#118 - Wes Schweitzer - Training to Boulder V10 (Pro Football Player Turned Climber!)

After nine years as an NFL offensive lineman for the Falcons, Commanders, and Jets, Wes Schweitzer has traded 330-pound trench battles for crimps, slopers, and steep boulders! In this inspiring conversation, Wes shares how climbing started as elbow rehab modality, turned into a passion, and even improved his football performance. We dive into the parallels between elite football and high-level climbing, his challenges with a variety of football-related injuries, and his bold goal: to become the heaviest climber ever to send V10. Along the way, Wes reflects on career highlights—Super Bowl appearances, facing Aaron Donald, blocking for Matt Ryan and Aaron Rodgers—and his next chapter chasing higher Kilter Board grades and new outdoor climbing adventures. Podcast Rundown 2:28 – Welcome to Wes...the first American Football player to appear on the T4C podcast 3:45 - His first Autumn without football will be filled with climbing. 7:35 - How he discovered climbing...amidst a life filled with football 9:30 - Similarities between football and climbing 11:30 - Projecting "The Belly", a V5 at Catoctin Mountain Park 13:30 - What it's like (and what it takes) to play Offensive Line in the NFL 17:15 - How Wes dovetailed training for climbing while being starting Lineman in the NFL 20:40 - The physiological "balance" that climber offers a football player 21:30 - Insight into Wes' many football injuries 🎧 Podcast Sponsor Product: PhysiVantage Nutrition's Premium Proteins Boost your strength gains, recovery, connective tissue health, and immune system with PhysiVantage proteins: Supercharged Collagen, Weapons-Grade Whey Complex, and plant-based Powerplex. Save 15% with checkout code: PODCAST15 at PhysiVantage.com 24:50 - Looking ahead to Wes' next career as a pro climber! 25:50 - Wes' short-term climbing goals...and Kilter Board focus 28:30 - Discussion of body weight and climbing...and how much weight Wes has lost...and plans to lose in the coming years 33:18 - Wes' long-term climbing goals: Becoming the heaviest person to boulder V10...and climb a big wall 36:10 - Rapid fire Q & A about his experiences as a 9-year NFL player Favorite momentEndzone spikingBest QB he's played withBest athlete he's ever seenWho's the all-time GOAT in footballWes' insider pick for winning the Super Bowl in the 2025 season 42:15 - Wes' upcoming trip to the Red River Gorge 43:30 Wrap-up on Wes' inspiring journey from the football field to the climbing walls 44:00 - Final comments...and mention of Eric's book Maximum Climbing: Mental Training for Peak Performance and Optimal Experience. PLEASE WRITE A REVIEW...and share this podcast with your friends! 45:35 - Hörst Out! SUPPORT THIS PODCAST! Visit PhysiVantage.com and get a 15% discount on full-price performance nutrition with checkout code: PODCAST15 SAVE on La Sportiva shoes >> Thank yous: La Sportiva, Maxim Ropes, DMM Climbing, Friction Labs, Organic Climbing. Music by Misty Murphy Follow Eric on Twitter @Train4Climbing Check out Eric’s YouTube channel. Follow Eric on Facebook! And on Instagram at: Training4Climbing Visit PhysiVantage.com and get a 15% discount on full-price items with checkout code: PODCAST15