How It Began
Founder's Story
I'M ANYSSA.
I found climbing, (or rather climbing found me) about 15 years ago when everything around me seemed to be falling apart. During difficult times through my separation and divorce years ago, it helped me feel strong, independent, confident and capable in a time of my life where I desperately needed it.
Climbing was my stability and it reminded me that anything is possible. The connection to nature and the outdoors was a constant reminder that life is a cycle of growth, loss and rebirth. My love for climbing and the outdoors will always be my savior.
This love inspired me to become a climbing guide, helping to support and empower women in their rock climbing journey. That alone has been exciting and uplifting as I get to watch women get confident and learn ways that they can manage their fears. and refuge.
Then in April 2022 I randomly felt a lump. I just knew things were about to change. (and this was a few months after getting a clean mammogram!)
I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a lumpectomy, radiation and hormone therapy.
The hardest part was the lack of connection I felt with my body. There were so many days that I probably looked ok from the outside, but my soul was lost. My body was hijacked and I struggled. And I didn’t see it coming.
My cancer loves estrogen, so to prevent reoccurrence I take injections & daily medication to completely eliminate estrogen from my body. It’s like menopause on steroids. Radically & abruptly. My body went from hero to zero overnight.
I was angry, short tempered, anxious and depressed. I didn’t recognize myself. And I didn’t like what I saw. It’s hard to witness your behaviors and thoughts and not know what the hell is going on.
I felt like I was losing this battle, and when anyone looked at me with kindness, empathy and understanding, I felt so relieved and seen that I cried. Because the exterior version doesn’t always match the internal turmoil. The outward facing persona becomes a mask in an attempt to stay loved and accepted.
And I missed my joyful self.
I missed laughing and feeling light.
And once again, climbing was there to help me feel strong and capable again. Every touch of the rock gave me a glimmer of hope that things were going to be ok.
From that day I felt the lump, I knew there was a deeper purpose here. I knew somehow that this had to be a gift for me. I understand the healing power of climbing and am called to share it.
This experience is a gift that I can share with other women, to help them know it’s going to be ok. To show them that it’s ok to feel disconnected and confused and still find our true, genuine selves at the end.
And so that lump I felt was actually the seed for this vision.
Thank you for your support. It means so much to me.
