In this episode of the Finding Elevation podcast, host Lisa Thompson discusses the impact of mindfulness and mindset on performance for mountain athletes. She shares how practices like meditation, intention-setting, visualization, and breathwork can transform both climbing ability and overall wellbeing.

Key Discussion Points

• The connection between mindset and performance, initially noticed when a seemingly capable climber turned around early on Mt. Rainier due to mental barriers (00:01:00)
• Research showing meditation physically changes the brain to improve focus and decrease reactivity/fear (00:07:00)
• Tips for building a meditation practice, starting with just 5 minutes a day (00:21:41)
• Using mantras and intention-setting to override negative self-talk and reframe challenges (00:29:15)
• Leveraging visualization to pre-experience difficult sections of a climbing route (00:35:59)
• Not ignoring fear but categorizing it and reframing it before moving forward (00:33:24)

Community and Engagement Links

Studies:

• NIH study
• Purdue study
• Your brain doesn't know the difference between what you think and experience

Meditation Apps:

• Calm
• Headspace
• Insight timer

Book:

The Mindful Athlete by George Mumford