Wanjiru shares their journey into the world of climbing, discussing the importance of community, and their role with Sending in Color in creating inclusive spaces for climbers of colour. They reflect on the challenges of ice climbing, the significance of proper gear, and the joy of seeing others succeed in climbing. Wanjiru and Mel explore the value of treating climbing as a journey rather than a destination. notyourtypicalclimberpodcast.uk Follow us on Instagram About your host: Me...

Siddrah, the founder of Climb Muz, shares her motivation behind creating a supportive community for Muslim women in climbing. She discusses the challenges faced by Muslim women in climbing, the importance of representation, and the impact of Climb Muz in fostering a safe and inclusive environment. Siddrah tells us about her growth as a climber and future aspirations for her organisation. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Climbing and Personal Journey 02:23 Creating Inclusive Spaces 05:18 Buildin...

Sunni Ford is the director of Fat Senders, a climbing group focused on inclusivity for all body types within the climbing community. Sunni shares their journey into climbing, the challenges they've faced because of misconceptions about their capabilities, and the positive impact of creating a supportive environment through Fat Senders. They discuss the importance of navigating assumptions and stereotypes in climbing, the need for more inclusive spaces, and their experiences within the trad cl...

Ayla shares how climbing has impacted her life and how it can support mental health. She tells Mel about the challenges faced by the trans community within the climbing world, highlighting the need for inclusivity and support. Ayla reflects on the realities of being a trans climber, and her motivation for creating content that encourages others to embrace their identities in outdoor spaces. She tells us about her current climbing projects and favourite locations, particularly her love for sla...

Lou, the managing director of Flash Foxy, shares their journey in climbing, the evolution of the organization towards inclusivity, and the importance of creating supportive spaces for women and genderqueer climbers. They discuss the significance of community, the joy of climbing festivals, and the complexities of risk management in climbing. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 06:30 The Evolution of Flash Foxy and Its Values 12:22 Creating Inclusive Spaces in Climbing 17:28 The Joy of Climbi...

Hannah, a journalist and climber, shares her journey into the world of climbing, her involvement with the Women's Climbing Symposium, and her passion for environmental stewardship through her initiative, Tidy Climbers. She discusses the importance of community in climbing, the challenges of littering in outdoor spaces, and the need for education and compassion in addressing these issues. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 02:52 Women in Climbing: The Women's Climbing Symposium 05:48 Hannah's ...

Amruta Wyssmann shares how she went from a new climber to proud member of the Swiss paraclimbing team. She tells Mel about the importance of community in climbing and her training plans. Amy also shares her aspirations for the future - including hopes for the 2028 Paralympics - her newfound passion for ice climbing, and her hobbies outside of climbing including cooking and reading fantasy novels. NOTE: apologies, the audio quality for the final moments of the episode is slightly less than opt...

Ben Fitzsimmons from Refugees Rock shares his profound connection to climbing. Ben highlights his work with Refugees Rock, a programme that provides free climbing sessions for asylum seekers. We discuss the importance of access to climbing for diverse groups and the role of community support in enhancing the climbing experience. notyourtypicalclimberpodcast.uk Follow us on Instagram About your host: Mel Reeve is an experienced writer, casual climber and enthusiast, bringing her know...

Bennett Rahn, a plus-size rock climber and mountaineer, shares her experiences of being a plus-size climber. Bennett tells host Mel Reeve about the importance of rage confidence, navigating gear accessibility, and the need for more representation in climbing. She reflects on building supportive communities, self-advocacy, and the journey from amateur to professional guiding. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 02:54 The Journey to Climbing: Overcoming Insecurities 05:46 Embodiment and ...

Charmian is the Climbing Lead at Wanderers of Colour, she tells host Mel Reeve about her journey into climbing, the challenges of climbing while pregnant, and the importance of building a community for people of colour in outdoor activities. She also discusses the founding of Wanderers of Colour, its mission to create inclusive spaces for climbers, and the significance of representation in the climbing community. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:55 Climbing Preferences and...

Prominent British climber Emma Twyford shares her journey to becoming the first British woman to send a 9a route. She reveals the challenges she's faced, including overcoming glandular fever and the transition from competition climbing to personal enjoyment. We also explore her efforts to empower women in the climbing industry through route-setting workshops. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:56 From Outdoor to Indoor 03:50 Overcoming Challenges: Glandular Fever and Climbing 10:08 The T...

Pro climber and mental training coach Lor Sabourin shares their journey into climbing and outdoor adventure. Lor reflects on the importance of defining success on their own terms, and their experience as a non-binary climber. They share insights into managing fear while climbing, drawing from their expertise in mental coaching. Mel and Lor interrogate how it felt to be the first openly non-binary climber to conquer a 5.14 route, and Lor offers their perspective on creating inclusive and...

Rock climbing and adventure photographer Irene Yee shares how she became a successful photographer focusing on representation in outdoor activities, including climbing. Irene and Mel discuss the impact of her photography, why she’s committed to creating diverse content, and the transformative power of climbing. We cover developing the skill of self-reflection, how to handle mansplaining at the crag, taking up space on and off the wall, and falling in and out of love with climbing. notyourtypi...

Kimbrough Moore is a climbing enthusiast and philosophy professor, he joins us to share his perspective on climbing ethics. Find out how he got started in climbing, his competition experience, and his perspective on the issue of gender bias in climbing grades. Mel and Kimbrough discuss his ‘Brough code’, and how a more accurate and nuanced approach to grading can improve inclusivity in climbing. Links: https://linktr.ee/kimbroughclimbs https://www.instagram.com/kimbroughclimbs notyourt...

Jocelynne Flor is a Toronto-based climber and content creator whose engaging videos make the world of climbing feel accessible to everyone. Through her educational and inspiring content, Jocelynne shares her climbing journey. Mel and Jocelynne explore the driving force behind her creativity, and why it feels important to make climbing approachable for all. Discover how Jocelynne’s authentic storytelling and educational approach are inspiring a new generation of climbers. Links https://beacon...

Agus ‘AJ’ Guardiola, co-founder of ClimbOut Festival shares their experience creating an inclusive space for the LGBTQ+ community in outdoor climbing. Hear about their own climbing journey and the motivation behind starting ClimbOut Festival, as well as what it feels like to attend. Mel and AJ explore the work ClimbOut is doing to increase diversity and their advice on how to meet the needs of underrepresented communities to create more inclusive climbing events. Links: https://climbout.org/...

Fallon Rowe is a climber with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (HEDS) and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). From competing in youth climbing competitions to trad and sport climbing as an adult, Fallon explores the importance of mental resilience and self-compassion in navigating the challenges of climbing with a health condition. Mel and Fallon consider the misconceptions and challenges faced by paraclimbers, and the importance of respect, community, and finding supportive e...

Palestinian climber Asia shares how she fell in love with sport and explains the challenges of accessing outdoor climbing in Palestine. She opens up about how climbing provides an escape from the restrictions and hardships of living under occupation. We discuss how Asia uses her creative skills to shed light on the reality of life in Palestine and to challenge misconceptions. And we get excited about her work on inclusive outdoor fashion. Asia Zughaiar is a climber, writer, adventure enthusi...

Hannah Morris started her YouTube channel as a way to share her love for climbing and as an outlet for anxiety. We discuss mental health, body image, and the pushback she has received as a woman with a prominent climbing platform. Mel and Hannah chat about inclusivity, her collaborations, and her aim to work with climbers pushing the sport in a positive direction. Hannah shares her most memorable experiences from her storied YouTube career. Links: instagram.com/_hannahmorris_ hannahmorrisbou...

Not Your Typical Climber is a podcast that speaks to pro climbers, amateur climbers, hobby climbers, and anyone who finds joy in the sport. With a particular focus on the things that make us different and unique, the podcast uplifts the voices of those who have been underrepresented within climbing. Every climber has a unique story to tell, and we're here to explore them. Season 1 of the podcast coming soon, make sure to subscribe so you don't miss it! notyourtypicalclimberpodcast.uk Fo...