Shared story - AnneLiese Nachman

Today’s shared story comes from AnneLiese Nachman from Seattle, Washington whose new-found passion for climbing has inspired to take her skills as a video producer to the next level and earn a living by making short films about her adventures. She is currently on the road filming in various locations such as Yosemite National Park, California, Red Rock Canyon, Nevada, and Moab, Utah.

Soaking it all in: Cochise Stronghold, Cochise, Arizona

As I counted down the weeks to finishing a work contract in Seattle, I booked a flight to Arizona for the week after my last day in the office. After months of pining for the outdoors from inside my cubicle, I decided to give myself a chance to breathe in that fresh air for a couple weeks instead of jumping right into the job hunt. It was my first big climbing trip, and my first time climbing outdoors instead of in the rock gyms. I was instantly hooked. I started thinking that maybe I could climb on the weekends, when the weather is nicer.

Bouldering in the McDowell Mountains, Scottsdale, Arizona

Sunshine In The Stronghold from AnneLiese on Vimeo

Coming back to Seattle from Arizona, I gave myself a couple of days to recalibrate to the way of structured life in the city. I became depressed as I applied for jobs. I went climbing in the gym to ease the stress, and I felt right at home. A continuous struggle between applications and climbing persisted for a few days.

Releasing it all on the indoor wall, Stone Gardens, Bellevue, Washington

The idea of committing to a normal life in the city made my body ache, literally. I actually had a very painful knot in my lower back, and learned a few days later at a yoga class that this spot is where our sense of belonging and grounded-ness are felt. I knew then, in my heart of hearts, that I was not pursuing the right thing. The moment I started to think about the logistics of making a new life that focussed around my climbing work, the knot in my lower back began to unravel. I felt happy, excited, inspired and motivated.

Coming up to the second pitch, Sven Tower 3, McDowell Mountains, Scottsdale, Arizona (Credit: Jared Bryant)

The next day, I filled an empty box with some professional clothes, belts, and a big leather purse. I took it to Goodwill, and with pep in my step. When I reached the donations bin I looked down at the box I had packed and saw my old life peeking out through the top of the cardboard. I dropped my box into the bin, and walked away feeling lighter. There was a sense of relief from not having to carry that part of me around anymore.

After a good dose of hype from an episode of the Dirtbag Diaries podcast, I booked a one-way flight to San Francisco to meet my Arizona climbing crew in Yosemite National Park.

“Dreams Are Needs” from AnneLiese on Vimeo

Now I plan to keep climbing either back in Arizona, or to discover new climbing terrain in California. My goal is to work with video collaboration companies such as Story & Heart and OnlyInVR to turn a small profit from the videos I produce during my travels. I am hoping to bump into the likes of Cameron Maier or Chris Alstrin who have many years of experience capturing adventure footage, especially climbing, and pick their brains about the art.

Game face on Trad Rock, Cochise Stronghold, Cochise, Arizona (Credit: Michelle Marco)

Failure is pretty scary but sometimes the unknown is even scarier because you can’t foresee it, or prepare for it. At least I can visualise what failure could look like for me as I carve out this new life for myself. For instance I could have an accident and break a bone; I could lose my confidence; or I could run out of resources and struggle to make a living from climbing. If any of these things were to happen, and I was no longer able to climb, I’d try and take it in my stride – as I do with everything in life – and treat it as a turning point: an opportunity to start exploring all over again in the hope that I’d find another passion – something that can offer the same kind of release and buzz that I find when I’m up on the rock.