rock climbing Archives - Page 4 of 12

October 31, 2022October 30, 2022

It’s Not All Hard Luck with Shay Skinner

In her late teens and early twenties, Shay Skinner was disowned from her family. She struggled with crushing mental illness, which ultimately culminated in a suicide attempt that left her in financial ruin. From this dismal situation, Shay filed for bankruptcy and began a long and fruitful climb toward being whole again. How can we summon the courage to take such measures of personal accountability?

October 3, 2022October 2, 2022

QA8: What If We Run Out of Water?

We’re back to the digital mailbag to answer your questions!

For this week:

Thoughts on the bear market
Getting invested with a Health Savings Account
Paying for education with retirement accounts
My philosophy on rest from climbing
How to develop financial mentorship in the climbing community
Travel and rescue insurance ideas
Determining a cost-effective approach to climbing destinations
Should I open an IRA if my employer doesn’t offer a 401(k) match?
How to not get wrecked moving from sport climbing or bouldering to trad climbing
The risks of owning property in an area that could be running out of water
Getting a home loan with inconsistent income history

September 19, 2022September 18, 2022

Earning to Buy Time with Meghan and Jeff (A Way to FI)

Today’s guests on episode 44 are Meghan and Jeff, two Colorado climbers who are at very different positions on the spectrum of financial independence. Jeff achieved financial independence along with his wife, Rose, over four years ago. Meghan, along with her husband, were inspired to get serious about their personal finances after meeting and learning from Jeff and Rose. Jeff and Meghan now write about their experiences and learnings at awaytofi.com.

Today we discuss their different origin stories, long-term goals, and shed some light on the fraught balance between work, money, family, and the seemingly elusive control of our time.

September 5, 2022September 4, 2022

Chris Weidner: Something More To The Story

Today on episode 43 I’m happy to have Chris Weidner, a long-time Colorado Front Range local, writer, husband, and father. This conversation is special to me for unexpected reasons. I hoped to interview Chris about his career as a writer, but what emerged was something far more interesting, and admittedly, brave on Chris’s part as it relates to career and finances. Chris is shockingly frank in many aspects of this conversation in ways I couldn’t have imagined. I really thank him for that, and I hope you will enjoy this truly fascinating discussion about his life, climbing, family, and career.

August 15, 2022September 1, 2022

Ashley Green: How to Create Enjoyable Business Success at Age 27

Today on episode 42 I’m very pleased to host this enjoyable conversation with entrepreneur and climber Ashley Green of Climb On Equipment, a climbing specialty retailer in Squamish, BC.

Today we discuss how Ashley, at age 27 and with hardly a loonie to her name, came to own this business and turn it in to the thriving pillar of the community that it is today. We dive deep into the mechanics of funding this endeavor, maintaining a work/life balance of a serious climber and prospective mother, expanding and building a team, and the value of capitalizing on the serendipity that befalls us all. Finally, we touch on some of the specific town dynamics of Squamish in particular, a place like no other I’ve ever been.

This is the story of a young person getting two struggling businesses, taking risk, and building something amazing on the path toward financial independence.

August 8, 2022August 10, 2022

Back (Pain) in the Saddle Again

I’ve been slack on writing, which is generally a reliable indicator of an overly stressed life. That busyness came to a screeching halt early last week. Five minutes before my partner—let’s call him Bob—arrived to pick me up for the new-school classic Spirit of Squamish (5.8, 8 pitches), everything changed. At the strike of 6am, just as the sun began to crest over the lush coastal mountains, I bent over to pick up a 1-pound water bottle and felt a lightning bolt of pain in my lower spine. I knew in that moment that I was hosed, but it felt too late to bail. Plus, I often find relief from (mild) back pain when climbing…or so I thought.

August 1, 2022August 2, 2022

QA7: Financial Freedom Fast-Tracks and Climbing Plateau Busters

We’re back to the digital mailbag to answer your questions!

For this week:

Does the 401(k) max include employer contributions?
Should I invest in my 401(k) or pay down my mortgage early?
What about Fidelity’s zero expense ratio fund, VZROX?
Investing tips for a Health Savings Account
Do you write off business expenses for Clipping Chains?
How and when do you pay yourself from investments?
Winter climbing in St. George, Utah
Big life expenses and expectations when pursuing financial independence: children, weddings, etc.
Mandatory pension contributions vs DIY investing
Front-loading savings without going for full financial independence (Coast FI)
Climbing plateau busters

July 5, 2022July 5, 2022

Peter Beal: Can You Afford to Be Sponsored?

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.

June 21, 2022June 20, 2022

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.

May 30, 2022May 29, 2022

Mettle, By Steve Bechtel: A Book Review

I’ve recently finished reading the latest book from Steve Bechtel, Mettle: Lessons from the Gym and Crag in the Pursuit of Better Climbing. Drawing on over 20 years of blog and newsletter content from specific training protocols to invaluable life lessons, Bechtel’s latest book is an introspective examination of key foundational principles to athletic and personal improvement. Mettle walks a fine line between memoir and training guide, providing actionable content while reminding the reader why this action is essential for our physical and emotional longevity as athletes and humans.