Not Your Typical Climber
Showcasing the diverse voices of climbers and exploring underrepresented voices in the world of climbing. From pro-climbers to amateurs, and everyone in between; every person who climbs has something that makes them unique, and that’s what we’re here to explore. Hosted by Mel Reeve.
Episodes
18 episodes
Challenging Body Image Norms in Climbing with Sunni Ford from Fat Senders
Sunni Ford is the director of Fat Senders, a climbing group focused on inclusivity for all body types within the climbing community. Sunni shares their journey into climbing, the challenges they've faced because of misconceptions about their ca...
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21:51
Climbing and Creating Space for the Trans Community with Ayla Jay Darklis
Ayla shares how climbing has impacted her life and how it can support mental health. She tells Mel about the challenges faced by the trans community within the climbing world, highlighting the need for inclusivity and support. Ayla reflects on ...
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Season 2
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31:40
Flash Foxy: Empowering Women and Genderqueer Climbers with Lou Bank
Lou, the managing director of Flash Foxy, shares their journey in climbing, the evolution of the organization towards inclusivity, and the importance of creating supportive spaces for women and genderqueer climbers. They discuss the significanc...
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Season 2
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32:19
Tidy Climbers: How Climbers Can Protect the Outdoors with Hannah Mitchell
Hannah, a journalist and climber, shares her journey into the world of climbing, her involvement with the Women's Climbing Symposium, and her passion for environmental stewardship through her initiative, Tidy Climbers. She discusses the importa...
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35:44
Paraclimbing, Competing and Community with Amurta Wyssmann
Amruta Wyssmann shares how she went from a new climber to proud member of the Swiss paraclimbing team. She tells Mel about the importance of community in climbing and her training plans. Amy also shares her aspirations for the future - includin...
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Season 2
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20:23
More Than a Sport: Ben Fitzsimmons on Climbing, Purpose, and Refugees Rock
Ben Fitzsimmons from Refugees Rock shares his profound connection to climbing. Ben highlights his work with Refugees Rock, a programme that provides free climbing sessions for asylum seekers. We discuss the importance of access to climbing for ...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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19:46
Bennett Rahn Gives a Plus-Size Climber’s Perspective On Self-Advocacy
Bennett Rahn, a plus-size rock climber and mountaineer, shares her experiences of being a plus-size climber. Bennett tells host Mel Reeve about the importance of rage confidence, navigating gear accessibility, and the need for more representati...
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51:48
Wanderers of Colour: Building Climbing Communities with Charmian Griffin
Charmian is the Climbing Lead at Wanderers of Colour, she tells host Mel Reeve about her journey into climbing, the challenges of climbing while pregnant, and the importance of building a community for people of colour in outdoor activities.&nb...
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29:03
Climbing Higher: Emma Twyford’s Path to 9a and Empowering Women in the Sport
Prominent British climber Emma Twyford shares her journey to becoming the first British woman to send a 9a route. She reveals the challenges she's faced, including overcoming glandular fever and the transition from competition climbing to perso...
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Season 4
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Episode 1
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34:21
Climbing, Fear, and Redefining Success with Lor Sabourin
Pro climber and mental training coach Lor Sabourin shares their journey into climbing and outdoor adventure. Lor reflects on the importance of defining success on their own terms, and their experience as a non-binary climber. They share i...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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49:26
The Art of Rock Climbing Photography with Irene Yee
Rock climbing and adventure photographer Irene Yee shares how she became a successful photographer focusing on representation in outdoor activities, including climbing. Irene and Mel discuss the impact of her photography, why she’s committed to...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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50:39
Gender Bias and Climbing Grades with Kimbrough Moore
Kimbrough Moore is a climbing enthusiast and philosophy professor, he joins us to share his perspective on climbing ethics. Find out how he got started in climbing, his competition experience, and his perspective on the issue of gender bias in ...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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36:33
TikTok, Bouldering and the Outdoorsy Aesthetic with Jocelynne Flor
Jocelynne Flor is a Toronto-based climber and content creator whose engaging videos make the world of climbing feel accessible to everyone. Through her educational and inspiring content, Jocelynne shares her climbing journey. Mel and Jocelynne ...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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31:55
ClimbOut Festival: Creating Inclusive Climbing Spaces with Agus 'AJ' Guardiola
Agus ‘AJ’ Guardiola, co-founder of ClimbOut Festival shares their experience creating an inclusive space for the LGBTQ+ community in outdoor climbing. Hear about their own climbing journey and the motivation behind starting ClimbOut Festival, a...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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29:19
Climbing with Compassion: Paraclimbing and Mental Resilience with Fallon Rowe
Fallon Rowe is a climber with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (HEDS) and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). From competing in youth climbing competitions to trad and sport climbing as an adult, Fallon explores the importance o...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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49:16
Being A Climber in Palestine with Asia Zughaiar
Palestinian climber Asia shares how she fell in love with sport and explains the challenges of accessing outdoor climbing in Palestine. She opens up about how climbing provides an escape from the restrictions and hardships of living under occup...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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34:36
Mental Health and Breaking Barriers with Hannah Morris
Hannah Morris started her YouTube channel as a way to share her love for climbing and as an outlet for anxiety. We discuss mental health, body image, and the pushback she has received as a woman with a prominent climbing platform. Mel and Hanna...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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37:14
Welcome to Not Your Typical Climber
Not Your Typical Climber is a podcast that speaks to pro climbers, amateur climbers, hobby climbers, and anyone who finds joy in the sport. With a particular focus on the things that make us different and unique, the podcast uplifts the voices ...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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2:08