

The Struggle Climbing Show
Ryan Devlin
Named one of Climbing Magazine’s favorite podcasts. 2M+ Downloads!
If you love rock climbing, self-improvement, and inspiring stories... chalk up and pull on.
If you love rock climbing, self-improvement, and inspiring stories... chalk up and pull on.
Episodes
Mentioned books

5 snips
Mar 12, 2025 • 1h 33min
Francis Sanzaro: Boosting Performance with Mindset Tools and Why We Shouldn't Chase Flow
Climbing coach Francis Sanzaro, a philosopher with a PhD and author of "The Zen of Climbing," shares insights on achieving peak performance through a Zen mindset. He challenges the obsession with 'sending' and emphasizes the importance of joy in climbing. Sanzaro discusses overcoming anxiety with mindfulness, the dangers of chasing flow, and the connection between personal worth and climbing success. He advocates for embracing fear and understanding your mental game to improve both enjoyment and performance on the rock.

Mar 5, 2025 • 1h 36min
Stian Christophersen: Smarter Training, Faster Recovery, and the Science of Optimism
Join The Struggle’s Patreon community to get 100+ hours of Bonus Episodes, Pro Clinics, Uncut Videos, and Submit Questions for Future Guests. FREE TRIAL available!
https://www.patreon.com/thestruggleclimbingshow
-
Elite climber, coach, and physio Stian Christophersen explores:
Learning how to handle pain better
The mental and social side of injury
The importance of the mind-body connection as it pertains to injury recovery
Why some pro climbers remain more injury free than others
The benefit (and example) of having a standardized warm-up
How to safely train full crimp
How to improve performance and reduce injury risk on boards
What to do after a pulley injury
Ice or heat? Rest or loading? How to treat an acute injury
Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) for injury recovery and performance
Massage: placebo or proven?
The future of climbing science
-
BIG THANKS TO THE AMAZING SPONSORS OF THE STRUGGLE WHO LOVE ROCK CLIMBING AS MUCH AS YOU DO:
SCARPA: Whether you’re a climber, trail runner, skier, or hiker, SCARPA offers an array of adventure footwear for the adventure seeker in you. with a commitment to sustainability. Shop the whole collection at SCARPA.com. SCARPA, No Place Too Far.
5-Year Training and Performance Journal: The most important climbing tool I use! Takes just a few minutes each day, and yields amazing insights year after year. If you’re psyched on training and performance, this is the journal for you. Log, reflect, send.
Rab Equipment: For more than 40 years, Rab have been crafting rugged, high-performance clothing and equipment that give you absolute protection, comfort and freedom in the mountains. Nothing fancy or over-engineered – just honest, hard-working gear you’d rather repair than replace. Learn more at Rab.equipment.
Rúngne Club: Turn your passion into rewards, join the Rúngne community & start earning!
And check out ALL the show’s awesome sponsors and exclusive deals at thestruggleclimbingshow.com/deals
Grab Stian's book, The Climbing Bible: Managing Injuries
-
Shoutout to Matt Waltereese for being a Victory Whip supporter on Patreon! So mega.
-
Follow along on Instagram @thestruggleclimbingshow and YouTube /@thestruggleclimbingshow
-
The Struggle is carbon-neutral in partnership with The Honnold Foundation, whose mission is to promote solar energy for a more equitable world.
-
This show is produced and hosted by Ryan Devlin, and edited by Glen Walker. The Struggle is a proud member of the Plug Tone Audio Collective, a diverse group of the best, most impactful podcasts in the outdoor industry.
-
The struggle makes us stronger! I hope your training and climbing are going great.
-
And now here are some buzzwords to help the almighty algorithm get this show in front of people who love to climb: rock climbing, rock climber, climbing, climber, bouldering, sport climbing, gym climbing, how to rock climb, donuts are amazing. Okay, whew, that’s done. But hey, if you’re a human that’s actually reading this, and if you love this show (and love to climb) would you think about sharing this episode with a climber friend of yours? And shout it out on your socials? I’ll send you a sticker for doing it. Just shoot me a message on IG – thanks so much!

Feb 26, 2025 • 53min
Adrian Ballinger: Pro Clinic on Mountaineering and How to Have Big Adventures in the Big Mountains (FREE)
In this Pro Clinic, Adrian Ballinger covers:
How to learn basic mountaineering skills near home
The best mountains to start your journey
Life-changing trips that require only one week off work
How to train for a high altitude objective, even if you live in Miami
The coolest 20k foot peak in the world
How to manage high altitude illnesses
Pre-acclimitization hacks that reduce time away from home by 50%
Summit success rates
Factors that might shut down a summit attempt
How to manage risk on a trip, and understand which risks are ‘real’
Expeditions in big mountains that range from $500 to $95,000
How big mountain experiences can influence and improve our sport climbing
-
Gain instant access to the FULL Pro Clinic by supporting the show as a Patron (you can even check it out for FREE with a 7-day trial):
https://www.patreon.com/thestruggleclimbingshow
-
Shoutout to Matt Waltereese for being a Victory Whip supporter on Patreon! So mega.
-
Follow along on Instagram and YouTube: @thestruggleclimbingshow, @adrianballinger, @alpenglowexpeditions
Explore what Alpenglow Expeditions is all about: https://alpenglowexpeditions.com/
-
This show is produced and hosted by Ryan Devlin, and edited by Glen Walker. The Struggle is carbon-neutral in partnership with The Honnold Foundation and is a proud member of the Plug Tone Audio Collective, a diverse group of the best, most impactful podcasts in the outdoor industry.
-
The struggle makes us stronger! Let's get out there and try hard. Thanks for supporting the show, y'all.
-
And now here are some buzzwords to help the almighty algorithm get this show in front of people who love to climb: rock climbing, rock climber, climbing, climber, bouldering, sport climbing, gym climbing, how to rock climb, donuts are amazing. Okay, whew, that’s done. But hey, if you’re a human that’s actually reading this, and if you love this show (and love to climb) would you think about sharing this episode with a climber friend of yours? And shout it out on your socials? I’ll send you a sticker for doing it. Just shoot me a message on IG – thanks so much!

Feb 19, 2025 • 2h 9min
Pete Whittaker: Embracing Struggle, Building Strength, Managing Fear, and Crack School
Elite climber Pete Whittaker shares his journey through the challenges of climbing, discussing the art of embracing struggle for personal growth. He unveils his training strategies, focusing on intentional practice and the importance of fear management. Pete delves into climbing techniques, gear placement, and recounts his thrilling Greenland expedition. Notably, he introduces the Global Crack School, a fun platform to master crack climbing skills. Tune in for insights on balancing strength and technique while navigating the highs and lows of climbing!

Feb 15, 2025 • 1h 9min
Anna Hazelnutt | Crag Chat: Sending Belly of the Beast (14b), Big Emotions on a Big Wall, Tattoo Talk, and Listener Questions
Join The Struggle’s Patreon community to get 100+ hours of Bonus Episodes, Pro Clinics, Uncut Videos, and Submit Questions for Future Guests. FREE TRIAL available!
https://www.patreon.com/thestruggleclimbingshow
Anna Hazelnutt is back with another Crag Chat packed with laughs, musings, updates, struggles, beta, and whatever else is on our minds, including:
Sending her hardest climb yet!
Breakdown of Belly of the Beast (14b) in El Salto
What happens when the send isn't happening
Big emotions on the big wall
Balancing life and climbing
New send... new tattoo?
Listener questions
OnlyFans update (obviously)
Watch the uncut video at The Struggle's or Anna's Patreons:
patreon.com/thestruggleclimbingshow
patreon.com/annahazelnutt
-
Shoutout to Rúngne for sponsoring this Crag Chat! Use code STRUGGLE20 to get 20% off your chalk order, or code STRUGGLE to get 15% off store wide on everything else. Plus, you can score free shipping to the U.S. on a bunch of new bundles (on top of the 15% off code)!
Shoutout to Rab Equipment for keeping Anna warm on those long cold days in El Salto! For more than 40 years, Rab have been crafting rugged, high-performance clothing and equipment that give you absolute protection, comfort and freedom in the mountains. Nothing fancy or over-engineered – just honest, hard-working gear you’d rather repair than replace. Learn more at Rab.equipment.
-
Check out Anna’s latest videos on her YT channel: youtube.com/@annahazelnutt
Check out The Struggle’s latest videos at: youtube.com/@thestruggleclimbingshow
Follow along on Instagram @thestruggleclimbingshow and @annahazelnutt
-
This show is produced and hosted by Ryan Devlin. The Struggle is carbon-neutral in partnership with The Honnold Foundation and is a proud member of the Plug Tone Audio Collective, a diverse group of the best, most impactful podcasts in the outdoor industry.
And now here are some buzzwords to help the almighty algorithm get this show in front of people who love to climb: rock climbing, rock climber, climbing, climber, bouldering, sport climbing, gym climbing, how to rock climb, donuts are amazing. Okay, whew, that’s done. But hey, if you’re a human that’s actually reading this, and if you love this show (and love to climb) would you think about sharing this episode with a climber friend of yours? And shout it out on your socials? I’ll send you a sticker for doing it. Just shoot me a message on IG – thanks so much!

Feb 12, 2025 • 1h 44min
Coach Karly Rager: How to Plan, Prep, and Perform on your Next Climbing Trip
Join The Struggle’s Patreon community to get 100+ hours of Bonus Episodes, Pro Clinics, Uncut Videos, and Submit Questions for Future Guests. FREE TRIAL available!
https://www.patreon.com/thestruggleclimbingshow
In this conversation with Coach Karly Rager of Project Direct Coaching we cover:
Common pitfalls climbers make when planning trips
How to be performance-driven without blowing a trip on one route
Building a grade ladder rather than pyramid
The importance of pattern recognition in a new area
Capacity training to prep for a trip
How to structure rest for optimal performance
Should we do supplemental training while on a trip
The four goals to set for every trip
How to work a limit project on a trip
Listener questions on training, movement, and finger strength
-
BIG THANKS TO THE AMAZING SPONSORS OF THE STRUGGLE WHO LOVE ROCK CLIMBING AS MUCH AS YOU DO:
PhysiVantage: the official climbing-nutrition sponsor of The Struggle. Use code STRUGGLE15 at checkout for 15% off your full-priced nutrition order.
5-Year Training and Performance Journal: The most important climbing tool I use! Takes just a few minutes each day, and yields amazing insights year after year. If you’re psyched on training and performance, this is the journal for you. Log, reflect, send.
And check out ALL the show’s awesome sponsors and exclusive deals at thestruggleclimbingshow.com/deals
-
Shoutout to Matt Waltereese for being a Victory Whip supporter on Patreon! So mega.
-
Follow along on Instagram and YouTube: @thestruggleclimbingshow
-
This show is produced and hosted by Ryan Devlin, and edited by Glen Walker. The Struggle is carbon-neutral in partnership with The Honnold Foundation and is a proud member of the Plug Tone Audio Collective, a diverse group of the best, most impactful podcasts in the outdoor industry.
And now here are some buzzwords to help the almighty algorithm get this show in front of people who love to climb: rock climbing, rock climber, climbing, climber, bouldering, sport climbing, gym climbing, how to rock climb, donuts are amazing. Okay, whew, that’s done. But hey, if you’re a human that’s actually reading this, and if you love this show (and love to climb) would you think about sharing this episode with a climber friend of yours? And shout it out on your socials? I’ll send you a sticker for doing it. Just shoot me a message on IG – thanks so much!

Feb 5, 2025 • 1h 9min
Magnus Midtbø: How to Improve Indoors, Are Kneepads Aid, and His Insane Training Plan
Elite climber Magnus Midtbø dives into an array of captivating topics. He discusses the lost Dawn Wall footage and his experiences climbing with PewDiePie. Magnus shares tips on improving gym skills, the importance of rest days, and the evolving role of knee pads in climbing. He also spills secrets from his intense training regimen and debates whether flexibility or finger strength is more crucial. Additionally, he reflects on building a successful YouTube channel and the changing dynamics of the climbing community.

16 snips
Jan 29, 2025 • 1h 31min
Road To V8 with Nate Drolet: Winter Training Plan
Nate Drolet, a climbing coach from Power Company Climbing and a YouTube training expert, joins the discussion to enhance bouldering performance. He emphasizes building a strong foundation through pyramid training and developing endurance, even for pure boulderers. Drolet shares insights on assessing progress via benchmarks, the importance of tailored training metrics, and the '7 Try' rule. He also advises on the right approach to tackling challenging climbs without solely relying on strength, ensuring climbers maximize their training efficiency.

Jan 22, 2025 • 1h 23min
Connor Herson: Trad Phenom, 5.15 Without Hangboarding, and the Value of 'Easy' Days
Join The Struggle’s Patreon community to get 100+ hours of Bonus Episodes, Pro Clinics, Uncut Videos, and Submit Questions for Future Guests. FREE TRIAL available!
https://www.patreon.com/thestruggleclimbingshow
-
In this episode, elite climber Connor Herson explores:
What social media doesn't reveal about the process of hard climbing
Struggling with training, and avoiding hangboarding and weightlifting
How projecting 5.15 feels similar (and different) to projecting lower grades
Lighter is not better on big walls
His unexpected send of Magic Line, one of the hardest trad crack climbs in the world
Movement and technique vs strength and power
Creative gear placement strategies for trad climbing
The benefit of top rope sessions
The tradeoff between comp climbing and outdoor climbing
Why climbing easier routes is so important
-
CHAPTERS:
Struggle: (0:10:48)
Training: (0:29:10)
Nutrition: (0:47:05)
Tactics: (0:51:46)
Mental Game: (1:04:22)
Purpose: (1:06:13)
-
BIG THANKS TO THE AMAZING SPONSORS OF THE STRUGGLE WHO LOVE ROCK CLIMBING AS MUCH AS YOU DO:
Rúngne: Soft threads and high performing chalk! Use Code STRUGGLE for 15% Off Bags, Buckets, Chalk & Apparel from Rúngne! Rungne.com
Boulder Bears: Taste like candy, kick like coffee! Each caffeinated gummy bear contains collagen and 20mg of caffeine so you can take care of your tendons while dialing in the perfect level of boost and focus for your sesh. Plus, they're crazy delicious. Score a free travel pack plus 15% off using code STRUGGLE
Rhino Skin Solutions: Perform, Cleanse, Repair… repeat! The absolute best skin care products crafted specifically for climbers, whether you’re pulling hard indoors or out. Use code STRUGGLE to score a whopping 20% off your purchase!
5-Year Training and Performance Journal: The most important climbing tool I use! Takes just a few minutes each day, and yields amazing insights year after year. If you’re psyched on training and performance, this is the journal for you. Log, reflect, send.
And check out ALL the show’s awesome sponsors and exclusive deals at thestruggleclimbingshow.com/deals
-
Shoutout to Matt Waltereese for being a Victory Whip supporter on Patreon! So mega.
-
Follow along on Instagram @thestruggleclimbingshow and YouTube /@thestruggleclimbingshow
-
The Struggle is carbon-neutral in partnership with The Honnold Foundation, whose mission is to promote solar energy for a more equitable world.
-
This show is produced and hosted by Ryan Devlin, and edited by Glen Walker. The Struggle is a proud member of the Plug Tone Audio Collective, a diverse group of the best, most impactful podcasts in the outdoor industry.
-
The struggle makes us stronger! I hope your training and climbing are going great.
-
And now here are some buzzwords to help the almighty algorithm get this show in front of people who love to climb: rock climbing, rock climber, climbing, climber, bouldering, sport climbing, gym climbing, how to rock climb, donuts are amazing. Okay, whew, that’s done. But hey, if you’re a human that’s actually reading this, and if you love this show (and love to climb) would you think about sharing this episode with a climber friend of yours? And shout it out on your socials? I’ll send you a sticker for doing it. Just shoot me a message on IG – thanks so much!

Jan 15, 2025 • 1h 11min
Road To What's Next with Eric Hörst: Build a Pyramid, Climb V8, or both?
Join The Struggle’s Patreon community to get 100+ hours of Bonus Episodes, Pro Clinics, Uncut Videos, and Submit Questions for Future Guests. FREE TRIAL available!
https://www.patreon.com/thestruggleclimbingshow
In this episode, Coach Eric Hörst joins to discuss:
How to identify new climbing goals after sending a big proj
The importance of celebrating and reflecting big achievements
Building a skyscraper vs a pyramid
Reframing one's mindset on what we feel we're capable of
The benefits of clipping chains and topping boulders
Should Ryan's goal be V8, building the pyramid... or both?
How to program winter training to maximize strength benefits without losing endurance
The mindset shift we should all consider taking as we set our sights on the next grade
-
BIG THANKS TO THE AMAZING SPONSORS OF THE STRUGGLE WHO LOVE ROCK CLIMBING AS MUCH AS YOU DO:
PhysiVantage: the official climbing-nutrition sponsor of The Struggle. Use code STRUGGLE15 at checkout for 15% off your full-priced nutrition order.
Rúngne: Soft threads and high performing chalk! Use Code STRUGGLE for 15% Off Bags, Buckets, Chalk & Apparel from Rúngne!
5-Year Training and Performance Journal: The most important climbing tool I use! Takes just a few minutes each day, and yields amazing insights year after year. If you’re psyched on training and performance, this is the journal for you. Log, reflect, send.
And check out ALL the show’s awesome sponsors and exclusive deals at thestruggleclimbingshow.com/deals
-
Shoutout to Matt Waltereese for being a Victory Whip supporter on Patreon! So mega.
-
Follow along on Instagram and YouTube @thestruggleclimbingshow
This show is produced and hosted by Ryan Devlin, and edited by Glen Walker. The Struggle is carbon-neutral in partnership with The Honnold Foundation and is a proud member of the Plug Tone Audio Collective, a diverse group of the best, most impactful podcasts in the outdoor industry.
And now here are some buzzwords to help the almighty algorithm get this show in front of people who love to climb: rock climbing, rock climber, climbing, climber, bouldering, sport climbing, gym climbing, how to rock climb, donuts are amazing. Okay, whew, that’s done. But hey, if you’re a human that’s actually reading this, and if you love this show (and love to climb) would you think about sharing this episode with a climber friend of yours? And shout it out on your socials? I’ll send you a sticker for doing it. Just shoot me a message on IG – thanks so much!