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Ep. 63 - How Speed Climbers Use Visualization to Win with Ben Jennings
Episode Description
The advice you hear about winning is missing the part that actually matters: how to stay relentless without losing your joy. Speed climber Ben Jennings breaks down the mindset, routines, and identity shifts that help him compete at the top level while staying grounded, curious, and human.Ben is currently ranked fifth in the U.S., representing Team USA on the international stage, but this conversation goes far beyond medals and rankings. He opens up about what it really means to race your best friends, why speed climbing has such a rare culture of respect, and how a sport that looks individual is actually built on community, trust, and shared growth. You’ll discover:
- Why Ben says climbing is 95% of what he does, but not 95% of who he is
- The visualization routine he uses every day to mentally rehearse competition and technique
- How he studies video of every lap to make micro-adjustments without overthinking
- Why he keeps one earbud in at warmups instead of shutting the world out
- The boundaries he protects around sleep, training, school, and social life
- How he reframes nerves, failure, and self-talk so setbacks become data, not identity
Mariel also brings the athlete-to-coach perspective, connecting Ben’s approach to performance mindset, emotional regulation, and the power of language like “I am” versus “I feel.” Their conversation digs into the realities of elite sport: loneliness, pressure, discipline, and the invisible choices that shape success long before competition day arrives. If you’ve ever struggled with confidence, comparison, or the pressure to be perfect, Ben’s perspective will help you reset your focus and get back to what actually moves you forward.
About Ben
Ben Jennings is a professional speed climber for Team USA. Climbing since he was 12 years old, Ben is a 3 time national champion, once on the youth, collegiate, and professional stage. He is also a full time student at the University of Utah, studying psychology and planning to pursue a masters in secondary English education so that he can become a teacher. He has a background in coaching, and has worked with athletes that have become successful in both the youth and professional stages. He loves working with kids not only to develop them as athletes, but more importantly to help make them the best people they can be.
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