Another handful of months have passed.  Lots of good things are happening and I know I’ve been delayed in providing updates.  So let’s commence with some digital rope work and tie up some of these loose ends.  Over the next few blog posts I will be getting back on the “sharp end” (climbing term for tying into a rope) by re-capping some of the progress being made behind-the-scenes while I was busy not writing on the blog.

PCI Clinic – September

In mid-September, I rewarded myself by using some birthday cash I had received to purchase a clinic session put on by Pro Climbers International (PCi).  PCi is an organization that not only puts on clinics, but also takes on projects to preserve our environments and support our youth.  Co-founder Kevin Jorgeson was one of three pro climbers putting on the clinic, along with Alex Johnson and Alex Puccio.

I went into the clinic with some specific goals.  I wasn’t particularly looking to learn a new “move” or technique, although I did.  I was interested in picking up their mentality and thought process.  I know that what separates the elite from the average in any endeavor is mindset.  And these three just further prove this point.  First off, and not surprising, they were all very approachable and friendly.  They were humble.  And by humble, what I really mean is this: they did not downplay their abilities as climbers, but rather uplifted all of us as equally capable of growth with the appropriate amount of effort, effort they have put in for years.

They took time to just observe our climbing in order to gauge our starting point and then customized their input to benefit each individual.  And they jumped right in with us, just like a session with your buddies at the gym.  They joked around with each other and the positive energy grew as they fed off of each other.  They even had a good time giving each other a hard time on a really hard comp style dyno problem.

One of the biggest mindset clicks I was able to make was initiated from Kevin Jorgeson and perpetuated by all three throughout the clinic.  It was the fact that everything is interconnected in climbing, and a little bit of inefficiency (either physically or mentally) is carried along and dampens the next connection.  Kevin used the example that everything starts in your toes and works its way up through your feet, calfs, knees, hips, spine, head, arms, hands, and eventually your finger tips.  They showed how a simple foot position change affects the entire body’s position, which in turn impacts how you grip the hold (or how helpful the hold is to grip).  This example of a physical chain-reaction can easily be applied mentally and psychologically as well.  One small thought of doubt can lead to a downward spiral of negativity and eventually to failure.  Things that make you go… HMMM!!   Kind of opens the mind to consider, what else am I doing or not doing that is limiting my climbing potential?  Or even my overall success at LIFE!?!?

Far and away, this was a fantastic experience for me and if/when they come back to the area… I’ll do it again in a heartbeat.  I highly recommend going to the PCI website and checking for a clinic in your area and taking full advantage of the YEARS of wisdom and experience they have to offer.

Keep an eye out for another “knot in the rope” soon about an update on my climbing friends Captain America & Ninja Hoodie.  But in the meantime, remember to…

~ Climb 4 Real ~