EP 32 Mercedes Pollmeier
Modus Athletica

01:25:31

Mercedes is a seasoned climbing coach and founder of Modus Athletica. She has a Master’s Degree in Human Movement and Sports Conditioning and holds certifications in NSCA strength and conditioning, Precision Nutrition, and GMB training. She is also a former semi-pro tennis player and competition climber.

Her approach to coaching is grounded in experience and fueled by a commitment to fostering a vibrant community culture within Modus Athletica. She believes that climbing is more than just a physical challenge; it’s an enriching journey that reveals our true potential, thus she offers a holistic approach to climbing training that prioritizes longevity, health, and personal growth.

Show Notes:

Mercedes’s Links:

Episode Intro:

Dear listeners of the Female Guides Requested Podcast. Happy Wednesday and welcome to another fantastic episode. I’m your host Ting Ting from Las Vegas and today’s guest is Mercedes Pollmeier. I got in contact with her because we’re both connected to the organization Climbers of Color. She offers classes to teach people on how to boulder outside safely and also helps them with their performance goals.

Mercedes is a seasoned climbing coach and founder of Modus Athletica. She has a Master’s Degree in Human Movement and Sports Conditioning and holds certifications in NSCA strength and conditioning, Precision Nutrition, and GMB training. She is also a former semi-pro tennis player and competition climber.

Her approach to coaching is grounded in experience and fueled by a commitment to fostering a vibrant community culture within Modus Athletica. She believes that climbing is more than just a physical challenge; it’s an enriching journey that reveals our true potential, thus she offers a holistic approach to climbing training that prioritizes longevity, health, and personal growth.

I had so much fun interviewing Mercedes. I got to ask many questions about guiding bouldering and explored many aspects on learning and teaching movements. I even got to ask some self-serving questions about how to train when my guiding schedule gets crazily packed. Mercedes really cares about what she does and invests deeply in things she is passionate about. If you are a climber who is looking to enhance your performance while nurturing your well-being, check out Modus Athletica. Now please enjoy this episode with Mercedes!

Things We Talked about:

  • What is like guiding bouldering outside?
  • Mercedes Bouldering I & II curricula – safety, warm-ups, climbing, ethics, resting, project tactics, video reviews
  • Coaching movements online?
  • Some common issues – foot precision, extension, rotate, dynamic movements
  • Being intentional is important
  • Give people a path to self correct
  • Big categories such as do they trust their positions? Their mindsets
  • How to manage frustration
  • Bridge inside climbing and outside climbing
  • Rethink grading
  • Movement is movement, think about global movements
  • Learn a variety of movements help problem solving outside
  • At the end of the day, ask “do you like to climb?”
  • Outside climbing tends to be more static and controlled since the risk is higher
  • What do outside and inside climbing share in common?
  • How to train if you have a physically demanding job?
  • Energy management
  • Regression often means not recovered fully
  • Short burst of hard climbing is easier to recover from
  • A tennis player’s life
  • The differences between tennis community and climbing community
  • How does Mercedes see progression in climbing?
  • Climbing was a choice
  • Why does Mercedes ask “how are you feeling?” and what does this question accomplish?
  • Ask questions, ask questions, and guide the clients through self-discovery and trouble shooting
  • It’s not about how hard you climb, it’s about asking the right questions and have empathy
  • The age old debate techniques versus strength?