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Episode Intro: Welcome to another episode of the Female Guides Requested Podcast. This is Ting Ting, you host from Las Vegas. In this episode, we sit down with Krystina Maixner, an AMGA-certified rock guide, talented painter, and the owner of Chalkfox Studio.Based in Bishop, California, Krystina shares her inspiring journey from living out of her car in San Francisco to discovering her inner power and independence through climbing and guiding. We dive into her experiences working for NOLS, her decision to transition into a balanced lifestyle of graphic design and guiding, and her passion for educating and empowering other women in the outdoors. Tune in to hear how Krystina combines her creative artistry with herlove for the mountains to build a fulfilling, dual-career life! Krystina's Bio: Krystina Maixner is an AMGA Certified Rock Guide, graphic designer, and artist based in Bishop, California. She is the founder of Chalk Fox Studio, where she provides brandingand web design for small businesses and entrepreneurs.   Transitioning from a background in 3D design to marketing, Krystina balances her remote design studio with her guiding career, maintaining a roughly 60/40 split between thetwo. Having started her outdoor leadership journey with NOLS, she now prioritizes instructional climbs that specifically empower women and families. Across both of her careers, Krystina is driven by a shared philosophy to help others grow: "education creates confidence". Links: Chalk Fox StudioKrystina’s IG

Welcome back to theFemale Guides Requested Podcast. I’m your host, Ting Ting, from Las Vegas. Today, I am absolutely thrilled to welcome Nikki Smith to the show. Nikki is a true powerhouse who wears many hats in the outdoor industry—she is a sponsored climber, an athlete, a remarkable photographer, and a guide. Nikki has been guiding since 1999, but in this episode, we dive deep into how she found her true niche around 2018 by shifting her focus to affinity spaces. We discuss herincredible work co-creating the successful LGBTQ+ Single Pitch Instructor (SPI) course and how she integrates outdoor activities with a group therapy style to better support specific communities. Nikki also generously shares her personal experiences navigating the outdoor industry as a trans person, the financial realities of this often low-paying profession, andher inspiring work with the Open Aperture photography program, which provides scholarships and mentorship for underrepresented storytellers. We even talk about her current journey to get her Master's degree in clinical mental health counseling to merge trauma-informed practices with outdoor instruction. I enjoyed tremendously chatting with Nikki during our interview, and when I was editing this episode I thought "wow I could listen to the conversation over and over." Warm, honest, professional Nikki provided many thought-provokinginsights naturally brought me to reflect on my guiding and life. Without further ado, please enjoy my conversation with Nikki Smith. Quotes: At 16, I found climbing and the world just went quiet when I was on the rock and I didn't have to think about a lot of the things going on in my life and it just became apassion.For a lot of us we still don't get the credit for our skill set and experience even if we dressed the part. So... I'm going to look like I don't belong even more on purpose.We want to try to increase representation... and take away the excuse that a lot of magazines and companies had: 'Well, there just aren't any photographers from these communities.' There's a lot out there. There always has been.There's so many folks coming in that have very strong impostor syndrome... We're trying to just provide a little more mentorship outside of the specific programming to say 'you belong here.'The foundation of being a better ally is connecting with others and learning their unique stories. Don't avoid people out of fear of saying the wrong thing. Mistakes are inevitable, but people can tell ignorance from malicious intent.  Nikki's Bio: Nikki Smith is a photographer, writer, artist, and American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) certified guide who has spent more than two decades working in the outdoor industry. A former U.S. Army Veteran, Nikki is currently a sponsored athlete supported by Mountain Hardwear,Scarpa, Protect Our Winters (POW), and Bronwen Jewelry. Over her climbing career, she has completed more than 200 climbing first ascents and another 200 bouldering first ascents.   As an outdoor and human rights advocate, Nikki is a prominent voice for the transgender and LGBTQIA2S+ community. In 2019, working with Mountain Hardwear, Nikki created the Open Aperture program—a scholarship-based mentorship initiative designed to mentor photographers frommarginalized communities and build a more diverse pool of storytellers. Similarly, she founded an LGBTQIA2S+ AMGA Single Pitch Instructor program to train and certify aspiring climbing guides from affinity groups. A sought-after keynote speaker, Nikki has spoken globally for organizations such as Accenture, Patagonia, and The North Face. She is currently pursuing a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling to further her work in supporting and leading within the outdoor community.   Links:   www.pullphotography.com www.nikkismith.com @nikkik_smith @pullphoto

Episode Intro: Hello listeners, and welcome back to the Female Guides Requested Podcast. This is your host, Ting Ting, coming to you from Las Vegas. I apologize that it took me a little while to publish this episode; I broke my tib/fib in a climbing accident six weeks ago. However, when I relistened to my interview with today’s guest, Patty Lankhorst—a woman who has faced multiple setbacks and always bounced back stronger through sheer grit—I gained the courage and faith to do the same. The incredibly resilient Patty Lankhorst was, at the time of this interview, wrapping up her 23rd season guiding rock climbing in the iconic Gunks of New York. Patty shares her powerful journey of entering the guiding profession in 2003 as a young, nursing mother, breaking boundaries in a space that severely lacked female representation. She opens up about overcoming an early “bro mentality” in the industry, navigating client minimization, and battling back from six major knee surgeries to climb harder than ever. Now a passionate mentor and Head Guide, Patty discusses her dedication to creating safe, supportive, and empowering spaces for women and non-binary climbers, while advocating for diversity and boundary-setting in the outdoors. Get ready for a masterclass in confidence, commanding presence, and a lifelong dedication to the mountains with Patty Lankhorst! Patty's Bio: Patty Lankhorst is a lifelong climber who discovered the sport in New Hampshire in the early 1990s. Though she has climbed nationwide, the Shawangunks will always be her home crag. She began guiding in 2003 to share the empowerment she found in climbing. An AMGA Rock Instructor and newly certified SPI Provider, Patty now trains and mentors the nextgeneration of guides. Having been one of the only female guides in her region for years, championing diversity is her driving force. She actively leads women’s programs to create welcoming, inclusive spaces for underrepresentedclimbers.   Today, Patty serves as the Head Guide for Gunks Guides Climbing School, where she is known for her calm leadership, warm teaching style, and singing custom climbing songs at the cliff. Off the rock, she is an accomplished endurance athlete who continues to race and push her limits even after six knee surgeries. Links: Gunks Guides webpage http://www.gunksguides.comCustom Day with Patty Lankhorst AMGA information page http://www.gunksguides.com/guide-trainingInstagram http://www.instagram.com/patty_piton/

Welcome to another empowering episode of the Female Guides Requested Podcast! This is your host Ting Ting from Las Vegas. Today we sit down with the incredibly inspiring Carol Simpson, a trailblazing climber and guide who is proving that age and societal expectations are meant to be challenged. Raised in the 1950s South where athleticism in women was heavily discouraged, Carol didn’t embrace her inner athlete until her late 20s. But once she did, there was no looking back. At age 42, she found her life’s true passion in rock climbing, a discovery she describes as a profound moment of empowerment. Following her newfound calling, Carol moved out West and founded First Ascent at Smith Rock, which became the first-ever women owned guide service in the U.S. Now at 80 years old, she is still climbing, lifting heavy, running a yoga practice, and even actively training to break the world record for dead hangs for women over 80! In this episode, we dive into Carol’s rebellious journey of defying gender norms, pioneering spaces for women in the outdoors, the absolute necessity of strength training as we age, and why it’s never too late to ignite your inner fire. Carol's Bio: Carol Simpson’s journey is a testament to resilience, reinvention, and the relentless pursuit of passion. Raised in the 1950s South, she broke away from traditional expectations, leaving an early marriage to earn her degree and launch a successful commercial interior design firm in Washington, D.C. After embracing a fiercely athletic lifestyle in her 30s—eventually becoming an ACE-certifiedpersonal trainer and yoga instructor—she discovered rock climbing at age 42, igniting her life's true passion. Relocating to Bend, Oregon, in 1992, Carol pioneered new spaces for women in the outdoor industry. She founded First Ascent Climbing Services at Smith Rock, establishing the first female-owned, AMGA-accredited guide service. Long before it was an industry norm, she led all-female expeditionsacross the U.S. and created the weekly “Climb Like A Girl” group to help women discover personal empowerment on the wall.   Her own climbing achievements are equally remarkable. Her proudest ascents at Smith Rock include sending Latin Lover (5.12a) at age 53, and becoming the first woman over 50—at age 60—to lead the notoriously difficult overhanging crack, Whartley’s Revenge (5.11b). Now approaching 81, Carol still climbs three days a week, continuing to defy expectations and inspire climbers of all ages. Carol’s Links: Email: [email protected]: carolsimpsonclimbingQuotes: “The first climb I did, it changed my life entirely. It gave me a message of empowerment. I think that’s the best word for it. Just ‘I can do this’ and it’s amazing.”“I was sort of corralled into what now has become the new thing, the trad wife. That’s what you did. But I’ve always been the rebellious one, and I went against a lot of things I was raised to believe.”“So I went big time in the opposite direction. It’s an inner fire. And I know that you know what I’m talking about. And the women listening to this know what that inner fire is because you have it.”“Today, women have muscles and it’s considered beautiful, and it was not… I absolutely think the women with the muscles look the best. It’s just beautiful.”“I still lift and I lift heavy. And that’s a very important thing for women who are getting older, because the single best example of strength is your grip strength beyond any other.”“I’m working now on my dead hangs and I’m up to a minute and a half… The world record is 2 minutes and 1 second for a woman over 80. So, I’m going for it.”“Climbing was me competing against myself and it still is. And I will never think about competing against someone your age, but I’ll sure compete with somebody who’s in their 80s.”

Show Notes: Resources for Candidates and Providers: Scenario overview video Scoring rubric + guidanceUpdated SPI Program HandbookNew textbook release (May 5): Rock Climbing: The Official AMGA Single Pitch ManualRelated Links: AMGA Single Pitch Instructor PageEP 20 – Everything SPI 01 – Professionalism and Risk ManagementEP 29 – Everything SPI 02 – Site Selection & Group ManagementEP 34 – Everything SPI 03 – Current SPI Eval SystemEP 38 – Everything SPI 04 – Teaching & Curriculum Design IAndrew Megas-Russell Instagram https://www.instagram.com/megas_sends/ Episode Intro: Dear listeners of the Female Guides Requested Podcast, welcome back. This is your host Ting Ting from Las Vegas. Today in our fifth installment of the Everything SPI series, I am joined once again by Andrew Megas-Russell, the Climbing Instructor Program Manager of the AMGA, to break down the significant updates to the Single Pitch Instructor (SPI) exam that went into effect on January 1, 2026. The changes are designed to standardize and strengthen consistency across the country. We explore the transition to a more standardized exam format, specifically the new 35-minute technical drill for top-managed skills and the updated instructional assessment component. Andrew explains the rationale behind moving away from volunteer mock clients in favor of a peer-based instructional model. This shift aims to foster richer professional development and allow for more complex teaching topics. Additional topics in this episode include: Updated Résumé Requirements, Additional Resources and FAQs, and Tips for Success for SPI candidates.

Episode Intro   Dear listeners of the Female Guides Requested Podcast, welcome back. I am your host Ting Ting from Las Vegas. Today we sit down with Liz Schwab, an AMGA Apprentice Ski Guide and Nationally Registered Paramedic based in the Tetons. Liz’s journey is one of technical mastery and resilience, moving from the icy racing slopes of New York to the high-consequence backcountry of Silverton, Colorado.   In a moving and honest conversation, Liz opens up about a reality of the guiding industry rarely discussed: navigating grief. She shares how losing friends to mountain accidents shaped her methodical approach to risk, and speaks candidly about losing her partner to cancer. We explore how she leaned on community and took intentional 'baby steps' back into the alpine to heal. Beyond her personal story, Liz offers invaluable advice for aspiring guides. She discusses the rewards of all-women’s mentorship and avalanche courses in breaking downintimidation. Finally, she shares grounded wisdom on maintaining a 'backup career' to avoid burnout and protect her soul-level passion for the outdoors. This episode is a beautiful look at finding peace, making hard assessments, and thriving in the industry. Let's dive in!   Liz's bio   Liz Schwab grew up ski racing in upstate New York. She attended college in Durango, CO, trading ski racing for competitive free skiing & ultimately graduating in 2014 witha Bachelors in Physiology and Adventure Education. She then moved to Silverton, CO where she became an EMT and started her avalanche education. Liz has been teaching avalanche courses for both AAA and AIARE programs for 10 years now. In 2020 Liz became a paramedic and worked full time for Silverton Medical Rescue, an EMS and SAR based agency. Liz participated in leading complex emergencyrescue scenes in the San Juan Mountains austere environment for several years before moving to Victor, Idaho in 2023. Liz now works as a guide, paramedic,WFR instructor and ski patroller at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.   Liz's link: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/elizabetheskier/ Instagram  "The ideal would be not to experience loss in the mountain... But the reality is it's quite common. I would just like to touch upon the way you can survive it and still continue in this career path but with a different approach and different perspective.""...all of a sudden it just rocked my world and really put things into perspective of what the reality of the mountains could be. It changed my approach massively really early on in my 20s.""...it's a really odd relationship to have thisenvironment that can take incredible humans out of your life but you keep finding yourself going back to those types of environments to also feel most at peace again.""I get to be in the mountains. I get to show otherpeople this place that really grounds me and, you know, is helping me survive a pretty massive trauma.""I think just like lowering your guard and being okay with people stepping in and telling you where to go and helping you figure out what your next employment opportunity looks like. It goes a really long way.""...doing these all women's female courses, it totally removes this level of just nervousness, anticipation. And when you can remove that, you can absorb so much more and you can ask, you can have the room to come up with questions in real time.""So I will tell these ladies both learn as much as youcan. If this is something you're passionate about, do it. But make sure that you're not gonna have to rely on it because it could ruin it for you.""Don't let fear stop you from pursuing the next thing you think you want to learn about. You'll find once you're in that setting, like, man, what was I so afraid of? ... Be curious and don't let fear drive you."

Episode Intro: Dear listeners of the Female Guides Requested podcast, welcome back, this is your host Ting Ting from Las Vegas. In today's episode, we sit down with Theresa Silveyra, a Portland-based mountain guide whose journey into the outdoors is as disciplined as it is inspiring. Originally a professional music teacher with a master’s degree in piano performance, Theresa transitioned into the world of guiding after seeking a fresh start away from the burnout of academia. Today, she is a trailblazer in the Pacific Northwest, serving as one of only two female rescue leaders with Portland Mountain Rescue and working with elite guide services like Alpine Ascents. Join us as we discuss her incredible feat of climbing Mount Hood over 100 times, her work in creating the 'Color the Cascades' gear scholarship, and her powerful perspective on why every climber—regardless of their background—already belongs in the mountains. About Theresa: Theresa grew up in Southwest Washington with the Cascade volcanoes in her backyard, but it wasn’t until after grad school that she began recreating outdoors and eventually fellin love with climbing. She had the incredible privilege of starting her guiding career in 2021 with the non-profit organization Climbers of Color, co-leading mountain and alpine rock leadership courses for BIPOC participants. In 2022, she stepped into the role of Assistant Mountaineering Director, helping lead CoC's program development through 2024.   For the first few years, Theresa balanced guiding with her career as a music teacher. In 2023, she transitioned away from the classroom to become a full-time guide and dedicate herself to pursuing AMGA certification; she is currently an AMGA Apprentice Alpine and Rock Guide. Thesedays, she can be found guiding her favorite peak, Mount Hood, with Timberline Mountain Guides, or teaching ice climbing in Ouray with San Juan MountainGuides during the winter. She also joined the Alpine Ascents team in summer 2025.   Outside of professional guiding, Theresa is a dedicated volunteer with Portland Mountain Rescue, serving as a RescueLeader, Training Committee co-chair, and Board Member. Since 2020, she has also directed Color the Cascades, ascholarship program providing mountaineering gear to women and genderqueer people of color in the Pacific Northwest. Links: Theresa's instagramColor the Cascades instagramPortland Mountain Rescue instagramTimberline Mountain Guides profileAlpine Ascents profileSan Juan Mountain Guides profileQuotes: Enter the climbing and mountaineering space knowing that you already belong and just not questioning that.I've always enjoyed just being invisible... but it's really important to be able to be that person that maybe I needed when I was first getting started.Everything’s developed over time and making sure that I’m practicing and playing consistently over a long period of time to really make sure that I know something.The level of discipline required to sit down and get better at this craft... has really played out well for me in developing the technical skills I need in guiding.I just like being able to share something that brings me a lot of enjoyment and happiness and hoping that it does the same for somebody else.I decided that I needed to step into those traditional guiding spaces so that I could have a job... I was definitely nervous stepping into a space outside of my bubble.It was the first time in my adult life where I had no idea what I was going to do for work... I finally threw away the crutch.I feel like it’s really valuable to have people from underrepresented communities in thosetraditional guiding spaces.

Episode Intro: Dear listeners of the Female Guides Requested Podcast. Welcome back. This is your host Ting Ting from Las Vegas. Today, we are joined by a true trailblazer, Norie Kizaki. Bornin a remote Japanese village where her family oversaw a Buddhist temple, Norie’s path to the mountains was anything but traditional. After moving to the U.S. for graduate school and falling in love with the Rockies, she navigated therigorous AMGA certification process to become a mountain guide. In this episode, we dive into her transition from the corporate world to the outdoors, her experiences as an immigrant in a male-dominated industry, and the deeplypersonal choice she made to prioritize motherhood alongside her professionalaspirations. Let’s welcome Norie Kizaki. Quotes: On her rural upbringing: “We didn’t really have much of a mountaineering culture really when I was growing out… outdoor exercise was for rich people. It didn’t really occur to me that people do that.”On her “American Dream”: “I started to dream about going to America… just growing up in this tiny little village I just wanted to see outside world and outside world it wasn’t just Japan.”On her mentorship with Angela Hawse: “I met female guides including Angela Hawse and I was very inspired. I didn’t know that profession existed and I didn’t know that woman could do it.”On the difference between guiding and personal climbing: “If you wanted to be a really good talented rock climber, you should not become a guide… guiding is completely different from personal climbing.”On shifting priorities during her fertility journey: “I really did struggle with I really want to do this course… and I just decided that what? It’s not really worth it. I need to stop this for now [to focus on becoming a mother].”On what she wants to be remembered for: “I think I want my grave to say caring mother even if it doesn’t say I am a guide… that was it. And then I decided what if I wanted to say caring mother even if it doesn’t say I am a guide.”On overcoming intimidation as an immigrant: “I realized I had to work much harder if I look different and if I speak differently… I didn’t want to be a victim, I didn’t want to be sorry for myself for looking different or being different or speaking differently.”On the “Mama Guilt”: “I always have to balance motherhood and guiding… it’s always a balancing act and it never ever feels like it’s balanced and it’s never going to be balanced unfortunately.”About Norie: Originally from rural Japan, Norie moved to Colorado in 1996 for graduate school and has been guiding for more than 20 years. She completed her AMGA programs in 2021, marking several historic milestones: she is the first mother to complete the Mountain Guide Program, the first Japanese woman to achieve IFMGA status, and the first woman of color to become an AMGA/IFMGA guide.In recognition of her expertise, she was named the 2023 Guide of the Year by the American Mountain Guides Association. Based in Boulder, Colorado, Norie spends her winters ski guiding in Japan. She and her husband also sponsor the Kizaki-Wolf Scholarship through the American Institute for Avalanche Research & Education (AIARE) to support underrepresented populations in the outdoors.

Show Notes: Emilie is a an AMGA/IFMGA Mountain Guide but she likes lots of things that have nothing to do with mountains: cats, true crime podcasts, and books about early Arctic exploration to name a few. When she is guiding, she’s a generalist and finds equal enjoyment on sunny rock climbs, steep ice, and snowy slopes. If she’s not home in Salt Lake City, UT, she likes traveling the world….the more unusual the place, the better! Emilie’s Links: http://www.emiliedrinkwater.com Episode Intro: Dear listeners of the Female Guides Requested Podcast, welcome back. This is your host Ting Ting from Las Vegas. Today I am joined by a veteran of the guiding world, Emilie Drinkwater. With over 25 years of experience, Emilie’s career has taken her from the rugged ice of the Adirondacks to pioneering leadership programs for women in Afghanistan. As an IFMGA-certified guide and a member of the AMGA instructor team, she brings a wealth of knowledge on what it means to make guiding a lifelong profession. In this episode, we dive into her transition from the Northeast to the West, the cultural complexities of guiding abroad, and a recent, harrowing health scare that changed her perspective on the risks we take in the mountains. Let’s get into the conversation with Emilie Drinkwater. Quotes: On her start in guiding: “I literally begged my way into a job guiding people… Guiding’s kind of my only marketable skill at this point. So luckily I like it and I have no plans of stopping anytime soon.”On being a female guide: “I love the title of your podcast because my whole career is like I have these opportunities because a female guide has been requested. And I’m often in a place where I’m… a bit of a rarity.”On the reality of the profession: “Guiding it’s a good career for extroverted people, which I’m not. And so, yeah, any job, it’s most of the time it’s great, but there’s definitely times where I’m tired or stressed or have a little feeling of burnout.”On the value of instruction: “I always learn from students… every single program I learned something new and I’m like, ‘Wow, I can’t believe I’ve never seen or heard that before.'”On guiding in Afghanistan: “When we think of terrorists and Taliban… the majority of people in Afghanistan are just generous and kind and they’re poor. They don’t have money, it’s a tough place to live.”On the guide’s mindset during a health crisis: “As guides we are really used to being uncomfortable all the time… our tolerance level may be dangerously high. And that is something I’ve learned is I need to say something sooner if I’m not feeling good.”On finding the right partner: “A perfect partner is somebody who compliments you… somebody that you’re on the same page with—they’ll support you, but also you have a similar enough skill set.”On the definition of success: “Success begins with a willingness to try… because I think if you tried something you probably learned a lot from it… the success comes in trying and learning from each bit of it.”

Juliana Garcia started climbing the mountains of Ecuador at fifteen years old. Since then, she has climbed and guided many mountains and big walls throughout the Andes, Peru,Bolivia, Colombia, as well as in Pakistan, Alaska, United States and the Alps. She became the first female Latin American certified IFMGA mountain guide and served as the President of the Ecuadorian Association of guides for 6 years.   She is currently one of the instructors of the Ecuadorian guiding school ESGUIM. Juliana is also a Patagonia Brand Ambassador and an AIARE Avalanche Education Instructor and POW ambassador. She served as “board member” at the IFMGA for six years and became the first female and non-European to occupy that position. Recently she was recognized by the IFMGA as an “honorary member”.   Juliana got her “ski guide” diploma this spring 2025 in U.S by the AMGA. She became the first female Latin American to obtain this status as a full IFMGA. She is passionate aboutlearning and sharing. Episode Intro: Dear listeners of the Female Guides Requested Podcast,welcome back! I am your host, Ting Ting, from Las Vegas. Today’s guest is a true trailblazer in the international guiding community: Juliana Garcia. Juliana is an Ecuadorian mountain guide whose career is a series of "firsts". She was the first woman to pass the rigorous aspirant exams in the Bolivian system and became the first female IFMGA-certified guide in all of Latin America.   Juliana’s influence extends far beyond the technical terrain of the Andes. She served two terms as the president of the Ecuadorian Mountain Guides Association, where she was instrumental in bringing their national school up to international standards. She also shattered glass ceilings at the highest level of the profession as the first woman ever to sit on the board of the IFMGA.   At the time of this interview, Juliana was based in Washington state and was in the final stages of a multi-year journey to become a certified ski guide—a discipline she picked upas an adult to bring high-level snow science and safety back to her home community in Ecuador. (And to no one's surprise, she passed!)   Now, let's dive into Juliana's inspiring life journey—her transition from volcanoes to the Cascades, the power of mentorship, and why she believes the most important tool a guide can have is the ability to listen. Links: Her Place in the Mountains – Patagonia StoriesJuliana’s Instagram page – julianagarciaguideQuotes: I’m just a person that loves to be outside, loves to be in the mountains. yeah, that’s it, I think.When I became part of the board… I became the first female to sit at that board ever. That blew my mind. I was like, ‘You kidding me?I knew that that discipline exist… and I was like, what? I’m going to learn how to ski as an adult. I’m going to learn a lot of our snow science and I’m going to do it.I love sharing how people put themselves outside of their limits, sometimes and they do it and they found joy doing it. I love to be part of that journey of other people.I think we are really good on listening. I think we are really good on perceiving what is going on in our surroundings when we are guiding… and I think we’re really good on not being ashamed to turn around.I don’t care anymore. I don’t need to prove anything to anybody… I realized… I was pushing myself for no reason… no one is going to pushing me… I’m doing my own path.What we can do to help is just to choose to be uncomfortable for a moment in our daily life… We need to choose in our daily life things that we can do that support the energy overall.

Joanne Urioste is an American rock climber who was inducted into the elite group of Honorary Members of the American Alpine Club which includes 136 climbers worldwide “who have had a lasting and highly significant impact on the advancement of the climbing craft.” In the late 1970s and early 80s, she and her husband, Jorge, established many internationally-recognized long technical climbs in the Red Rocks of Southern Nevada. She was the first woman to publish the first guidebook—ever—to a major climbing area that was previously unknown. She also contributed to pioneering ultra-distance adventure running in the 1990s. She lives with Jorge in Las Vegas, NV, and continues to establish first ascents, even in her seventies. Episode Intro: Welcome back to the Female Guides Requested. Happy New Year! This is your host Ting Ting from Las Vegas. Today’s guest is a legendary figure whose name is etched into the very sandstone of Red Rock Canyon. Joanne Urioste is a pioneering rock climber, author, and guide who re-imagined what was possible on the towering walls of the American Southwest. Starting her climbing journey in the early 1970s—a time when female climbers were often sidelined—Joanne sought out the high-risk, death-defying situations that most would avoid to prove her independence and mastery. Alongside her husband Jorge, she established hundreds of first ascents that are now world-renowned classics, including Epinephrine, Crimson Chrysalis, and Levitation 29. Joanne didn’t just climb; she literally wrote the book on the region, publishing the original Red Rock guidebook in 1984. After a ten-year hiatus to raise her children—a period where she channeled her drive into becoming an elite ultra-runner—she returned to the rock with a renewed passion. Today, we sit down in her home to discuss her ‘renegade’ early days, the evolution of climbing ethics, and why she believes that taking risks is the only way to truly stay alive. Links: Book: Collages of Rock & Desire: Re-imagining Climbing in Red Rock, Risk in the Andes & Running into Dreams (amazon) Quotes: On the spirit of climbing: “It doesn’t matter if you are physically disabled or not perfect. If you have the spirit and love of climbing, there are different ways that you can climb.”On her ‘renegade’ beginnings: “We were just absolute renegades, just you know, shooting from the hip. Boom, boom! Let’s do this! Let’s do that!”On the intensity of managing risk: “Calculation, risk assessment was the game… you had very strong consequences if you did not calculate correctly.”On the purpose of pushing limits: “This was not about enjoyment. This was about managing the risk in a way that was where you would survive. Pitting yourself against very strong elements and succeeding.”On the ‘Bolting Police’: “As we started putting up better and better routes that were like amazing, then people started recognizing that… they started having tremendous hatred for us. As a matter of fact, that type of hatred actually pushed us to do more outrageous things.”On climbing as a spiritual act: “I wanted to really put yourself out there so that you would calculate as humbly as you could with nature and lay yourself down… almost as a form of worship to the natural forces.”On the unique wisdom of female climbers: “The groups of men will absolutely plug their ears and not listen to my advice… it’s actually detrimental to the men because they would benefit from the wisdom that they’re not listening to.”On why she continues to seek risk: “Having some risk in everything that I do… just keeps me alive. It expands my humanity. Looking at my weakest points and trying to work on them a little bit… it’s just such a beautiful way to live.”

Episode Intro: Happy Wednesday andwelcome back to the Female Guides Requested podcast, this is your host Ting Ting from Las Vegas. Today, I’m thrilled to host Lisa Van Sciver, a renownedmountain guide based in the Tetons with nearly two decades of experience. Lisa’s journey is one of passion, balance, and profound impact. She’ll share with us how she went from being a porter who thought guiding was "ridiculous" to one ofthe most respected figures in the industry, and how an early request for a female guide completely changed her career path. We'll talk about her unique strategy for achieving career sustainability in a feast-or-famine industry, the power of female guide collaboration (or as her mentor, AmyBarnes, calls it, the "sisters of the rope"), and why interactingwith people, learning their stories, and witnessing their inner breakthrough is the most rewarding part of the job. Lisa also shares with us her recent venture: an inspirational fundraising climb up Kilimanjaro.She'll walk us through her project, "Elevate Education," which is about creating an experience much "bigger than me"—using the mountains to provide educational opportunities for students in Kenya.   Get ready for an insightful conversation on climbing, career longevity, and finding purpose beyond the summit. Let's welcome Lisa Van Sciver. Lisa's Links: https://www.instagram.com/lisavansciver/ Kilimanjaro Climb — EducationFor All Children (EFAC) Quotes: "The big thing that pulled me into guiding instead ofthat was I really enjoy people. "   "We always have a lot of different things going on, butyou deep dive into one topic at a time."   "I think guiding can be a super long career, but youhave to be very dynamic with it."   "Where I've found sustainability for myself is I'vealways had a second career."   "As much as we're technical guides, were alsoentertainers. we are creating experiences for these people."   "It's shifted my own desires as far as I still have alot of desires of objectives I want to climb and things I want to accomplish in my life, but I think it just gave me more pause on a greater awareness of what people deal with in the world and how I can continue to look for ways to be compassionate and supportive."   "In some ways it's easier to get a job as a woman, butthen it's harder to get promoted. I think that's been from my own personal experience. everyone wants to add to their female roster, but then once you're there, you don't necessarily get the same treatment."

Episode Intro: Dear listeners of the Female Guides Requested Podcast, welcome back and happy Wednesday. This is your host Ting Ting from Las Vegas. In this podcast, we spotlight the stories of women guides and guides from other underrepresented groups and see how they navigate the complex terrain of mountains and life. Today we’re thrilled to host a true veteran of the backcountry: Natalie Brechtel. With over two decades of professional experience, Natalie’s journey is nothing short of breathtaking. She’s gone from guiding in New Zealand to spending ten seasons working for the U.S. Antarctic Program as a Field Safety Coordinator and Mountaineer, all while contributing to the high-stakes world of Yosemite Search and Rescue. Natalie is the founder of Gut-Z Journey, a business dedicated to building deep-seated confidence in the outdoors through a unique, holistic lens that combines wilderness medicine, strength training, and functional nutrition. As you’ll hear today, the name “Gut-Z Journey” perfectly embodies her philosophy—it’s about trusting your intuition and optimizing your health to make critical, life-saving decisions. In this episode, Natalie shares her powerful insights on the importance of never outsourcing your decision-making in the field, why she prioritizes working with clients who are “invested in the process” of learning, and how she shows up every day as a strong female role model in male-dominated technical spaces. If you’re looking to turn your physical and mental fortitude into unshakeable outdoor confidence, stay tuned. Let’s dive in with Natalie Brechtel. Natalie’s Links: Gut-Z JourneyWMA Instructor BioMy philosophy Gutzjourney IGDirtbag diaries podcastQuotes: I live in a really outdoor driven town and I actually can find it exhausting to be around so many people that are so driven in the same direction. And there’s just something to be said about when you’re in your own community sometimes behavior just changes.I really believe in going from the gut first and it’s a double-edged thing for me. because I also went to school for holistic nutrition later in life and microbiome health and our gut sends a lot of signals with our intuition and a lot of messaging.when someone feels physically stronger they’ve reconnected with their body then they frankly tend to feel more confidentI was trying to think about what I could do back in the US that would still feel fulfilling… that gut part of my intuition was like, Natalie, you need other things.I didn’t have examples of women doing the things I wanted to do… I can at least represent that these things are possible.You outsource that decision to authority and end up in a precarious situation, even though you knew it wasn’t the right decision.I think that when one really wants to pursue challenges just for their own growth, then there is no end point to that.

Episode Intro: Dear listeners of the Female Guides Requested Podcast, happy Wednesday. I’m your host Ting Ting from Las Vegas. Today, our guest is Caroline George. I’d say every active and want-to-be female guide should listen to this episode multiple times. Caroline’s voice was soft and comforting, but the words were incredibly impactful. The wisdom came from the essence she extracted from life events and decades of mountain climbing and guiding. The conversations provoked me to look into myself honestly and asked the ultimate question of “why.” Caroline, an IFMGA mountain guide based near Verbier in the Swiss Alps, has faced many curveballs, but the mountains have always been her refuge—a place to find balance, reconnect with herself, and rekindle her inner light. Most recently, she faced an unimaginable loss: her life and love partner, Adam George, perished in a helicopter crash in the Swiss Alps. Now, as the sole parent to their child, she is learning how to navigate the mountains in this new reality—both as a guide and as someone deeply connected to the peaks that have shaped her life. Though the mountains remain unchanged, we experience them differently as life evolves. Caroline is discovering a new way of inhabiting this space, adapting to her shifting world while staying true to her passion. Guiding has become an anchor, offering both stability and a sense of normalcy as she forges ahead on this new path. Now, please enjoy this episode. Caroline’s Links: Into the Mountains (website): www.intothemountains.comInstagram: carolinewaregeorgeQuotes: On this journey of grief and healing and rebuilding, I can see that the mountains is a place of grounding for me.It’s like my life is constantly being forcing me to go deeper and deeper and to figure out the essence of my identity by stripping all the things that no longer belong.I think it’s a really hard place for women…it’s violent when you have to adapt so much to who you’re not just to get a certification.I feel like I have met that mold that whole time to really work myself into the ground…And now in my latest situation of survival, after having lost my husband and being the sole parent to my child, I’ve had to revisit how is it possible for me to be a guide.As guides, we can do a way better job to protect our own lives with our clients by empowering them.A good metaphor for that is all the technical skills you learn are a little bit like the walls and the roof and the bedrooms in a house unless they’re inhabited by people. They’re just walls, there’s no life to it.You can’t say no all the time just But with critical thinking and your gut feeling and your intuition, your experience and your knowledge all combined, you have to have the ability to step out of this situation and say no.I really want it to be a lifelong career should my body enable me…through that job, you’re forced to stay healthy, to have somewhat of a healthy lifestyle. And, it keeps you fit to be out there in the mountains. It keeps you smart and alert and not be a couch potato. So, on some form or another, I think I will always do that.I think in life it’s about finding passion, finding a community that feeds your soul and from there everything is possible.

Amber’s Links: Amber wants to share her writing with you! To sign up for her newsletter or to contact her, follow this link! https://linktr.ee/ambersaffirmationsA personal essay from 2018 all girls Mount Baker climb: https://mountainmadness.com/blog/among-women-in-the-mountains-a-female-guideâ-s-learning-from-an-all-girls-climb Episode Intro: Dear listeners of the Female Guides Requested Podcast, happy Wednesday. This is your host Ting Ting from Las Vegas. Today our guest is Amber Smith. Amber is a femme-queer AMGA Certified Rock Guide with over a decade of experience. Most summers you’ll find her at the Yosemite Mountaineering School, climbing grandiose granite walls with her guests. She is passionate about playful, trauma-aware, and embodiment-focused instruction, and she views climbing as an opportunity for powerful personal transformation. If you go climbing with her, she will encourage you to craft a positive affirmation to hone your power. Before landing in Yosemite, she guided throughout the western United States. She has led glacier mountaineering and alpine rock objectives in Washington’s North Cascades, ski descents in Wyoming’s Grand Tetons, sandstone crack climbs in Utah’s deserts, and girls’ climate science research expeditions on Alaska’s glaciers. In 2016, Amber earned a degree in Geography and wrote her undergraduate thesis on what she called “Feminist Outdoor Leadership: A Guide to Facilitation Strategies for Inclusion and Participant Empowerment in Outdoor Adventure.” I enjoyed my conversations with Amber. Her thoughtfulness was evident when listening to her reflections on her life journeys. She is also inquisitive and not shy about experimenting with new ideas. She is keen on exploring her inner voices to facilitate her own growth and be tuned to others’ needs. Now please enjoy this episode with Amber. What We Talked About Amber’s current, past, and future plansAmber’s Affirmation on guiding – be safe, have fun, try your bestDoubts and questions about guiding as a professionEngrossed in the outdoor leadership program in collegeFeminist outdoor leadershipFrom Oregon to Washington, stepping into commercial guiding and keep her foot in outdoor educationTransitioning to Yosemite and guiding full timeLoved the Yosemite climbing communityYosemite climbing and work culturesHosted a webinar about working in YosemiteThinking entrepreneurial  – mental health and mindset fieldsLearn to Lead with mindfulness clinicsExperiments / Curiosities on grief and climbing and guidingAffirmation in life – exercise your weakness, leverage your strengths, don’t worry about the looksQuote: Keep my priorities clear. And its number one, keep yourself and your guests safe. If that’s all I do at the end of the day, nobody had a great time, but at least we were safe, then that was a successful day.I’d say that’s the whole journey of this industry for me is building the confidence in my voice, trusting myself and figuring out how to be myself in these spaces while also still sort of meeting some of the expectations of what your employers and your clients may want from you.I’m definitely not [the best climbers in the world]. But what I am good at is supporting people in their climbing goals. And that’s what the job is actually about..I think that’s really rad that I’m an ebike commuter to my rock guiding job.I think we get a lot of burnout when we’re not being intellectually stimulated.I’m basically not like ingraining negative association with the experience. I’m keeping my association with the process positive. and by having these positive associations, then I want to keep doing itOne of the most important attributes of a guide is that you need to be intuitive with your guests. It’s very customer service type job. And we need to be intuitively listening to what they need all day.... More EP 52 – Amber Smith – AffirMATIONs – Female Guides Requested Podcast