In this episode of the Climbing Gym Growth Podcast, I sit down with Jesse Cheers and Brad Mathisen from Appalachian Bouldering Center in Bristol, TN.
We talk about how they went from just 30 local climbers in their community to building a climbing gym with over 300 members in just 2 years. From overcoming construction hurdles to building a welcoming culture, this is a must-watch for anyone interested in learning how climbing gyms grow and succeed.
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Show Notes:00:00 – ABC’s origin story
04:20 – Why bouldering + connecting to outdoor climbing
07:30 – Build-out challenges & contractor lessons
15:00 – Opening day: 200+ visitors & early growth
23:20 – Community, culture & no gatekeeping
31:20 – Key advice for new gym owners
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Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/3IZPwBFV6-8
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/climbinggymgrowth
Or check us out at: https://climbinggymgrowth.com/
Aug 26 202539 m