Climber Interview: Indira Orozco

In the thick of this pandemic season, we're so happy to do this feature of Indira, who is a total ray of sunshine in the climbing community. We met her at one of our pop ups, and again at a Brown Girls Climb event she was leading at Hollywood Boulders. We think the energy she brings to her meetups is second to none, and we absolutely cannot wait to get back out there with her and the rest of the group!

To start, what are a few ways you identify yourself? (some examples: name, age, pronouns, type of work you do.) But really, anything you believe is important.

Indira, 27, she/her, Client Operations Specialist at a Healthcare Tech Company. My identity has always been something I've struggled to put into a box because of the complexity of my race/ethnicity. I identify as many things some of them being: a brown, Caribbean, Belizean womxn from Chicago!) I also identify as a climber and someone who is passionate about diversity & inclusion in all spaces! 

Indira's own photo. Peoria, Potawatomi, Miami - Chicago

How did you start climbing?

I started climbing after one of my friends from high school invited me to climb with her at the gym. I resisted for a while, but once I made it in and tried it, I WAS HOOKED!

What impact has climbing had on your life?

Honestly, I probably can't put into words the impact it has had on my life. It has been something that has greatly contributed to my happiness and growth. I have been able to make such incredible friends and build the most amazing community through climbing. The biggest group that has given me life is Sending in Color in Chicago. We host monthly meetups for POCs to get together and climb in addition to a few other initiatives. Climbing has helped me grow into the person I am today and it has made me a stronger person both physically and mentally.

Photo by Paul Huynh. Northern Paiute, Eastern Mono/Monache, Newe land - Bishop

What are some other things you do that you find most fulfilling?

I also really love pretty much any other exercise. I love working out and getting outdoors to hike, run, or any other outdoor activity I can try - I surfed for the first time recently!

If you could tell the world one thing, what would it be?

The biggest thing I would tell the world is to do better. Be accepting and inclusive of everyone. I would tell them that climbing is for EVERYONE. For me, what I look forward to is the day when who I am and what I look like does not determine the type of experience I have at the gym, crag or any other part of my life.

Favorite thing about Dynamite Starfish?

I love the designs and the messages that Dynamite Starfish is putting out! I'm super proud to wear my tank when I'm climbing!

Photo by Ian Seabury. Southern Paiute,⁣ Newe (Western Shoshone) - Red Rock Vegas

You can catch Indira climbing on Instagram at: @goldaclimbs.

We hope you have enjoyed these sneak peeks into climbers' lives. We're on a mission to share diverse stories about rock climbing. Let's push the boundaries of who we know as climbers. Let's use our energy and passion for the outdoors to love our environment and inspire one another.