The Strong AF Climbing Podcast

About The Strong AF Climbing Podcast

Climbing is a lifestyle sport. So how can you perform at your best, prevent injury, and improve your longevity in the sport all at the same time? This podcast is the answer. The Strong AF Climbing Podcast is for climbers who want to build strength to support climbing and become more resilient athletes. In this podcast, we’ll talk about all things strength training for climbers, rehab and managing climbing injuries! Hosted by Dr. Natasha Barnes, an elite athlete herself and strength and rehab coach for climbers. Listen to the podcast and hop aboard the gainz train!

Publisher

Natasha Barnes

Category

health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

12 Sept 2023

Latest episode

16 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

32 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   16 Sept 2026

   32. Climbing with Intention: Becky Switzer's Journey

   What does it actually mean to train your climbing intentionally?In this episode, I sit down with climbing coach Becky Switzer (who is on my coaching team eeeee!!!) to talk about her journey,how her approach to climbing has evolved from simply trying to get fitter and stronger to becoming much more intentional about how she climbs.We get into the difference between training fitness and training skill, why climbers often avoid the things they’re bad at, and how something as simple as giving each climbing session a clear purpose can completely change what you get out of your time in the gym.Becky also shares her journey from competitive soccer to climbing, how climbing became an important part of her life during a difficult transition, and how her background as a multi-sport athlete shaped the way she thinks about coaching today.We talk about limit bouldering, practicing basic movement skills even when you’re an experienced climber, using bouldering to improve sport climbing, climbing drills, remembering sequences, choosing problems that actually challenge your weaknesses, and why good coaching sometimes means having someone else notice the things you can’t see yourself.We also get into injury prevention, why getting hurt shouldn’t simply be accepted as part of being a climber, and how thoughtful strength training, appropriate progression, and better management of your climbing can help you stay on the wall.If you want to become a better climber without making your training unnecessarily complicated, this episode is a great place to start.Follow Becky on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/bswitze/?hl=en)Follow me on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/natashabarnes/?hl=en)Join the Foundational Strength Program (https://natashabarnesrehab.com/fsp)Book an Injury Consultation or Rehab Coaching (https://natashabarnesrehab.com/rehab)Train with my team  (https://natashabarnesrehab.com/training)My Website (https://natashabarnesrehab.com/)

2. 

   4 May 2026

   31. Hypermobility and Strength: Unraveling Myths with Taylor Goldberg

   Most hypermobile people are told to avoid strength training — but what if the key to stability is actually lifting heavy? Taylor Goldberg, a fellow chiropractor turned hypermobility coach, reveals how progressive, heavy strength training transforms stability, reduces dislocations, and can even help avoid surgery. Her unconventional approach challenges outdated beliefs and shows how you can build resilience in your body, no matter your stretchiness.In this eye-opening episode, Taylor shares her journey from secret hypermobile struggles to helping clients thrive through tailored, evidence-based movement. You'll discover how traditional modalities fall short and what truly works for hypermobile bodies. She breaks down common myths—like Pilates and yoga being the only safe options—and explains why heavy lifting is essential for bone density and joint health. Plus, we explore how to safely progress when your nervous system feels overwhelmed, and how to handle unpredictable symptoms like post-exertional malaise or POTS during training.You'll learn practical strategies: how to start strength training safely at any level, modify exercises to meet your needs, and use external cues and tempo to control movement. Taylor emphasizes the importance of patience, realistic expectations, and self-compassion on your healing journey. Whether you're hypermobile yourself or a clinician working with this population, this episode offers the hope and tools to unlock stronger, healthier movement—without fear or restrictions.Make no mistake: hypermobility isn’t a life sentence of fragility. It’s an opportunity to optimize how your body can handle load, stress, and everyday movement. If you've ever felt discouraged by what you've been told, this episode will shift your perspective and empower you to get stronger — safely, confidently, and sustainably.Perfect for athletes, coaches, clinicians, or anyone on the spectrum of hypermobility and connective tissue concerns—if you're ready to stop playing it safe and start pushing your limits with purpose, this episode is your game-changer.In this episode, we cover:The difference between hypermobility, HSD, and hEDS, and why it matters less than you thinkWhy many hypermobile people feel unstable, and what’s actually driving thatHow to approach strength training without flaring up constantlyWhat to do when symptoms show up during or after trainingWhy most rehab is under-dosed, not too aggressiveHow to build long-term capacity instead of constantly managing symptomsTaylor:Taylor's IG (https://www.instagram.com/thehypermobilechiro/)Taylor's website (https://thehypermobilechiro.com/home/about-taylor/)Hypermobility Resources (https://thehypermobilechiro.com/resources-2/)Hypermobility Mastery Program for Clinicians (https://thehypermobilechiro.com/clinicians/)Natasha:Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/natashabarnes/?hl=en)Join the Foundational Strength Program (https://natashabarnesrehab.com/fsp)Book an Injury Consultation or Rehab Coaching (https://natashabarnesrehab.com/rehab)Train with me  (https://natashabarnesrehab.com/training)My Website (https://natashabarnesrehab.com/)

3. 

   28 Jan 2026

   30. The Weight Loss Double Standard Climbers Don't Talk About

   The Strength-to-Weight Ratio Debate: Why "Just Get Lighter" is as Oversimplified advice.Climbers often dismiss strength training for not transferring directly to climbing performance—but then turn around and treat weight loss as if it automatically makes you climb better. In this episode, we break down the irony in the strength-to-weight ratio debate and explain why both approaches are oversimplifications.You'll learn:Why strength training and weight loss are both indirect levers (and neither replaces time on the wall)How building capacity through strength training supports climbing performance, recovery, and injury preventionWhy chasing weight loss often reduces training capacity instead of improving itWhat elite climbers can (and can't) teach us about trainingWhen strength training or weight loss actually work as performance leversWhat moves the needle for most climbers (hint: it's not one magic variable)If you've been stuck on a plateau, constantly injured, or wondering whether you should focus on getting stronger or getting lighter—this episode will help you think more clearly about what actually supports long-term climbing performance.Keywords: strength training for climbers, climbing performance, strength to weight ratio, climbing training, capacity building, climbing injury prevention, weight loss for climbers, climbing plateau, elite climbers, rock climbing training, foundational strength, climbing recoveryFollow me on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/natashabarnes/?hl=en)Join the Foundational Strength Program (https://natashabarnesrehab.com/fsp)Book an Injury Consultation or Rehab Coaching (https://natashabarnesrehab.com/rehab)Train with me  (https://natashabarnesrehab.com/training)My Website (https://natashabarnesrehab.com/)

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

6,824

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

20 ratings

Spotify

4.8 / 5

68 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 58 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

50

Social presence

97

YouTube

68

Engagement

51

Pitching The Strong AF Climbing Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting pitches.

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