Nina Williams

If someone is being disrespectful to the land, or other climbers, it's important to remain calm and communicate how their actions are affecting you personally. If that doesn't work, keep your safety in mind and give them space. Hopefully they will be held accountable by other people and change their behavior.
 
Transcript: "Have you ever climbed with people who were disrespectful to the land and other climbers? And how did you handle this? Honestly, it takes a lot of calm energy and a very objective viewpoint, like kind of pointing out what that person is doing and how it's affecting you personally, versus making a judgment on what that person is doing. For instance, if someone is playing music really loud at the crag, it's better to say, hey, your music is pretty loud and it's affecting my concentration. Would you mind turning it off? Instead of, hey, your music sucks and it's way too loud. Everyone hates it. You got to turn it off. That type of communication, keeping it kind of on how it's affecting you versus making a judgment about it, keeps it to your experience. So people generally respond better to that when they feel like it is something that's relating the two of you versus feeling like they're being attacked. And ultimately, folks are going to be mean and disrespectful. And I suggest approaching a lot of these interactions, again, with just a very calm and rational tone of voice. And hopefully they are receptive to it. And if not, your personal safety is something to keep in mind. So just give them space and hopefully they'll be held accountable by other people and maybe they'll change."

A highball is a type of bouldering where one climbs a tall boulder without any ropes, but with mats to cushion the fall.
 
Transcript: "What is a high ball? A high ball is a type of climbing most closely associated with bouldering. So bouldering is climbing small boulders without any ropes, but you have some thick pads beneath you in case you fall. A high ball in that same vein is climbing a really tall boulder, dangerously tall, without any ropes, but you still have some protection beneath you with the pads. For more information, visit www.FEMA.gov"

Anyone can benefit from mindset coaching, but those who could most benefit are those with negative internal dialogue, plateauing in their projects, or feeling scared and nervous.
 
Transcript: "Who would benefit the most from mindset coaching? Really anyone can benefit from mindset coaching. It's great to have a perspective from someone that's outside of yourself to help you identify things that are holding you back that you might not necessarily be able to see. But those who could most benefit from mindset coaching are folks who have kind of frustrating or negative internal dialogue, folks who have found themselves plateauing when it comes to their projects or their ability to push themselves, also folks who feel a little bit nervous or scared around falling and climbing. Yeah, those are just some examples, but really everyone can benefit from some good mindset coaching."

Hi, I'm Nina Williams. I'm a professional climber and mindset coach with 20 years climbing experience and 10 years coaching experience. I specialize in highball bouldering, as well as helping climbers recognize their strengths and areas of improvement when it comes to their mental processes. Ask me anything!
 
Transcript: "Hey there, my name is Nina Williams and I'm a professional climber and mindset coach. I've been climbing for the past 20 years, specifically focusing in bouldering and a little bit of sport and trad climbing, but I think I'm probably best known for my high ball bouldering accomplishments. I've been coaching for the past decade, really focusing on mindset and fear management for the past three or four years, and I really love helping climbers recognize some of their strengths and areas of improvement and ways that they can address the mental processes that are holding them back. So feel free to ask me anything and I'm happy to help."

A good rule of thumb is to give other climbers enough space so that you are not within arm or leg's length reach.
 
Transcript: "In a crowded climbing gym, how much space are you supposed to give other climbers on the wall when you are attempting routes that are close together? I would say first check to see where the other person's problem or route finishes. If they finish at the same anchors or if they finish really close together, then definitely just wait till they're off. But otherwise, I'd say a good rule of thumb is if you feel like you're about to play chicken on the wall with the other climber, if you're within arm or leg's length of reach, then it's going to be a little too close. So give them some space."