any related content should not be taken for medical or psychiatric advice. Always consult your physician before making any decisions related to your physical or mental health. In therapy I use a combination of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Systems Theory, positive psychology, and a bio-psycho-social approach to treating mental illness and other challenges we all face in life. The ideas from my videos are frequently adapted from multiple sources. Many of them come from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, especially the work of Steven Hayes, Jason Luoma, and Russ Harris. The sections on stress and the mind-body connection derive from the work of Stephen Porges (the Polyvagal theory), Peter Levine (Somatic Experiencing) Francine Shapiro (EMDR), and Bessel Van Der Kolk. I also rely heavily on the work of the Arbinger Institute for my overall understanding of our ability to choose our life's direction.

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