What stories have been left out of climbing history?

In this episode, I sit down with Joanna Croston, director of the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival and author of a new book exploring the lives of pioneering women climbers.

We dive into the process of researching and writing these stories, uncovering the overlooked achievements of early female climbers, and the challenges of documenting a history that hasn’t always been fully told.

Joanna shares insights into the balance between well-known figures and lesser-known voices, the role of imagery and storytelling in shaping legacy, and how social media is influencing the way climbing stories are shared today.

This conversation explores themes of recognition, mentorship, access, and the evolution of climbing culture, highlighting the resilience and maverick spirit of women who pushed boundaries long before they were widely acknowledged.

It’s a thoughtful discussion about storytelling, legacy, and why the stories we choose to tell matter more than ever.

Follow Joanna:

Instagram - @2steep

Purchase the book - https://www.amazon.ca/Mountaineering-Women-Climbing-Through-History/dp/050002717X#:~:text=Mountaineering%20Women%20seeks%20to%20readdress,black%2Dand%2Dwhite%20photographs.

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Contact Me: www.plantoendure.com

Instagram: @plan.to.endure

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when you lean into the things that make you different?

In this episode, I sit down with Bren Piper, a Canmore local who has represented Canada in international dry tooling competitions.

We explore the unusual world of dry tooling, a niche discipline of climbing that uses ice tools on steep rock and artificial structures, and what it takes to compete on the world stage.

But this conversation goes far beyond competition.

Bren shares how exploring unconventional hobbies, from competitive climbing to juggling fire, has shaped his approach to fear, performance anxiety, and personal growth. We talk about the mental side of competition, training for fear of falling, the pride of representing your country, and why pursuing niche passions can build confidence in unexpected ways.

It’s a thoughtful conversation about curiosity, community, and why trying things outside the mainstream might be one of the most powerful ways to grow.

Follow Bren:

Instagram - @bren_piper

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Contact Me: www.plantoendure.com

Instagram: @plan.to.endure

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when the life you’ve built changes in an instant?

In this episode, I sit down with Mark Herbison, an ACMG mountain guide whose life shifted dramatically after a paragliding incident led to the amputation of his lower left leg.

Mark shares the story of the day everything changed, and the long road that followed. We talk about recovery, pain management, body image, and the emotional process of redefining identity after a life altering injury.

But this conversation goes deeper than resilience.

We explore how the experience reshaped Mark’s perspective on risk, ambition, and what it means to live a meaningful life. From philosophical reflections to the role of family, gratitude, and public speaking in his journey, Mark shares how adversity can become a catalyst for clarity.

This is a powerful conversation about perspective, identity, and learning to rebuild a life when the ground beneath you shifts.

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The Parable of the Chinese Farmer

Once upon a time there was a Chinese farmer whose horse ran away. That evening, all of his neighbors came around to commiserate. They said, “We are so sorry to hear your horse has run away. This is most unfortunate.” The farmer said, “Maybe.” The next day the horse came back bringing seven wild horses with it, and in the evening everybody came back and said, “Oh, isn’t that lucky. What a great turn of events. You now have eight horses!” The farmer again said, “Maybe.”

The following day his son tried to break one of the horses, and while riding it, he was thrown and broke his leg. The neighbors then said, “Oh dear, that’s too bad,” and the farmer responded, “Maybe.” The next day the conscription officers came around to conscript people into the army, and they rejected his son because he had a broken leg. Again all the neighbors came around and said, “Isn’t that great!” Again, he said, “Maybe.”

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Follow Mark:

Instagram - @markherbison

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Contact Me: www.plantoendure.com

Instagram: @plan.to.endure

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.