They say that when times are tough, get inspiration from the moments in the past where you have persevered, endured, and survived with flying colours…

When I first started rock climbing, I nearly decked a guy in the gym.  I have to say I’m glad that he was kind enough to let me continue belaying him despite his near disaster.  The rope burn has healed and there are no reminder scars from that incident; there are no remnants to recall that incident except in the memory of the few who were present that night.

And, of course, the memory I still carry…

My first outdoor rock climbing experience was frightening, but exhilarating, but the one thing I took away that day was that I knew I had to climb again.  I’m glad that that same person I nearly decked in the gym was kind enough to drag me outdoors to live the feeling of climbing on limestone.

I remember meeting a girl who taught us how to climb multi-pitch.  There was a day when it rained and we were all huddled under the shelter waiting for the rain to stop.  She was talking to some of the others about her rack and I remember feeling so impressed as I looked over it.  I thought to myself, I’m going to have my own rack and I’m going to know the names of all that stuff.  One of my friends still has a picture of me examining one of her draws with deep fascination.  That was the picture that caught me in concentrated thought about what I was to become.

I also remember standing at the base of Damai wall watching a guy climbing a 6A route.  I stood rooted to that spot, looking up in awe, thinking, “Wow, I’d never be able to climb that…”

But in my heart, I knew I wanted to.  I wanted desperately to be able to climb that.  I remember attempting that route after some encouragement from another friend.  I was trying to lead on my new gear and I got scared and bailed halfway.  He just said, “That’s okay, another time.” 

These days, even without regular climbing, I can still climb that route…

I used to write a lot about climbing.  I even created things that never happened.  Eventually they did happen – not all of them and not necessarily the way I wrote it, but it happened in some form or other.

I remember making plans to complete a 6C as part of my new year’s resolution.  By March, I’d completed my first 7A.  I was afraid to believe it was possible, but I desired it so much, I lived and breathed that video of me climbing the crux sequence in my mind’s eye. 

These are what 7A dreams are made of… and that’s why I believe, if you want it bad enough, you’ll find a way to make it real.

I’ve often been asked what it was about climbing that kept me coming back for more.  I would have to say that it was through climbing that I discovered what the real strength within me was.  It’s a sport often mistaken to require only power and strength; and it was thought that if you didn’t have either of these, you could not climb.

What inspires me to continue climbing is that it epitomizes the power we have to make our dreams real if we set our minds upon it.  It is the articulation of converting what appears to be visually impossible into something that is physically achievable.  We can take these experiences and apply them to our everyday troubles in life.  If I can complete that route in climbing, I can face this problem in life.  It helps us to build the mental mettle we need to face even the toughest situations in life because our mind has been strengthened through climbing.

For me, climbing as a sport provides an all-round mix of physical, mental and relaxation.  When I am climbing, it takes me away from the daily pressures of life, providing true relaxation from the hectic pace of city life.  When the mind is concentrating on controlling fear all the other distractions of daily life fade into the background.  The physical exertion from climbing builds up my strength and my confidence and the raised levels of endorphins elevates my mood. 

Probably the best part of climbing is that I am exercising without realizing it.  On the threadmill or in the gym, all I can think about is how long I’ve been there.  When I’m climbing, I only realize the time has passed when the sky starts to grow darker or when my tummy rumbles.