In this episode of The Ronin Mindset, I sit down with Darryl Chicoine, who escaped the matrix eight years ago and never looked back. Darryl shares his journey of building a business from his boat using just a laptop and phone. He believes the key to living a life of complete freedom is simple: new information and a new vehicle to get to your destin…

In this episode, we dive into the inspiring journey of Jessica Seiders, a master certified life coach who transformed her life after facing empty nest syndrome. Jessica shares how she sold her belongings, left her job, and embarked on a two-year global adventure that helped her discover a new purpose. Along the way, she launched "Strong Mom to Fear…

On Episode 293 of the Enormocast, I connect with paraclimber Jim Ewing. Jim grew up climbing in the storied days of 1980s North Conway in New Hampshire. In his formative climbing years, Ewing rubbed elbows with the likes of Randy Radcliff, Alison Osius, and Hugh Herr. He didn’t know it while eeking out a dirtbag … Continue reading "Enormocast 293: …

On Episode 292 of the Enormocast, I sit down in a hotel in Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh) during the Arc’teryx Academy with Olympian Hamish McArthur and British competition climber Holly Toothill. I arrived in Squamish with Hamish booked and asked Holly to join at the last minute as a friend, teammate, and observer of Hamish’s performance in … Continue re…

On Episode 290 of the Enormocast, I sit down in a cool, dark hotel room on a bright and HOT day in Lander, WY with bigwall climber, Hayden Jamieson. Hayden and I both slumped into our chairs after escaping the 100 degree day outside and tried to gather ourselves for the interview, and that’s when … Continue reading "Enormocast 290: Hayden Jamieson …

On Episode 289 of the Enormocast, I connect to Nashville, TN to talk to climber and musician Smith Curry. Smith is one of the busiest session players in Music City on dobro and pedal steel. He also happens to be a veteran climber with big walls, first ascents, and alpine gnar under his harness-belt. Smith … Continue reading "Enormocast 289: Smith C…

On Episode 288 of the Enormocast, I reunite with Don McGrath, the author of the book Vertical Mind. Don appeared nearly a decade ago on the podcast, and his book on the mindset of climbing has never left the conversion. Don has spent the last 10 years learning even more about overcoming the hurdles our … Continue reading "Enormocast 288: Don McGrat…

On Episode 287 of the Enormocast, I connect with Paraclimbing champion, Mo Beck. Mo was born with one hand, and her parents were determined to make sure she was ready for challenges of life like any other kid. When Mo ran into a camp counselor that told her that she didn’t HAVE TO climb if … Continue reading "Enormocast 287: Mo Beck – A Certain Ver…

On Episode 287 of the Enormocast, I connect through to America’s hat with Swiss crack-master, Didier Berthod. You might have heard about Didier from his recent send of Cobra Crack. The media mentions Didier disappearing from climbing for 10 years, returning to slay the Cobra, yada, yada, but that Didier’s completion of the Cobra has … Continue read…

In the early 2000s, Didier Berthod was the best crack climber in the world, then he dropped out of climbing and essentially disappeared from the world. When we left Didier Berthod in Facing the World Part 1, he had emerged from monastic life, contacted the daughter he had never seen, and returned to climbing. In … Continue reading "Enormocast Tween…

On Episode 285 of the Enormocast, after long last, I connect with Belgian rock-climber and alpinist, Nico Favresse. Nico is certainly a contender for the most experienced expedition rock-climber of all time. Perhaps only rivalled by his ubiquitous partner, Sean Villanueva-O’Driscoll? Nevertheless, Nico is an all-arounder who has tackled the biggest…

Join us on this groundbreaking episode of 'The Ronin Mindset' as host Steve Didier sits down with the remarkable Sean Barnes, a visionary who has masterfully transitioned from a successful two-decade career in the oil and gas industry to the entrepreneurial world with his consulting venture, WSS Solutions. Dive deep into an enriching conversation t…

On Episode 284 of the Enormocast, we connect across the pond to North Wales in the U.K. and into the living room of Emma Twyford. Emma is a pioneering woman in that rarified air of hard, desperate trad that only the old country can serve up. She is the first British woman to climb 9a … Continue reading "Enormocast 284: Emma Twyford – Getting on Wit…

On Episode 283 of the Enormocast, I sit down in a hotel in Munising, Michigan at the Michigan Icefest with Alaska-based alpinist, Clint Helander. What with the Chris Kalous Dance Party and the last call nightcap(s) at a bar literally called Whisky Dick’s, it had been a long night and an early morning for both … Continue reading "Enormocast 283: Cli…

In this riveting episode of The Ronin Mindset, we delve deep into the heart of resilience, purpose, and the authentic path to masculinity with the remarkable AJ Adams. A marketing maven known for catapulting companies into the echelons of 8-figure revenues, AJ's journey from the financial hardships on the shores of Guam to the pinnacle of entrepren…

Embark on a transformative journey with "The Ronin Mindset" podcast as we delve deep into the powerful narrative of Brayand Ponciano, also known as BP. From the rough edges of adversity, surrounded by gangs, drugs, and violence, to the pinnacle of self-made success, BP's story is not just a tale of triumph but a testament to the indomitable human s…

On Episode 282 of the Enormocast, I sit down with US Olympic qualifier, Natalia Grossman. That’s right, Natalia is headed to Paris to represent the US in Lead and Boulder combined (speed is separate this time around). But this moment was caught during a bit of down time for Natalia as she ramps up for … Continue reading "Enormocast 282: Natalia Gro…

Welcome to a special episode of "The Ronin Mindset," where I embark on a remarkable journey through the realms of podcasting, personal growth, and the unexpected wonders of the world. In this episode, I am thrilled to have Mo Naboulsi, the mastermind behind the inspiring podcast "Habits of the Few," as my esteemed guest. The Ronin world runs on caf…

On this in-between episode of the Enormocast, Harvey Wright from Episode 222 returns to discuss his ongoing treatment and recovery for addiction. But more importantly, Harvey is here to talk about his new album, Patio Pacifica, written almost entirely while in a Vancouver treatment facility. Also, we talk about the rough and dirty years since … Con…

In this transformational episode of my podcast, I am honored to welcome Suzanne Dwyer, a beacon of light in the realm of business development coaching. Suzanne's journey is one of profound resilience and enlightenment, evolving from humble beginnings to establishing a thriving coaching empire. Her mission transcends the conventional boundaries of s…

In this captivating episode of The Ronin Mindset, we journey into the extraordinary lives of Alise and Gregg Saunders, a couple who dared to step beyond the conventional boundaries of society to embrace the boundless freedom of digital nomadism. Having shed the shackles of their corporate existence and the monotony of daily routine, they embarked o…

Welcome to another transformative episode of "The Ronin Mindset," where we explore the confluence of purpose, passion, and entrepreneurial spirit. In this compelling session, we sit down with Michelle Vandepas, a beacon of inspiration and a guiding light for those seeking to carve out a path of authentic success. Nestled in the serene mountains of …

Innovate, Outsource, Conquer: The Karla Singson Way - In this enlightening episode of "The Ronin Mindset," we dive deep into the entrepreneurial journey of Karla Singson, a visionary business leader from the Philippines. With an unwavering entrepreneurial spirit that sparked at a young age, Karla's story is a testament to the power of perseverance,…

On Episode 281 of the Enormocast, Jon Hawk and Tye Liggins from Memphis Rox join to discuss the mission of the famous pay-what-you-can gym, Memphis Rox, in the inner-city of Memphis, TN. Jon is director of operations, and Tye went from walk-in to head coach and course-setter. Memphis Rox, founded by Tom Shadyac in 2018, … Continue reading "Enormoca…

In this profoundly inspiring episode of "The Ronin Mindset," we are honored to host Stephanie Pierucci, a testament to the indomitable human spirit. Stephanie, a single mother, author, activist, and the visionary behind Pierucci Publishing - a burgeoning media and publishing empire, shares her riveting journey from the brink of despair to the pinna…

In this deeply moving episode of The Ronin Mindset, I sit down with the exceptionally talented and resilient Linda Schwartz, whose journey from a challenging childhood to comedic stardom is nothing short of inspirational. Born to Laotian immigrants in Savannah, Georgia, Linda's early life was marked by financial hardship and familial dysfunction, l…

In this inspiring episode of The Ronin Mindset, we journey through the life-changing narrative of Sara Vafa, a visionary photographer who transformed her life and career under the sun-drenched skies of Los Cabos, Mexico. Raised in the cloud-cloaked environs of Vancouver, Canada, Sara initially pursued a path in graphic design, only to find herself …

On Episode 280 of the Enormocast we present the 2024 Taps edition of the Enormocast. This is the annual episode where we lay to rest traditions, foibles, and notions in climbing that are either sadly going to sleep never to reawaken, or should be put to bed for good. The Enormocast is joined by our … Continue reading "Enormocast 280: Taps 2024 – Th…

In this compelling episode of the Ronin Mindset, we delve into the extraordinary journey of Mai Vu, a formidable female entrepreneur who shattered glass ceilings in the construction industry with her Phoenix-based company, Elevated Emergency Restoration (Elevated ER), launched in 2019. Mai's story is not just about starting a business; it's a vivid…

In this empowering episode of The Ronin Mindset, we delve into the transformative world of credit repair with the renowned Ricardo Soto, a titan in the industry with an influential social media presence boasting over half a million followers, including a staggering 400,000+ on TikTok alone. Ricardo's journey is nothing short of inspirational; from …

On episode 279 of the Enormocast, we have an allt-ime double-header. First, David Smart joins from Toronto to talk about his life as a climber and his new book from The Mountaineers, Royal Robbins: The American Climber. Royal Robbins was one of the most influential climbers of all time, and David’s book is the most … Continue reading "Enormocast 27…

On Episode 278 of the Enormocast, I connect with Thomas Bukowski from my home to his van sitting in Yosemite. Thomas had just completed three El Cap routes in three days, and was recovering. His next adventures in Patagonia were just on the horizon. Thomas is an American citizen, but is also half Chinese and … Continue reading "Enormocast 278: Thom…

As we stare down into the howling void of Government regulation of our dear sport, let us give thanks and a listen to Armando Menocal from 2015. Armando has made it his life’s work to keep the simpering bureaucrats in Washington and elsewhere at bay. But lately, they have reared their heads in an attempt … Continue reading "Enormocast Rebroadcast: …

Welcome to a new episode of "The Ronin Mindset," where we dive into the extraordinary story of Dana Jackson, a young and dynamic entrepreneur who is redefining the essence of luxury travel and entrepreneurial freedom. In this episode, titled "Embracing Freedom: Dana Jackson's Journey in Luxury Travel Entrepreneurship," Dana shares her journey of cr…

On Episode 277 of the Enormocast, we connect with the inimitable Kurt Smith. Kurt grew up in the 70s in Tahoe and through friendships with local climbers like Rick Lovelace and encounters with Yosemite Climber, Kurt found himself in Joshua Tree amongst the Stonemasters in the early 80s. Soon, Kurt and his crew were making … Continue reading "Enormo…

Welcome to a riveting episode of The Ronin Mindset, titled "Grit to Greatness - Building Success in Life and Business with Stacy Sutter." In this episode, we delve into the life of Stacy Sutter, a remarkable individual whose journey is a testament to the power of resilience, determination, and a forward-thinking mindset in achieving success. Stacy'…

When we left the boys in the last Episode, they had just summited the Trango Tower via the 2nd ascent of Cowboy Direct. In this installment, the summit emotions and revelations come fast and furious as well as the realization that hits every alpinist on the summit: “Oh, shit, we still gotta get off this … Continue reading "Enormocast Tweener: A Can…

On Episode 276 of the Enormocast, three guys dreamed big and got it done. Climbers Jordan Cannon and Jesse Huey hitched their wagons to Matt Segal‘s long standing dream of free climbing the second ascent of Todd Skinner et al’s master piece, Cowboy Direct, on Trango Tower in Pakistan (AKA Nameless Tower). What ensued was … Continue reading "Enormoc…

In this stirring episode of "The Ronin Mindset," titled "Turning Setbacks into Comebacks - A Tale of Tenacity and Success," we are joined by the awe-inspiring Susan Bachelder. A testament to the indomitable human spirit, Susan's journey from adversity to triumph is nothing short of remarkable. Once a dedicated nurse and a loving single mother of tw…

Welcome to a new episode of "The Ronin Mindset," titled "Living With Purpose, On Purpose," where we delve into the inspiring story of Andreea (A.G.) Billing, a Romanian immigrant who turned her American dream into a triumphant reality. In this episode, we explore A.G. Billing's remarkable journey from Romania to the United States, a path driven by …

In this awe-inspiring episode of "The Ronin Mindset," titled "The Strength to Stand - A Model's Triumph Over Tragedy," we delve into the remarkable story of MK Guzman. A successful model and spokesperson, MK's life took a dramatic turn following a devastating car accident, which left her in a coma for nearly two months. Despite being told she might…

Join us in this transformative episode of The Ronin Mindset, "From The Streets To The Stage," where we dive deep into the life and insights of Quentin McCain, a renowned mindset coach and public speaker. Discover the powerful story of how Quentin transcended his past as a former gang member in Phoenix to become a beacon of inspiration and success. …

On Episode 275 of the Enormocast, I sit down face to face with Finnish climber Anna Laitenin. After a youth in gymnastics, Anna found climbing and then almost accidentally found herself one of the best climbers in Finland. A life of competitions and pursuing hard climbs at home and beyond followed, as did becoming a … Continue reading "Enormocast 2…

On Episode 274 of the Enormocast, I connect over the Atlantic with Swiss alpinist, guide, and Eiger North Face aficionado, Roger Schaeli. Roger was born directly in the Swiss alps and learned to climb at an early age with his father. Surrounded by deep Swiss climbing culture, an early accident did not deter Roger, rather … Continue reading "Enormoc…

On Episode 273 of the Enormocast, I reconnect with Brette Harrington who appeared on the Enormocast in 2016. Just after that first appearance, Brette and Mayan Smith-Gobat left for an audacious attempt on free climbing Riders on the Storm on Torre Central on the Torres de Paine massif. Even though they failed in their ultimate … Continue reading "E…

On Episode 272 of the Enormocast, I connect with young trad-phenom, Connor Herson. Connor first burst into climbing’s collective consciousness with the 6th free ascent of the Nose at the tender age of 15. Connor had already climbed 14 5.14s by the age of 14 (say that ten times fast), and he went on to … Continue reading "Enormocast 272: Connor Hers…

On Episode 271, I am joined by climbing coach and former (maybe) competitor, Charlie Schreiber. Charlie coaches climbers of all ages, but the meat of this conversation is about youth climbing teams. Charlie has been a youth climbing coach since he was a youth himself. We discuss my own skepticism about the promise of youth … Continue reading "Enorm…

On Episode 270 of the Enormocast, we are joined by Indigenous activist and climber, Briana Mazzolini-Blanchard. Though her path to accepting her heritage as a member of the CHamoru/Tugong Clan with origins in Guam was not without struggles, Briana has spent the last 6 years advocating for Indigenous peoples in Ohio and Eastern Kentucky. As … Contin…

On this in-between episode of the Enormocast, you get the outtakes from Episode 269 with climber, Tyler Karow. After the official interview ended, we kept talking about climbing in Jordan, the social cost of the itinerant climbing lifestyle, and a few more tidbits for your pleasure. And the cops showed up. Enjoy this free “bonus” … Continue reading…

On Episode 269 of the Enormocast, I catch up with the elusive and prolific climber, Tyler Karow. Though Tyler has a popular presence on Youtube and Instagram, he still remained, for me, an enigma of sorts. Tyler burst on the national scene with a ground up free ascent of Golden Gate on El Cap (5.13) … Continue reading "Enormocast 269: Tyler Karow –…