The Nugget Climbing Podcast

The Nugget Training App is the ultimate hub for every training session I've discussed with my guests on the podcast. Get guided sessions, track your progress, schedule your training, and more. New features coming soon. Check it out at training.thenuggetclimbing.com

Adrian Ballinger is a renowned alpinist and mountain guide, and has summited Mt. Everest and K2 without supplemental oxygen. We talked about his childhood, misconceptions about what he does, what climbing Everest is actually like, skiing above 8,000 meters, risking his life to send K2, sending Fall of Man 5.13b, how mountaineering compares to projecting 5.13, meeting his wife Emily Harrington, how performance changes with age, lessons everyone should know, and much more. You can learn more about Adrian at adrianballinger.comMad Rock (Shoes & Crash Pads)madrock.comUse code “NUGGET10” at checkout for 10% off your next order.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 systemNADS (Organic Cotton Underwear)Use code STEVEN for 15% offBecome a Patron:patreon.com/thenuggetclimbingShow Notes:  thenuggetclimbing.com/episodes/adrian-ballingerNuggets:(00:00:00) – Intro(00:03:06) – Growing up(00:06:08) – Connecting with adventure as a kid(00:16:08) – Misconceptions about what Adrian does(00:22:04) – Tech breakthroughs in mountaineering(00:26:04) – Client pressure around summits(00:30:04) – Alpenglow Expeditions(00:33:09) – Regulations on Everest(00:35:08) – What climbing Everest is really like(00:41:04) – Climbing Everest without oxygen(00:49:57) – Preparing for Everest without oxygen(00:58:56) – Skiing accolades(01:01:59) – Skiing above 8,000 meters(01:05:00) – Skiing down vs. rappelling massive peaks(01:08:58) – Fall of Man(01:11:01) – Physically hardest climb(01:12:56) – Mental hardest climb(01:14:57) – Most dangerous climb(01:18:01) – Why Adrian took a risk on K2(01:21:01) – Meeting Emily(01:32:45) – What’s left for Adrian in alpinism(01:34:43) – Switching to hard sport climbing(01:46:43) – Bouldering in Rocklands(01:54:42) – Performance changes with age(01:59:42) – Athletes Adrian looks up to(02:02:40) – Lessons everyone should know(02:05:40) – Adrian’s podcast

Kerwin Loukusa, a climbing dad from Leavenworth, WA, recently achieved his first V12 and V13 while balancing family life and a job. He discusses his journey to enhance flexibility for climbing, shares training tips, and talks about the importance of building persistent strength. Kerwin delves into weather forecasting for climbing conditions, highlighting how dew point affects performance. He also emphasizes embracing a beginner's mindset, the joy of exploration in climbing, and the balance between passion and parenting.

Robb Wolf, a 2x NYT Best-Selling Author and health expert, shares insights on optimizing fitness and nutrition. He discusses the crucial benefits of Vitamin D, balancing sun exposure and supplements, and the importance of Zone 2 cardio for performance. Robb also delves into his own health struggles, emphasizing resilience and the need for self-advocacy. He advocates for separating strength and conditioning training to enhance athletic performance, while also encouraging listeners to make cardio enjoyable through hobbies.

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!