I’m happy to announce that today’s guest is pro climber and all-around genuine person, Paige Claassen. Paige is one of the top sport climbers in America and the world, having sent multiple 5.14+ routes, including her latest send of Dreamcatcher, a 5.14d in Squamish, British Columbia.

 

Pro climbers are paid in large part to climb, at least for a portion of their life. But Paige does so much more than climb. She’s worked insane hours at a packhouse in Namibia harvesting grapes, she founded and promoted nonprofit projects across the globe, and she’s heavily involved in making a more equitable world.

 

That said, despite all these achievements, Paige admittedly struggles at times with issues we all face: self-disappointment, a hesitation to celebrate victories, and a feeling that the anticipation of the thing is greater than the thing. Paige is learning to recognize wins and take compliments, with simple refrains, like, “this is a big one for me.” Her thoughts here gave me a lot of room for self-reflection.

 

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Topics Discussed with Paige Claassen

• Paige’s recent send of Dreamcatcher (5.14d) and 5.15 ambitions
• Competitiveness and healthy relationships when climbing with a significant other
• Difficulty celebrating achievements, struggling with disappointment
• Paige’s disregard for the term “first female ascent”
• The importance of family support
• Paige’s surprise to still be climbing professionally
• Why Paige never returned to college after expecting she would
• Is professional climbing more lucrative now?
• Thoughts on social media and influencers
• Side income: rental income, van builds, and the uncomfortable discussions of who gets to build wealth
• Life in South Africa, Namibia, and Colorado with her husband
• Helping African children as a female American outsider
• Struggling to maintain a sense of community in multiple home bases
• Paige’s recent embrace of van life
• So much more!

Paige Claassen Contact and Projects

Original Interview: Paige Claassen: Making a Difference

Paige on Instagram

Paigeclassen.com

Southern Africa Education Fund

Forged Vans

Lead Now Tour with Louder Than Eleven

Other Interviews Mentioned

EP 10: Mark Anderson: The Seasons of Life

Dave MacLeod: Life Outside the Box, Part 1

Dave MacLeod: Life Outside the Box, Part 2

Videos

Video: Paige working Empath (5.15a) with Keenan Takahashi

Video: How Dave MacLeod Celebrates Sending Projects (Eating the Raspberry Cheesecake 2.0)

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Should I Buy a Home? Part 2: Opportunity Cost

Relocation: A Guide to Moving and Housing Affordability

This Just In: The Real Cost of Home Ownership

And We’re Back to Home Ownership! But Why Now?

Housing Affordability: This Isn’t Normal