Explore every episode of the podcast A Climber’s Mind with Mat Wright
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Climbing Feels Different Now | 13 May 2026 | 00:30:37 | |
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:
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 | 06 May 2026 | 00:13:39 | |
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:
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.
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| The Real Secret to Climbing Your Best (Learn to Try Well) | 29 Apr 2026 | 00:10:47 | |
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:
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) | 22 Apr 2026 | 00:05:45 | |
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:
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 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. | |||
| Why You’re Strong Enough… But Still Not Climbing Harder | 15 Apr 2026 | 00:13:43 | |
Most climbers never actually find their limit. Not because they’re not strong enough… but because they never fully commit to the process required to discover it. In this episode, I break down what it really takes to climb at your limit - and why projecting isn’t just something you do, but a skill you need to learn. I'll cover:
I also share my own experiences projecting routes like Rainshadow and Free at Last - including the frustrations, setbacks, and the reality of spending dozens of sessions on something that may or may not go. If you’ve ever felt stuck, unsure whether you’re capable of more, or frustrated with your progress outdoors… this episode will help you understand why. If this episode resonates with you, and you want a more structured and integrated approach to your climbing. I help climbers improve real outdoor performance by looking at the full picture - physical, technical, tactical, mental, and lifestyle - so we can identify what’s actually holding you back. You can also sign up to the newsletter on my website to get a free copy of The Road Map, where I break down the key areas of climbing performance and how to start making progress with more clarity. Matwrightcoaching.com | |||
| Identity, Ambition, and Losing Yourself in Climbing | 08 Apr 2026 | 00:16:24 | |
In this episode, I talk about one of the most personal and uncomfortable parts of my climbing journey - what happened after I achieved one of my biggest goals. For years, I built a huge part of my identity around climbing Hubble. It was a dream that gave me direction, purpose, and structure. But when I finally did it, what I felt wasn’t fulfilment. It was relief. What followed was burnout, pressure, confusion, and a loss of direction that I kept quiet about for a long time. In this episode, I explore the relationship between identity and performance, why ambition can become unhealthy when your self-worth depends on outcomes, and how fear of failure and the need for external validation can quietly shape the way we climb. I also talk about:
This is the first time I’ve spoken openly about this part of my journey. If any of this resonates with you, and you feel like your identity has become tangled up in your climbing, this is something I often help clients work through as part of my remote coaching. If you’d like help finding a clearer path forward, feel free to reach out. | |||
| What Comes After Diagnosis: How to Turn Clarity into Progress | 01 Apr 2026 | 00:18:07 | |
Most climbers know what they need to improve. But they still don’t progress. In this episode, I break down what actually comes after diagnosis - and why clarity alone isn’t enough. I talk about:
I also share how I’ve used routes like Rainshadow as a tool to develop weaknesses over time - not just as a goal. If you feel like you understand your climbing but still aren’t improving, this episode will help you bridge that gap. | |||
| Diagnosis - Symptoms vs Causes | 25 Mar 2026 | 00:20:34 | |
What’s really holding a climber back? In this episode, I talk about diagnosis - the process of identifying the real limiter behind poor performance or slow progress. Very often, the thing that looks like the problem is only the symptom. What feels like a strength issue may actually be a problem with observation, execution, tactics, fear, or familiarity. In this episode, I explore:
I also share stories from my own climbing, including lessons from Pleasant Valley Sunday and Serendipity. Instagram: @matwrightclimber Coaching: matwrightcoaching.com | |||
| Why Climbers Plateau | 18 Mar 2026 | 00:10:52 | |
Why do climbers plateau even when they care deeply and are trying really hard? In this episode of A Climber’s Mind, I explore one of the biggest reasons climbers get stuck: misdiagnosing the real problem. A lot of climbers assume they need more strength, more endurance, or more effort. But often the issue runs deeper. What feels like a physical limitation is often a problem with execution, body position, fear, attention, tactics, or lifestyle. In this episode, I talk about:
I also share some lessons from my own climbing, including things I’ve learned on Rainshadow about body position, thumb use, breathing, and turning control into a strength rather than a weakness. If you’re plateauing and wondering what’s actually holding you back, this episode is for you. Mat Wright Coaching I also offer personalised coaching for climbers looking to improve their outdoor performance through better training, technique, mindset, and self-awareness. Visit: | |||
| Who I Am, My Climbing Journey, and Why I Started This Podcast | 10 Mar 2026 | 00:08:35 | |
Episode 1 – Introduction | A Climber’s Mind In the first episode of A Climber’s Mind, I introduce myself, my journey in climbing, and the ideas behind this podcast. Climbing is often presented as a highlight reel of success, but the reality is very different. Behind every hard ascent are moments of doubt, frustration, reflection and learning. The mental process behind climbing performance is something I’ve always found fascinating, and this podcast is an opportunity to explore that in more depth. In this episode I talk about: • My early experiences discovering climbing in the South Wales Valleys • How projecting difficult climbs taught me the importance of reflection and observation • The mental battle that comes with climbing near your limit • Why physical strength alone isn’t enough to reach your true potential • How mental, technical and tactical skills influence climbing performance I also share a story from working on Rhapsody (E11) at Dumbarton Rock, where managing the pressure and noise inside my head became just as important as the physical challenge of the climb itself. This podcast will explore the mental side of climbing through stories, lessons from my own experiences, and conversations with other climbers. Future episodes will cover: • Projecting strategies • Mental approaches to redpointing • Lessons from famous routes • Training mistakes and what they taught me • Conversations with other climbers about performance and mindset Free Resource If you’d like a clearer understanding of the factors that influence climbing performance, you can download my free guide: The Road Map – A framework for diagnosing climbing performance This resource explores the five key areas that influence progress: • Observation • Training • Technique • Mental blocks • Lifestyle You can download it here: https://www.matwrightcoaching.com/free-the-roadmap Connect If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following and sharing it with other climbers. You can also follow my climbing and coaching work here: Instagram: @matwrightclimber Website: https://www.matwrightcoaching.com/ Podcast A Climber’s Mind explores the psychology and process behind climbing hard, helping climbers understand the mental, technical and physical factors that shape performance. | |||