Icebox Sessions Podcast

Sean Cassidy
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  • Updated Monthly

Join me in the Icebox ( a home climbing wall that I've been training on for the last 25 years or so) to share stoke and stories from the Nova Scotia rock-climbing community - past and present. Boulderers, plastic pullers, sport climbers and trad climbers. All are welcome. Except maybe ice climbers. :) 🌐 Website: https://iceboxsessions.ca 📸 Instagram: @iceboxsessions 🧗 All Links: https://linktr.ee/iceboxsessions

  1. Jul 23

    Ep 11 - Will Sarty - Wrestling Demons & Granite Chameleons

    Will Sarty “Arm Bender” - current president of Climb Nova Scotia and former professional arm wrestler (15 national titles and two golds at Worlds) - dives into his growing passion for rock climbing. After retiring from bending arms in 2016 due to severe elbow injury, he became hooked on outdoor climbing in 2021, describing goal-driven seasons (250 new routes in one year) and lists many of his favorite climbs, including Heavy Petter, Chameleon, Sleepwalking, and more. Sarty discusses training approaches (yoga, rice-bucket extensor work, lock-off training), the value of rest and downclimbing, and how climbing helps him manage PTSD and depression from Afghanistan service. He outlines CNS priorities: rebuilding credibility with Sport Nova Scotia, updating bylaws, ethics clinics, clean-and-climb events, insurance/membership needs, supporting new crag development, and bringing back Boulderfest. Icebox Sessions - Episode Notes: https://www.iceboxsessions.ca/ibs-episodes/will-sarty Icebox Sessions - All Links: https://linktr.ee/iceboxsessions Chapters 00:00 Nova Scotia is Chossy 02:26 Arm Bending 03:46 Climbing as Secret Weapon 06:35 Arm Wrestling Meets Climbing 08:25 From Training to Obsession 11:59 Outdoor Breakthrough and Trad Fears 14:33 Project Goals and Big Sends 17:31 Chameleon 26:50 Training Without Hangboards 27:35 Lock Off Strength Drills 28:17 Moonboard Footwork Lessons 29:10 Yoga For Climbing Control 30:33 Climb Nova Scotia 42:34 Boulderfest Returns 46:54 Favorite Routes And Projects 51:09 Climbing And PTSD Healing

    Ep 11 - Will Sarty - Wrestling Demons & Granite Chameleons

  2. Jun 25

    Ep 10 - Parvin Jahan - Persian Dreams & Halifax Alpine Starts

    Parvin shares stories of Iran’s Climbing Scene and her recent move to Halifax to become the Head Route Setter and coach at East Peak climbing gym. She has an impressive resume as a climber - competing with Iran's national team, judging climbing comps internationally, and bagging the first female ascents of a number of 5.13s just outside of Tehran. She is now focussed on sharing her stoke and experience with a new generation of climbers in Nova Scotia - and promoting the benefits of projecting and finding our own beta to solve puzzles and strengthen our minds. Icebox Sessions - Episode Notes Icebox Sessions - All Links Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Icebox Sessions 04:21 East Peak Community Vibe 07:27 War Trauma and Healing Through Sport 10:49 Life in Iran 11:52 It Began in the Mountains 13:17 International Judging 16:24 First Female 5.13 Ascents 22:21 Finding Your Own Beta 34:15 Training the Mental Game 36:41 Gender Rules and Segregation in Iran 40:57 Female Spirit 44:55 Breaking Stereotypes 46:40 A Home Wall to Rival The Icebox 47:59 Route Setting and Coaching 50:56 Coaching Kids and Adults 55:45 Trusting Your Body 01:05:44 Travel and Sponsorship 01:08:15 Sketchy Big Wall Climbing 01:15:35 Climbing as Therapy

    Ep 10 - Parvin Jahan - Persian Dreams & Halifax Alpine Starts

  3. May 21

    Ep 9 - Henry Morrow - Obsessions Over Water and Stone

    Meet the "infectiously stoked” Henry Morrow - a climber equally comfortable on plastic holds in the gym or climbing without a rope over the ocean in the middle of the night. Henry describes what it was like learning to climb outdoors by trial and error and the recent growth of Nova Scotia’s climbing community over the last few years. We talk about his DWS (deep water soloing) explorations, development of a new climbing crag, international travel and various homegrown epics - mostly in Cape Breton. Icebox Sessions - Episode Notes⁠ Icebox Sessions - All Links Chapters 00:00 Intro 02:37 Why Are You So Stoked? 06:02 Stepping Outside 09:08 Deep Water Soloing 12:46 Blue Island Ocean Epic 16:44 Night Sessions 18:58 Climbing and Addiction 22:14 Training 25:11 Cape Clear Epic #1 28:41 Is Parkouring the New Alpinism? 31:47 Hola Argentina 34:26 The Beauty of Trad Cimbing 42:15 Favourite Lines 46:18 New Crags 51:27 Climbing Events 54:10 Cape Clear Epic #2 59:10 Shared Experiences 1:02:08 DWS Health Benefits

    Ep 9 - Henry Morrow - Obsessions Over Water and Stone

  4. Apr 23

    Ep 8 - Todd Foster - Capturing Moments in Time

    In this episode, longtime Nova Scotia climber Todd "The Bod" Foster (aka "Toddles") exposes ALL. He talks about his 25-year impact on the local scene through guidebooks, route and boulder development, and his award-winning film Eastern Tide. Foster explains how partnerships helped him produce multiple guides (rope climbing, Digby Neck, Halifax Region) and why he’s working on an Eastern Shore volume now, emphasizing knowledge transfer and community succession. He recounts learning to climb in the 1990s through top-roping at Eagles Nest, the Dal wall, and self-teaching from books, and later being inspired by early bouldering at Duncan’s Cove on homemade pads. We discuss the tradeoffs of beta videos, his preference for moderate climbing, an injury-averse approach focused on climbing rather than training. We also delve into his motivations for bolting accessible sport routes and his aversion to trad climbing - while also getting excited about the indoor gym scene and a growing generation of outdoor-focused climbers. More Show Notes ⁠Icebox Sessions - All Links Chapters 00:00 Welcome to the Icebox 01:58 Writing Guidebooks 10:01 Eagles Nest 16:34 Bouldering With Homemade Pads 21:46 Projecting and Beta Videos 34:24 Eastern Tide World Tour 41:37 Is V5 Harder Than V15? 46:18 Choose Easy 50:30 Training and Injury 56:40 Bouldering vs Roped Climbing 59:39 Lessons for Todd 2.0 01:05:18 Toddles Wants to Sport Climb 01:13:36 Is Trad a Thing Anymore? 01:20:52 Route Development 01:26:05 The Community

    Ep 8 - Todd Foster - Capturing Moments in Time

  5. Mar 26

    Ep 7 - Heather Reynolds - Climbing Your Best With Amazing Humans

    Heather Reynolds shares stories of 35+ years of contributing to the local climbing community, including route development, coaching, and releasing a book on performance rock climbing. Reynolds recounts starting climbing with Sean Willett, helping found Climb Nova Scotia in 1991 to protect access at Main Face, contributing to the Dalplex Fieldhouse wall (opened 1992) and later the Rock Court (opened 2002), and the importance of recognizing volunteers and first ascensionists. She describes years of road-tripping, researching and meeting elite climbers, emphasizing that mental approach and movement efficiency often matter more than raw strength. We discuss the differences between gym rats and outdoor climbing, route-setting, fear, flow state, and aging. She also explains how yoga, writing, and community connection shape her current life. Icebox Sessions - Episodes Notes ⁠Icebox Sessions - All Links Chapters 00:00 Entering Flow State 06:57 This is What Life is About 16:03 Kinesiology to Coaching 18:40 Grand Wall Epic 23:30 Five Years on the Road 30:32 Legends and Mental Game 36:48 Indoor vs Outdoor Climbers 45:32 Coaching Without Climbing Hard 50:08 Athlete Identity Shift 52:19 Fear Of Falling Lessons 54:40 Hueco Breakthrough 58:31 Working in the Gyms 01:02:33 Sending Tsunami 01:08:47 Mindset And Aging 01:20:00 Imposter Syndrome And Gender 01:28:27 The Community Now

    Ep 7 - Heather Reynolds - Climbing Your Best With Amazing Humans

  6. Feb 26

    Ep 6 - Greg Hughes - Playing the Long Game

    Join us as we sit down with the legendary Greg Hughes, a seasoned climber and guide, for a deep dive into the world of rock and ice climbing. Greg shares his experiences climbing in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, discussing his early adventures, his insufferable ice climbing habit, and his passion for route development. We also touch on his involvement with local climbing organizations like Ascent New Brunswick and his current life of chasing climbing adventures around the globe. This episode is packed with inspiring stories, practical climbing insights, and a glimpse into the bonds that build a climbing community. Listen up for Greg's tips on improving climbing skills and maintaining a lifelong passion for the sport. Icebox Sessions - Episode Notes Icebox Sessions - All Links Chapters 00:00 I'm an Amanita 01:29 Ice Climbing Origins 02:33 Discovering Cape Clear 07:02 Get your "Free Pass" Now 09:31 Favorite Cape Clear Lines 10:44 Main Face Rendezvous 12:09 7 Skills Every Climber Should Know 14:47 NOLs and Teaching 15:59 Remember Why We Climb 18:07 Longevity Beyond Grade Chasing 24:52 Living the Climbing Life 27:30 Climbing Vagabond 28:51 Ascent New Brunswick 32:32 Hug a Route Developer Today 35:51 Ice And Mountain Highlights 38:19 Where to Next?

    Ep 6 - Greg Hughes - Playing the Long Game

  7. Jan 29

    Ep 5 - Dave Quinn - V13: The Evolution of Pajama Dave

    One of the most passionate, innovative and elusive climbers among us,  Dave dedicated almost a decade and half of his life to climb and document every single boulder problem in Nova Scotia.  His work was captured in the highly popular online bouldering guide called "Mobeta" - complete with interactive maps and beta videos.  And his youtube site documents his ongoing evolution as a climber and development of innovative finger training devices. Icebox Sessions - Episode Notes Icebox Sessions - All Links Chapters 00:00 Introduction 05:28 The Birth of Mo Beta 10:42 Innovations in Training 21:30 No Funswick 23:40 Return to Halifax 31:02 The Refined Line - V11 32:44 Grading Controversies 43:50 Digital vs. Printed Guidebooks 51:27 Winter Climbing Secrets 01:00:19 Climbing Hacks 01:07:37 Innovative Training Devices 01:10:29 The Hand of God: From Concept to Market 01:15:26 The Local Scene 01:19:06 Challenges of Hard Bouldering 01:27:58 An Evolving Climbing Philosophy 01:33:36 Conclusion https://mobeta.ca/⁠ ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@Mobeta

    Ep 5 - Dave Quinn - V13: The Evolution of Pajama Dave

  8. 12/17/2025

    Ep 4 - Emily Currie - Hard Grit and Fever Dreams on Dover Island

    Emily Currie is the epitome of strength and resilience.  In this conversation she recounts the last tumultuous 12 months:  battling cancer, and somehow finding energy after multiple surgeries and treatments to shoot, release and tour a celebrated short film about three women bouldering on Dover Island.  We also get behind the scenes on the media side of promoting our local bouldering gym as well as the thrill of climbing and errrrrrr horse-back riding?! ⁠Icebox Sessions - Episode Notes ⁠Icebox Sessions - All Links Chapters 00:00 Welcome to the Icebox 02:57 Seven Bays Media Manager 05:27 Weightlifting to Climbing 10:36 Outdoor vs Indoor 15:31 Instagrammin' 22:30 Women in Sport 23:45 Unexpected Challenges 31:24 Filming on Dover Island 37:09 20 Grit Film Tour Launch 43:44 Bouldering Projects 44:35 Rallying to the End

    Ep 4 - Emily Currie - Hard Grit and Fever Dreams on Dover Island
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About

Join me in the Icebox ( a home climbing wall that I've been training on for the last 25 years or so) to share stoke and stories from the Nova Scotia rock-climbing community - past and present. Boulderers, plastic pullers, sport climbers and trad climbers. All are welcome. Except maybe ice climbers. :) 🌐 Website: https://iceboxsessions.ca 📸 Instagram: @iceboxsessions 🧗 All Links: https://linktr.ee/iceboxsessions

Information

  • Creator
    Sean Cassidy
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Sean Cassidy
  • Show Website
    Icebox Sessions Podcast

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