Uphill Athlete Podcast

Rick Ridgeway, renowned mountaineer, environmentalist, and storyteller, joins host Steve House on Voice of the Mountains to share insights from a life lived boldly and with purpose. Known as the "real Indiana Jones," Ridgeway recounts transformative adventures, from summiting K2 to walking across Kenya’s wild bushlands. He delves into the profound lessons learned from nature, loss, and resilience, emphasizing the power of purpose-driven living. Along the way, he reflects on his relationships, including partnerships that shaped his climbing career and personal evolution. This episode is a testament to the enduring impact of values, exploration, and living a life bigger than oneself.If you'd like to see the companion essay and more information on Voice of the Mountains, please visit: https://uphillathlete.com/voiceofthemountains/

In the latest episode of the Uphill Athlete Podcast, host Alyssa Clark welcomes coach and mountaineer Martin Zhor to discuss his recent climb of Manaslu, an 8,000-meter peak in the Himalayan mountains. The two discuss Martin’s lifelong dream of high-altitude climbing and details the challenges he faced in achieving this milestone. From years of endurance training and studying acclimatization strategies to overcoming logistical, physical, and mental hurdles, Martin provides an insightful look into his experiences in high altitude mountaineering. He emphasizes the unpredictable nature of such expeditions, the importance of preparation, and the sheer determination required to succeed. Tune in for an incredible story and an educational experience on what it takes to climb an 8000m peak without oxygen.Write to us at [email protected] or visit us at uphillathlete.com

The Uphill Athlete podcast returns with host Alyssa Clark and UA coach Alexa Hasman discussing reframing failure as a learning opportunity rather than a negative outcome. They emphasize the value of compassion and growth through their shared personal experiences with DNFs (Did Not Finish. They highlight factors like internal pressure, safety concerns, and lack of enjoyment. They stress the importance of understanding personal motivators, such as joy and social connection, and how these impact performance. They conclude that ultimately failure and DNFs lead to resilience and setbacks are part of the journey to achieving bigger goals.Visit us at uphillathlete.com or write to use at [email protected]

Voice of the Mountains host Steve House welcomes renowned climber Conrad Anker on to the podcast. They discuss Conrad's journey in mountaineering, his philosophy, and his leadership within the climbing community. They reflect on lessons learned in their own early climbing experiences, noting how climbing became a way to understand themselves and build resilience.Conrad emphasizes the motivations behind mountaineering, contrasting reward-seeking with purpose-driven pursuits. He describes his path from climbing as a youth in the Sierra Nevada to his extensive expeditions across the world. They discuss the importance of trust and connection between climbing partners, as well as the responsibilities and ethical considerations in leadership, especially within the climbing community.Conrad also shares insights into his work with the Khumbu Climbing Center (KCC) in Nepal, which provides education and training to Sherpa climbers. The conversation highlights Conrad's belief in silent leadership, leading by example, supporting others, and focusing on collective success rather than personal accolades.The two legends of climbing reflect on legacy, risk, loss, and the impact of experiencing grief in the climbing world. Tune in for an episode full of wisdom and empathy we can all learn from.