EP 260: Caroline Ciavaldini — The Magic and Selfishness of Competition, Becoming Adventurous, and Gentle Feminism

Caroline Ciavaldini is a French professional climber specializing in sport, trad, and multi-pitch climbing. We talked about growing up in La Réunion, early climbing, her mother’s suicide, the magic and selfishness of competitions, eating disorders, becoming adventurous, trips with Yuji Hirayama, meeting her husband James Pearson, discussing hard things with your kids, the color yellow, naming emotions, gentle feminism, and much more.

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Revival Climbing Coalition:

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EP 225: Tony Bell & David Bress (my episode with the founders of Revival)

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Show Notes:  

thenuggetclimbing.com/episodes/caroline-ciavaldini

Nuggets:

(00:00:00) – Intro

(00:01:32) – Growing up in La Réunion

(00:07:14) – How Caro started climbing

(00:09:25) – Early competing

(00:14:03) – Her mom’s suicide

(00:21:29) – Mental coaching

(00:25:27) – Magic & selfishness

(00:37:42) – Competition vs. outdoor skills

(00:46:18) – Eating disorders & food obsession

(00:54:37) – Recovery & satiety

(01:01:13) – Becoming adventurous

(01:08:09) – Trad moments

(01:15:43) – Trips with Yuji Hirayama

(01:20:38) – Discussing hard things with kids

(01:24:42) – Paradoxes & genetics

(01:30:25) – Yellow

(01:36:41) – Le Voyage & retraining fear

(01:44:24) – Naming emotions

(01:48:45) – Gentle feminism

(01:58:07) – Women’s cycles

(02:03:28) – Menopause & aging in climbing

(02:13:20) – The struggles of a pro athlete

(02:21:31) – House projects & side hustles

(02:26:22) – Wrap up