In this episode, we hear from Jared Lenahan, a US Navy Veteran. He was a combat medic for the Marine Corps known as a Fleet Marine Force Corpsman. After an accident overseas in 2014, he found himself going from climber to paraclimber.

He used adaptive climbing as an integral part of his recovery and has competed as a US Paraclimbing Team Athlete for four years. Jared is also an ambassador for both the National Ability Center and Move United (a Warfighter ambassador for MU). Because the outdoor adaptive community has been so critical to his personal recovery, he started a program to help other wounded warriors get reintegrated into community through adaptive climbing.

This program called “Climbable” introduces warriors to the adaptive sports community before they lose their military community and shows them a streamlined path to transition from recovery to the rest of their lives.

In this interview, Jared and I talk about disability identity, imposter syndrome, addiction, and how climbing as a through-line in his life has guided his life decisions — especially the decision to start Climbable. We recorded this conversation in early 2024 with Jared hoping to officially launch the program by the summer of 2024.

Join us in a conversation with Houston-based coach, Dru Stulb, in this episode of Sends and Suffers. Host Mario Stanley and Dru discuss climbing evolution, coaching, and personal growth. Learn about Dru's journey from enthusiast to coach, the role of climbing coaches, and their impact on the sport.

Discover the joys of coaching, challenges faced, and the rewards of seeing athletes grow. We also discuss the socio-economic challenges facing aspiring climbers, personal struggles, and the role of coaches in shaping expectations and growth.

Finally, learn about unique teaching methods, understanding individual goals, and the power of a transformative community in sport. This episode is a deep dive into the heart of coaching and its influence on shaping the future of climbing culture.

Welcome to this special episode of the Sends and Suffers podcast. Join host Mario Stanley as he engages with the passionate climbers and industry experts at the Indoor Climbing Expo. Hear the thrilling stories of their experiences, organizations, and their substantial roles in shaping and supporting diverse climbing communities.