Movement Blog

Oh, the clichés of falling. “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” Thank you, Confucius, for that timeless nugget of wisdom. In climbing, though, it's not just about getting back up — it's the quality with which we get up and how we try again. Falling is inevitable. If you’re climbing, you’re going to fall. The very first time you step into our gym, it’s explained. We start with an orientation video explaining that falling is part of the deal and how to do it safely: spot your landing, tuck your arms in, legs shoulder-width apart, bend the knees, roll onto your bum and back. All the technical stuff to keep gravity from getting the best of you. But beyond the physical technique, there’s a whole art to falling. A deeper lesson. Let’s talk about what it means to fall—and what it can teach us, both in climbing and beyond.

Nearly 12 years ago – early into my climbing journey, I had a full-blown panic attack at the gym. As a beginner climber, I was so worried about people watching me and thinking, "Wow, that girl really has no idea what she's doing." I felt embarrassed and didn't want anyone to think poorly of me. Irrational? Yes - but I'm confident I'm not the only one who's been there.