Sean Houchins-McCallum is the top-ranked climber on the Tension Board 2. We talked about growing up in Iowa, his obsession with board climbing, his insane training schedule, his ultimate board project, why we haven’t seen V15+ on the boards, projecting tactics, how changing his diet allowed him to jump up two grades, his home made pre-workout, TB2 vs. outdoor bouldering, dream lines, and much more.

Rúngne:

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Arc’teryx:

Women’s climbing clothing

Men’s climbing clothing

Check out the NEW Kragg Collection.

Maui Nui Venison:

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Mad Rock:

madrock.com

Use code “NUGGET10” at checkout for 10% off your next order.

Become a Patron:

patreon.com/thenuggetclimbing

We are supported by these amazing BIG GIVERS:

• Michael Roy and Mark and Julie Calhoun

Show Notes:

thenuggetclimbing.com/episodes/sean-houchins-mccallum

Nuggets:

(00:00:00) – Intro

(00:01:16) – Unsynthesized

(00:04:50) – Sending every classic in 4 months

(00:07:02) – Limit projects every day

(00:09:31) – Sean vs. Noah Wheeler

(00:11:36) – Is boarding its own sport?

(00:16:04) – Becoming a board climber

(00:17:30) – Sean’s ultimate board proj (You’ve Seen the Butcher at 65º)

(00:19:10) – Board tactics

(00:21:28) – Why aren’t there V15s or harder on boards?

(00:26:14) – Getting outside

(00:27:45) – Sean’s dimensions

(00:29:24) – Sean’s warms up

(00:34:07) – A typical week

(00:36:52) – Sean’s projecting tactics

(00:40:42) – 2 months on

(00:46:52) – Does Sean train his strengths?

(00:54:20) – Sean’s weaknesses

(00:57:19) – The Spray layout

(01:01:41) – TB1 vs. TB2

(01:02:49) – Mirroring climbs & the leaderboard

(01:07:05) – Intimidating holds on the TB2

(01:10:19) – Go-to shoes

(01:11:36) – Working & setting

(01:17:11) – Outdoor goals

(01:18:55) – Jumping up 2 grades after changing his diet

(01:26:52) – TB2 vs. outside

(01:31:57) – New board companies

(01:34:59) – Sport climbing feature

(01:38:59) – Dream lines

(01:40:17) – Rapid fire questions

(02:00:53) – How Low Can You Go?

Tess Driessens is a professional climbing coach and lives with chronic pain. We talked about getting diagnosed with five herniated discs from a cliff jumping accident, tools for chronic pain, why hope can be negative, finding true acceptance, meditation, Alexander Technique and Feldenkrais Method, finding happiness within, why love is the key to life, and three sentences she tells herself every day. You can work with Tess at motion-coaching.be

The NUG 👉 frictitiousclimbing.com/products/the-nug

Tindeq 👉 tindeq.com (Use code “nugget” for 10% off your order)

The GRINDS Program 👉 thenuggetclimbing.com

Become a Patron:

patreon.com/thenuggetclimbing

We are supported by these amazing BIG GIVERS:

• Michael Roy and Mark and Julie Calhoun

Show Notes:

thenuggetclimbing.com/episodes/tess-driessens

Nuggets:

(00:00:00) – Intro

(00:00:57) – The North Pole

(00:16:14) – Gymnastics & childhood

(00:22:38) – Early climbing

(00:24:32) – 5 herniated discs

(00:41:16) – Developing chronic pain

(00:46:57) – Pain drugs & alternatives

(00:52:39) – Hope, expectations, & acceptance

(00:57:24) – A healing sabatical

(01:05:01) – A healing sabatical continued

(01:10:20) – Meditation

(01:12:38) – Alexander Technique & Feldenkrais Method

(01:18:37) – Tools for chronic pain

(01:27:39) – Happiness within

(01:33:55) – Meditation continued

(01:38:45) – Love

(01:42:34) – Tess’ three sentences

(01:48:52) – Long covid

(01:58:20) – Sending 8a without physical training

(02:02:53) – Visualization

(02:09:24) – Low-load training

(02:11:06) – Adaptability & taking control

(02:12:41) – Recovery tips

(02:17:55) – Investing in relaxation

(02:19:55) – Heart coherence breathing

(02:26:10) – Quotes & gratitude

(02:30:31) – Closing questions

Dr. Keith Baar is a leading expert in tendon and ligament engineering and repair. Natalie Gilmore is a PhD student focused on climbing-specific research. We talked about the results of their recent retrospective study, exciting new science, why “Abrahangs” improve force transfer, why progressively overloading them is a bad idea, protocols for finger health and strength, and more.

PhysiVantage:

physivantage.com (link includes 15% off coupon)

Use code "NUGGET15" at checkout for 15% off your next order.

Arc’teryx:

Women’s climbing clothing

Men’s climbing clothing

Check out the NEW Kragg Collection.

Rúngne:

rungne.info/nugget

Use code “NUGGET” for a discount storewide.

Mad Rock:

madrock.com

Use code “NUGGET10” at checkout for 10% off your next order.

Become a Patron:

patreon.com/thenuggetclimbing

We are supported by these amazing BIG GIVERS:

• Michael Roy and Mark and Julie Calhoun

Show Notes:

thenuggetclimbing.com/episodes/keith-and-natalie

Nuggets:

(00:00:00) – Intro

(00:03:03) – Keith’s background

(00:10:05) – Natalie’s background

(00:13:08) – The “Abrahangs” retrospective study

(00:17:56) – Natalie’s experience with “Abrahangs”

(00:18:52) – The limitations of a retrospective

(00:22:41) – Exciting new studies

(00:32:09) – What’s happening with “Abrahangs”?

(00:41:33) – Is there a “best” protocol?

(00:46:40) – Balancing tendon health & stiffness

(00:57:00) – Recommendations

(01:06:03) – A cautionary tale

(01:08:36) – Low-jerk isometrics

(01:13:46) – Can “Abrahangs” increase training capacity?

(01:15:42) – Summary

(01:16:19) – Keith & Natalie’s dream studies

(01:19:25) – Wrap up