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In this episode of the Smooth Saw Podcast, Jeff and Evan break down the newest 2026 ISA ITCC rule book updates ahead of the 50th anniversary International Tree Climbing Championship in St. Louis, Missouri. They walk through the key changes, including protest procedures, competition eligibility, hitch cord rules, extended stand clear language, rescue event timing, sequestration, throw line audibles, and scoring updates. Along the way, they share practical insight on how these changes may affect competitors, judges, and volunteers — plus a few stories from the field, training, travel, and life in the middle of a packed summer season. If you’re competing, judging, volunteering, or just following the sport, this episode is a helpful and timely guide to what’s changing and why it matters. Listen in, get informed, and get ready for ITCC 2026. Brand Shoutout: Atmos Tree for planting two trees for this podcast Courant Vertical Living for ropes and sweet new bags Arbsession for always having the latest and greatest kit for arbs. Followship the Band for the intro tunes. Zack Darling for the funky mash up beats that play in the background.

Most climbers chase hard skills — but what if the secret to peak performance is silent, subtle, and deeply rooted in mindset? Meet Anna Sonnenfeld, our 2026 North American tree climbing champion, who proves that with intentional focus and calm presence, you can climb to the top of the sport.  Anna’s story is a demonstration of slow, deliberate growth, mental clarity, and harnessing flow state to perform under pressure. In this episode, we dive into Anna’s journey from Nebraska farm kid to reigning champion, revealing the behind-the-scenes secrets of her rapid rise in the competitive tree climbing scene. We break down how her deliberate training routines, mental visualization practices, and even her breathing techniques keep her focused amidst chaos — insights applicable whether you’re climbing a tree or tackling everyday challenges.  Anna also shares stories from her first competitions, her favorite moments, and how she’s learned to lean into discomfort to grow stronger—both physically and mentally. You'll discover: the importance of quiet focus over loud effort, how to cultivate flow and avoid burnout by balancing intense practice with enjoyable hobbies, and practical tips for managing nerves in high-stakes moments. We break down specific tactics Anna uses like bilateral stimulation and visualizations that help her keep her cool and climb with confidence. Plus, she shares how her experience in the sport has transformed her approach to safety, leadership, and even her life outside the trees. If you’re a tree worker craving more mental clarity, a competitor looking to level up, or simply in search of inspiration to stay calm under pressure, this episode is your blueprint for mastering the art of focused performance.  Anna’s journey reminds us all—regardless of experience—that success is often about mindset, patience, and your ability to stay present when it matters most.  #TreeClimbingChampion #MindfulClimbing #FocusAndFlow #PeakPerformance #ChampionMindset Music: Followship the Band Brands: Arbsession @arbsession Courant Vertical Living @couranttreecare Atmos Tree @atmostreeorg 1st Phorm @1stphorm Don't forget to please like, share, subscribe and leave a review!

Most of us never imagined how deeply the world of tree climbing, rope access, and industrial rigging would evolve—and the stories behind that transformation are mind-blowing. In this captivating episode, Jeff and Evan sit down with legendary innovator Rich Hattier, a true pioneer whose impact reverberates across multiple disciplines. From the high-tech rescue missions in wind turbines to the cutting-edge competition scenes, Rich’s story is a masterclass in passion, innovation, and relentless pursuit of excellence. Rich shares how a career rooted in the military, rock climbing, and arboriculture transformed into a trailblazing journey of technical breakthroughs—including the famous Anchor Bridge and the evolving standards of safety and efficiency in the industry. You'll discover how decades of experience, some controversial debates, and a drive for continuous improvement have shaped the way professionals climb, rig, and rescue in the most challenging environments. Rich’s reflections on safeguarding lives, pushing boundaries, and fostering industry collaborations reveal the unseen layers of progress that often go unrecognized. You'll hear about the historical evolution of competitions, the importance of safety over speed, and the vital role of community and mentorship that propels this industry forward. Amidst stories of legendary climbs, cultural exchanges in Japan, and industry-shaping innovations, Rich’s perspective on building relationships and advocating for progress offers invaluable lessons for every tech rescue technician, arborist, or climber looking to elevate their craft. This episode isn’t just a walk through Rich’s incredible career—it's a call to action for all of us to embrace options, foster relationships, and contribute to a legacy of safety, innovation, and shared knowledge. Whether you're climbing trees, working on turbines, or climbing toward your own personal best, this conversation will challenge your mindset and inspire you to keep pushing the limits. Prepare for an episode packed with legendary stories, groundbreaking ideas, and the kind of insight that only comes from a life dedicated to these disciplines. If you're passionate about safety, technical mastery, and industry evolution, this is your must-listen. And a soft reminder—sometimes, the best way to reach new heights is to look back at the giants on whose shoulders we stand. Music by Followship the Band Brand shoutout to: @arbsesseion @couranttreecare @atmostreeorg Please like, share, subscribe and leave us a review!

Most climbers learn the hard way that pushing their limits requires more than just effort — it demands reflection, humility, and smart training. In this episode, Jeff, Evan, and Jimmy share unforgettable stories from the international scene, diving into the lessons learned from near-disasters, extreme competitions, and the importance of growth over perfection. Jimmy Prichard, a seasoned climber and multiple-time winner of the renowned Geezers competition, reveals how humility and embracing failure have transformed his approach. From battling bees mid-climb to navigating complex tree setups, he discusses how setbacks push us to be better and how experience shapes resilience. Whether it's a 125-foot-tall Masters tree or a challenging competition limb walk, Jimmy emphasizes that every climb, success or failure, is fueling future mastery. You'll discover: the secrets of mastering the perfect throw line, innovative climbing techniques like poor-man twin lines, and realistic training strategies tailored to individual growth. We break down how to balance intensity and enjoyment, making training sustainable long-term, and why humility is the ultimate tool in climbing—and in life. This episode challenges you to reflect on your own journey, encouraging a mindset shift from grinding for numbers to focusing on meaningful progress. Perfect for seasoned competitors, aspiring pros, and anyone passionate about elevating their climbing game, this conversation will leave you inspired to train smarter, climb safer, and enjoy the process more than ever. Jimmy Prichard is a veteran arborist and competitive climber known for his high level of skill, strategic approach, and leadership in the climbing community. His insights stem from decades of experience, countless competitions, and a passion for growth that keeps him pushing boundaries at 55. Whether you're chasing first-place finishes or simply want to climb with more confidence and joy, this episode is packed with practical wisdom and real-world stories that remind us—it's not just about the tree, but about becoming the best version of ourselves in every climb. Join us to reflect, learn, and be motivated to turn every challenge into an opportunity for growth. Because in the end, the best climber isn't the one who never falls — it's the one who learns to get up faster, wiser, and more passionate each time. This episode is essential listening for climbers of all levels ready to take their skills to the next stage—because growth, humility, and enjoyment never go out of style. Music: Followship Brand Shoutouts: Courant Vertical Living, Arbsession, AtmosTree Thanks to the fam for our time invested in this. To Jenn, Chinda and Kelse for entertaining our weirdness. Please like, subscribe and share!

A candid debrief of the ISA North American Tree Climbing Championship held in Kent, Ohio, exploring the event's unique setup, challenges, and opportunities for industry improvement. In this episode, Jeff Inman and Evan Beck analyze the North American Tree Climbing Championship 2026, discussing competition strategies, rule interpretations, and ways to improve the event. They share insights on climbing styles, event organization, and the importance of continuous evolution in the sport.Keywords Tree Climbing Championship, ISA North American, Industry Improvement, Tree Climbing Events, Competition Debrief Tree Climbing Competition, Rules, Climbing Styles, Event Improvement, Competition Strategy Key Topics Event setup and unique features of the Kent, Ohio competitionChallenges faced during the event, including rules and judgingOpportunities for industry improvement and volunteer involvement Competition rules and their interpretationClimbing styles and techniquesEvent organization and improvement strategiesResources ISA North American Tree Climbing Championship - Events @isa.climbersBrand Shoutout Atmos Tree -Atmos Tree @atmostreeorg Arbsession - Arbsession @arbsession Courant Vertical Living - Accueil |  MyCourant@couranttreecare Music Followship - Music | Followship@followshipband

Most tree climbers and adventure enthusiasts overlook the powerful lessons hiding in everyday moments—and in this episode, you'll learn how a simple road trip, a park ranger encounter, and a backyard climb can shape your mindset and skills for the future. When Evan, Dave and Jeff gather in Ohio before a major competition, they dive into more than just the trees. From epic drives through foggy West Virginia valleys to unexpected interactions with drone videographers and police, every story reinforces a core truth: success and growth come from embracing the unpredictability and the lessons that come with it. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a curious hobbyist, you'll discover how to turn chaotic moments into opportunities for mastery—both in the trees and in life.We break down: The importance of redundancy and preparation in your climbing setup.Hidden skills from drone filming to park interactions that refine your safety awareness and social agility.The value of perspective, resilience, and curiosity as you navigate competitive tree climbing, training environments, and unexpected challenges.How intentional training inside an engineered indoor climb structure prepares you for outside adventures—making complex skills more approachable and safer.The power of community and storytelling—sharing the highs and lows openly, like Jose’s GoPro mishap and the epic plane-in-a-tree rescue.Why does it matter? Because every misstep, surprise, and friendship in this industry can propel you closer to mastery and personal growth. Missing these lessons leaves you unprepared for the unpredictable wilds of the forest—and life. This episode is perfect for anyone hungry for practical insights, inspiring stories, and a reminder that even in chaos, there's a pathway to excellence. Whether you're new to tree climbing or a seasoned pro, you'll come away motivated to see your skills—and your mindset—through a new lens. Get ready for real stories, practical tips, and the kind of mindset that turns challenges into opportunities—because the next great leap in your journey starts here. Music: Followship Brand shoutout: Courant Vertical Living, Arbsession, AtmosTree Thanks to Dave for joining us in the fun convo. Big thanks to Jenn and Kelse for entertaining our crazy boy antics. Please like, subscribe and share!

In this episode, the boys chat through the concept of mastery. A great book by Malcolm Gladwell (Outliers) highlights the concept of mastery and how it takes a person, on average, around ten thousand hours to master something. The episode starts by having a bit of a jumping in feel. Some technical difficulties lost the first part of the conversation, and the audio is still a bit choppy at times after words, but in the end the main points get across. Hope that you enjoy the episode and that it helps kick off your 2026 on the right foot! Thanks to those that participate with the podcast: Followship - Opening tunes Courant Vertical Living - Ropes, bags, vibes Arbsession - Supporting the industry and community AtmosTree.Org - Planting two trees for every episode we release. Riverside Recording - Recording, editing, savior of time for Jeff Find us on IG @thesmoothsawpodcast YouTube - The Smooth Saw

Exciting news and welcome back to the latest episode of The Smooth Saw Podcast! This episode we debut Evan Beck as the new co-host of the podcast and get into a bit of catch up from the last several months of what these two boys have been up to. Fun times ahead everyone!

Description In this episode, Jack and Jeff reflect on Jack's experiences in tree care, climbing competitions and training discussing the importance of motivation, community support, and personal growth. The conversation takes them from Jack's origin story in tree care, through his schooling and credentialing and how he got into tree climbing competitions. They discuss training routines, the love and passion for the sport and upcoming events. Sponsors AtmosTree Arbsession Courant Vertical Living Music Followship Riverside Podcast Creator Stock Music Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Context 13:07 Jack's Journey into Arboriculture 18:45 Training and Mentorship in Tree Climbing 21:40 Community Perception of Tree Work 24:34 The Arborist's Perspective on Tree Safety 27:46 Career Progression and Job Security 30:30 The Role of Trees in Personal Life 33:39 Tree Species and Climbing Experiences 36:31 Mentorship and Training New Climbers 48:08 Understanding Friction in Climbing 53:41 Climbing Styles and Equipment Evolution 57:40 The Journey into Competition 01:05:56 Training Evolution and Strategies 01:13:25 The Competitive Spirit and Community 01:21:54 Strategic Planning in Climbing 01:26:43 Mastering Repetitive Tasks 01:32:44 The Importance of Consistency and Practice 01:38:30 Mental Preparation for Competitions 01:44:45 Advice to Younger Self: Trust the Proces s01:50:56 The Journey Over the Destination 02:06:49 Outro Keywordstree climbing, competition, motivation, personal growth, community, training, aerial rescue, mental health, events, tree care

Keywords tree climbing, competition, motivation, personal growth, community, training, aerial rescue, mental health, events, tree care Summary In this episode, Jeff Inman reflects on his experiences in tree climbing competitions, discussing the importance of motivation, community support, and personal growth. He shares insights from recent events, the challenges faced during competitions, and the lessons learned along the way. The conversation emphasizes the significance of competition in fostering resilience and pushing oneself to improve, while also highlighting the value of community and support in the tree climbing industry. Takeaways Competition drives personal motivation and growth. Having clear goals helps in achieving success. Community support is crucial in competitive environments. Resilience is built through facing hardships. Training and preparation are key to performance. Mental challenges can impact competition outcomes. Learning from failures is essential for improvement. The importance of teamwork and collaboration in climbing. Tree climbing competitions enhance technical skills. Pursuing excellence requires dedication and effort. Takeaways Competition drives personal motivation and growth. Having clear goals helps in achieving success. Community support is crucial in competitive environments. Resilience is built through facing hardships. Training and preparation are key to performance. Mental challenges can impact competition outcomes. Learning from failures is essential for improvement. The importance of teamwork and collaboration in climbing. Tree climbing competitions enhance technical skills. Pursuing excellence requires dedication and effort. Takeaways Competition drives personal motivation and growth. Having clear goals helps in achieving success. Community support is crucial in competitive environments. Resilience is built through facing hardships. Training and preparation are key to performance. Mental challenges can impact competition outcomes. Learning from failures is essential for improvement. The importance of teamwork and collaboration in climbing. Tree climbing competitions enhance technical skills. Pursuing excellence requires dedication and effort. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Updates 08:58 Tree Climbing Competitions and Sponsorships 15:24 Personal Reflections on Competition Preparation 15:54 North American Tree Climbing Competition Overview 40:38 The Impact of Competition on Personal Growth 48:36 The Importance of Competition and Personal Growth 51:25 Experiences from the North American Climbing Event 54:42 Reflections on Performance and Mental State 57:29 Celebrating Achievements in the Climbing Community 01:02:29 Reflections on Recent Competitions 01:12:41 The Importance of Community and Support 01:22:43 Lessons Learned from Competition 01:32:40 The Bigger Picture Beyond Competitions 01:41:42 Chasing Goals and Motivation 01:44:40 Resilience and Personal Growth 01:47:44 Gratitude and Reflection 01:50:44 Leadership and Mentorship Sponsor Shoutout AtmosTree for the 2:1 TreeCycle Program Arbsession for the hookup for the listeners (make sure you listen to get the discount code) Courant Vertical Living for the sweet products Inman Fam for the love and support Music Followship for the intro and outro tunes Standing Still (Intro)Tiny Johnson Turnaround Jam (Outro)

This episode we welcome the smoothest operator I know, Mr. Bryan Brock! Known by a few names, (Brockoli, Dr. Brock, BryBro, BJ) his style is copied by many, but repeated by none. If you've not had the opportunity to watch him climb, try to find him at an event and you won't be disappointed. We chat through life on the farm and in the kitchen, his journey through trees and how we landed on the style of climbing that is uniquely his. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did. Bryan is one of my most favorite people in the world and stoked to have him on the pod. Listen up and learn from the master! Shout outs to: Courant Vertical Living for the sweet swag you make, especially the ropes that let us glide around so smoothly. @couranttreecare Atmos Tree for the TreeCycle Program where 2 trees get planted for every episode of The Smooth Saw. @atmostreeorg Arbsession for giving us access to awesome supplies and all the support for this competitive climbing thing we do! Make sure you use your coupon code (smoothsaw) for a discount at checkout. @arbsession Followship for the intro tunes and Zak Darling for the outro tunes. Inman fam for the support and the brief chaos in the episode that displays what life actually is. Love you all.

Solo episode for Ep 25! A few technical difficulties around the latest interview, but hey, that's what ya get with this one man band! This episode Jeff gets into the gear inspection process and some particulars around what the experience is like and what to expect when showing up for a gear inspection at an ISA TCC. This episode could (and probably should) be hours longer, but it was last minute topic to decide to touch on. Hopefully we can pick this up and loop in some head techs and judges in on the conversation to give some added perspective.  We're all some variation of a gear head. Some might gravitate towards heavy equipment and others towards micro carabiners, but what is universally the same is that the gear does not make the climber, but rather the climber makes the gear work.  Thanks and big shout out to: Atmos Tree for planting two trees for this episode! You can find them at @atmostreeorg on IG Courant Vertical Living for the rad equipment and the support. You can pick up their stuff wherever you buy your kit from. Inman fam...I love you dearly and thank you for your support.  Fllowship for the intro music. You can find them wherever you stream your music. Zak Darling for the outro music. You can find him on SoundCloud and jam out while training for hours!

What a special treat this episode is! We get to chat with the current Female World Champion, representing New Zeland winning the 2024 ISA ITCC in Savanna, GA...Stephanie Dryfhout!!  We chat about comp, work, mentors, covid times and some lessons to pass on. Thanks so much Stephanie for the time and coordination with being on different parts of the globe. She is a true professional and it was great to spend some time chatting with our current world champ!  If you like what this episode, please subscribe and share! Thanks to our sponsors: Courant Vertical Living (@couranttreecare) Atmos Tree (@atmostreeorg) Inman Fam! Shout outs to: Followship Band (Find them wherever you stream music) Zak Darling (Free downloads from SoundCloud)

And the climbers who advance to the Masters are... Some of my favorite words and also ones that make my heart rate rise faster than most. Well, here we are with the breakdown of the event. The rules, the scoring, the sheets and the vibes. We get a little philosophical at times, but it has been completed. We have now covered all of the ISA rule book and thank you for following along.  This episode is like the others in the rule book, reciting each section word for word out of the rule book. A little late night recording leads to some on air confusion that quickly gets worked through in the throwline scoring, but we got there in the end.  Thanks to our sponsors: Atmostree for the two trees that get planted for the release of this episode. Their 2:1 TreeCycle program is awesome and check them out for how to get involved.  Courant Vertical Living for making sweet products and even better vibes. Happy 200th birthday this year and honored to be a part of the Team! Followship and Zak Darling for the tunes. Followship starts us off and Zak Darling closes us out. You can find Followship on all the streaming sites and Zak Darling on SoundCloud.  Finally and most importantly, thank you to the Inman Fam. This epsiode in particular is an important reminder of how much I appreciate you and all of your support. Love y'all.

The last episode of 2024 and we're going out with a bang! Welcome to the Pod, Crazy Jimmy himself...Mr. James Prichard!  One of my dear buds in this industry and comp circuit. He's one heck of a human being and breaks my brain with how he's fit as a gladiator and still crushing at his ripe young self! I had a ton of fun hanging out with Jimmy and I hope that it shines through. We caught up on a rainy day and made the most of it.  I hope this year has been everything you've wanted and more and if not...get out there and grind for a better 2025. Thanks for the listen and the shares. The likes and the comments. Let's make 2025 rad! Thanks to our sponsors: Courant Vertical Living Atmos tree Inman Fam Much love to Followship and Zak Darling for the tunes. (Find them on Spotify and SoundCloud respectively)