Today on episode 39 I’m pleased to welcome long-time climber and Front Range local Peter Beal. Peter, at age 58, has been climbing for over 45 years, with notable achievements including multiple 5.14 first ascents and bagging V12 in his late forties! But Peter is also known for his critical takes on the culture of outdoor life. Today we discuss some of the realities of meaningful work, family life, and the potential opportunity costs of a life of adventure.
Continue reading “Peter Beal: Can You Afford to Be Sponsored?”Your Questions Answered: Volume 6
Hello! We’re back in the digital mailbag to answer your questions.
In this Q&A episode we take a hard look at inflation, the reality of a bear market, tactics for balancing a career and climbing, saving for a home down payment, my dream interviews, the pros and cons of maxing out retirement plans, cryptocurrency, financial advisors, and traveling the world for cheap. And of course, so much more.
Continue reading “Your Questions Answered: Volume 6”Matt Samet: The Uncertain Future of Climbing Media
Today on episode 36 I’m pleased to welcome climber, author, editor, father, and prolific first ascensionist Matt Samet. Recently, Matt was unexpectedly laid off from his position as editor of Climbing Magazine, a position he has held on and off for nearly two decades.
The state of media, particularly print media, is something that has held my attention in recent years. Although I’ve considered reaching out to Matt for some time to discuss his career in writing and climbing journalism, this finally felt like the right moment.
Join us as we take a deeper dive on media, journalism, balancing climbing and other life obligations, as well as some good-ole-fashioned musings on the modern climbing life.
Continue reading “Matt Samet: The Uncertain Future of Climbing Media”Eric Horst: A Climber and Creator for Life
Today on episode 34 I’m excited to have climber, author, coach, and business owner Eric Horst. Many of you are aware of Eric’s multifaceted influence on climbing, notably performance rock climbing. He is a pioneering figure in the world of climbing training and the author of the international bestselling (and well-named) book, Training for Climbing.
But this guy gets a lot done. In 2020, Eric retired at age 56 as director of Millersville University’s Weather Information Center near his hometown of Lancaster, PA. But he didn’t really retire.
Eric is now properly embracing his love of climbing, leaning into his new business, PhysiVantage, a supplement company for performance climbers.
In this wide-ranging interview we tackle Eric’s recent climbing ambitions since retirement, how he has built a company from scratch, and perhaps most importantly, some key systems Eric uses to maintain his high workload while still enjoying the sport and the family he loves.
Continue reading “Eric Horst: A Climber and Creator for Life”Steven Dimmitt: The Simple Ways to Become Remarkable
Steven Dimmitt is the host of the popular Nugget Climbing Podcast, a show about performance climbing and the life-long journey of self-improvement. At the surface, it seems that Steven left his engineering job and moved into a van to pursue what might seem like a whimsical and youthful passion. Digging deeper, however, we see that the journey to critical and financial success is one of dedicated craftsmanship.
How can we all leverage the power and contentment of craftsmanship to build a satisfying and meaningful life?
I really enjoyed this one, and I hope you will too.
Continue reading “Steven Dimmitt: The Simple Ways to Become Remarkable”EP 30: Charitable Giving and Macroeconomics with Brice Karickhoff
Brice Karickhoff is a climber and development economist with a passion for charitable giving. In this episode we discuss the importance of balanced saving and giving, the utility of the donor-advised fund, and broader macroeconomic trends that affect us all.
Continue reading “EP 30: Charitable Giving and Macroeconomics with Brice Karickhoff”EP 29: Back in the Weeds with the Frugal Professor
Today on episode 29 I want to welcome back to Clipping Chains writer, climber, father of five, and fellow personal finance geek, The Frugal Professor.
We cover it all on this one, from how the Frugal Professor was able to save nearly $2 million dollars with a family of seven, to how my wife and I are continuing to navigate a post-Financial Independence life.
Continue reading “EP 29: Back in the Weeds with the Frugal Professor”EP 25: Erich Purpur: What is the “Good Life?”
Today on episode 25 let’s give a hot stew welcome to climber and all-around curious guy, Erich Purpur. Erich works in the university system in Virginia, finding time in the margins to climb up to V10 and 5.13c. Recently, Erich is beginning to envision a potential life of financial independence.
But achieving financial independence may only be the beginning of the next journey.
Continue reading “EP 25: Erich Purpur: What is the “Good Life?””EP 24: Bitches Get Riches: What Do We Really Value?
Today on episode 24 I’m thrilled to host Piggy and Kitty of Bitches Get Riches. Yes, you heard that right. These ladies have generously self-applied the “B” word, offering me cover from the internet masses for using it in this case. You’ll hear it soon: I’m cancel-proof on this one. Piggy and Kitty write and host their own podcast dedicated to imparting “funny lessons about the adulting skills we were never taught, yet mysteriously expected to know.” Sound familiar?
Continue reading “EP 24: Bitches Get Riches: What Do We Really Value?”EP 23: Erik Jenson: Real Estate Investing with Training Wheels
Today on episode 23 I’m happy to welcome climber, dentist, and real estate investor, Erik Jenson. In addition to paying down hundreds of thousands of dollars in student loan debt, Erik is now living rent- and mortgage-free through the process of house hacking. This form of real estate investing involves renting out rooms in the home where he lives, allowing him to build equity and repeat the process with additional properties. Referring to this process as “real estate investing with training wheels,” Erik is generating an outsized return compared to the single-family home so many of us consider “investments.”
Continue reading “EP 23: Erik Jenson: Real Estate Investing with Training Wheels”