Sam is an 18 year old French boulderer who just recently won bronze at the 2026 Madrid world climbing series. You may also know him as the youngest person to ever do v17. In this episode, we’ll get insight into the world of new school climbing, how regimented routines and being locked in could push climbing further than ever before, and how he may want to just give up climbing one day.

Guest links:

Sam’s Youtube

Sam’s Instagram

Reference links:

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Timestamps of discussion topics

0:00 - Intro

1:26 - Mad Rock Shoutout!!

2:17 - Reflecting on Madrid World Series

6:40 - Can you see results in ISO?

9:31 - Starting climbing at age 2

12:46 - Climbing strengths and weaknesses

16:17 - Fearlessness for new school climbing

22:05 - French team training and powering out

24:30 - French Team Selection

29:36 - Qualis is the most physical round

31:37 - "Sam Richard" as a persona

35:19 - Getting energy from the audience

38:41 - Climbing journal

43:49 - Hot take: outdoor climbing is better than indoor?

51:35 - Youngest person to climb v17?

53:08 - Climbing optimization

57:13 - Quitting climbing for running...

1:01:39 - AUDIENCE Q: How's the transition from youth to senior?

1:05:13 - AUDIENCE Q: How to hype yourself up?

1:07:05 - AUDIENCE Q: How's the bromance between you, Mejdi, and Manu?

1:10:05 - Words of widsom and where to find Sam