Episode 21: Genya Kot

Off the back of a recent clinic series run at Urban Climb in Melbourne, I chat with Tonde who co-hosted the clinic and Lee who attended as one of Australia's high performance climbing coaches. We chat about the comp scene here in Australia, the neccesary actions for our Australian athltetes to make more regular appearances on the world cup stage, the value of outdoor climbing for athletes and much much more.

I interview Polish IFSC and Olympic route setter Olga Niemiec about her recent setting job at the Parid 2024 games & more!

I interview Canadian setter and ex youth athlete Mika Hosoi. We chat Olympics, shorty beta, regional differences and setting icks. Want to get Mika to come set at your gym? Hit her up! @mika_hosoi

In this episode, we flipped the script and Niklas played host as he puts Jack Masel in the hot seat. We talk about his climbing origins, his introduction to route setting, current motivations and more!

Palmer is the head coach for Momentum Gym's climbing team and spends much of his time route setting for the specific needs of the athletes he coaches. He has a unique perspective on setting as not only someone who sets but as someone who coaches AND who also competes himself. Tune in to hear his thoughts!

Viral deadpoint videoGreat follow up interview with Victor!Motif Instagram Motif Website - Coming Soon

I'd highly recommend jumping over to Youtube and Checking out the Magnus video of him trying the comp boulders to give some context to what we're talking about in parts of this video!

Genya and I chat about her start into routesetting and the evolution of her role at Urban Climb in QLD. We discuss the pros and cons of social media, alterntive sources of motivation, riding the waves of psych, hiring and training new setters and much much more!

I chat with Canadian setter Kaleb Thomas. Kaleb has worked at multiple gyms across Canada, spanning an almost two decade career as a route setter. In his current role as 'Director of Setting' at Blocshop in Montreal he talks about the challenges and satisfaction that come with training new setters and managing teams across multiple venues. Kaleb is undoubtedly one of the hardest working and most passionate setters I've spoken to and I have a renewed appreciation for my comparatively easy and undeniably privaliged introduction to setting many years ago.

A follow up chat with @yossiclimbs about the launch of his hold brand OLIO with friend and business partner Cory Cook (@coryupsidedown). We also talked international travel & setting, comps, money and ideas for the future!