With Episode 200 behind us, I figured it might be a good time to release a list of our Top Ten most downloaded episodes OF ALL TIME (so far). I take a look at this list every few months, and likely due to lockdown, it was in constant flux in 2020. A few mainstays were knocked out, and a few new ones slid in, led by a rocketing pro boulderer who humbly crushes everything he touches. It was actually pretty exciting watching the #10 spot change hands repeatedly leading up to this posting, with the current #10 pulling ahead by a decent enough margin for me to feel comfortable declaring it (for now, of course). The top spot however, is still comfortably held as it has been for a few years now. While it may be challenged eventually, it’s not likely to be anytime soon.

Let’s get into it.

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#10: Episode 153: Dr. Natasha Barnes | Pain Science for Climbers

It’s no surprise to me that this episode has squeaked into the Top Ten. Natasha is smart and good at explaining what she is saying - and we’ve all experienced pain that left us confused as to what to do next. Nate and I sat down with Natasha in her office in San Francisco during a whirlwind trip, and I’m looking forward to the next time.

#9: Episode 150: Bill Ramsey | A Philosophy of Sending

Bill Ramsey is a legend. He has achieved near mythical status in the Red River Gorge, pioneering many of the best hard sport climbs that now draw flocks of people to Kentucky’s steep sandstone crags. To say that Bill is dedicated is a massive understatement, and I felt incredibly lucky to get to sit down with him in a shady Las Vegas hotel room to discuss his philosophies.

#8: Episode 31: Devil’s Advocate | The Moon Board (featuring Ben Moon)

The "Moon Board" Episode. We recorded the conversation, sent it to the man himself, Ben Moon, and then Skyped him in to get his opinions. Is the "Moon Board" the best training tool out there?  Listen and decide for yourselves.

#7: Episode 2: Resistance Training with Steve Bechtel

You’d think that since Steve and I live in the same town, he’d be on the podcast more. Truth is, we see each other more often in other cities than we do in our own town. In this, the oldest episode still in the Top Ten, Steve and I discuss what at the time was still a bit of a taboo topic in climbing - weight lifting.

#6: Episode 149: Dr. Jared Vagy on Stretching, Prehab, and Other Hot Topics

For Dr. Jared Vagy's third appearance on the podcast, we decided to tackle a few hotly debated topics - things like stretching, prehab, training "dangerous" grip positions, and more. We sat down in a Colorado hotel room for this chat, and had a great time doing it. I always appreciate Dr. Vagy’s willingness to explore outside of the scientific evidence rather than being dogmatic.

#5: Episode 152: Alex Megos and Ken Etzel | Rotpunkt

In this episode I sit down with Alex Megos and his good friend Ken Etzel, the director of their new film, Rotpunkt. Rotpunkt gives us a rare glimpse into the up and down struggles of someone trying to become the best in the world. Maybe not suprisingly, these are struggles that every single one of us can relate to. Possibly even more fascinating is the bond that was forged between filmmaker and athlete, and the pressures that this bond had to endure while making the film.

#4: Episode 160: Matt Fultz | A New Breed

For sure the fastest rising episode of the past few years! This one could end up battling for the top spot in the coming years. I didn’t know Matt before this conversation, and was seriously impressed by his humble attitude and willingness to learn. It’s no accident that he’s still crushing EVERYTHING.

#3: Episode 58: Comparing Hangboard Protocols with Steve Maisch

One of the guests most requested by our listeners, the mysterious Steve Maisch is a climber/coach/economics professor in Salt Lake City. For this episode, we sat down at our friend Leif’s house in Salt Lake City to discuss the different hangboard protocols, when and why to use them, what they can do for you, and where they can go wrong.

#2: Episode 147: Making Sense of Science for Climbers with Dr. Tyler Nelson

Science and data are increasingly popular in training for climbing, and for good reason. Leading the charge is Dr. Tyler Nelson of Camp 4 Human Performance. He's giving solid information to coaches and climbers all over the world. In this episode Tyler and I discuss how to look at the research, whether science is the end all be all, and what exactly is the context for all of this information. Even better, we do it while eating donuts at the best donut bar in the country.

#1: The Best Hangboard Protocol with Eva Lopez

WAY out in the lead is Eva Lopez. We sat down at Esther Smith’s house in Salt Lake City to discuss the one and only best protocol you should all be doing - which (spoiler alert) doesn’t actually exist. The approach that Eva takes is equal parts art and science, and I’m incredibly lucky to have these opportunities to chat with such luminaries.

Special thanks goes to the patrons - who have supported this thing from the beginning and allowed it to continue to grow. We’re consistent and commercial free because of their support. I can travel for interviews because of their support. The patrons get extra Board Meetings each month, and I feel like we’ve finally hit our stride and found a good formula to give them the value they deserve. If you’re so inclined, you can become a patron below.