#126 Natalia Grossman — 4x WC Season Winner [in a row!], Mindset As An Underdog vs Topdog, Climbing Your Best While Injured, and Knowing She’s ‘Ready’ For a Comp

The Testpiece Podcast

Natalia Grossman is one of the top female competitors of all time. She has won an astounding 11 World Cups and 4 World Cup seasons in a row! She also competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics for Team USA.

Even though Natalia won the WC season in 2024, it was a tough year for her. She suffered a serious injury during the semi finals in the first World Cup competition of the year. Somehow she pushed through it to win the competition, but afterwards it was clear that the injury was a major one. The worst part? This was just a few months before the Olympic Games.

Hear from Natalia about what it was like dealing with her injury through the Olympics as well as the entire season where she ultimately still pulled off multiple World Cup wins and won the all around title. Natalia also goes into the ups and downs of the pressures she has felt over her career. Both when she was the underdog and then the top dog.

Natalia also shares how she knows when she’s ready for a competition. And here’s a hint — it’s not when she sends a no-handed slab boulder!

SHOW NOTES:

• Natalias Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natalia_grossman/
• Natalias Board Climbing Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natalia_boardclimbs/
• Natalia and Brook Climbing in RMNP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-mvzn_QjAQ
• Kilter Climbs Natalia Mentioned:
  • Miami Vice Grips: https://www.instagram.com/p/ChYAAl1FlLI/
  • Death Touch: https://www.instagram.com/p/CaLdEd6JtMr/

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Kapitler

1. Intro (00:00:00)

2. ‘Overnight Success’ (00:05:18)

3. Pressure (00:25:55)

4. Her Serious Injury and The Olympics (00:41:03)

5. Board Climbing As WC Training (01:02:45)

6. Getting Better Each Season (01:10:45)

7. What Continues to Drive Her? (01:22:15)

8. How to go from Good to Great? (01:29:59)