A Climber’s Mind with Mat Wright

Mike Boyd: Fatherhood, Stress & Climbing Performance

In this episode of A Climber’s Mind, I sit down with Mike Boyd for a very honest conversation about climbing, having a newborn baby, career pressure, identity, stress, relationships, money, and what performance looks like when life changes dramatically. We use the conversation almost like a live coaching/diagnostic session. Mike initially felt like endurance might be one of the main things holding his climbing back, but as we dug deeper, the bigger bottleneck seemed to be stress, life load, and the effect this can have on the nervous system. One of the biggest themes in this episode is that a physical symptom does not always mean a physical cause. You might feel pumped, tense or inefficient on the wall, but the deeper issue might be stress, pressure, poor recovery, fear, identity, or simply the reality of trying to perform while life is demanding more from you. This is a conversation about balancing passion with real life, managing ambition, and learning to diagnose what is actually limiting your performance. New episodes every Wednesday.

Climbing Feels Different Now

Over the last couple of months, a lot has changed in my life. I’ve been balancing the start of this podcast alongside a fairly structured training phase, whilst also trying to organise my life and coaching in a much more deliberate way. In the process, I’ve realised how much low-level pressure and friction I’d been carrying around for years without fully noticing it. In this episode, I speak more openly about where I’m currently at psychologically with climbing, performance, identity and motivation. I talk about: * why climbing feels different to me right now * the relationship between attention and performance * how organisation changed my mindset more than I expected * insecurity, pressure and emotional attachment to climbing * why I no longer feel threatened by stronger climbers * and where I want to take the podcast moving forwards This episode is also a transition point for the podcast itself. The first 10 episodes were a chance for me to explore ideas, learn how to record/edit and slowly find my voice. The next phase will involve more collaborative and exploratory conversations with other climbers - looking deeper into the psychology, identity, fear, obsession and motivations behind performance. I’m really excited to see where it goes from here.

Fear of Falling Isn’t the Problem

Fear of falling is often treated like a bravery problem. Most climbers think they just need to commit harder, take more practice falls, or become mentally tougher. But in many cases, fear isn’t actually the problem. It’s the symptom. In this episode, I break down why fear of falling is often rooted in poor clarity rather than a lack of courage - and why uncertainty, poor decision-making, bad experiences, ego, and a lack of familiarity can all contribute to fear responses on the wall. I also share my own experiences with fear of falling, from struggling to commit on limestone sport routes in the Peak District… to eventually onsighting serious routes like Dalriada on Ben Arthur. Topics covered include: * Why fear is often a symptom of poor clarity * Rational vs “irrational” fear * How uncertainty affects climbing performance * Why projecting can help build confidence * The difference between onsighting and redpointing * Fear of falling vs fear of failure * The importance of good belayers and safe catches * Ego, identity, and performance pressure * Fight or flight responses in climbing * Why confidence is familiarity built over time * How to systematically expand your comfort zone Fear isn’t something you need to remove. You just need to understand it. If you enjoy the episode, I’d massively appreciate it if you shared it with a friend, left a rating, or posted it on your Instagram story and tagged me. Thank you for listening. * Mat Wright A Climber’s Mind

The Real Secret to Climbing Your Best (Learn to Try Well)

Most climbers think progress comes from doing more. More sessions. More effort. More training. But the real difference between good climbers and elite climbers isn’t effort. It’s how that effort is applied. In this episode, I break down: * Why trying hard isn’t enough * What it actually means to “try well” * How mental and physical noise limits your performance * A simple execution framework you can apply immediately * And the lessons I learned from projecting Rhapsody If you’ve ever felt like you’re putting in the work but not getting the results… This episode will help you understand why. And more importantly - what to do about it. If you found this useful, I’d really appreciate you sharing it with someone who might benefit. And if you’re looking for a more structured, diagnosis-led approach to your climbing… You can find more about my coaching here: 👉 matwrightcoaching.com Topics covered: Climbing performance, projecting, mindset, execution, technique, training, focus Photo Credit: Marsha Balaeva

Comparison: Ego vs Curiosity (Why It Helps or Holds You Back)

Comparison is something every climber experiences… but very few people understand how to use it properly. In this episode, I break down the difference between ego-driven comparison and curiosity-driven comparison - and why one holds you back, while the other can accelerate your progress. I share my own experiences with comparison throughout my climbing journey, including how it affected me after climbing Hubble, and how a shift in perspective changed the way I approach both climbing and performance. We explore why comparison isn’t actually the problem - and how it can become one of the most powerful tools you have when used correctly. In this episode, you’ll learn: * Why comparison isn’t something you need to avoid * The difference between ego-driven and curiosity-driven comparison * How ego can quietly shift you from learning… to proving something * The signs that comparison is negatively affecting your performance * How to reset in the moment and return to your process * Why comparison often reflects something deeper in your mindset or lifestyle * How to use comparison as a tool to improve your climbing Key Takeaway: Comparison isn’t the enemy. Ego-driven comparison creates pressure and pulls you away from the process. Curiosity-driven comparison creates clarity and helps you improve. The goal isn’t to stop comparing - it’s to make sure comparison is working for you, not against you. Coaching: If this episode resonates with you and you want a more structured, diagnosis-led approach to your climbing, I offer Integrated Performance Coaching. We look at your climbing as a whole - physical, technical, tactical, mental, and lifestyle - to identify your real limiter and move performance forward. Get in touch or apply via: 👉 matwrightcoaching.com [http://matwrightcoaching.com] Podcast: If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review or sharing it with someone who would benefit from it. It really helps the podcast grow and reach more climbers.