Redefining Success: On Burnout and Doing What You Love with Corey Buhay

Ice Ice Beta

Corey Buhay has made a life out of doing what she loves. That’s not to say it’s been easy.

Known as the go-to reporter for all things drytooling ⛏️, Corey quickly built a career as a freelance journalist regularly contributing to Climbing 🧗‍♀️, Backpacker 🥾, Smithsonian 🗿, and the like. Around the time she started writing full-time, she also started drytooling. Again, she quickly established herself, rising to the top of the rankings for comp ice climbing in North America. But, shortly thereafter, she decided to walk away. How come?

In today’s chat we talk about:

• 🧊 The assignment that changed everything
• 🧊 Going all in on things that give you happiness
• 🧊 Struggles with expectations, perfectionism and anxiety
• 🧊 Revitalizing Team USA and competitive pressures
• 🧊 Burnout and taking a break
• 🧊 Rediscovering balance and joy in climbing

I want to say that I really appreciated Corey’s openness and willingness to discuss difficult topics and her ability to infuse humor into the conversation. Further, if you’re struggling with mental health, know that you’re not alone and that there are folks and resources who can help, some of which we share in the show notes.

Resources and links:

If you’d like to follow Corey’s latest writings, her website is coreybuhay.com.

Some of my personal favorite articles of hers are:

• Russia’s World Cup Ice Climbing Scene is as Hardcore as it Gets
• The Strange Underworld of Competition Ice Climbing
• Years After My Mentor Died in the Backcountry, I Retraced His Final Footsteps

Mental health resources:

• Mental Health in Athletes: Breaking the Stigma
• Resources for Athletes with Eating Disorders
• Athletes Against Anxiety and Depression Foundation (who offer a free therapy option)
• Managing Stress in Sports: Quieting the Mind and the Body

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📸: Cover photo by Mike Thurk (@mthurk)

Credits:

• Intro music by Hannah Noelle Enomoto (thanks, sis!).
• This episode was edited by Andrew Salomone of salomonesound.com.
• And of course, a big thanks to our sponsors, Aniiu Gloves and Furnace Industries!

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