What does it take to bet everything on a dream? To live out of a van before it was fashionable, to commit to hard lines with no guarantee of success, and to walk away from risk when the stakes are too high?

For Canadian climber Sonnie Trotter, it has always come down to conviction. From iconic ascents like Cobra Crack and The Path to bold multi-pitch routes on El Capitan, Sonnie has built a career — and a life — around the power of desire and the art of going all in.

In this episode, Sonnie opens up about:

• The moment on Mount Stephen with Tommy Caldwell when he chose family over risk — and why that decision shaped his climbing life.
• What it means to reverse-engineer objectives, breaking down the impossible into repeatable steps that anyone can apply to sport, career, or life.
• The reality of van life with young kids — the chaos, the beauty, and the lessons in resilience.
• Why desire matters more than talent in chasing audacious goals.
• How sleep, recovery, and health now stand as his most important climbing priorities.

This is not just a climbing story. It’s a conversation about awe, identity, and how to keep your fire alive — whether you’re chasing 5.14 cracks or simply trying to stay true to your path in midlife.

Stay to the end: Sonnie shares his philosophy on legacy, why life is shorter than we think (in the most liberating sense), and how to pursue what matters with urgency and love.

Sonnie's Instagram

Sonnie's book - Uplifted!

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What does it take to come back after a body-breaker of an injury—not once, but sixteen times?

Chris Anthony is a legendary ski athlete, filmmaker, and adventurer who has stared down more than his fair share of wipeouts, surgeries, and life-altering setbacks. But instead of fading quietly from the spotlight, Chris rebuilt. Physically. Mentally. Spiritually.

In this episode, we explore what it really means to recover—not just to return to sport, but to reinvent yourself in the process.

You’ll hear Chris talk about:

• The gruesome reality and mental toll of having 16 knee surgeries
• How he kept skiing—and pushing limits—long after most would have quit
• His unforgettable days shooting for Warren Miller ski films (before GoPros and drones)
• His time skiing across Mongolia with the local military—and the cultural surprises that came with it (hint: fermented horse milk)
• What he’s building now with the Chris Anthony Youth Initiative Project (CYIP) to help underserved youth through outdoor education

Chris’s story is a powerful reminder that aging doesn’t have to mean slowing down. It means getting smarter, tougher—and more intentional with how we heal, move, and lead.

⚠️ Host's Note on Nutrition

While this episode features honest discussions about diet—including red meat consumption—it’s important to note that these views don’t reflect the host’s personal values or dietary choices. As a mostly plant-based athlete, I believe we can fuel high performance without animal products. But I also believe in sharing real stories with integrity—even when our philosophies differ.

🔗 Links & Resources

• Learn more about Chris Anthony Youth Initiative Project (CYIP) → chrisanthony.com
  
  
• Follow Chris on Instagram → @chrisanthonyski
  
  
• Watch the Warren Miller ski films → warrenmiller.com
  
  

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🚀 Love the show? Here’s how to support it

If something you’ve heard here has stayed with you, made you smile, or helped you keep going, I’d be honored if you’d consider supporting the show. 👉 https://buymeacoffee.com/agelessathlete

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Last week in Part I, we began our journey with legendary alpinist Jim Donini — exploring his surprise cancer diagnosis, his early days in Yosemite, and the philosophy that has defined his career: “Getting to the top is optional. Getting back down is mandatory.”

In this second part of our conversation, we turn from the mountains themselves to the human side of Jim’s story. At 82, Jim reflects on:

• The partnerships that shaped his greatest climbs — and what makes someone a great partner in the mountains and in life
• The sacrifices and personal costs of chasing bold objectives, and the double-edged gift of being able to block out hardship
• Lessons from living and climbing in places like Pakistan and Patagonia, and how those cultures shaped his worldview
• What it means to slow down, face illness with honesty, and still look ahead with optimism
• The legacy he hopes to leave, and what “ageless” means to him today

Jim speaks with the same candor and optimism that have marked his five decades in the world’s hardest ranges. His reflections on life, loss, and resilience remind us that survival is never guaranteed — but meaning can be found in how we choose our lines, both on the mountain and off.

If you haven’t yet, go back and listen to Part I — it lays the foundation for everything we cover here.

📌 References & Related Links

• Survival Is Not Assured: The Life of Climber Jim Donini by Geoff Powter — Winner of the 2024 National Outdoor Book Award (NOBA)

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🎯 Support this podcast and try Nutrisense

Personalized health data can help us age better and feel stronger. Track your glucose 24/7 and work 1:1 with a certified dietitian to build habits that last. 👉 Get 33% off your first month at https://nutrisense.io/agelessathlete

🚀 Love the show? Here’s how to support it

If something you’ve heard here has stayed with you, made you smile, or helped you keep going, I’d be honored if you’d consider supporting the show. 👉 https://buymeacoffee.com/agelessathlete

📰 Subscribe to the Ageless Athlete newsletter !

1-2x a month, no spam. We share behind-the-scenes reflections, longevity tips, and athlete wisdom you won’t find anywhere else. You can sign up at https://www.agelessathlete.co/newsletter/ 📩

Support the show