by Mary Holzapfel-Sek
Hi, I’m Mary. I’m 39 years old and I started climbing in April of 2024. Like many people, my introduction to climbing was unexpected, but it quickly became something I couldn’t imagine my life without.
My climbing journey began during a time of transition. I had been going to a local gym in Sonoma that I absolutely loved. The community there was strong, supportive, and energizing. But after some management changes, my husband and I no longer felt aligned with the direction the gym was taking, and we eventually canceled our membership along with many of the other members. The hardest part was losing that sense of community. Suddenly, the place where I felt most connected was gone.
We spent the next year gym-hopping, trying to recapture that spark. We tried other local spots, but nothing quite clicked. The energy wasn’t right, and I struggled to stay motivated. I’ve always loved working out, lifting weights, doing HIIT, moving with purpose, but without that shared momentum, it started to feel like a chore. One weekend, feeling a little aimless, I remembered hearing about a climbing gym in Santa Rosa called Session. I’d been curious about it for a while and finally convinced my husband and a couple friends to go check it out with me. We booked a session with a staff member to help us get started, and the moment we walked through the doors, I felt something shift. The energy was electric, the space felt alive, and I immediately thought, “This is what we’ve been looking for.”
That same night, we signed up for memberships. We started going three to four times a week, and climbing quickly became a central part of our routine. I loved how intuitive and challenging it was, it was a full-body workout that also engaged my brain in ways that other forms of exercise never did – I was hooked. Looking back, I think climbing had always been circling around me. I tried it once as a kid with friends and loved it but never pursued it further. In college, many of my friends climbed at a gym in San Francisco, and I always wanted to join them, but school and work took priority. I was athletic, but not in the traditional sense. I was a shy, introverted kid who didn’t do team sports. But I found my stride in individual pursuits, snowboarding, mountain biking, dirt biking, anything where I could push myself at my own pace.
Climbing fit perfectly into that rhythm. It gave me the space to focus inward while still inviting connection and collaboration. And over time, I started wanting more. I signed up for the Learn to Lead class, got lead certified, and recently completed the anchors course. I’m still learning and growing, but I love the process, and I love watching more experienced climbers problem-solve. Their creativity helps expand my own thinking and technique. Up to this point, I’d mostly climbed with my husband, who’s been an incredible partner and motivator. But I realized that if I wanted to really improve, I needed to branch out, to climb with different people, learn new styles, and step outside my comfort zone. That’s when I saw the flyer for the Women’s Lead Club. I spotted it on the bathroom bulletin board at Session and, on a whim, reached out to Alé to sign up.
Joining the club has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey so far. It’s given me the chance to meet other women, build new friendships, and reconnect with the sense of community I’d been missing. Now, when I walk into the gym, I see familiar faces. It doesn’t feel intimidating, it feels like home again. Climbing has taught me that growth is not always linear. I’ve had setbacks, a pulley injury, a dip in strength after pausing weightlifting, and the ever-present challenge of juggling life’s responsibilities. I run my own design business, starting a new wine brand with my husband, and we recently cared for an aging dog who needed round-the-clock attention. Staying consistent has been hard, but climbing remains a grounding force.
I’ve learned that mental strength is just as important as physical. I’m a natural overthinker, which definitely shows up on the wall. But I’ve also learned to channel that tendency into preparation and safety. I’m committed to becoming as knowledgeable as I can about gear, anchors, rescue techniques, so I can feel confident and safe, especially as I begin to climb outdoors. This fall, I’m planning a trip to Yosemite. I’ll be hiring a guide to help me explore the area and start learning the ropes, literally. I want to be the kind of climber who doesn’t just follow but understands. I want to lead with confidence and climb with purpose.
It’s still early days for me, I’m climbing 11’s now and aiming for my first clean 12, but I’ve found something that truly excites me. Climbing has reignited my love of movement, my drive for growth, and, most importantly, my belief in community.
To any women reading this who are new to climbing or thinking about joining: say yes. Sign up. Ask questions. Take the class. Make the climb. You might just find what you didn’t even know you were looking for.
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