An Episode of Affirmations: Battling Imposter Syndrome – Ethan Paris

Today’s episode brings routesetter Ethan Paris to the recording studio.

Paris comes from a film and creative background, giving him a unique perspective on how routesetters operate in a space that can be defined half by art and half by design. Hailing from the Northeast, he moved to Colorado in 2024 to set at the Climbing Collective gyms in Longmont, Loveland and Greeley. Paris is a USAC Level 2 routesetter and has set for over 20 local and USAC competitions nationwide. He’s also participated in the Setter Showdown in Hawaii, taken setting clinics in London, and hopes to one day set for national-level events.

Host Holly Chen talks to Paris about the prevalence of imposter syndrome in the routesetting industry. They explore the origins and characteristics of the phenomenon, from the term’s conception in 1978 to how imposter syndrome impacts today’s modern routesetting community. They talk about how it manifests across the gender spectrum, and how difficult it can be to overcome. Finally, they discuss how community is often the ticket out.

General Topics Covered

• Ethan Paris' Background
• Defining Imposter Syndrome
• Imposter Syndrome Manifestation
• Community & Gender Factors
• Gender and Imposter Syndrome
• Combating Imposter Syndrome
• Supporting Others
• Creating Change

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Show Notes

• Find Ethan Paris on Instagram
• Climbing Collective
• Psychotherapy Theory, Research and Practice Volume 15, #3, Fall 1978 – The Imposter Phenomenon in High Achieving Women: Dynamics and Therapeutic Intervention by Pauline Rose Clance and Suzanne Imes
• New Yorker – Why Everyone Feels Like They’re Faking It by Leslie Jamison
• Kaizen (Ky'zen), The Key to Japan's Competitive Success
• Other CBJ interviews and podcast guests who have talked about imposter syndrome: 
  • Inclusion Takes Intention: Behind the Desk With Gabby Zonneveld at MetroRock
  • Vans on the Wall – CBJ Podcast with Ally Cruz
  • Keep Them Sketched Out – CBJ Podcast with Claire Kawainui Miller
  • The Top CBJ Podcast Episode of 2024 for Routesetters

Closing Notes

If you’d like to nominate someone as a next guest, have a topic you want to see us tackle, or have questions–we’d love for you to reach out here.

The Impact Driver podcast is a production of the Climbing Business Journal. Bold Climbing and Rock Gym Pro sponsor today's episode. It was edited and produced by Holly Chen, Scott Rennak, and the team at CBJ. Our theme music is by Devin Dabney.