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Starter

The Art of Hanging On 🖐️

We used to do it to survive - to reach food, escape danger, or find safer ground.

Now we do it for the thrill, the view, and that strange calm that comes when your heart starts racing.

Climbing isn’t just a sport - it’s therapy with chalky hands.

You’ll scrape your knees, tear your fingers, and still walk away with a smile.

Because somewhere between the first grip and the final hold, something special happens:

You forget your problems, your to-do lists, and the deadlines.

It’s just you, gravity, and a wall that doesn’t care if you fall.

But what exactly does climbing do to your body and mind?

Hang on to find out. 👇

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Main Course

The Power of Climbing 🧗 

What is climbing?

Climbing is one of the most primal things we do as humans.

It’s the art (and struggle) of moving your body upward using nothing but your strength, focus, and a bit of courage.

How old is it?

We have been climbing for survival since the dawn of time - to hunt, escape danger, or simply explore. 🔍️ 

Archaeological evidence even shows that ancient tribes lived among cliffside dwellings between A.D. 550 and 1300.

Why do people do it?

Because it’s a mix of adrenaline, problem-solving, and meditation - all at once.

It challenges your body, calms your mind, and humbles your ego. 😎 

For many, climbing isn’t just a workout - it’s therapy, community, and purpose tied together with a rope.

What are the benefits?

Climbing has been shown to

• boost focus and mental clarity 🔍️ 

• improve memory and spatial awareness 🧠 

• reduce stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms 😌

• increase alertness and reaction time ⚡

• build overall strength and endurance 💪

• improve balance and coordination 🎯

• enhance problem-solving skills 🧩

• release endorphins that make you feel incredible 😊

👩‍🍳 Chef Tip: If you’re new to climbing, start with bouldering - it’s low to the ground, high in fun, and perfect for building strength and confidence.

And instead of hiding indoors this winter, grab a friend and try your local climbing gym.

You might walk in a beginner but walk out hooked. 😉 

🍰

Dessert

The World’s Coolest Climbing Gyms 🌎️

Most people travel for vacation. 🏝️ 

Climbers travel for walls. 🧗 

Here are some of the most mind-blowing climbing gyms around the world 👇

Kletterzentrum Innsbruck, Austria

The holy grail of climbing gyms - 6000 sq. meters of routes, 550 rope lines, and 200+ boulders.

Basically Disneyland for climbers. 😍 

Climb BlueSky, Kenya

East Africa’s first public rock gym - small but mighty. 🌍️ 

It’s building a new climbing culture and even takes you outdoors to Hell’s Gate and Lukenya Hills.

Klimcentrum Bjoeks & Excalibur, Netherlands

A 37 m freestanding tower that curves dramatically like a giant wave.

Wildly overhanging, wildly photogenic. ⚔️ 

Fliegerhalle, Germany

Inside a massive airplane hangar sits an enormous freestanding arch that dominates the space. 🛩️ 

Nobody knows what it used to be - and that’s part of the mystery.

Ouray Ice Park, USA

The world’s largest man-made ice climbing arena. 🧊 

Over 200 frozen routes carved into the gorge and an annual festival that’s pure adrenaline.

Edinburgh International Climbing Arena, Scotland

Built in a repurposed quarry near Edinburgh, this place feels half gym, half natural wonder.

Imagine climbing surrounded by stone walls and daylight pouring through. 🌇 

Gneis Lilleaker, Norway

A glass-walled climbing gym overlooking a river and waterfall - probably the most scenic belay spot on Earth. 🌊 

Allez Up, Canada

Once home to Montreal’s sugar silos, now a modern cathedral for climbers. ⛪️ 

Built inside and around the old Redpath Refinery, Allez Up combines 13,000 sq. ft. of climbing floor with massive vertical walls.

My tip: When you travel, try to visit a local climbing gym.

You’ll most likely make friends, discover the local scene, and see how each city tackles gravity in its own unique way. 😉 

🥜

Snacks

Dad Joke of the Week

A Deep Question

When was the last time you did something just because it made you feel alive, not because you had to?

A Friendly Reminder

🎁

Takeaway  

You aren’t satisfied yet? 

Here are my Ingredients and Recommendations for you:

🎙️ Podcasts

• How to Set & Achieve Massive Goals | Alex Honnold (Huberman Lab)

• Free Solo Climber: My Scariest Moment & How To Conquer Your Fears (High Performance Podcast)

• A Masterclass in How to Progress Your Climbing (The Nugget Climbing)

📚️ Books

• Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Everest Disaster (Jon Krakauer)

• Beastmaking: A Fingers-first Approach to Becoming a Better Climber (Ned Feehally)

• The Climbing Bible: Technical, Physical and Mental Training for Rock Climbing (Stian Christopherson)

• Training For Climbing (Eric Hörst)

📺️ Videos

• What Happens To Your Body When You Climb (Red Bull)

• What Rock Climbing Really Does to the Human Body (Daily Mail Sport)

• Learn 100+ Climbing Techniques With Just 4 Movement Concepts (Lattice Training)

• 20 Pro Tips EVERY Climber should know... (Magnus Midtbø)

📑 Articles

• Rock Climbing: Benefits, Workouts, and Tips (WebMD)

• The Mental and Physical Benefits of Climbing (MDPI)

• 13 Benefits of Rock Climbing Backed by Science (2025) (Climbing House)

• Rock climbing: from ancient practice to Olympic sport (National Geographic)

Thank you for being here 💝 

Looking forward to serving you next week.

Much love,

Benji