Fear of Falling Isn’t the Problem

Fear of falling is often treated like a bravery problem.

Most climbers think they just need to commit harder, take more practice falls, or become mentally tougher.

But in many cases, fear isn’t actually the problem.

It’s the symptom.

In this episode, I break down why fear of falling is often rooted in poor clarity rather than a lack of courage - and why uncertainty, poor decision-making, bad experiences, ego, and a lack of familiarity can all contribute to fear responses on the wall.

I also share my own experiences with fear of falling, from struggling to commit on limestone sport routes in the Peak District… to eventually onsighting serious routes like Dalriada on Ben Arthur.

Topics covered include:

Why fear is often a symptom of poor clarity
Rational vs “irrational” fear
How uncertainty affects climbing performance
Why projecting can help build confidence
The difference between onsighting and redpointing
Fear of falling vs fear of failure
The importance of good belayers and safe catches
Ego, identity, and performance pressure
Fight or flight responses in climbing
Why confidence is familiarity built over time
How to systematically expand your comfort zone

Fear isn’t something you need to remove.

You just need to understand it.

If you enjoy the episode, I’d massively appreciate it if you shared it with a friend, left a rating, or posted it on your Instagram story and tagged me.

Thank you for listening.

Mat Wright A Climber’s Mind

Tämä jakso on lisätty Podme-palveluun avoimen RSS-syötteen kautta eikä se ole Podmen omaa tuotantoa. Siksi jakso saattaa sisältää mainontaa.

Jaksot(17)

Passion, Obsession & Addiction in Climbing - Ollie Stamper

When does a passion for climbing become something less healthy?In Episode 17 of A Climber’s Mind, Mat is joined by Ollie “Stamper” Stamper, a former addiction counsellor with a fascinating perspective...

9 Syys 1h 15min

Steve McClure: Rainman, Trying Well & Life at the Limit

In this episode of A Climber’s Mind, I’m joined by Steve McClure - one of Britain’s most accomplished and influential climbers.Steve takes us inside the long process behind the first ascent of Rainman...

19 Elo 1h 19min

When Obsession Stops Working

I’ve always believed that obsession can be one of the most powerful tools in hard climbing. Visualising daily, thinking deeply about a project, and keeping it alive in your mind can create clarity, di...

1 Heinä 16min

Determination, Grades & Why We Choose Hard Things

In this solo episode, I reflect on the last few weeks of A Climber’s Mind - including why there’s been a short break from the podcast, what I took from my recent conversation with Conrad Caddy, and ho...

24 Kesä 14min

Conrad Caddy: Obsession, Pressure and Climbing 8B in 3 Years

In this episode, I’m joined by Conrad Caddy to explore the deeper story behind his rapid progression in climbing, including his recent ascent of Superman 8B after only around three years in the sport....

17 Kesä 1h 53min

I'm Not Anti-Training

In this episode, I reflect on my recent conversation with Mike Boyd and use it as a starting point to clarify something important about my coaching philosophy.I think some climbers may have interprete...

27 Touko 14min

Mike Boyd: Fatherhood, Stress & Climbing Performance

In this episode of A Climber’s Mind, I sit down with Mike Boyd for a very honest conversation about climbing, having a newborn baby, career pressure, identity, stress, relationships, money, and what p...

20 Touko 1h 52min

Climbing Feels Different Now

Over the last couple of months, a lot has changed in my life.I’ve been balancing the start of this podcast alongside a fairly structured training phase, whilst also trying to organise my life and coac...

13 Touko 30min