When you’re dangling hundreds of meters above solid ground with nothing but your wits and a few slivers of rock to hold onto, mental strength becomes your best climbing gear. Enter Sasha DiGiulian—climbing phenom, record-breaker, and all-around trailblazer. In the latest episode of Red Bull’s ‘Mind Set Win’ podcast, Sasha takes us on a journey not just up the rock face but deep into the mind of a world-class climber.
From Playground to Pinnacle
Sasha’s climbing obsession started at the tender age of six, thanks to a birthday party that swapped cake and ice cream for chalk and climbing holds. By seven, she was already dusting the competition in regional contests. But the real game-changer came when she became the first North American woman to conquer a 9a (5.14d) climb at just 18. Not content to rest on her laurels, she repeated the feat twice more, solidifying her place among the sport’s elite. If you’re keeping score, that’s the climbing equivalent of hitting a hat trick in the World Cup.
But Sasha’s not just about breaking records—she’s breaking barriers, too. As a board member of the Women’s Sports Foundation, she’s a fierce advocate for female athletes, pushing for equal recognition and opportunities in a sport traditionally dominated by men.
Mental Strength: The Unsung Hero
Climbing isn’t just about physical prowess; it’s a head game. On the podcast, Sasha dives into the mental gymnastics required to solve the puzzle that is every climb. “You have to piece together the sequences mentally before you even start the physical part,” she explains. It’s a dance between mind and muscle, where one wrong move can send you back to square one—or worse, to the ground below.
And speaking of falling, Sasha doesn’t shy away from discussing failure. “Climbing is a sport of failure,” she says bluntly. “You fail 90 percent of the time, and that teaches you to accept failure as part of the process.” It’s a lesson that goes beyond the crag and into everyday life—whether you’re scaling a mountain or facing your own personal Everest.
Climbing for Equality
Sasha’s passion for climbing is matched only by her drive to see women get the recognition they deserve in the sport. Too often, female climbers find their achievements downgraded or overshadowed by their male counterparts. Sasha’s solution? Assemble all-female climbing teams, ensuring that every victory is undeniably their own. “There’s so much packed into this sport, but I wanted to make sure that no success of ours could be attributed to some male being present.”
The Human Side of a Champion
Despite her achievements, Sasha is refreshingly open about her vulnerabilities. Her recent book and film, Here to Climb, lay bare the emotional and mental struggles she’s faced along her journey. “You’re putting your most vulnerable, authentic self out there for others to read, scrutinize, and analyze,” she says, a reminder that even the toughest athletes have their softer sides.
So, if you’re looking for a dose of inspiration—whether you’re a seasoned climber or just someone trying to navigate life’s rocky paths—tune into Sasha’s episode on ‘Mind Set Win’. 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Deezer, and YouTube, it’s a masterclass in mental resilience, the beauty of failure, and the relentless pursuit of equality.
Sasha DiGiulian isn’t just climbing mountains; she’s moving them.