The Nugget Climbing Podcast

Eryn Phelps, a licensed trauma counselor specializing in helping outdoor athletes, shares valuable insights into healing anxiety, OCD, and PTSD through EMDR therapy. The discussion covers navigating time scarcity and personal clarity, emphasizing the connection between identity and mental health. Eryn also tackles emotional challenges, such as grief, shame, and the complexities of relationships in outdoor sports. Listeners gain practical strategies for managing panic attacks and understanding their emotional responses, fostering a deeper sense of community and personal empowerment.

Alex Bridgewater (M.S. in Sports Psychology) is back again to share three new sports psychology skills that have the potential to change your climbing forever. We covered how to practice these skills in your day-to-day life, as well as how to put them into practice in your climbing, and much more. Become a Patron to get access to the full episode and support the podcast. *The full version is 1:28:39.patreon.com/thenuggetclimbingAlex’s Other Episodes:EP 276: Alex Bridgewater ReturnsBONUS: Alex BridgewaterNuggets:(00:00:00) – Intro(00:00:58) – Word to the wise(00:05:40) – Three skills overview(00:06:44) – Skill 1: Values-Based Work(00:28:17) – Skill 2: Dropping the Anchor(00:43:32) – Skill 3: Diffusion/Unhooking(01:01:49) – Putting the skills into practice(01:10:23) – What do you want?(01:18:02) – Expectations(01:22:43) – Manhunt(01:24:20) – Feeling vs. thinking

Stevie Hochbaum is an elite boulderer who established the first V16, Obsidian, in Germany. We talked about nearly losing his finger to an infection, how he became obsessed with the project, what it feels like to spend 50+ sessions on a boulder, supportive friends, learning patience, training on the project, how losing weight affected his mental health, pacing and breathing, what’s next for Stevie, and much more.Mad Rock (Shoes & Crash Pads)madrock.comUse code “NUGGET10” at checkout for 10% off your next order.NADS (Organic Cotton Underwear)Use code STEVEN for 15% offRúngne (Chalk & Apparel)rungne.info/nuggetUse code “NUGGET” for 10% off storewide, and use code “SHIPPINGNUGGETS” for free shipping.Chilipad (Don’t Lose Sleep this Summer)Get 20% off any Chilipad sleep systemBecome a Patron:patreon.com/thenuggetclimbingShow Notes:  thenuggetclimbing.com/episodes/stevie-hochbaumNuggets:(00:00:00) – Intro(00:02:01) – Nicknames(00:04:58) – Swollen finger(00:12:24) – The process begins(00:20:47) – Investing everything(00:28:57) – What happens after 15 sessions(00:45:17) – Sending, disorientation, & celebrating(00:52:10) – Supportive friends & learning patience(01:04:16) – The unexpected send(01:09:46) – Training on the project(01:16:32) – Pacing & breathing(01:24:24) – Taking breaks(01:27:35) – Calorie deficit & mental health(01:33:13) – Bodyweight & small crimps(01:41:06) – Veganism(01:49:01) – Choosing our reality(01:53:00) – Inheritance(01:54:26) – What’s next for Stevie(01:57:14) – Dream trips

Rebecca Tickell is an award-winning filmmaker, author, environmental activist, and regenerative farmer. We talked about the journey that led to her films Kiss the Ground and Common Ground, the history of our soil and pesticides, why conventional farming is a cycle of degredation, the corruption of the agrochemical industry, Monsanto whistleblowers, how to feed the world, the global movement of regeneration, how to eat, bees & pollinators, and much more.AirDoctor (Best Rated Air Filters)Get up to $300 off AirDoctorAquaTru (Premium Water Filters)Get $100 off any AquaTru systemSupport the Podcast Directlypatreon.com/somethingdiffpodRebecca’s LinksKiss the GroundCommon GroundGroundswellBEE WILDOther References:The Detox ProjectWhitewash by Carey GillamTimestamps:(00:00:00) – Intro(00:03:07) – The road to regeneration(00:11:51) – Storytelling(00:15:02) – Farmers & desertification(00:18:33) – A brief history of our soil(00:27:11) – Connecting to nature(00:28:48) – Two fun facts(00:30:29) – We don’t eat our food(00:33:26) – Sacrifice zones & human rights(00:38:21) – Glyphosate, wheat, oats, & chickpeas(00:44:47) – The good news(00:46:09) – Monsanto, Bayer, the EPA, & whistleblowers(00:49:36) – Feeding the world(00:56:04) – Soil regeneration(01:02:41) – A global movement(01:14:49) – How to eat(01:23:10) – USDA Organic(01:29:36) – High stakes(01:30:43) – Bees & insects(01:37:39) – Stories of hope(01:38:59) – Rebecca’s dream documentary(01:41:32) – Hopeful

Andy Raether is a prolific sport climber, boulderer, and developer based in Las Vegas, NV. He also owns a climbing hold company and created the Woods Board. We talked about his intro to climbing and making holds, bringing routes and crags to life, sending his hardest boulder (Midlife Crisis V14) at 40 years old, how he trains on The Woods Board, how to master terrible holds, and much more.Rúngne (Chalk & Apparel)rungne.info/nuggetUse code “NUGGET” for 10% off storewide, and use code “SHIPPINGNUGGETS” for free shipping.Chilipad (Don’t Lose Sleep this Summer)Get 20% off any Chilipad sleep systemMad Rock (Shoes & Crash Pads)madrock.comUse code “NUGGET10” at checkout for 10% off your next order.NADS (Organic Cotton Underwear)Use code STEVEN for 15% offThe GRINDS Program (Free Training PDF)thenuggetclimbing.comThe NUG (My Portable Hangboard)frictitiousclimbing.com/products/the-nugBecome a Patron:patreon.com/thenuggetclimbingShow Notes:  thenuggetclimbing.com/episodes/andy-raetherNuggets:(00:00:00) – Intro(00:01:49) – Climbing Magazine ad(00:03:52) – Andy’s origin story(00:09:44) – Legendary holds(00:13:49) – Making climbing holds(00:16:49) – Early rock climbing & development(00:23:54) – Menagerie(00:25:49) – Meeting his wife(00:28:33) – Moving to Vegas(00:32:07) – Dad Raether(00:39:00) – Vegas bolting potential(00:45:06) – Bringing crags to life(01:05:53) – Bouldering development(01:08:34) – Midlife Crisis V14(01:35:43) – Stronger at 40 than 20(01:40:15) – Dad Bod(01:45:04) – Grades(01:51:50) – Mithril(01:54:04) – James Litz(01:58:51) – The Woods Board(02:06:14) – The mentality of board climbing(02:10:58) – Monos(02:14:56) – How Andy trains on the Woods Board(02:27:30) – Where to climb on the Woods Board(02:29:08) – Iterating moves (“hangboard” boulder problems)(02:37:24) – Mirroring each try(02:41:57) – The Spot Battle(02:44:00) – Andy’s garage(02:46:02) – Gyms in Vegas(02:54:10) – Routesetter Unions(03:07:06) – Wrap up & EXTRA teaser

Jeremy Kiner, a Kentucky-based boulderer and sport climber, dives into his journey to conquer V10 and 5.13b. He shares insights about the GRINDS finger training program and how double rest days can enhance performance. Jeremy discusses his experiences on regenerative farms, emphasizing sustainable food sourcing and its effects on health. He also reflects on the balance between climbing progress and personal joy, advocating for a positive mindset and a tailored training approach. Join him for a unique blend of climbing, health, and farming!

Michelle LeBlanc returns to the podcast to talk about her annual Project Pride event in Squamish, B.C. (August 29-30, 2025). She shared her personal story and why she started Project Pride, and we talked about cultural and political pendulum swings, sensationalism in the media, and what to expect if you attend her upcoming event.You can buy tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/project-pride-squamish-2025-tickets-1415859827859?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAad_JFGfbgS_SEWNkjXVlG2Me2S_7YVmPskjfFcyihN-BBdKJmCPsrNv0NDu1w_aem_uC2R3rhGN0dtaZ3DICGmSwShow Notes:  thenuggetclimbing.com/episodes/michelle-leblanc-returnsNuggets:(00:00:00) – Intro(00:01:38) – Not queer enough(00:08:08) – Project Pride(00:23:12) – Instagram comments(00:34:00) – Meeting in the middle(00:38:47) – The pendulum swing(00:53:38) – Labels(00:57:18) – Sensationalism(01:02:01) – Upcoming event(01:11:45) – Stay sane

Alex Bridgewater, a climbing coach with a master's in sports psychology, shares essential tools to boost climbing performance. He dives into finding personal values and the impact of expectations. The WOOP framework for goal-setting is introduced as a method to navigate challenges. Alex also emphasizes the connection between climbing and life, discussing the importance of mindfulness and self-awareness in overcoming obstacles. Listeners gain insights into balancing passion and mental health while enhancing their climbing mindset.

What if you could eat the healthiest meat on the planet while helping the environment? Jake Muise is the CEO and founder of Maui Nui Venison, and joins me to talk about sustainable food and the future of nutrient density. We talked about the overpopulation of Axis deer in Hawaii, the cyclical die-off they experience without predation, solving complex problems, the secret to sustaining high-level output, harvesting at night, nutrition of place, sharing with community, and much more.Maui Nui Venison (The Healthiest Red Meat on the Planet)mauinuivenison.com/stevenChilipad (Don’t Lose Sleep this Summer)Get 20% off any Chilipad sleep systemNADS (Organic Cotton Underwear)Use code STEVEN for 15% offSupport Something Different on Patreonpatreon.com/somethingdiffpodTimestamps:(00:00:00) – Intro(00:02:04) – Axis deer(00:05:18) – A food resource(00:07:53) – Volleyball & performance(00:12:04) – Jake’s intro to hunting(00:13:34) – Drought & die-off(00:17:00) – Tracking animals & finding balance(00:31:02) – Paying cattle ranchers(00:37:45) – Harvesting at night(00:47:55) – Nutrition of place(00:55:02) – The future of nutrient density(00:57:17) – Sustaining high-level output(01:02:10) – Sharing with community(01:07:55) – Hope for the future(01:12:26) – Wrap up

Yuji Hirayama is a Japanese professional climber and a living legend. We talked about visualizing his onsight attempt on The Salathe, channeling support into power, Daniel Woods, Mount Kinabalu, Japanese vs. Western culture, quitting school to climb, owning climbing gyms, how to stay 9a fit in your 50s, the secret to staying young, and much more.Rúngne:rungne.info/nuggetUse code “NUGGET” for 10% off storewide, and use code “SHIPPINGNUGGETS” for free shipping.Chilipad:checkout.sleep.meUse this link for 20% off any of Chilipad's sleep cooling systems.Mad Rock:madrock.comUse code “NUGGET10” at checkout for 10% off your next order.YouTube Videos:youtube.com/@thenuggetclimbingCheck out my latest training tip videos and be sure to subscribe!Become a Patron:patreon.com/thenuggetclimbingShow Notes:  thenuggetclimbing.com/episodes/yuji-hirayamaNuggets:(00:00:00) – Intro(00:02:10) – The Professionals film(00:12:30) – Attempting to onsight the Salathe(00:22:04) – Channeling support into power(00:30:26) – Challenge, change, & Daniel Woods(00:36:53) – Mount Kinabalu(00:50:23) – How Yuji has changed(00:57:15) – Why Yuji climbs(01:03:40) – Japanese vs. Western culture(01:09:35) – Yuji’s parents(01:11:58) – Early climbing(01:14:22) – Running(01:19:05) – Quitting school to climb(01:24:20) – Who inspires Yuji(01:28:02) – How climbing has changed(01:31:16) – Owning gyms(01:40:33) – Karaoke(01:41:18) – Wine, Dine, & Climb(01:43:07) – Staying 9a fit in your 50s(01:47:03) – Japanese focus on hard climbing(01:48:54) – The next trip(01:51:33) – The secret to staying young(01:55:32) – Wrap up