CBJ Interviews With Climbing Business Professionals

interviews with climbing business professionals

Over the years CBJ has interviewed dozens of climbing gym founders, managers, routesetters, and other professionals of indoor climbing. We are fortunate to have great writers help with these: the majority of the interviews below were conducted by John Burgman and Holly Yu Tung Chen.

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ARTICLE TITLE	NAME(S)	BUSINESS	TITLE	TOPIC	URL	INTERVIEWER
Don't Give Up on "Mom-and-Pop" Gyms (podcast)	Jackson Scott	AL - Crux Climbing	Co-Owner	management	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/dont-give-up-on-mom-and-pop-gyms-cbj-podcast-with-jackson-scott/	John Burgman
Gyms in South America Are Adapting Too	Fernando Cicconi	Argentina - Realization Escalada	Chief Routesetter	routesetting	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/gyms-in-south-america-are-adapting-too-behind-the-desk-with-fernando-cicconi/	John Burgman
Learning, Adapting, Growing in Australia	Jack Masel	Australia - 9 Dewgrees Waterloo	Manager & Head Routesetter	management, routesetting	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/behind-the-desk-with-jack-masel-learning-adapting-growing-in-australia/	John Burgman
Family - and Climbing Family - Come First	Jesse Waldorf	BC - Strait Up	Co-Founder	management	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/behind-the-closures-with-strait-up-climbing-family-comes-first/	John Burgman
Problem Solving Together	Lauren Watson	BC - Ground Up	Director & Co-Owner	management	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/behind-the-desk-with-lauren-watson-problem-solving-together/	John Burgman
Pride, Relief, Exhaustion	Simon Parton	BC - Project Climbing	National Competition Chief Routesetter	routesetting	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/pride-relief-exhaustion-behind-the-wrench-with-simon-parton/	John Burgman
Making Life Better	Andrew Coffey	BC - The Hive	Owner & King Worker Bee	management	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/making-life-better-behind-the-desk-with-andrew-coffey/	Joe Robinson
Breaking Boundaries	Camielle Weetly	CA - Cliffs of Id	Routesetter	routesetting	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/behind-the-wrench-with-camielle-weetly/	Jackie Hueftle
Letting the Routesetting Gods Take Over	Claire Miller	CA - Grotto Climbing	Routesetter	routesetting	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/letting-the-routesetting-gods-take-over-behind-the-wrench-with-claire-miller/	John Burgman
Distance Learning Meets Climbing: Sender One's COOL Camp	Crystal Tan	CA - Sender One	Brand Marketing Manager	programming	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/distance-learning-meets-climbing-sender-ones-cool-camp/	John Burgman
Keep Them Sketched Out (podcast)	Claire Kawainui Miller	CA - Touchstone	Crew Leader	routesetting	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/keep-them-sketched-out-cbj-podcast-with-claire-kawainui-miller/	Holly Yu Tung Chen
Keeping Things Community-Centric	Mailee Hung	CA - Touchstone	Director of Communications and Community Engagement	management, community	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/keeping-things-community-centric-behind-the-desk-with-mailee-hung/	John Burgman
U.S. Comp Climbing's Top Journalist	John Burgman	CBJ, Climbing Magazine	Journalist	community	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/meet-john-burgman-us-comp-climbings-top-journalist/	Joe Robinson
Gym Social Media Is More About "One-to-One" Than "One-to-Many" (podcast)	Sam Van Boxtel	Climbers Crag	Founder	marketing	Gym Social Media Is More About “One-to-One” Than “One-to-Many”	Scott Rennak
Finding Time To Volunteer	Emily Moore	Climbing Wall Association	Events Manager	events	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/finding-time-to-volunteer-behind-the-desk-with-emily-moore/	John Burgman
Coaching and Routesetting for Future Olympians (podcast)	Garrett Gregor	CO	Routesetter & Coach	routesetting, coaching	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/garrett-gregor-coaching-and-routesetting-for-future-olympians-cbj-podcast/	John Burgman
Routesetting on Common and Uncommon Ground (podcast)	Sierra McMurry	CO	Routesetter	routesetting, community	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/sierra-mcmurry-routesetting-on-common-and-uncommon-ground-cbj-podcast/	Holly Yu Tung Chen
Where Computers and Climbing Meet	Jon Lachelt	CO - Ascent Studio	Owner	management, data	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/where-computers-and-climbing-meet-behind-the-desk-with-jon-lachelt/	John Burgman
The "Indiana Jones of Climbing" (podcast)	John McGowan	CO - Boulder	Founder	management, industry	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/the-indiana-jones-of-climbing-cbj-podcast-with-john-mcgowan/	John Burgman
Helping People Do What They Were Born to Do	Lara Grosjean & Heather Robinson	CO - CityROCK	Majority Owner & General Manager	management, community	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/helping-people-do-what-they-were-born-to-do-behind-the-desk-at-cityrock-colorado-springs/	John Burgman
Private Coaching is Getting More Popular	Emmett Cookson	CO - Denver	Paraclimbing National Team Coach and Personal Trainer	coaching	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/behind-the-desk-with-paraclimbing-national-team-coach-emmett-cookson/	John Burgman
Routesetting Through Pregnancy	Carolina Fullerton	CO - Movement Boulder	Routesetter	routesetting	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/routesetting-through-pregnancy-behind-the-wrench-with-carolina-fullerton/	Holly Yu Tung Chen
Macaroni & Cheese to Steak Dinner	Kegan Minock	CO - Rock'n & Jam'n	Head Setter	routesetting, shaping	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/macaroni-cheese-to-steak-dinner-behind-the-wrench-with-kegan-minock/	Holly Yu Tung Chen
Storytelling Through Movement	Holly Chen	CO - Ubergrippen & BRC	Routesetter, Writer	routesetting	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/storytelling-through-movement-behind-the-wrench-with-holly-chen/	John Burgman
"Climb Rocking"	Heel Hook Harry	CO - Wooden Mountain	Mascot	marketing, community	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/climb-rocking-with-heel-hook-harry/	Naomi Stevens
The Value of Routesetting Mentorship	Matt Ratajczak	DC - BKB Eckington	Route Setting Manager	routesetting	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/the-value-of-routesetting-mentorship-behind-the-wrench-with-bkbs-matt-ratajczak/	John Burgman
A Climbing Wall Artist	Phil Lewis	Eldorado Climbing	Artist	artwork	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/behind-the-desk-with-phil-lewis-a-climbing-wall-artist/	John Burgman
Old Ropes, New Art	Elliot Lacroix	End of the Line Design	Artist	artwork	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/old-ropes-new-art-behind-the-desk-with-elliot-lacroix/	John Burgman
Community as a Long-Term Investment	Britton Frankel	FL - DynoClimb	Co-Owner	management, community	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/community-as-a-long-term-investment-behind-the-desk-with-britton-frankel/	John Burgman
Old-School Foundation, New-School Shapes (podcast)	Mathieu Ackermann	Flathold	Co-Owner	routesetting, shaping	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/old-school-foundation-new-school-shapes-cbj-podcast-with-mathieu-ackermann/	John Burgman
More Keys to Route Setting	Jacky Godoffe	France	Freelance Routesetter	routesetting	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/more-keys-to-route-setting-a-behind-the-scenes-interview-with-jacky-godoffe/	John Burgman
Chalk Business is Changing Too	Kevin Brown	Friction Labs	Co-Founder & CEO	management	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/chalk-business-is-changing-too-behind-the-closures-with-kevin-brown/	John Burgman
Every Town Can Hold a Climbing Gym	Adrian Prelipceanu	GA - Active Climbing	Owner	management	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/every-town-can-hold-a-climbing-gym-behind-the-desk-with-adrian-prelipceanu/	John Burgman
Eating Disorders, RED-S, and a Look Behind the Resignations (podcast)	Dr. Volker Schöffl	Germany	Doctor	coaching	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/eating-disorders-red-s-and-a-look-behind-the-resignations-cbj-podcast-with-dr-volker-schoffl/	John Burgman
Optimism Solves Problems	Don Campbell	ID - Gemstone	Owner	management	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/behind-the-closures-with-don-campbell-optimism-solves-problems/	John Burgman
The Future of Climbing Competitions in a COVID-19 World	Clint Colwell & Gary Mattos	ID - The Commons	Co-Owner & Head Routesetter	routesetting	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/the-future-of-climbing-competitions-in-a-covid-19-world/	John Burgman
Making the Most of a Climbing Gym Retail Space (podcast)	Brad Werntz	IL - Boulders	President	retailing	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/making-the-most-of-a-climbing-gym-retail-space-cbj-podcast-with-brad-werntz/	John Burgman
Coaching Youth Through the Ages (podcast)	Dave Hudson	IL - FA Climbing	Co-Founder & Coach	coaching	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/dave-hudson-coaching-youth-through-the-ages-cbj-podcast/	John Burgman
Days of the "Big Boss Brain" (podcast)	Kasia Pietras	Kilter	Routesetter & Instructor	routesetting, industry	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/days-of-the-big-boss-brain-cbj-podcast-with-kasia-pietras/	Holly Yu Tung Chen
Bringing a Dream to Life in Israel	Yuval Hamburg	Israel - Performance Rock	Owner	management	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/behind-the-desk-with-yuval-hamburg-in-israel/	John Burgman
Growth Spurs Innovation	John Oungst	KAYA	Customer Success Manager	community	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/growth-spurs-innovation-behind-the-desk-with-john-oungst/	John Burgman
We All Have a Story	Lynnette Miller	KY - Rock Gem & Vision Holds	Owner	routesetting, coaching, shaping	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/we-all-have-a-story-behind-the-desk-with-lynnette-miller/	John Burgman
Value Propositions and Pricing Sweet Spots	Lee Guilbeau & Robb Antrobus	LA - UpTown	Co-Founders	management, community	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/value-propositions-and-pricing-sweet-spots-behind-the-desk-with-uptown/	John Burgman
Standing Out In a City of Many Gyms	Michael Paukner	MA - Rock Spot	Manager	management	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/standing-out-in-a-city-of-many-gyms-behind-the-desk-with-michael-paukner/	John Burgman
Routesetting Should Be Fun - It's Not Brain Surgery	Alison Krayer	MD - Earth Treks Hampden	Routesetter	routesetting	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/routesetting-should-be-fun-its-not-brain-surgery-behind-the-wrench-with-alison-krayer/	John Burgman
Now Is the Time to Come Together	Andy Nelson	Method Grips	President	shaping	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/behind-the-closures-with-andy-nelson/	John Burgman
Mexico's Gym Industry Is Booming (podcast)	Javier Díaz	Mexico - Sierra Elevation	Co-Founder	industry, community	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/mexicos-gym-industry-is-booming-cbj-podcast-with-javier-diaz/	John Burgman
The Midwest Psych Is High	Christopher Deal	MN - Nature of the North	Director of Climbing	routesetting	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/the-midwest-psych-is-high-behind-the-wrench-with-christopher-deal/	John Burgman
Climbers and Riders Both Show Up	Elizabeth Jackson	NC - Riveter	General Manager & Founder	management, community	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/climbers-and-riders-both-show-up-behind-the-desk-with-riveter-founder-elizabeth-jackson/	John Burgman
Hold the Doors Open	Sydney McNair	NH - NH Climbing & Fitness	Head Setter	routesetting	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/hold-the-doors-open-behind-the-wrench-with-sydney-mcnair/	Holly Yu Tung Chen
Thinking Outside Yourself	Kevin McLean	NJ - The Gravity Vault	Head Routesetter	routesetting	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/thinking-outside-yourself-behind-the-wrench-with-kevin-mclean/	Amalia Wompa
Are Markets Approaching Saturation?	Lucas Kovalcik	NJ - The Gravity Vault	Founder	management	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/are-markets-approaching-saturation-behind-the-desk-with-lucas-kovalcik-at-the-gravity-vault/
What Makes a Good Gym Video?	Jeremiah Curtis, Aaron Stromberg & Ben Lane	NM - Stone Age	Filmmakers	marketing	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/what-makes-a-good-gym-video/	John Burgman
Mentoring Coaches, Developing Strong Youth Programs	Jackie Pettitt	NV - Mesa Rim	Head Coach	coaching	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/jackie-pettitt-mentor-to-head-coaches-cbj-podcast/	Zoe Leibovitch
Inclusion Takes Intention	Gabby Zonneveld	NY - MetroRock	Manager	management, community	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/inclusion-takes-intention-behind-the-desk-with-gabby-zonneveld-at-metrorock/	John Burgman
Behind the Desk with Kristina Ericson	Kristina Ericson	NY - The Cliffs	Events Coordinator	events	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/behind-the-desk-with-kristina-ericson/	John Burgman
Providing Climbing for Everybody	Emily Buckley & Lulu Rodriguez	NY - The Cliffs Harlem	Director of Operations & General Manager	programming	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/behind-the-desk-with-emily-buckley-and-lulu-rodriguez/	John Burgman
Taking 24-Hour Access Coast to Coast	David Sacher	NY - VITAL Brooklyn	Co-Founder	management	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/taking-24-hour-gym-access-coast-to-coast-behind-the-desk-with-david-sacher/	John Burgman
Simpler Ideas Win the Day	Trevor Galvin	OK - Blocworks	Operations Supervisor	programming, community	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/simpler-ideas-win-the-day-behind-the-desk-with-trevor-galvin-at-blocworks/	John Burgman
Gearing Up for Survival Mode	Hannah Mosier	OK - Climb Tulsa	Assistant Manager	management	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/behind-the-closures-with-hannah-mosier-gearing-up-for-survival-mode/	John Burgman
Setting Your Own Way	Tony Agnelli	ON - Of Rock and Chalk	Routesetter	routesetting	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/behind-the-wrench-with-tony-agnelli-setting-your-own-way/	Jackie Hueftle
You're Stronger if You're Honest	Abby Wilson	OR - Rock Haven	Head Setter	routesetting	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/youre-stronger-if-youre-honest-behind-the-wrench-with-abby-wilson/	Holly Yu Tung Chen
Anti-Tall Setter's Club (members: short setters only) (podcast)	Abby Tran	OR - The Circuit	Assistant Head Setter	routesetting	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/anti-tall-setters-club-members-short-setters-only-cbj-podcast-with-abby-tran/	Holly Yu Tung Chen
Our Gym Is Still Standing	Matt Lambert	OR - Rogue Rock Gym	Owner	management	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/our-gym-is-still-standing-behind-the-desk-with-matt-lambert/	John Burgman
Behind the Desk with Danny Burkhead	Danny Burkhead	OR - The Circuit	General Manager	management	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/behind-the-desk-with-danny-burkhead/	John Burgman
From Doctor to Director of Climbing	Wade Desai	PA - ASCEND	Director of Climbing	programming	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/from-doctor-to-director-of-climbing-behind-the-desk-with-wade-desai-at-ascend/	John Burgman
Getting Slacklining Going at Your Gym (podcast)	Wade Desai	PA - ASCEND	Director of Climbing	programming	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/wade-desai-getting-slacklining-going-at-your-gym-cbj-podcast/	John Burgman
What American gyms can learn from Europe's gym industry (podcast)	Dean Privett	PA - Iron City Boulders	Gym Manager & Head Routesetter	management	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/what-american-gyms-can-learn-from-europes-gym-industry-cbj-podcast-with-dean-privett/	John Burgman
Always Be Open to New Ideas	Charlie Schreiber	PA - Reach Climbing	Director of Programming	coaching, management	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/always-be-open-to-new-ideas-behind-the-desk-with-charlie-schreiber/	John Burgman
It's a New World	Michael Feinberg	PA - Reach Climbing	Owner	management	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/its-a-new-world-behind-the-desk-with-michael-feinberg/	John Burgman
Legal Challenges Come With Growth (podcast)	Jason Pill	Phelps Dunbar	Attorney	management	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/jason-pill-legal-challenges-come-with-growth-cbj-podcast/	John Burgman
Gym Development in Canada and "Making Friends Through Climbing" (podcast)	Jean-Marc de la Plante	QC - Uplify	Founder	management	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/gym-development-in-canada-and-making-friends-through-climbing-cbj-podcast-with-jean-marc-de-la-plante/	John Burgman
Stay True to Your Core	Pete Sancianco	RI - Rock Spot	Director of Marketing	marketing	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/stay-true-to-your-core-behind-the-desk-with-pete-sancianco-at-rock-spot/	Naomi Stevens
Letting Go of an Idea	Aaron Davis	SC - BlocHaven	Head Routesetter	routesetting	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/letting-go-of-an-idea-behind-the-wrench-with-aaron-davis/	John Burgman
What It's Like to Open a New Gym During a Pandemic	Travis Klinghagen	SD - Climberz	Owner	management	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/what-its-like-to-open-a-new-gym-during-a-pandemic/	John Burgman
Adding What Should Always Have Been There (podcast)	Hannah Barker, Jiarra Chiang, Hayley Moran	Siege Climbing	Founders	routesetting, events	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/siege-climbing-adding-what-should-always-have-been-there-cbj-podcast/	Holly Yu Tung Chen
A Custodian of the Community	Jordan Mackay	SK - Regina Climbing Centre	Founder	management	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/a-custodian-of-the-community-behind-the-closures-with-jordan-mackay/	John Burgman
All About the Indoor Climbing Expo (podcast)	Travis Williams	TN - Chattanooga	Founder	news	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/all-about-the-indoor-climbing-expo-cbj-podcast-with-travis-williams/	John Burgman
Comp Combines Spicy Chicken with Epic Sends	Jonathan Brandt	TN - Climb Nashville	Routesetting Director	events, routesetting	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/comp-combines-spicy-chicken-with-epic-sends/	John Burgman
Making Route Design a Team Effort	Cody Grodzki	TN - High Point Chattanooga	Director of Routesetting	routesetting	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/behind-the-wrench-with-cody-grodzki/	John Burgman
Getting a Gym Ready for National Team Trials During a Pandemic	John Wiygul	TN - High Point Memphis	President	events	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/getting-a-gym-ready-for-national-team-trials-during-a-pandemic/	John Burgman
The Meaning of Community	Jon Hawk & Daniel Arnold	TN - Memphis Rox	Director of Operations & Training / Volunteer Coordinator	management, community	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/the-meaning-of-community-behind-the-desk-with-memphis-rox/	John Burgman
Community Happens Fast	Andrew Andress	TX - Armadillo Boulders	Operations Manager	management, community	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/community-happens-fast-behind-the-desk-with-andrew-andress/	John Burgman
Work Hard and Enjoy the Process	Ben Waggoner	TX - Cave Climbing	Owner	management	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/behind-the-desk-with-ben-waggoner/	John Burgman
Gym Events that Benefit the Community	Lydia Huelskamp	TX - Crux Climbing Center	Marketing & Events Manager	events	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/behind-the-desk-with-lydia-huelskamp-events-that-benefit-the-community/	John Burgman
Our Staff Matter Most	Jacquelyn Horton	UT - Contact Climbing	Gym Manager & Co-Founder	management	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/our-staff-matter-most-behind-the-desk-with-jacquelyn-horton/	John Burgman
Fine-Tuning Gym Programming	Justin Wyse	UT - The Front	Program Director	programming, management	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/fine-tuning-gym-programming-behind-the-desk-with-justin-wyse-at-the-front/	John Burgman
Routesetting in a New Era	Eddie Morillas	UT - The Front	Director of Routesetting	routesetting	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/routesetting-in-a-new-era-behind-the-wrench-with-eddie-morillas/	John Burgman
Routesetting Consultations, Education Bottlenecks, and Data (podcast)	Foxman McCarthy-James & Justin Wright	Vortex Routesetting	Head Routesetters	routesetting	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/routesetting-consultations-education-bottlenecks-and-data-cbj-podcast-with-foxman-mccarthy-james-and-justin-wright/	Holly Yu Tung Chen
From Volunteer Routesetter To Gym Manager	Matthew Butler-Bugher	VT - MetroRock Essex	General Manager	management, routesetting	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/from-volunteer-routesetter-to-gym-manager/	John Burgman
Community Will Help Sustain Us	Andrea Charest	VT - Petra Cliffs	Owner & Guide	management	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/behind-the-closures-with-andrea-charest/	John Burgman
All Ships Will Rise	Nathan Hadley	WA - Bouldering Project	Setting Manager	routesetting	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/all-ships-will-rise-behind-the-wrench-with-nathan-hadley/	Holly Yu Tung Chen
Routesetting in the Age of Social Media (podcast)	Stefanie Myr	WA - Climb Tacoma	GM, Head Routesetter	routesetting	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/routesetting-in-the-age-of-social-media-cbj-podcast-with-stefanie-myr/	Holly Yu Tung Chen
Proving Try-Hard Gyms Work	Andrew Hou	WA - Uplift	Founder	management	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/proving-try-hard-gyms-work-behind-the-desk-with-uplifts-andrew-hou/	John Burgman
Revitalizing Routesetting for the Next Generation (podcast)	Louie Anderson	WY - Ten Sleep	Freelance Routesetter	routesetting	https://climbingbusinessjournal.com/louie-anderson-revitalizing-routesetting-for-the-next-generation-cbj-podcast/	Holly Yu Tung Chen

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