Over the years CBJ has interviewed dozens of climbing gym founders, managers, routesetters, and other professionals of indoor climbing. The majority of the interviews below were conducted by John Burgman, with contributions from Jackie Hueftle, Joe Robinson, Naomi Stevens, and Holly Yu Tung Chen.
| ARTICLE TITLE | NAME(S) | BUSINESS | TITLE | TOPIC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Don’t Give Up on “Mom-and-Pop” Gyms (podcast) | Jackson Scott | AL - Crux Climbing | Co-Owner | management | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/dont-give-up-on-mom-and-pop-gyms-cbj-podcast-with-jackson-scott/ |
| Family - and Climbing Family - Come First | Jesse Waldorf | BC - Strait Up | Co-Founder | management | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/behind-the-closures-with-strait-up-climbing-family-comes-first/ |
| Problem Solving Together | Lauren Watson | BC - Ground Up | Director & Co-Owner | management | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/behind-the-desk-with-lauren-watson-problem-solving-together/ |
| Pride, Relief, Exhaustion | Simon Parton | BC - Project Climbing | National Competition Chief Routesetter | routesetting | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/pride-relief-exhaustion-behind-the-wrench-with-simon-parton/ |
| Making Life Better | Andrew Coffey | BC - The Hive | Owner & King Worker Bee | management | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/making-life-better-behind-the-desk-with-andrew-coffey/ |
| Breaking Boundaries | Camielle Weetly | CA - Cliffs of Id | Routesetter | routesetting | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/behind-the-wrench-with-camielle-weetly/ |
| Letting the Routesetting Gods Take Over | Claire Miller | CA - Grotto Climbing | Routesetter | routesetting | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/letting-the-routesetting-gods-take-over-behind-the-wrench-with-claire-miller/ |
| Distance Learning Meets Climbing: Sender One's COOL Camp | Crystal Tan | CA - Sender One | Brand Marketing Manager | programming | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/distance-learning-meets-climbing-sender-ones-cool-camp/ |
| Keeping Things Community-Centric | Mailee Hung | CA - Touchstone | Director of Communications and Community Engagement | management, community | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/keeping-things-community-centric-behind-the-desk-with-mailee-hung/ |
| Coaching and Routesetting for Future Olympians (podcast) | Garrett Gregor | CO | Routesetter & Coach | routesetting, coaching | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/garrett-gregor-coaching-and-routesetting-for-future-olympians-cbj-podcast/ |
| Routesetting on Common and Uncommon Ground (podcast) | Sierra McMurry | CO | Routesetter | routesetting, community | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/sierra-mcmurry-routesetting-on-common-and-uncommon-ground-cbj-podcast/ |
| Where Computers and Climbing Meet | Jon Lachelt | CO - Ascent Studio | Owner | management, data | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/where-computers-and-climbing-meet-behind-the-desk-with-jon-lachelt/ |
| Helping People Do What They Were Born to Do | Lara Grosjean & Heather Robinson | CO - CityROCK | Majority Owner & General Manager | management, community | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/helping-people-do-what-they-were-born-to-do-behind-the-desk-at-cityrock-colorado-springs/ |
| Private Coaching is Getting More Popular | Emmett Cookson | CO - Denver | Paraclimbing National Team Coach and Personal Trainer | coaching | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/behind-the-desk-with-paraclimbing-national-team-coach-emmett-cookson/ |
| Macaroni & Cheese to Steak Dinner | Kegan Minock | CO - Rock'n & Jam'n | Head Setter | routesetting, shaping | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/macaroni-cheese-to-steak-dinner-behind-the-wrench-with-kegan-minock/ |
| Storytelling Through Movement | Holly Chen | CO - Ubergrippen & BRC | Routesetter, Writer | routesetting | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/storytelling-through-movement-behind-the-wrench-with-holly-chen/ |
| "Climb Rocking" | Heel Hook Harry | CO - Wooden Mountain | Mascot | marketing, programming | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/climb-rocking-with-heel-hook-harry/ |
| The Value of Routesetting Mentorship | Matt Ratajczak | DC - BKB Eckington | Route Setting Manager | routesetting | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/the-value-of-routesetting-mentorship-behind-the-wrench-with-bkbs-matt-ratajczak/ |
| Community as a Long-Term Investment | Britton Frankel | FL - DynoClimb | Co-Owner | management, community | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/community-as-a-long-term-investment-behind-the-desk-with-britton-frankel/ |
| Every Town Can Hold a Climbing Gym | Adrian Prelipceanu | GA - Active Climbing | Owner | management | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/every-town-can-hold-a-climbing-gym-behind-the-desk-with-adrian-prelipceanu/ |
| Optimism Solves Problems | Don Campbell | ID - Gemstone | Owner | management | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/behind-the-closures-with-don-campbell-optimism-solves-problems/ |
| The Future of Climbing Competitions in a COVID-19 World | Clint Colwell & Gary Mattos | ID - The Commons | Co-Owner & Head Routesetter | routesetting | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/the-future-of-climbing-competitions-in-a-covid-19-world/ |
| Making the Most of a Climbing Gym Retail Space (podcast) | Brad Werntz | IL - Boulders | President | retailing | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/making-the-most-of-a-climbing-gym-retail-space-cbj-podcast-with-brad-werntz/ |
| Coaching Youth Through the Ages (podcast) | Dave Hudson | IL - FA Climbing | Co-Founder and Coach | coaching | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/dave-hudson-coaching-youth-through-the-ages-cbj-podcast/ |
| We All Have a Story | Lynnette Miller | KY - Rock Gem & Vision Holds | Owner | routesetting, coaching, shaping | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/we-all-have-a-story-behind-the-desk-with-lynnette-miller/ |
| Value Propositions and Pricing Sweet Spots | Lee Guilbeau & Robb Antrobus | LA - UpTown | Co-Founders | management, community | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/value-propositions-and-pricing-sweet-spots-behind-the-desk-with-uptown/ |
| Standing Out In a City of Many Gyms | Michael Paukner | MA - Rock Spot | Manager | management | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/standing-out-in-a-city-of-many-gyms-behind-the-desk-with-michael-paukner/ |
| Stay True to Your Core | Pete Sancianco | MA - Rock Spot | Director of Marketing | marketing | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/stay-true-to-your-core-behind-the-desk-with-pete-sancianco-at-rock-spot/ |
| Routesetting Should Be Fun - It's Not Brain Surgery | Alison Krayer | MD - Earth Treks Hampden | Routesetter | routesetting | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/routesetting-should-be-fun-its-not-brain-surgery-behind-the-wrench-with-alison-krayer/ |
| The Midwest Psych Is High | Christopher Deal | MN - Nature of the North | Director of Climbing | routesetting | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/the-midwest-psych-is-high-behind-the-wrench-with-christopher-deal/ |
| Climbers and Riders Both Show Up | Elizabeth Jackson | NC - Riveter | General Manager & Founder | management, community | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/climbers-and-riders-both-show-up-behind-the-desk-with-riveter-founder-elizabeth-jackson/ |
| Hold the Doors Open | Sydney McNair | NH - NH Climbing & Fitness | Head Setter | routesetting | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/hold-the-doors-open-behind-the-wrench-with-sydney-mcnair/ |
| Are Markets Approaching Saturation? | Lucas Kovalcik | NJ - The Gravity Vault | Founder | management | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/are-markets-approaching-saturation-behind-the-desk-with-lucas-kovalcik-at-the-gravity-vault/ |
| Mentoring Coaches, Developing Strong Youth Programs (podcast) | Jackie Pettitt | NV - Mesa Rim | Head Coach | coaching | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/jackie-pettitt-mentor-to-head-coaches-cbj-podcast/ |
| What Makes a Good Gym Video? | Jeremiah Curtis, Aaron Stromberg & Ben Lane | NM - Stone Age | Filmmakers | marketing | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/what-makes-a-good-gym-video/ |
| Inclusion Takes Intention | Gabby Zonneveld | NY - MetroRock Brooklyn | Manager | management, community | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/inclusion-takes-intention-behind-the-desk-with-gabby-zonneveld-at-metrorock/ |
| Behind the Desk with Kristina Ericson | Kristina Ericson | NY - The Cliffs | Events Coordinator | events | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/behind-the-desk-with-kristina-ericson/ |
| Providing Climbing for Everybody | Emily Buckley & Lulu Rodriguez | NY - The Cliffs Harlem | Director of Operations & General Manager | programming | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/behind-the-desk-with-emily-buckley-and-lulu-rodriguez/ |
| Taking 24-Hour Access Coast to Coast | David Sacher | NY - VITAL Brooklyn | Co-Founder | management | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/taking-24-hour-gym-access-coast-to-coast-behind-the-desk-with-david-sacher/ |
| Simpler Ideas Win the Day | Trevor Galvin | OK - Blocworks | Operations Supervisor | programming, community | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/simpler-ideas-win-the-day-behind-the-desk-with-trevor-galvin-at-blocworks/ |
| Gearing Up for Survival Mode | Hannah Mosier | OK - Climb Tulsa | Assistant Manager | management | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/behind-the-closures-with-hannah-mosier-gearing-up-for-survival-mode/ |
| Setting Your Own Way | Tony Agnelli | ON - Of Rock and Chalk | Routesetter | routesetting | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/behind-the-wrench-with-tony-agnelli-setting-your-own-way/ |
| You’re Stronger if You’re Honest | Abby Wilson | OR - Rock Haven | Head Setter | routesetting | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/youre-stronger-if-youre-honest-behind-the-wrench-with-abby-wilson/ |
| Our Gym Is Still Standing | Matt Lambert | OR - Rogue Rock Gym | Owner | management | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/our-gym-is-still-standing-behind-the-desk-with-matt-lambert/ |
| Behind the Desk with Danny Burkhead | Danny Burkhead | OR - The Circuit | General Manager | management | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/behind-the-desk-with-danny-burkhead/ |
| Getting Slacklining Going at Your Gym (podcast) | Wade Desai | PA - ASCEND | Director of Climbing | programming | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/wade-desai-getting-slacklining-going-at-your-gym-cbj-podcast/ |
| From Doctor to Director of Climbing | Wade Desai | PA - ASCEND | Director of Climbing | programming | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/from-doctor-to-director-of-climbing-behind-the-desk-with-wade-desai-at-ascend/ |
| Always Be Open to New Ideas | Charlie Schreiber | PA - Reach Climbing | Director of Programming | coaching, management | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/always-be-open-to-new-ideas-behind-the-desk-with-charlie-schreiber/ |
| It's a New World | Michael Feinberg | PA - Reach Climbing | Owner | management | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/its-a-new-world-behind-the-desk-with-michael-feinberg/ |
| Legal Challenges Come With Growth (podcast) | Jason Pill | Phelps Dunbar | Lawyer | management | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/jason-pill-legal-challenges-come-with-growth-cbj-podcast/ |
| Gym Development in Canada and “Making Friends Through Climbing” (podcast) | Jean-Marc de la Plante | QC - Uplify | Founder | management | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/gym-development-in-canada-and-making-friends-through-climbing-cbj-podcast-with-jean-marc-de-la-plante/ |
| Letting Go of an Idea | Aaron Davis | SC - BlocHaven | Head Routesetter | routesetting | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/letting-go-of-an-idea-behind-the-wrench-with-aaron-davis/ |
| What It's Like to Open a New Gym During a Pandemic | Travis Klinghagen | SD - Climberz | Owner | management | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/what-its-like-to-open-a-new-gym-during-a-pandemic/ |
| A Custodian of the Community | Jordan Mackay | SK - Regina Climbing Centre | Founder | management | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/a-custodian-of-the-community-behind-the-closures-with-jordan-mackay/ |
| Comp Combines Spicy Chicken with Epic Sends | Jonathan Brandt | TN - Climb Nashville | Routesetting Director | events, routesetting | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/comp-combines-spicy-chicken-with-epic-sends/ |
| Making Route Design a Team Effort | Cody Grodzki | TN - High Point Chattanooga | Director of Routesetting | routesetting | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/behind-the-wrench-with-cody-grodzki/ |
| Getting a Gym Ready for National Team Trials During a Pandemic | John Wiygul | TN - High Point Memphis | President | events | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/getting-a-gym-ready-for-national-team-trials-during-a-pandemic/ |
| The Meaning of Community | Jon Hawk & Daniel Arnold | TN - Memphis Rox | Director of Operations & Training / Volunteer Coordinator | management, community | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/the-meaning-of-community-behind-the-desk-with-memphis-rox/ |
| Community Happens Fast | Andrew Andress | TX - Armadillo Boulders | Operations Manager | management, community | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/community-happens-fast-behind-the-desk-with-andrew-andress/ |
| Work Hard and Enjoy the Process | Ben Waggoner | TX - Cave Climbing | Owner | management | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/behind-the-desk-with-ben-waggoner/ |
| Gym Events that Benefit the Community | Lydia Huelskamp | TX - Crux Climbing Center | Marketing & Events Manager | events | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/behind-the-desk-with-lydia-huelskamp-events-that-benefit-the-community/ |
| Our Staff Matter Most | Jacquelyn Horton | UT - Contact Climbing | Gym Manager & Co-Founder | management | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/our-staff-matter-most-behind-the-desk-with-jacquelyn-horton/ |
| Routesetting in a New Era | Eddie Morillas | UT - The Front | Director of Routesetting | routesetting | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/routesetting-in-a-new-era-behind-the-wrench-with-eddie-morillas/ |
| Fine-Tuning Gym Programming | Justin Wyse | UT - The Front | Program Director | programming, management | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/fine-tuning-gym-programming-behind-the-desk-with-justin-wyse-at-the-front/ |
| From Volunteer Routesetter To Gym Manager | Matthew Butler-Bugher | VT - MetroRock Essex | General Manager | management, routesetting | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/from-volunteer-routesetter-to-gym-manager/ |
| Community Will Help Sustain Us | Andrea Charest | VT - Petra Cliffs | Owner & Guide | management | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/behind-the-closures-with-andrea-charest/ |
| All Ships Will Rise | Nathan Hadley | WA - Bouldering Project | Setting Manager | routesetting | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/all-ships-will-rise-behind-the-wrench-with-nathan-hadley/ |
| Routesetting in the Age of Social Media (podcast) | Stefanie Myr | WA - Climb Tacoma | GM, Head Routesetter | routesetting | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/routesetting-in-the-age-of-social-media-cbj-podcast-with-stefanie-myr/ |
| Proving Try-Hard Gyms Work | Andrew Hou | WA - Uplift | Founder | management | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/proving-try-hard-gyms-work-behind-the-desk-with-uplifts-andrew-hou/ |
| Revitalizing Routesetting for the Next Generation (podcast) | Louie Anderson | WY | Freelance Routesetter | routesetting | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/louie-anderson-revitalizing-routesetting-for-the-next-generation-cbj-podcast/ |
| Gyms in South America Are Adapting Too | Fernando Cicconi | Argentina - Realization Escalada | Chief Routesetter | routesetting | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/gyms-in-south-america-are-adapting-too-behind-the-desk-with-fernando-cicconi/ |
| Learning, Adapting, Growing in Australia | Jack Masel | Australia - 9 Dewgrees Waterloo | Manager & Head Routesetter | management, routesetting | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/behind-the-desk-with-jack-masel-learning-adapting-growing-in-australia/ |
| Bringing a Dream to Life in Israel | Yuval Hamburg | Israel - Performance Rock | Owner | management | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/behind-the-desk-with-yuval-hamburg-in-israel/ |
| U.S. Comp Climbing's Top Journalist | John Burgman | CBJ, Climbing Magazine | Journalist | community | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/meet-john-burgman-us-comp-climbings-top-journalist/ |
| Gym Social Media Is More About “One-to-One” Than “One-to-Many” (podcast) | Sam Van Boxtel | Climbers Crag | Founder | marketing | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/gym-social-media-is-more-about-one-to-one-than-one-to-many-cbj-podcast-with-sam-van-boxtel/ |
| Finding Time To Volunteer | Emily Moore | Climbing Wall Association | Events Manager | events | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/finding-time-to-volunteer-behind-the-desk-with-emily-moore/ |
| A Climbing Wall Artist | Phil Lewis | Eldorado Climbing | Artist | artwork | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/behind-the-desk-with-phil-lewis-a-climbing-wall-artist/ |
| Old Ropes, New Art | Elliot Lacroix | End of the Line Design | Artist | artwork | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/old-ropes-new-art-behind-the-desk-with-elliot-lacroix/ |
| More Keys to Route Setting | Jacky Godoffe | France | Freelance Routesetter | routesetting | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/more-keys-to-route-setting-a-behind-the-scenes-interview-with-jacky-godoffe/ |
| Chalk Business is Changing Too | Kevin Brown | Friction Labs | Co-Founder & CEO | management | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/chalk-business-is-changing-too-behind-the-closures-with-kevin-brown/ |
| Eating Disorders, RED-S, and a Look Behind the Resignations (podcast) | Dr. Volker Schöffl | Germany | Doctor | coaching | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/eating-disorders-red-s-and-a-look-behind-the-resignations-cbj-podcast-with-dr-volker-schoffl/ |
| Growth Spurs Innovation | John Oungst | KAYA | Customer Success Manager | community | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/growth-spurs-innovation-behind-the-desk-with-john-oungst/ |
| Adding What Should Always Have Been There (podcast) | Hannah Barker, Jiarra Chiang, Hayley Moran | Siege Climbing | Founders | routesetting, events | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/siege-climbing-adding-what-should-always-have-been-there-cbj-podcast/ |
| Now Is the Time to Come Together | Andy Nelson | Method Grips | President | shaping | https://www.climbingbusinessjournal.com/behind-the-closures-with-andy-nelson/ |
