BC caught up with 23 year old rock climbing phenom, Sasha DiGiulian, for the February edition of our Red Bull “Extreme Athlete of the Month” series.
You started climbing as a young kid, like 7 years old. Who does that? What got you into the sport?
Technically 6… My brother’s birthday party at a local climbing gym!
You’ve already won a world and a US climbing championship. What other climbing goals do you have?
Climbing first ascents around the world, developing the sport, and climbing 5.15, which has never been done by a woman before.
What’s your favorite part about climbing?
The feeling at the top: unparalleled personal satisfaction.
Have you ever come close to falling while free soloing? How do you handle that, mentally?
I don’t typically free solo because for me, it seems to be an irrational gamble with fate. I can control myself but I can’t control nature. Rocks break. I respect people who choose to do this, but it isn’t for me. I have had to solo at the top of the Tre Cime in the Dolomites, though. In moments like that, it’s important to be present in the moment. Don’t think about failure. Think about moving, with control.
What are your hands and feet like after years of climbing? Are they huge and rough?
Not sexy. Ha! My finger print touch to unlock my iPhone doesn’t work for me… And my feet are comparable to ballerina feet.
What do you do for fun?
Other sports. I love being outside: skiing, hiking, swimming, and water sports in particular!
You’re a student at Columbia. Compared to climbing, classes have to be pretty boring, right?
Haha. Sometimes. I’m not going to school for a job which makes it a neat experience. I have a job and it is the best job for me in the world. Instead, I’m in school to learn. When I’m learning new stuff, it’s not boring. When I’m not interested, yeah… I’m on Instagram passing time…!
What bands are at the top of your iPod playlists right now?
I love hip hop, country, rock, 90’s music and pop in general. Basically, most music. Shamelessly, I am a TSwift fan. And, I love Rihanna, Green Day, and Uncle Kracker to name a few.
What’s your biggest weakness or temptation — candy, burgers, beer, what?
Cookies. Any cookie put in front of me. I will eat it and be thankful for whomever baked it. Hint.
David Lama shared with us that male climbers don’t really have any groupies. Do you?
No. I do get a lot of marriage proposals I guess.
Red Bull – with or without vodka?
Without. I don’t do vodka while on the rocks…. Haha.
Fans of Sasha (follow on Instagram | Twitter: @sashadigiulian) can catch up with her in Atlanta at Rock and Rave on Saturday, March 7.
BC ATHLETE OF THE MONTH: SASHA DIGIULIAN
