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The Nugget Climbing Podcast

The Nugget Climbing Podcast

By: Steven Dimmitt
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Welcome to a podcast about performance climbing, self-improvement, and being a human being. 5M+ downloads. "One of the best long-form interview podcasts in the outdoor space." - Climbing Magazine2020 The Nugget Climbing, LLC Exercise & Fitness Fitness, Diet & Nutrition Hygiene & Healthy Living Personal Development Personal Success
Episodes
  • EP 302: Aaron Shamy — The Epic Comeback: Sending 5.14c After a 15-Year Hiatus
    Jun 29 2026

    Aaron Shamy has an inspiring story: he won the X Games in the ‘90s, took a 15-year hiatus from climbing, got out of shape, and then began a 6+ year comeback that culminated in sending the hardest route of his life. We talked about his early climbing and hiatus, the turning point, Project 127, living in the crescendo, balancing family life, his 33 days on Flight of the Conchords, the tactics that helped him send, and much more.

    Free Masterclass (Unlock Your Full Potential in Climbing) 👉 http://masterclass.thenuggetclimbing.com

    Climb Accelerator (Direct Link to Course) 👉 http://masterclass.thenuggetclimbing.com/climb-accelerator

    Show Notes:

    http://thenuggetclimbing.com/episodes/aaron-shamy

    Nuggets:

    (00:00:00) – Intro

    (00:01:43) – Aaron’s early climbing

    (00:06:56) – The X Games in the '90s

    (00:12:05) – 15-year hiatus

    (00:16:08) – The turning point

    (00:20:43) – Starting his comeback

    (00:22:33) – Milliseconds and millimeters

    (00:24:17) – The rule of thirds

    (00:27:23) – Project 127

    (00:41:00) – Living in the crescendo

    (00:44:12) – Balancing family life

    (00:50:24) – 33 days on Flight of the Conchords 5.14c (8c+)

    (00:57:32) – Why different routes require different strategies

    (01:01:48) – Mental strategies for reducing pressure

    (01:05:29) – Day 32 (the kneebar)

    (01:10:45) – Day 33 (the send)

    (01:14:11) – Playfulness & tactics

    (01:18:13) – Best climbing days

    (01:23:48) – Transformation

    (01:28:20) – Life of Villains 5.14d (9a)

    (01:32:29) – Supplements

    (01:34:29) – Who are you becoming?

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 42 mins
  • EP 301: Matt Samet — Escaping Benzo Addiction, Rifle in the Early ‘90s, and Embracing the Moonboard in His 40s
    Jun 8 2026

    Matt Samet is the former editor-in-chief of Climbing Magazine, a writer and author, and a sport-climbing pioneer. We talked about his decade-plus battle with benzo addiction, his advice for people who experience anxiety or depression, what Rifle was like in the early ‘90s, how Chris Sharma broke the paradigm, embracing training to send his hardest routes, his new role with the American Alpine Club, and the inaugural American Climbing Journal coming later this year. You can learn more at americanalpineclub.org

    Free Masterclass (Unlock Your Full Potential in Climbing) 👉 http://masterclass.thenuggetclimbing.com

    Climb Accelerator (Direct Link to Course) 👉 http://masterclass.thenuggetclimbing.com/climb-accelerator

    Show Notes:

    http://thenuggetclimbing.com/episodes/matt-samet

    Nuggets:

    (00:00:00) – Intro

    (00:02:27) – Teasing topics

    (00:05:34) – Panic attacks

    (00:10:19) – Benzo addiction

    (00:26:45) – Setback & self-care

    (00:36:32) – Matt’s biggest lesson

    (00:43:48) – Matt’s advice for anxiety & depression

    (00:48:36) – Rifle in the early '90s

    (01:08:07) – Sharma broke the paradigm

    (01:14:10) – Embracing the Moonboard

    (01:21:46) – Training results

    (01:30:24) – Matt’s climbing now

    (01:32:28) – Moonboard math

    (01:36:52) – An alternative to 4x4s

    (01:39:15) – Matt’s route projects

    (01:45:49) – Loving climbing more than ever

    (01:50:59) – The American Climbing Journal

    (02:04:59) – Adam Ondra appreciation riff

    (02:08:14) – Wrap up

    Show More Show Less
    2 hrs and 11 mins
  • EP 300: Jeff Patterson — What Climbers Can Learn from Martial Arts (and How 20 Minutes of Meditation Could Change Your Life)
    May 25 2026

    Jeff Patterson is a martial arts instructor with black belt equivalency in 6x different martial arts, including Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and Tai Chi. We talked about how practicing the meditative arts helped his boxing, how 20 minutes of meditation per day for 1 year can permanently change your life, breathing tips for climbers, how to regulate your nervous system, and much more. You can learn more about Jeff at theyieldingwarrior.com

    Free Masterclass (Unlock Your Full Potential in Climbing) 👉 http://masterclass.thenuggetclimbing.com

    Climb Accelerator (Direct Link to Course) 👉 http://masterclass.thenuggetclimbing.com/climb-accelerator

    Show Notes:

    http://thenuggetclimbing.com/episodes/jeff-patterson

    Nuggets:

    (00:00:00) – Intro

    (00:01:30) – Jeff’s background in martial arts

    (00:04:26) – How Tai Chi helped his boxing

    (00:13:37) – The Meditative Arts

    (00:16:55) – What climbers can learn from martial arts

    (00:20:31) – 20 minutes per day for 1 year

    (00:23:58) – 3 considerations

    (00:33:35) – Nervous system regulation

    (00:45:01) – Tangible tips

    (00:51:06) – Make the commitment

    (00:52:56) – Comparing martial arts

    (00:55:33) – Letting go of the mask

    (00:58:35) – Where to find Jeff

    (00:59:20) – Final advice

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 1 min
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