95. Sasha DiGiulian on Climbing to New Heights, Facing Fears & Cultivating Mental Strength

The Big Silence

I’m honored to sit down with Sasha DiGiulian, a remarkable figure in the climbing world whose story is not just about reaching new heights in her sport, but also about overcoming personal and physical challenges with incredible resilience and grace.

She has won the World Championships for Female Overall, and has placed Silver in the Bouldering World Championships, as well as Bronze in the Duel. Sasha has been the undefeated panAmerican Champion 2004 to the present, and she is a three-time US National Champion.

However, Sasha's mark as a female athlete and impact on the climbing world extends beyond these incredible physical accomplishments.

In today's conversation, we explore the physical and mental training routines that have helped her face some of the world's most challenging climbs. We discuss her unwavering commitment to paving the way for other female athletes in climbing and her advocacy for equal recognition and pay in the sport.

Sasha's resilience shines through as she shares her experience of overcoming a significant hip surgery that left her immobile for months. This period of recovery not only tested her physical limits but also led to an inspiring shift in her mindset, culminating in the launch of her superfood protein bar company and the writing of her new book, Taking Lead: Hanging On, Letting Go, and Conquering Life's Hardest Climbs.

Sasha vulnerably opens up about the challenges of disordered eating within the sport, the importance of proper nutrition and how she has gotten through her own battles with depression.

She’s a role model to all of us for how to stay mentally tough and how focusing on gratitude can be a total game changer. Join me in celebrating her journey as a powerhouse woman who has dared to stand up for herself and make an indelible mark in the world of climbing!

And remember – if you’re in Austin for SXSW on March 9th, come hang with me and Kendra Scott, from 11am to 1pm, at her flagship store for a little sip and shop in partnership with Kendra Gives Back, where 20% of proceeds will benefit The Big Silence foundation and our programs.

(00:05:58) Sasha’s Career as a Professional Climbing Athlete

(00:12:57) Advice for Developing Mental & Physical Resilience

(00:22:02) Sasha’s Mission to Empower Female Athletes & Fight for Equal Pay

(00:30:30) The Power of Gratitude & Mindset Shifts for Challenging Times

(00:41:42) Confronting Climbing’s Disordered Eating History

Click here for full show notes

Guest Info:

• Website: sashadigiulian.com

• Instagram: @sashadigiulian

• Youtube: youtube.com/sashadigiulian

• Shop: sendbars.com

• Read: Take the Lead: Hanging On, Letting Go, and Conquering Life's Hardest Climb by Sasha DiGiulian

Resources:

• Start a conversation in your The Big Silence merch: thebigsilence.com/collections/shop-all

• Read: The Big Silence: A Daughter's Memoir of Mental Illness and Healing

• Follow Karena Dawn on Instagram: @karenadawn

• Follow The Big Silence on Instagram: @The.Big.Silence

• Subscribe: The Big Silence YouTube Channel

• Therapy For All: Resources for those in need

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“The Big Silence” theme song written and performed by James Nicholas Kinney.

Producer, Bobby Goldstein.

The Big Silence is produced by Crate Media.

Mentioned in this episode:

ClearStem | Visit clearstemskincare.com and use code THEBIGSILENCE for 15% off your first purchase and 15% of your purchase will be donated to The Big Silence Foundation.