July 09, 2025

Weekend Warrior: V9 at 200 lbs, Not Finger Training, and How to Improve Without Getting Stronger

1 hour 15 minutes

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In this episode, we connect with Weekend Warrior Stephen Conti to explore:

Going from beginner to V9

Transitioning from gym to crag

Climbing hard at 200 lbs

The key to steady progress

Specific technique drills that yielded fast improvements

Why finger training wasn't producing results

Setting a goal for 50 days outside... and what it did to his climbing

The surprising benefit of a spray wall

The effects of gaining and losing 30 lbs

His road to V11

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.

Rúngne: The softest, most durable, and highest performing pants I've ever worn (on or off the rock). Check out my faves, the Harness Utility, and use code STRUGGLEPANTS for free shipping on any pair of pants!

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)

01:41 Host's Personal Climbing Experience

03:47 Upcoming Events and Announcements

04:52 Interview with Stephen Conti Begins

06:44 Stephen's Climbing Background

09:02 Training and Progression Insights

18:33 Skill Development and Drills

35:44 Memorizing Sequences for Climbing

37:47 Setting and Tracking Climbing Goals

39:24 Climbing in Challenging Conditions

43:24 Balancing Indoor and Outdoor Climbing

51:46 Managing Weight and Performance

01:11:22 Future Climbing Goals and Coaching

01:13:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Shoutout to Matt Waltereese for being a Victory Whip supporter on Patreon! So mega.

Follow along on Instagram and YouTube: @thestruggleclimbingshow

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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