Outside the Vacuum is a podcast brought to you by the team at Climb Strong, the leading organization specializing in the coaching and training of rock climbers. Climb Strong aims to empower climbers of all abilities to reach the next level with personalized training programs and expert coaching. The podcast will be about climbing, coaching, and everything that doesn’t happen in perfect conditions. Hosted by Climb Strong coach Carter Smith, each monthly episode brings together CS coaches and guests for candid, minimally edited conversations about training, performance, and the broader ideas that shape how we climb. Instead of chasing perfect systems or one-size-fits-all answers, Outside the Vacuum looks at what actually works in the real world with messy schedules, injuries, motivation swings, social media noise, and all. The name comes from a simple idea: climbing and coaching don’t happen in a vacuum. Theory is useful, but it only matters when it can be applied to real people, real bodies, and real lives. We’re most interested in sustainable progress; finding approaches you can stick with consistently rather than perfectly. Episodes typically run about an hour and include: A focused headline or hot-take topic from the climbing worldHonest check-ins on what we’ve been training, climbing, and coaching latelyA deeper “nerd topic” that connects research, philosophy, or systems thinking to climbing, and explores how (and whether) it appliesMedia recommendations, from books and podcasts to music and filmListener questions Once per quarter, the format shifts entirely to keep things fresh. If you’re interested in thoughtful coaching conversations, nuanced takes on training, and a more human approach to performance, check this new show out! Links: https://www.instagram.com/climb.strong/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/verticalperformancecoach/ Email Questions to: Carter@climbstrong.com
