February 25, 2026

Weekend Warrior: Shift Work, a Case for the Unsexy Stuff, and the Power of Intentionality

1 hour 10 minutes

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Weekend Warrior Dusty Millar is making it work! In this thoughtful convo we explore:

Pros and Cons of a 7-on 7-off schedule

Shift work

Training without a climbing gym

Yoga for climbing (and life)

Getting better because he can’t climb all the time

The power of intentionality

Overcoming decision fatigue

Working with Neil Gresham

Training pitfalls

25-second hypertrophy hangs

The benefit of doing the unsexy stuff

BIG THANKS TO THE AMAZING SPONSORS OF THE STRUGGLE WHO LOVE ROCK CLIMBING AS MUCH AS YOU DO:

PhysiVantage: the official climbing-nutrition sponsor of The Struggle. Use code STRUGGLE15 at checkout for 15% off your full-priced nutrition order.

And check out ALL the show’s awesome sponsors and exclusive deals at thestruggleclimbingshow.com/deals

Here are some AI generated show notes (hopefully the robots got it right)

00:00 Intentionality: The Weekend Warrior Mindset (Cold Open)

00:57 Meet Dusty Millar: Shift-Worker Climber From Adelaide

03:46 Climbing in Australia: Adelaide, Arapiles & the Grampians

06:49 Dusty’s Background: Marines, Tattooing, Mining, Counseling & Yoga

07:39 The 7-On/7-Off Roster: Life on Day vs Night Shift

17:07 Training Without a Climbing Gym: Yoga, Calisthenics & Fingerboard

21:07 Why Climbing Hooks Us: Flow State, Focus & Community

26:56 Sponsor Break + Free Finger Training Clinic Plug

29:18 Yoga Meets Climbing: Breathwork, Meditation & Mindset

33:46 Home Weeks: Heat, Board-and-Dinner Crew, and Outdoor Project Days

36:20 Goals & Grit: Chasing 29/30 and V9 as a “Blue Collar” Climber

37:26 Coaching Tools & Why Neil Gresham’s Plans Stand Out

39:55 Inside a 16-Week Training Phase: Structure, Options, and Decision Fatigue

41:35 Training Mindset: Listening to Your Body, Managing Expectations, Keeping the Joy

43:48 Outdoor Days & Current Projects: ‘Boulder Problems on Ropes’ + Thailand Trip

47:51 Lifestyle Levers: Catering, Diet Swings, and Eating Mindfully

49:50 What Training Works Best: Alternating Power/Endurance + Long Repeater Hangs

53:45 Endurance When You Can’t Get to a Rope Gym + Adelaide Crag Access

56:42 Host’s V8 Side Quest, Injury Fears, and Staying Resilient in Your 40s

59:00 Prehab, Antagonist Work, and the 7-On/7-Off Rhythm (Plus Farewell)

01:03:03 Wrap-Up & Host Update: Red River Gorge Day, Training Block, and Patreon Plugs

Shoutout to Aiden Schlatter for supporting at the Hero level on Patreon. A hero indeed!

Follow along on Instagram and YouTube: @thestruggleclimbingshow and @ryandevlinclimbing

Follow Dusty @nothing_but_hardwork

This show is produced and hosted by Ryan Devlin, and edited by Glen Walker. The Struggle is carbon-neutral in partnership with The Honnold Foundation and is a proud member of the Plug Tone Audio Collective, a diverse group of the best, most impactful podcasts in the outdoor industry.

And now here are some buzzwords to help the almighty algorithm get this show in front of people who love to climb: rock climbing, rock climber, climbing, climber, bouldering, sport climbing, gym climbing, how to rock climb, donuts are amazing. Okay, whew, that’s done. But hey, if you’re a human that’s actually reading this, and if you love this show (and love to climb) would you think about sharing this episode with a climber friend of yours? And shout it out on your socials? I’ll send you a sticker for doing it. Just shoot me a message on IG – thanks so much!

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By Ryan Devlin

4.7

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