I’m not sure where to begin with this chapter of my life, as it has profoundly shaped my personal growth. I genuinely can’t imagine where I’d be today if I hadn’t been unexpectedly introduced to it. I never thought a sport of this kind could have such an impact. From the moment I attempted my first climb, I was hooked.
The First Ascent
Haha, I can’t help but chuckle when I think about my first time in the gym, especially my first climb. Looking back on that initial climb, I realize now that an avid climber wouldn’t consider it a real “ascent”. But predictably me, I could’ve cared less what anyone the the gym thought about me. I simply focused on reaching the top of the “climb” without a worry about hand holds, foot holds, or whether I was climbing the right color and route. Once I reached the top, san overwhelming sense of pride and exhilaration washed over me. After years of heartache and self-doubt, reaching to the top of that wall was incredibly liberating. That was just day one and I was utterly captivated.
Love Story Half Full
Healing and discovering self love through climbing
I’ve always been a strong believer in; “everything happens for a reason”, and finding climbing felt like no exception. At the time, I had just endured a devastating heartbreak, having lost my brother and my cousin. Losing them to such a tragic situation was unlike anything I had ever experienced. It was like being in a nightmare loop. Additionally, I was jumping from home to home, having experienced homelessness a few. times, and was also in an unstable and pernicious relationship. My self-esteem had reached a new all-time low, and my confidence was completely shaken.
Needless today, that first climb not only felt liberating but it gave me hope. It sparked a small glimmer of confidence within me, and there was no way I wasn’t returning to the gym the very next day. As time went on and I continued to climb, my self-esteem gradually returned. I was once again not afraid to bet on myself.
Love Story Full
Continuing to heal but with self love, and full of confidence, the love meant for me found me.
Through doing what I love, spending time with some of the best people I have ever met, discovering what I truly wanted from a relationship, and learning more about myself, I unexpectedly found my love for a second time. In finding my first love—self-love—I also found my soulmate. It still gives me chills and butterflies to think about it because I am now married to that “love”—Josh.
