For those of us who think of climbing as a way of life, it can be daunting to address the truth of aging. Chuck Odette, a 5.14 climber who is still cranking hard at 69 years old, is here today to help us get psyched on making climbing a lifelong sport. In this conversation, we’ll get to the bottom of what it takes to keep your climbing game strong as you age.

Chuck shares how he broke through to 5.14 at 43 years old, the ageism he’s experienced through downgrading, how his body has changed as he’s aged, and what he’s done to limit muscle loss and prevent injuries. We’ll also talk about how to combat ageism at the crag and what Chuck’s climbing goals look like after his upcoming shoulder surgery.

Check out Chuck on Instagram at @chuck.odette

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Do you have a listener question or a topic idea? Let us know at @firstascentpod on Instagram! Jay can be found at @jayknower.

Disclaimer:

The information expressed in this episode is for entertainment purposes only, and is not intended as, nor should it be interpreted as, informational or instructional.