Hazel Findlay isn’t just a world-class climber — she’s someone who’s learned to navigate fear both on and off the wall. In this episode, Hazel opens up about what it really takes to free climb El Capitan, how imposter syndrome shows up even at the top of your game, and why starting her mindset coaching business was the biggest dare of all.

We go deep on performance psychology, parenting pressures, how to stop letting fear run the show, and why personal growth isn’t always about pushing harder — sometimes it’s about paying attention.

Key Takeaways:

• You can be elite at something and still wrestle with self-doubt. That’s not weakness — it’s being human.
• Starting over (or starting something new) will likely trigger more fear than staying in your lane — but that fear is data, not a stop sign.
• Flow state isn’t magic — it’s built by working at the edge of your comfort zone, not beyond it.
• Mindset isn’t just for sport — it impacts everything from grief to parenting to public speaking.
• Most people ignore what their body is telling them. Learning to listen is the first step in managing fear.
• Kids need space to grow their own resilience — not pressure to perform or be fearless.

Timestamp Highlights:

0:12 – Hazel's real "dare": starting her business, not climbing mountains

1:57 – Growing up in a climbing family and why she never saw it as daring

3:26 – What it means to be a professional climber outside of competition

4:45 – Free climbing vs. free soloing — clearing up the biggest myth

7:34 – Why El Capitan was a personal turning point, and what nearly held her back

12:12 – The mental load of climbing: imposter syndrome, fear, and pressure

13:00 – Realizing mindset was trainable, not just “nice to have”

19:49 – The transformation Hazel sees in clients ready to give up climbing

22:50 – How Hazel’s mental training helped with grief, business, and speaking

24:48 – Why pushing through fear can backfire — and how to do it smarter

30:04 – The red flags your body throws when you're not coping

35:05 – Michelle’s vulnerable moment on parenting and performance pressure

38:00 – Helping kids develop confidence without pushing or bribing

43:05 – Risk, intuition, and navigating parenthood in a fear-obsessed culture

46:11 – The fear behind launching Strong Mind and stepping into a new identity

49:42 – Mindset work in high-pressure environments (and why it’s never “done”)

53:36 – Staying connected to your craft while helping others rise

55:23 – Mental health in construction and other high-stakes male-dominated industries

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