What does it actually mean to train your climbing intentionally?

In this episode, I sit down with climbing coach Becky Switzer (who is on my coaching team eeeee!!!) to talk about her journey,how her approach to climbing has evolved from simply trying to get fitter and stronger to becoming much more intentional about how she climbs.

We get into the difference between training fitness and training skill, why climbers often avoid the things they’re bad at, and how something as simple as giving each climbing session a clear purpose can completely change what you get out of your time in the gym.

Becky also shares her journey from competitive soccer to climbing, how climbing became an important part of her life during a difficult transition, and how her background as a multi-sport athlete shaped the way she thinks about coaching today.

We talk about limit bouldering, practicing basic movement skills even when you’re an experienced climber, using bouldering to improve sport climbing, climbing drills, remembering sequences, choosing problems that actually challenge your weaknesses, and why good coaching sometimes means having someone else notice the things you can’t see yourself.

We also get into injury prevention, why getting hurt shouldn’t simply be accepted as part of being a climber, and how thoughtful strength training, appropriate progression, and better management of your climbing can help you stay on the wall.

If you want to become a better climber without making your training unnecessarily complicated, this episode is a great place to start.

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Most hypermobile people are told to avoid strength training — but what if the key to stability is actually lifting heavy?

Taylor Goldberg, a fellow chiropractor turned hypermobility coach, reveals how progressive, heavy strength training transforms stability, reduces dislocations, and can even help avoid surgery. Her unconventional approach challenges outdated beliefs and shows how you can build resilience in your body, no matter your stretchiness.

In this eye-opening episode, Taylor shares her journey from secret hypermobile struggles to helping clients thrive through tailored, evidence-based movement. You'll discover how traditional modalities fall short and what truly works for hypermobile bodies. She breaks down common myths—like Pilates and yoga being the only safe options—and explains why heavy lifting is essential for bone density and joint health. Plus, we explore how to safely progress when your nervous system feels overwhelmed, and how to handle unpredictable symptoms like post-exertional malaise or POTS during training.

You'll learn practical strategies: how to start strength training safely at any level, modify exercises to meet your needs, and use external cues and tempo to control movement. Taylor emphasizes the importance of patience, realistic expectations, and self-compassion on your healing journey.

Whether you're hypermobile yourself or a clinician working with this population, this episode offers the hope and tools to unlock stronger, healthier movement—without fear or restrictions.

Make no mistake: hypermobility isn’t a life sentence of fragility. It’s an opportunity to optimize how your body can handle load, stress, and everyday movement. If you've ever felt discouraged by what you've been told, this episode will shift your perspective and empower you to get stronger — safely, confidently, and sustainably.

Perfect for athletes, coaches, clinicians, or anyone on the spectrum of hypermobility and connective tissue concerns—if you're ready to stop playing it safe and start pushing your limits with purpose, this episode is your game-changer.

In this episode, we cover:

• The difference between hypermobility, HSD, and hEDS, and why it matters less than you think
• Why many hypermobile people feel unstable, and what’s actually driving that
• How to approach strength training without flaring up constantly
• What to do when symptoms show up during or after training
• Why most rehab is under-dosed, not too aggressive
• How to build long-term capacity instead of constantly managing symptoms

Taylor:

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Natasha:

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The Strength-to-Weight Ratio Debate: Why "Just Get Lighter" is as Oversimplified advice.

Climbers often dismiss strength training for not transferring directly to climbing performance—but then turn around and treat weight loss as if it automatically makes you climb better. In this episode, we break down the irony in the strength-to-weight ratio debate and explain why both approaches are oversimplifications.

You'll learn:

• Why strength training and weight loss are both indirect levers (and neither replaces time on the wall)
• How building capacity through strength training supports climbing performance, recovery, and injury prevention
• Why chasing weight loss often reduces training capacity instead of improving it
• What elite climbers can (and can't) teach us about training
• When strength training or weight loss actually work as performance levers
• What moves the needle for most climbers (hint: it's not one magic variable)

If you've been stuck on a plateau, constantly injured, or wondering whether you should focus on getting stronger or getting lighter—this episode will help you think more clearly about what actually supports long-term climbing performance.

Keywords: strength training for climbers, climbing performance, strength to weight ratio, climbing training, capacity building, climbing injury prevention, weight loss for climbers, climbing plateau, elite climbers, rock climbing training, foundational strength, climbing recovery

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