The Nugget Climbing Podcast
EP 64: Christophe Bichet — Climbing As a Metaphor for Life, Finding ‘Why’, and the Awe of Being Alive
12 Apr 2021
Christophe Bichet is a world-class rock climber and a motivational speaker. He was born with a rare blood disorder called Fanconi Anemia and is also a cancer survivor. We talked about climbing as a metaphor for life, finding your “why”, learning new skills, how to achieve world-class endurance without training endurance, and holding on and letting go.GoFundMe for Kyler:https://www.gofundme.com/f/throw-down-for-kyler-pallisterSupport on Patreon: patreon.com/thenuggetclimbing Show Notes: http://thenuggetclimbing.com/episodes/christophe-bichetNuggets:6:55 – Christophe’s dimensions, and Fanconi Anemia8:50 – What I remember about Christophe, and why he doesn’t like knowing names and grades of routes12:14 – How Christophe relates to his accomplishments13:43 – ‘Big Mac’, Smith Rock, and why guidebook grades feel irrelevant to Christophe17:22 – How grades become limits18:49 – Growing up feeling different from his peers, feeling isolated, and regaining self-esteem through rock climbing20:59 – Living each day as if it was your first day vs. last day 23:59 – Christophe’s many eclectic interests26:34 – Gracefully saying no, and asking “Why”29:42 – Awaking people’s vitality, and the climbing metaphor: grabbing on to what is essential, and learning to let go32:13 – Cancer, and the grand piano bill37:14 – Letting go of his identity as a sick person38:34 – Approaching learning new skills like learning a new route41:50 – Learning from people who are better than us, and a common trap to avoid44:02 – How Christophe achieved endurance through training efficiency47:09 – Pretending to be someone you admire52:45 – Amy 55:33 – ‘Spank the Monkey’, and dedicating an ascent to a lost friend1:00:28 – “Stop and breath in the awe of being alive.” - Amy Frohnmayer Winn1:02:25 – Grateful to live in the mountains and have a daughter1:05:10 – Be light
No persons identified in this episode.
This episode hasn't been transcribed yet
Help us prioritize this episode for transcription by upvoting it.
Popular episodes get transcribed faster
Other recent transcribed episodes
Transcribed and ready to explore now
Before the Crisis: How You and Your Relatives Can Prepare for Financial Caregiving
06 Dec 2025
Motley Fool Money
OpenAI's Code Red, Sacks vs New York Times, New Poverty Line?
06 Dec 2025
All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg
OpenAI's Code Red, Sacks vs New York Times, New Poverty Line?
06 Dec 2025
All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg
Anthropic Finds AI Answers with Interviewer
05 Dec 2025
The Daily AI Show
#2423 - John Cena
05 Dec 2025
The Joe Rogan Experience
Warehouse to wellness: Bob Mauch on modern pharmaceutical distribution
05 Dec 2025
McKinsey on Healthcare