E209 : Billy Ridal's Grand Day Out

Much requested, Michael from Tension joined us this week. I sort of hoped this episode would devolve into a mudslinging match as we fought to shift the tiller of board climbing towards our respective visions of board utopia. As it turned out, we actually agreed on most things when it comes to board climbing, but we enjoyed chatting about them anyway. It's a nerdy chat about boards, obviously, but it's also so much more than ..... actually that is basically it, but as two board nerds we enjoyed it anyway. Michael has contributed a huge amount to the scene, not least with his invention of the Board Lords series on YouTube, which is where you can watch a bunch of handsome folk flexing into the camera in a way we all enjoy. If you're the sort of person who finds board climbing culture a bit nauseating, might I recommend listening to Testpiece this week? Or maybe try the rest is history, they did a cracking series on Horatio Nelson which is worth a listen... Anyone still here? No? If you're enjoying the podcast and would like it to continue for a while longer: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=70353823Support the show

At Glastonbury there is a legends slot on Sunday, I felt like we were doing something similar this week. One of the contenders for the tag of 'GOAT', Jakob has climbed top grade boulders and lead climbs, has got two Olympic medals as well as medals almost every year since 2008 on the world cup circuit. We chatted to him about some stuff in relation to the above really. It was very exciting to have him on, there are still a few guests that make us a bit nervous before they come on and this was one of them! Pointlessly nervous of course, as we had a lovely chat. If you want the lovely chats to keep coming, please consider checking out our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=70353823Support the show

I spend a a day editing a podcast and then can't remember almost anything that was in it to write the description. I quite often have to click through it again to remember whichever 'unforgettable' moments there were to try and sell you with. It probably doesn't help that I'm also currently rewatching the Real Thing on YouTube and I keep getting distracted by the incredible garms Jerry is rocking. It's a good episode though, we've got Benn and Katie joining me and Aidan and we took ages to actually get to the idea for the episode, and when we did we mostly strayed off topic again anyway. If you like that sort of thing, then enjoy!If you like the podcast and want to support us, then please consider checking out our Patreon page! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=70353823Support the show

James is back this week! I was tempted to release this split into two episodes because I think the discussion might appeal to different people. In the first half we talk about James going on adventurous trips with his kids and his ascent of the Finnish Line in Rocklands. In the second half we talk about Exodia but more interestingly in many ways we talk about the way the ascent of Exodia was publicised as James was involved with helping to publicise the ascent as part of his position in La Sportiva. That chat starts about halfway through and I personally found it super interesting and a great opportunity for me to stick my generously proportioned beak behind the curtain which is basically the whole reason I do this silly podcast in the first place. I'm curious if you're feeling charitable, or nosey if you're not.  If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to help us keep it going a little while longer then please do consider checking out our Patreon page! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=70353823Support the show

Description description description, Joel and Louis wrote a book, and that means there was immediately a potential for a symbiotic relationship with us on the pod. We like talking about the psychological element of climbing and they wanted to promote their new book. Synergy.Louis is a very famous coach and very strong and highly caffeinated climber, Joel is a psychotherapist and new(er) climber. The two of them have teamed up and written a book all about the mental travails of climbers, or how climbing highlights pre-existing travails, and how we can be kind to ourselves and combat these issues to hopefully live a happier and more content life alongside getting better at climbing. They're a good pair of chaps and we had a great meandering chat. If you want to check out their book (soon to be available for pre-order) check out Get a Grip on Amazon. https://www.patreon.com/user?u=70353823Support the show

Ah the episode description section. Every week I dread filling it out because it feels so superfluous to requirement but here we go again... Joining us this week is Charlie Schreiber (as you can see from the episode title), we talk about coaching, goals, becoming busier, the bouldering progression formula, movement patters and so much more (information you have no doubt gleamed from the title). All jokes aside it's always good fun talking to Charlie, he's very enthusiastic and very easy to talk to, I hope you enjoy it!If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to support us, please consider checking us out on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/u70353823Support the show

Joining us this week are the cohosts of a rival British Podcast, Backseat Climbing. Originally they came to fame when they humorously slandered  half of climbing on a subsequently deleted pod, but they meant well and a lot of water has disappeared under the bridge since then. Solly has been on the pod twice before and is one of the best British Boulderers of all time, Matt is also a strong climber and has an incredible knowledge for climbing and climbing history, between them they have some great hot takes they wanted to chuck at us. I was expecting to be sent sprawling sideways whilst I desperately tried to prevent our cancellation but actually it was all good stuff, we had a great time. If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to support us, please consider checking out our patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=70353823If you enjoyed the dulcet tones of Matt and Solly then go check out their podcast as well :)Support the show

Ben is back! Ben is very close to launching his new innovation, the Moonboard Spray. He even paid me to set it, but then he crumpled up my offering and launched into the bin and did it again with a completely different team. Why? What is it? Can I have a crack at doing the app instead? Basically just a fun chat going over it as well as our philosophies about training boards etc. If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to support us, please consider checking out our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=70353823Support the show

Jen Wood comes to join us on the pod this week! Someone who used to compete on the World Cup boulder circuit with Aidan but they went in totally opposite directions at the end (not because of any personal beef I hasten to add) Jen has transformed herself via the most gruelling methods into one of the UKs top sport climbers. All that hard work culminated in sending Climb for Life (9a) in Sicily. We chatted about that, how she got there and I also asked her a bunch of questions about running which a more professional podcast might have warned her was coming. If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to support us please consider checking out our Patreon! It probably won't help you climb your projects but it might help release a tiny amount of feel good hormones that for a brief moment could make you almost feel like you have. https://www.patreon.com/user?u=70353823 Support the show

Billy is back to talk about another audacious challenge. This time Billy attempted to climb 100 7s on gritstone in 24 hours. It was quite the adventure with a some high highs and some devastating (and humorous) lows. Billy came on to tell us the story!If you're enjoying the podcast and would like to support us, please consider checking  out our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=70353823Support the show