Professional climber. Bouldering coach. Guy who moved to Salt Lake chasing rocks and a dream. In this episode of The Gnar Stool Podcast, Shannon O’Grady and John Perry sit down with USA Climbing National Champion Ben Hanna for a wide-ranging conversation about pressure, passion, and what it takes to stay psyched in a sport that’s as mental as it is physical.
Ben walks us through his early days growing up in New Mexico, learning to climb before he could drive, and eventually relocating to Salt Lake City to take his career to the next level. He opens up about the uncertainty of competing during the COVID years, how outdoor climbing helped ground him, and what it actually takes to hold down a full-time job while training to be one of the best.
We get into the behind-the-scenes of his recent win at team trials, how the Olympic spotlight is changing comp formats, and why the climbing community remains one of the most supportive in sport—even when the stakes are sky high.
If you’ve ever wondered how elite climbers stay motivated, how they handle the emotional rollercoaster of competition, or why Ben thinks mental prep might be more important than power, this one’s for you.
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