By: Maura Matthews
Four years ago, my life changed drastically when I lost my horse unexpectedly. A lifestyle that was all-consuming suddenly felt quite empty. 8 months later I started climbing, propelling my lifestyle down a path I never expected and now can’t imagine a life led any other way.
My husband, Brian, had done some climbing previously and always showed interest in getting back into it. During my horse era I didn’t want to take on another hobby, but with all my new free time I decided to give it a try. We signed up for a class at our local gym, Diablo Rock, and I was hooked instantly. I bought all the gear I needed the next day to dive into my new hobby. We started climbing two to three times a week, and soon I was finding new partners at the gym so I could climb even more. I loved the feeling of strength and confidence in my body, and I was inspired by being in a space where age didn’t seem to matter- toddlers to people much older than me were doing hard things.
Climbing inspired me to start looking at my health more closely. I loved the feeling of progressing at the gym and soon realized that if I started strength training and cut back on alcohol, I felt stronger and mentally clearer- not only in climbing, but in all areas of my life.
We had been climbing in the gym for about a year without any real interest in progressing to climbing outside. During a visit to Yosemite, we hired a guide through the Yosemite Mountaineer School, and what do you know- I loved climbing outside too! It was a whole different challenge, full of adrenaline and thrill! That experience set us in motion to explore this side of climbing over the next year by taking safety classes and hiring guides to take us out in the places we already loved to hike and camp in. Climbing in these areas let us embed ourselves even deeper into outdoors in a way that felt intimate and exciting. I continued to fall in love with the community and was in awe of the climbing lifestyle. I’d always been a bit of a dirtbag- choosing to camp in the back of my truck with my dogs while traveling around the West. Had I finally found my people?!
Up until this point I’d only climbed with Brian and with male climbing guides outside, so when I saw that Lovers Leap Guides was hosting a women’s climbing weekend, I hesitantly signed up. I wasn’t feeling confident in my technical skills outdoors, and I was definitely nervous. Little did I know what climbing with women would feel like. Everyone was so supportive of each other. We cheered for every accomplishment, big and small, and my nerves faded in the presence of other women. It was during this weekend that I also learned about the Women’s Lead Club from a few of the women there. A new community where I could learn about climbing events- perfect!
I joined the WLC WhatsApp community when I got home and started attending more climbing days with the group. To say I was inspired by these women is an understatement. Hearing about their goals and the incredible adventures they were pursuing lit an even bigger fire in me to get outside, actually learn how to take control of my climbing, and stop relying on others for safety. I wanted to be able to check other people’s systems and set them up myself. And so, I learned!
The technical side of climbing outside felt overwhelming at first. Did I want to top rope, climb sport, or figure out what trad was all about? I soon learned that, like most things in life, you don’t have to master everything at once- staying safe in climbing is a lifelong pursuit. But I enjoyed it all and before long I was setting top ropes for friends outside and leading both sport and trad routes. Nothing was going to stop me from getting out and climbing now!
Over the years though, a persistent shoulder injury (not from climbing) kept flaring up, so I dove even deeper into PT, mobility and strength training. I also stopped drinking alcohol altogether, a near‑daily habit I never imagined I’d quit so easily. Strength training has been a game changer. I built muscle to support my lifestyle and no longer deal with nagging pain. Here I am in my forties, feeling stronger and healthier than ever, and I attribute so much of that to climbing. I want to be one of those “older” people at the gym who are absolutely crushing it, or out in the mountains completing big days and doing what I love for as long as possible.
Climbing has become so much more than a sport for me. It’s a lifestyle that I plan social outings and travels around. It’s the reason I’m stronger, healthier, and more grounded in my forties than I’ve ever been. It’s surrounded me with people who lift me up and challenge me in all the best ways. I’m especially grateful for the Women’s Lead Club, because I know I can call on this group for advice, encouragement, or a partner to adventure with at any time!
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