The Nugget Climbing Podcast
EP 116: Paul Robinson — Coming Back From Injuries, Opening Up About Autism, and Working Boulders Top Down
25 Apr 2022
Paul Robinson is one of the top boulderers in the world and has been climbing at a V15 level for more than a decade. We talked about building his new house, recovering from neck surgery, his recent diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, climbing 1000+ V11s or harder, his analogy of climbing as a book, hardest FAs, trying to climb V16, travel routines, filmmaking, and much more.Check out Chalk Cartel!chalkcartel.comUse code "NUGGET" at checkout for 20% off your next order!Check out Crimpd!crimpd.comOr download the Crimpd app! (Available for iOS and Android)Check out PhysiVantage!physivantage.com (link includes 15% off coupon)Use code "NUGGET15" at checkout for 15% off your next order!We are supported by these amazing BIG GIVERS:Leo Franchi, Michael Roy, David Lahaie, Robert Freehill, Jeremiah Johnson, Scott Donahue, Eli Conlee, Skyler Maxwell, and Craig LeeBecome a Patron:patreon.com/thenuggetclimbingShow Notes: thenuggetclimbing.com/episodes/paul-robinsonNuggets:0:06:18 – Designing and building his house0:10:56 – How Paul got into filmmaking0:13:10 – Feature films vs. YouTube, and Hueco Dailies 0:15:14 – The Road to Recovery film series0:17:48 – Paul’s neck injury0:24:00 – Leg injury0:26:25 – Being back to 90%, and finding new ways to improve0:28:09 – Hope, optimism, and a new perspective on finding challenges in climbing0:32:33 – Going through the stages of grief with an injury, getting older, and hoping to continue climbing at 60 years old0:35:29 – John Sherman0:36:32 – Paul’s 8a.nu account, and his goal to climb 1000 boulders 8A (V11) or harder0:40:38 – Running out of things to climb, and getting psyched on finding new boulders0:43:14 – What Paul’s drive alive, and his goals for his Hueco trip0:46:38 – The uniqueness of climbing, being a perfectionist, and seeking mastery0:49:57 – Climbing as a book, and whether Paul is still getting better at climbing0:52:24 – Why we don’t often repeat things we’ve done, and Paul’s story about flashing Nagual and repeating it for the Rock Rodeo0:55:56 – Does V16 feel important?1:01:41 – How Paul is thinking of training for ‘Box Therapy’ V16, and why Paul tries to maintain a baseline of endurance for bouldering1:08:36 – Paul’s projecting tactics1:13:10 – ‘Lucid Dreaming’1:25:01 – Dave Graham, ’Spectre’, and ’Total Eclipse’1:30:40 – Patron question from Nick: If you could only climb one boulder for the rest of your life, what would you choose?1:31:27 – Fontainbleau1:32:43 – Opening up about being diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and some of the symptoms Paul experiences1:38:32 – OCD tendencies, Paul’s outfits, touch, social anxiety, and hyper-focus1:43:34 – Stuck laying on the couch, and opening up conversations1:50:35 – Routines that help Paul feel grounded1:53:53 – Challenging the clothing norms, and decision fatigue1:59:47 – Paul’s go-to climbing shoes2:02:37 – Toe hooking, and customizing his Solutions for ‘The Story of Two Worlds’2:04:29 – Patron question from André: Any plans to try ‘Burden of Dreams’ V17?2:07:13 – The challenge of living in the desert and trying to climb in humid environments2:09:33 – Bugalisen2:10:48 – Patron question from André: Which one of your FA’s do you think is the hardest one?2:11:58 – Paul’s project in the South Platte, CO, and how he names his boulders2:13:46 – ‘Karoshi’2:14:28 – Patron question from Ana: What areas does Paul think have the most remaining potential? Where is the next frontier for bouldering?2:18:30 – Paul’s favorite rock type2:20:37 – Patron question from Prithipal: How strong are Paul’s fingers?2:23:51 – Tiny crimps, and why you don’t need to be able to do one-arm pullups to climb V162:26:58 – Meeting Paul back in 2013, and what’s next
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