Climbing Gym Growth Podcast

In this episode of the Climbing Gym Growth Podcast, Chris Lopez chats with Ivan Vargas and Steve Bittner, co-owners of Mustangs Bouldering, for a conversation about market selection, risk, and how to break even.Mustangs opened without SBA loans, without heavy marketing, and in a smaller market by making disciplined decisions around location, rent, and other expenses._Show Notes:00:00 – Intro 04:00 – Backgrounds in climbing and the industry 07:30 – Searching for the right space 10:30 – Why Mustangs chose bouldering only 14:30 – Competition myths in smaller markets 18:30 – Organic growth vs paid marketing 23:30 – Route setting philosophy and surprise 27:30 – Churn, seasonality, and outdoorsy markets 35:30 – Designing for early break-even 41:30 – Building the gym themselves to survive 48:30 – The mental weight of ownership 56:30 – Hard advice: markets matter_Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@climbinggymgrowthFollow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/climbinggymgrowthCheck us out at: https://climbinggymgrowth.com/

In this episode of the Climbing Gym Growth Podcast, I sit down with Aaron Parlier, owner of Center 45 in Boone, North Carolina.Aaron shares a grounded, long-term perspective on what actually makes a climbing gym successful. Not rapid expansion, flashy amenities, or forcing your gym into a predefined box, but focusing on community, routesetting, and creating a space people genuinely want to spend time in.We talk about slow, sustainable growth, why your climbs are the product, and how first impressions at the front desk shape everything that follows.This episode is especially valuable for new gym owners and operators in small or college towns._Show Notes:00:00 – Aaron’s climbing background & early influences 03:00 – Discovering indoor climbing & falling all the way in 06:00 – Opening Center 45 with limited resources 08:30 – Crowdfunding holds & growing within constraints 11:00 – Capacity issues, weather, and space limitations 14:30 – Partnering with the university climbing wall 16:00 – Making the gym feel welcoming to new climbers 18:30 – Why intimidation kills the first-time experience 21:00 – Front desk energy & first impressions 22:10 – Final advice: slow growth & “it's about the bread”_Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@climbinggymgrowthFollow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/climbinggymgrowthCheck us out at: https://climbinggymgrowth.com/

In this episode of the Climbing Gym Growth Podcast, I sit down with Andrew Coffey, founder of The Hive Climbing in British Columbia.From opening one of Canada’s first bouldering only gyms in 2012 to now running six locations, Andrew breaks down the lessons, systems, and philosophy behind The Hive’s growth.We talk about:Expanding before systems were readyThe realities of scaling past 150 employeesThe cost of building gyms todayHow COVID reshaped their entire businessWhy “Make Life Better” became their company mission_Show Notes:00:00 – Andrew’s backstory & discovering climbing07:00 – Opening The Hive’s first gym & early lessons15:00 – Expanding to multiple locations & unexpected challenges23:00 – COVID, booking systems & changing member habits30:00 – Profitability, pricing, and rising operational costs38:00 – Managing 150+ employees & scaling culture48:00 – Systems, structure & Wildly Important Goals56:00 – Advice for new gym owners & sustainable growth_Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@climbinggymgrowthFollow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/climbinggymgrowthCheck us out at: https://climbinggymgrowth.com/

In this episode of the Climbing Gym Growth Podcast, I chat with Andrew Hou from Uplift Climbing in Shoreline, Washington.We dive into what it really takes to build a community first climbing gym in a competitive market. Andrew shares how he spent years preparing for ownership, why Uplift doubled down on overhanging terrain, how they differentiate themselves from other Seattle gyms, and why focusing on health over growth is core to their mission._Show Notes:00:00 – Introduction00:10 – Intro class & free week membership experiment00:20 – Referral strategy that drives long-term growth00:30 – Working on vs. working in the business00:37 – Newsletters & building relational marketing00:43 – Differentiation in a saturated market00:54 – Andrew’s advice for new gym owners_Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@climbinggymgrowthFollow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/climbinggymgrowthCheck us out at: https://climbinggymgrowth.com/

What does it really take to open a climbing gym from scratch?In this episode, I talk with Parker Sims, founder of Gravity Bear Climbing in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We dive into how Parker identified a market gap, managed construction while holding a full-time job, and why he thinks climbing gyms are undervalued._Show Notes: 00:00 – Parker’s story & Tulsa’s climbing scene 05:00 – Opening Gravity Bear & early surprises 09:00 – The meaning behind “Gravity Bear” 12:00 – Learning flexibility through setbacks 30:00 – Membership goals & community building 45:00 – Why climbing gyms are undervalued 53:00 – “A plan is a place to deviate from.”_Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@climbinggymgrowthFollow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/climbinggymgrowthCheck us out at: https://climbinggymgrowth.com/

In this episode of the Climbing Gym Growth Podcast, I sit down with Chris Marsaglia, co-founder of Tomo Bouldering Club in Portland, Oregon.We dive into what it takes to open a new gym in a saturated market, how Tomo’s founders built a brand that balances playfulness and professionalism, and the philosophy behind their unique “T” circuit grading system. Chris also shares how they built a loyal community through thoughtful design, creative events, and an authentic approach to marketing.Show Notes:00:00 – Welcome to Tomo Bouldering Club02:15 – From kitchen table planning to opening day05:00 – Permitting delays and opening surprises 07:30 – Marketing in a crowded Portland market 09:30 – Authentic branding12:25 – Hitting 300 members15:00 – Competing with nearby gyms23:00 – Tomo’s “T” circuit system31:00 – Retention and member engagement33:00 – Future goalsWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@climbinggymgrowthFollow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/climbinggymgrowthCheck us out at: https://climbinggymgrowth.com/

In this episode of the Climbing Gym Growth Podcast, I talk with Nicole Jolyn, General Manager of Alaska Rock Gym, about her first year leading one of the most established climbing gyms in the U.S.Nicole shares what she’s learned - from refining staff roles and marketing systems to strengthening programming and community connection in Anchorage’s unique climbing scene._Show Notes:00:00 – Nicole’s path from Colorado to Alaska Rock Gym02:00 – Overview of Alaska Rock Gym’s size, growth, and unique market05:00 – Building a management team and defining clear roles10:00 – Creating new positions to support staff growth and culture15:00 – Marketing strategy: old school mailers and tracking ROI22:00 – How to measuring social media impact32:00 – Programming changes and rebuilding weekend engagement39:00 – Reducing churn through connection, accountability, and culture53:00 – Final advice: build real relationships with your members_Listen to the full podcast:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0T41CYU1Eo1zJewskFklsBApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/climbing-gym-growth-podcast/id1835576139Follow on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/climbinggymgrowth

In this episode of the Climbing Gym Growth Podcast, I talk with Jonathan Brandt of Shift Climbing about how they’ve built a growth-oriented gym culture and how their competitive advantage is based on the concept of Enlightened Hospitality._Show Notes:00:00 – Jonathan’s path from climber to gym founder02:00 – Launching Shift Climbing & early challenges05:00 – Using content to build brand & buzz10:00 – Lessons from opening week17:00 – Hiring through culture-first systems23:00 – Enlightened hospitality in action28:00 – Building a growth-oriented team33:00 – Authentic sales & member connection39:00 – Circuits, education, and community47:00 – Redefining success at Shift Climbing_Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@climbinggymgrowthFollow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/climbinggymgrowthCheck us out at: https://climbinggymgrowth.com/

In this episode of the Climbing Gym Growth Podcast, I sit down with Jesse Cheers and Brad Mathisen from Appalachian Bouldering Center in Bristol, TN.We talk about how they went from just 30 local climbers in their community to building a climbing gym with over 300 members in just 2 years. From overcoming construction hurdles to building a welcoming culture, this is a must-watch for anyone interested in learning how climbing gyms grow and succeed._Show Notes:00:00 – ABC’s origin story04:20 – Why bouldering + connecting to outdoor climbing07:30 – Build-out challenges & contractor lessons15:00 – Opening day: 200+ visitors & early growth23:20 – Community, culture & no gatekeeping31:20 – Key advice for new gym owners_Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/3IZPwBFV6-8Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/climbinggymgrowthOr check us out at: https://climbinggymgrowth.com/