Circle Up!

Welcome to the Mentorship Sessions, a Circle Up! mini-series where we share high-level mentorship insights through real conversations with pairs who’ve guided and learned from each other. In this episode, UK-based professional climber and full-time coach Mat Wright joins with his client and friend Sevan Mclean, an incredibly strong and enthusiastic climber from Montana. Together with hosts Kyra Condie and Freddie Kolwey, they dive into the ways their coaching relationship has shaped both of them—showing that mentorship goes both directions. Mat and Sevan share how their late starts in climbing, unique backgrounds, and outlooks on life have influenced their approaches to the sport. Sevan, who has also coached a local youth team, talks about the thoughtful lessons he aims to pass on to the next generation, while Mat reflects on the joy he finds in helping others push their limits through focusing on improving their mental game, technique, and physical fitness. Like what you hear? Join our Patreon! 👉 patreon.com/circleup Follow us on Instagram: 👉 instagram.com/crcleup

Welcome to the Mentorship Sessions! In this episode of the mini series, Kyra and Freddie interview long time friends, climbing partners, and extreme adventure multi-sport athletes Will Gadd and Tim Emmett. Tim is a professional climber, ex–base jumper, and freediver who’s pioneered deep-water soloing, pushed the limits of ice climbing, and thrown himself into the extremes of every sport he’s tried. Will is a climber, ice climber, paraglider, ex–base jumper, and kayaker with X Games gold medals, Ice Climbing World Cup wins, Canadian sport climbing national titles, and the former world record for the longest paragliding flight, including gliding over the Grand Canyon. The two first met at an Ice Climbing World Cup and quickly bonded over a shared appetite for adventure and risk. We talk about how they met, how they approached big goals, like ice climbing Helmcken Falls, and how they assess risk, coming from two people who used to base jump but quit it before it "quit them". You wont want to miss this episode! Like what you hear? Join our Patreon! 👉 patreon.com/circleup Follow us on Instagram: 👉 instagram.com/crcleup

Welcome to The Mentorship Sessions! In this mini series, releasing throughout August and September 2025, usual host Kyra Condie paired up with Freddie Kolwey to interview pairs of mentors and mentees in order to shed light onto what makes a good relationship, why having a mentor helps in climbing and outdoor sports in general, and to just dig into the way people support one another. This idea was sparked by Freddie, because as climbing grows in popularity, the number of new climbers is outpacing the number of experienced climbers, and it can be harder for newer climbers to find a personal mentor. Ultimately, our hope is to facilitate conversations between the four pairings; Will Gadd and Tim Emmett, Matt Wright and Sevan Mclean, Jess Glassberg and Jon Glassberg, and Emily Harrington and Hazel Findlay, that illuminate the gifts they have each gained from their relationship and to share that with our community, providing mentorship and community from afar. In this intro episode Kyra and Freddie chat about their own journey in climbing and what worked and didn't work with their own experience with mentorship. They both share emotional stories and experience about starting in the sport, Kyra on a youth team and Freddie through the hobby of an ex-boyfriend. This episode should serve as a way to get to know Freddie more as a co-host of this mini series and understand why this topic is important to Kyra. Check out our Patreon at patreon.com/circleup ! And follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/crcleup/ to know when new episodes are released. Special thanks to Ocun for supporting this podcast!

Ever wondered whether route‑setters should be throwing monos into competition climbs? Kyra and Allison had noticed an increase in the use of monos in competitions recently and so they dig into the great mono debate. Is it a legitimate test of skill or just an injury waiting to happen? Allison pulls from her own mono‑training journey, sharing what worked, what back‑fired, and whether she thinks training monos improved her normal crimping strength. From there, they compare their personal hang‑boarding routine tweaks: Allison has been adding lock-off hangs to her program while Kyra had to do more straight‑arm hangs because of an injury recently. They chat about whether switching up your program is a good idea to keep workouts fresh and muscles "confused" or if its better to only work on the things you're good or bad at. Next they dive into the various safety concerns that arose at recent competitions. Pad stiffness, sketchy moves, and why comp floors sometimes feel like hitting concrete. Kyra pitches her idea of a World Cup circuit that tests different skills at different stops, similar to how F1 or the Tennis circuit tests on different courses/court types. They then debate where “new‑school” setting crosses the line into just plain weird and what the actual job of competition routesetters is. Stick around till the end to hear about: Our new Tier on Patreon: Check out our latest member-only episode about doping in outdoor climbing at patreon.com/circleup Get excited for our upcoming special mini series "The Mentorship Sessions" with guest host Freddie Kolwey from Buddy Check Podcast! First episode featuring Kyra and Freddie will come out August 5th to introduce the series.

In this episode, brought to you by OCUN, Allison talks about reconnecting with old passions and how they’re starting to blend into her climbing career, while Kyra shares how she’s feeling more self-assured and relying on her comp experience more than ever. They chat about what the last few weeks have looked like, and reflect on what they’ve learned with age—like how to train smarter, trust their instincts, and know when it’s time to push or pull back. It all ties into the kind of quiet confidence that comes with experience: a deep movement bank, a better sense of what actually works, and a little more peace with not always needing to prove yourself. The muse over why some athletes choose to compete after the Olympics while others take a step back and how important the Olympic Quad cycle is to athlete mental health. Join our Patreon for free or as little as $3 a month for extra members-only content! patreon.com/circleup And follow us on instagram to show support! https://www.instagram.com/crcleup/

In this episode Kyra and Allison discuss multiple topics surrounding the "grey areas” of ethics within climbing. Things like, does a top rope ascent “count” as the first ascent of a climb? Can you down climb a climb to preserve the onsight? What about having an “oh shit” rope draped next to a highball top out as a safety net in case you panic? These are the important questions that we don’t have answers to, but do have opinions on. Hopefully none of this is too hot of takes for anyone, we kept it to our opinion and are not trying to shame or influence anyone with these thoughts and ramblings. If you enjoyed this episode, follow us on instagram or join as a free member on Patreon for more content! patreon.com/circleup https://www.instagram.com/crcleup

In this episode, Kyra and Allison break down Kyra’s performance at the first World Cup of the season, where she made semifinals and finished tied for 11th—a strong start to the year. The following weekend brought the season’s first Lead World Cup, packed with fast-paced action and drama. From route setting and rule changes to performance mindset, they unpack it all with their insider perspective as athletes.

In this episode, supported by OCÚN, Kyra is fresh off competing with the new scoring format at Team Trials. Kyra and Allison together unpack what they missed when they talked about it before actually experiencing it, and how it might change the sport moving forward. They wonder how World Cups will be impacted and get excited for the season to officially start with Kyra heading to China just a few days after this episode was recorded. Then they dive into the latest Olympic announcement: three medals will be awarded for Sport Climbing in LA28 with 76 total athlete spots across lead, boulder, and speed. They take a few educated guesses at how the selection might work, and what this shift means for climbers who’ve traditionally excelled in more than one discipline. Along the way, they veer into a quick race walking and x games tangents, chat about the Olympics as a brand, and talk about Brooke Raboutou's impressive First Female Ascent of Excalibur, 5.15c, becoming the first woman to climb a route of that grade. Check out our Patreon! Extra content for paying an non-paying members alike. https://www.patreon.com/circleup This episode is brought to you by OCÚN Climbing https://www.ocun.com/

In this episode, Kyra and Allison had the pleasure of going to the Tension Climbing shop in Denver, Colorado and chatting with Will Anglin before their flight home about how the Tension brand started and how he developed the Tension Board 2 (aka the TB2). It was fascinating to learn about the process, starting from learning from lessons with their first product (the TB1), to creating holds digitally, setting the board, and then working within constraints to finally get what we now see in gyms across the entire country and world. Will sprinkles in some of his own philosophy and vast climbing wisdom throughout, enjoy!

In this episode, Kyra chats with Jesse Grupper, her good friend, roommate, and fellow Olympian. Jesse and Kyra start off by sharing some insight into their house and their similarities and differences when it comes to training mindset and planning. Jesse shares his thoughts about being an "underdog" in the past and how its helped him push himself and his limits while achieving benchmarked goals along the way. They then talk about how that's changed throughout the years. Jesse shares insight into why he feels so restless on rest days and him and Kyra chat about how climbers can try to use their platform to make a positive impact.

In this episode (episode 50!!) Kyra and Allison debate and explain the new scoring system being implemented in IFSC and many other international and national events. There are big changes this year, where the old tops and zones format was changed to purely be point based. Kyra and Allison lightly disagree about how they define the "best" climber in a round; is it the climber getting the most tops or the climber consistently getting the farthest on all the climbs? Listen to find out! Comment to let us know your thoughts! Check out more on our Patreon at patreon.com/circleup

In this episode of Circle Up!, Kerry Scott shares her journey through the ups and downs of her climbing career. She talks about transitioning from competitions to outdoor climbing—and then back again—and how moving across the country to work in the climbing industry influenced her path. Kerry reflects on the pressure she felt to downplay her competitive side, something she realized wasn’t encouraged in young women the way it often is in men, something both Kyra and Allison heavily relate to. She also tells the story of how training for lead climbing unexpectedly turned her into a boulderer. Throughout the episode, Kyra and Allison share their own thoughts and insights, adding their perspectives on competition, outdoor climbing, and what it means to find purpose in the sport. It’s a thoughtful conversation about balancing ambition and the joy of climbing. To watch this episode and get more exclusive content, follow us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/circleup!

In this episode of Circle Up!, Kyra and Allison revisit a conversation Kyra had with Dan about climbing with a romantic partner—this time, flipping the script and asking Allison for her take. The two dive into the nuances of sharing projects, time, and training with someone you’re dating, leading to a bigger discussion on how relationships intersect with high-level climbing. Then, Kyra breaks down her experience at a recent grip competition in LA, what she learned, and why grip sport might actually be a secret weapon for climbing performance. Tune in for a mix of deep conversation, laughs, and some unexpected takeaways! There was a technical difficulty while filming/recording this episode so they had to re-record the end--sorry for the difference in sound!! If you would like to WATCH this episode, check out the full video on our Patreon: patreon.com/circleup

In this episode, Kyra is joined by Dan Beall (who's stepping in for Allison while she's off crushing boulders in Vegas) and together they dive into the moments when they first saw major breakthroughs in their own climbing and talk about what they believe made the difference. Then, they explore a common challenge among climbers: truly trying hard. Many unknowingly hold themselves back in training, stopping short of their full potential because unlocking 100% effort can be uncomfortable and . Kyra and Dan share insights on how to push harder, embrace a "glass half full" mindset, and get the most out of every session. Loved this episode? Head over to Patreon for an exclusive extension—free for all members! patreon.com/circleup

In this episode, Kyra is joined by returning guest Dan Beall to tackle some big questions: What are tactics, really? How can you best support your romantic partner while climbing? And how do you adjust expectations when health or life complications shift your plans? They bring up common mistakes to avoid both indoors and out while talking about tactics and both share how they focus when they find themselves thinking too much. They swap opinions on what makes the best climbing gyms, with Kyra making the case for why a little grunge adds character. They also open up about how their unique health situations have shaped their expectations and approach to climbing. When the conversation shifts to climbing trips they talk about how to navigate group dynamics, the challenge of balancing priorities when climbing partners are at different levels, and how romantic partners can best support each other on and off the wall. Plus, Kyra shares what it’s been like to start something new (and a little scary): her YouTube channel and relates it to Dan's dive into making a private coaching business.

In this episode, Kyra sits down with Campbell Harrison, Australian Olympic climber and passionate advocate for athlete representation, to explore a wide range of topics. They discuss the impacts of social media on their careers and mental health, and how it can be especially challenging following the Olympic explosion in popularity. They talk about the outdoor industry as a whole, and how climbing stars may be outgrowing the scope of the climbing industry in years to come. The conversation then delves into the challenge of advocating for topics that are close to the chest and putting what is best for the group above what is best for yourself. throughout the episode, Kyra and Campbell discuss the all-too-familiar struggle of fighting the inner voice that creates guilt around taking necessary rest days, indulging in small joys, or stepping back from the grind to focus on holistic well-being. **They discuss drinking alcohol and taking time off drinking, so if this is a sensitive topic for you, skip 27:00-32:45.

In this episode, Kyra and Allison dive into their lesser known backgrounds as lead climbers and how it has shaped their skills as primarily boulderers. They share their favorite exercises and drills for training endurance and discuss why reflecting on your goals can help you modify your training to stay on track. They explore the challenges of climbing well while pumped, overcoming fear to push your limits, and the value of rest and focused attempts over grinding through fatigue. Whether you’re aiming to train for a specific goal or just want ideas on how to switch up your training, this episode has plenty of actionable takeaways for climbers of all levels!

In this Episode, Kyra Condie and Dan Beall went into the recent top posts from r/climbharder and talked about some of the topics and themes they saw reoccur in recent hot posts. They talk about how, if you want to, to avoid "life as a mediocre climber" and what small changes and tweaks you can make to your attitude and everyday schedule to improve your climbing. Then, they break down the art of projecting—what it truly means to push your limits and challenge yourself on a climb. Plus, they debate whether anyone could climb V15 in perfect conditions, if Kyra has what it takes to dunk a basketball, and which training exercises are criminally underrated (or totally overrated). T-shirt link: https://tinyurl.com/Circleuppodcast Interested in coaching with Dan? Email at danbeall.climbingcoach@gmail.com for details (availability is limited)

In this episode, Kyra and Allison dive into listener questions from their Patreon, covering everything from building finger strength and improving crimp endurance to valuable lessons learned from their youth competition days. The conversation meanders through a variety of related topics, including when to consult a PT—whether for an injury or strength training, current trends in climbing science, and how climbing parents can stay engaged and advocate for safe, inclusive environments within youth teams.

In this episode Kyra brings on her parents once again to talk about what they do to support her at competitions and how they supported her dream of becoming a professional climber. Currently being in Santiago at the Panamerican Championships, they talk about specifics around supporting Kyra while at an event. Later, Tom, Kyra’s dad provides some insight into his theory of providing guardrails but casting a wide net of possibilities for your kid, while Cathy, Kyra’s mom, shares some of her own upbringing that led to her unwavering support and belief in what her kids were capable of.