Off Belay Podcast

Kelsey Rex is a climber, trail runner, aspiring mountain guide and cat mom living in the north country of New Hampshire (land of the Abenaki and Wabanaki). She has sent rock climbs up to 5.12, become comfortable leading waterfall ice climbs up to grade 4+ and has held multiple Fastest Known Times in the White Mountains of NH. In addition to piecing together different part-time jobs, Kelsey is a climbing guide at Cathedral Mountain Guides and secretary of the Mount Washington Valley Climbers' Cooperative. She is passionate about being a part of a small mountain town community, promoting body positivity within the climbing scene, and fostering a more welcoming and inclusive space for underrepresented populations at the crags of New Hampshire. Sign up for the Flash Foxy Fest in North Conway here! Support the Mount Washington Valley Climbers' Cooperative here!  Hosts: Sarah Casto, Rich Ouellette & Michelle Bourget Producers: Sarah Casto and Michelle Bourget Music: Mara Brown We can be reached by email at [email protected] or Instagram and Twitter @offbelaypodcast. Thanks for listening!

Off Belay is back for episode 11 with Ohio native Rob Brock, who is on a journey to climb in all 50 states in the USA. Rich, Sarah and Rob dive into training, getting up entirely too early, driving a lot, favorite crags, and more. Thanks for joining us, Rob!  Hosts: Sarah Casto and Rich Ouellette Producers: Sarah Casto and Michelle Bourget Music: Mara Brown We can be reached by email at [email protected] or Instagram and Twitter @offbelaypodcast. Thanks for listening!

Off Belay is back for episode 10 with boulderer Madeline Brandt, who is well on her way to getting 10 V10's under her belt. Check out her Youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/c/MadelineBrandt  Off Belay Podcast is sponsored by Central Rock Gym. Visit centralrockgym.com to view events, news and more, or visit one of their 15 state-of-the-art climbing locations in the Northeast. Hosts: Michelle Bourget and Rich Ouellette Producers: Sarah Casto and Michelle Bourget Music: Mara Brown We can be reached by email at [email protected] or Instagram and Twitter @offbelaypodcast. Thanks for listening! Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and their guests. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of our affiliates or sponsors.

Off Belay is back for season 2 with climbing coach Anyssa Lucena, who is a certified personal trainer, AMGA Single Pitch Instructor and Apprentice Rock Guide. Based out of New Jersey, Anyssa "created climbing, fitness and outdoor classes and programming specifically for women to show them that they are truly capable of anything." Check out her website at genuineclimbing.com! Off Belay Podcast is sponsored by Central Rock Gym. Visit centralrockgym.com to view events, news and more, or visit one of their 15 state-of-the-art climbing locations in the Northeast. Hosts: Michelle Bourget and Rich Ouellette  Producers: Michelle Bourget, Sarah Casto Music: Mara Brown  We can be reached by email at [email protected] or Instagram and Twitter @offbelaypodcast. Thanks for listening!  Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and their guests. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of our affiliates or sponsors.

For episode 8 of the Off Belay Podcast, we sit down with Western Massachusetts Climbers' Coalition President Stephanie Giguere to discuss the opening of Hanging Mountain, a newly acquired and developed crag in Southwestern Massachusetts (New York / Connecticut border).  Hang around for this shorter-form conversation that answers some questions our listeners have had. Thanks to Steph, the WMCC, the Ragged Mountain Foundation, Access Fund, Appalachian Mountain Club, and everyone who has been involved with this process. We appreciate you! Host: Michelle Bourget Guest: Stephanie Giguere This episode of Off Belay is brought to you by Central Rock Gym. Visit them online at centralrockgym.com! Don’t forget to subscribe and review! We can be reached on Instagram and Twitter @offbelaypodcast and by email at [email protected]. Thanks for listening! Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and their guests. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of our affiliates or sponsors.

On episode 7 of the Off Belay Podcast, we sit down with Brian Phillips, local climbing legend and OG trad dad. Listen for a glimpse on what it was like being a climber before climbing gyms, bolting ethics, and more.  Hosts: Michelle Bourget & Rich Ouellette Guest: Brian Phillips Intro Song/Audio: Mara Brown Off Belay Podcast is sponsored by Central Rock Gym. Visit them online at centralrockgym.com! Don’t forget to subscribe and review! We can be reached on Instagram and Twitter @offbelaypodcast and by email at [email protected]. Thanks for listening! Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and their guests. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of our affiliates or sponsors.

On episode 6 of the Off Belay Podcast, we sit down with Amy Cheu, a self-proclaimed multipitch trad lover and biologist pursuing their PhD. We were honored to sit down with Amy and talk about lizards, inclusion in climbing, TikTok, being a BIPOC, female and LGBTQ+ climber, and so much more. Check it out!  Hosts: Michelle Bourget & Rich Ouellette Guest: Amy Cheu Intro Song/Audio: Mara Brown Off Belay Podcast is sponsored by Central Rock Gym. Visit them online at centralrockgym.com!  Don’t forget to subscribe and review! We can be reached on Instagram and Twitter @offbelaypodcast and by email at [email protected]. Thanks for listening! Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and their guests. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of our affiliates or sponsors.

Join us for our first-ever bonus episode as we sit down with wildlife biologist Jesse Caney to discuss the cliff-dwelling creatures that sometimes share our crags. Why the route and wall closures? What's so great about peregrine falcons? As it turns out, a lot. Take a listen! Off Belay Podcast is sponsored by Hammer & Hops Brewing Company and Central Rock Gym. Host: Michelle Bourget Guest: Jesse Caney Audio & Intro Song: Mara Brown Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and their guests. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of our affiliates or sponsors.

On episode 4 of the Off Belay Podcast, we sit down with Justin Raphaelson. As written on his website: Justin is a writer, a climber, a mountaineer, and a conservationist. He also has a passion for taking cross country road trips to explore the great outdoors. Sensing the urgency to inform others of the beauty within our own country, and most importantly, maintaining that beauty for future generations; he started documenting his journeys. When he’s not at his day job as an attorney, Justin can be found at the local crag or in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. It has become paramount for Justin to find a way to use his writing and familiarity with the law to raise awareness not only for recreation in the outdoors but for its preservation. He documents his adventures on his blog; jccrosscountry.com.  A property and criminal defense attorney based in Worcester, Massachusetts, Justin is a graduate of New England Law-Boston and has a B.A. in History from Clark University. He is also an executive board member of the Greater Worcester Land Trust. Justin's website can be found at this link (www.justinraphaelson.com) and you can buy his book here (https://www.justinraphaelson.com/books). Hosts: Rich Ouellette & Mara Brown Guest: Justin Raphaelson Intro Song: Mara Brown Producer: Michelle Bourget Editing/Audio Wizard: Mara Brown Off Belay Podcast is sponsored by Hammer & Hops Brewing Company! Check them out on Instagram @hammerandhopsbrewing. Don’t forget to subscribe and review! We can be reached on Instagram and Twitter @offbelaypodcast and by email at [email protected]. Thanks for listening! Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and their guests. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of our affiliates or sponsors.

On episode 3 of the Off Belay Podcast, we sit down with Dolci Mascolo, who explores the disciplines of sport, multipitch trad, ice and mixed, and developing new climbs as well. Dolci invests much of her time into giving back to her climbing community and we couldn’t be more excited to have her on the show. Host: Michelle Bourget Guest: Dolci Mascolo Intro Song: Mara Brown Editing/Audio Wizard: Mara Brown Off Belay Podcast is sponsored by Hammer & Hops Brewing Company! Check them out on Instagram @hammerandhopsbrewing. Don’t forget to subscribe and review! We can be reached on Instagram @offbelaypodcast and by email at [email protected]. Thanks for listening! Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and their guests. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of our affiliates or sponsors.