Climber Interview : Lady Crush Crew

Hi folks! Hope you all had a great weekend, and I hope you're enjoying our climber interview series!

This week's interview is a TRIPLE treat! Read on to hear more from members of the California-based Lady Crush Crew. We're hearing from Maggie, Vanessa, and Sabrina.

Maggie Gierard, Core Member, LCC

Q1: To start, a few ways you identify yourself... (some examples: name, age, pronouns, type of work you do...) But really, anything you believe is important.
A1: Maggie. 29. She/her. Social introvert. Things that I'm passionate about: my faith, my husband, my friends, cats, climbing, ballet, sunshine, sleeping.

Q2: How did you start climbing?
A2: I started climbing shortly after I got married. Isaac and I wanted to find a fun exercise activity that we could do together, so we decided to check out the climbing gym. We were hooked immediately!

Q3: What impact has climbing had on your life?
A3: Climbing has shown me that I am so much stronger and more physically capable than I ever imagined. It has given me a path for growing my love of the outdoors and led to so many great friendships. The past two years have been pretty chaotic for me, and climbing has provided a sense of stability. No matter what is happening, I can show up at the gym or the crag and know that I can leave all my stress on the wall. It helps center me and take my thoughts off everything else.

Q4: What are some other things you do that you find most fulfilling?
A4: Being outside. Spending time with close friends. Volunteering at the animal shelter. Reading good books. Drinking good tea. Cuddling with my cat.

Q5: If you could tell the world one thing, what would it be?
A5: omg I hate questions like this. It's way to much pressure haha

Vanessa Vun, Core Member, LCC

Q1: To start, a few ways you identify yourself... (some examples: name, age, pronouns, type of work you do...) But really, anything you believe is important.
A1: Hi, I'm Vanessa Vun and I go with "she/her". As a career Clinical Laboratory Scientist in the healthcare/biotech industry, I'm passionate about medicine and learning about how to improve people's health and lives through laboratory breakthroughs. Seeing my dad's battle with cancer gave me more fuel to my fire.

Q2: How did you start climbing?
A2: I started weightlifting and reached the goal of squatting my own weight. That gave me the confidence to start climbing to apply my new found strength. I fell in love with the problem solving nature of the sport.

Q3: What impact has climbing had on your life?
A3: It challenges me to push beyond my limits physically and mentally but through that I also learn how to stay balanced as a person spiritually and emotionally. Climbing just fits perfectly in my life.

Q4: What are some other things you do that you find most fulfilling?
A4: Besides my work in healthcare/biotech, I find it the most fulfilling to support organizations in SF that take care of the homeless people. I regularly support the Episcopal Community Services.

Q5: If you could tell the world one thing, what would it be?
A5: ”Do everything in love."

Sabrina Padua, Founder, LCC

Q1: To start, a few ways you identify yourself... (some examples: name, age, pronouns, type of work you do...) But really, anything you believe is important.
A1: My name is Sabrina and I am 31 years old. You may refer to me as she/her. I work in the LA Fashion Industry as an Assistant Merchant and Buyer for a plus-size women's fashion brand. One of my crazy dreams would be to start my own climbing clothing company!

Q2: How did you start climbing?
A2: An acquaintance introduced climbing to me back in 2013 as an alternative to a regular gym. I climbed sporadically throughout the years, but never as consistently or often as I do now.

Q3: What impact has climbing had on your life?
A3: Climbing has had the biggest impact on my life thus far. What started as a fun hobby has literally grown into my biggest connection with the world. Climbing rekindled relationships with old friends I'd lost touch with, introduced me to literally everyone that I associate with today, led me to create LADY CRVSH CREW, and fulfilled a desire to explore the outdoors. Thanks to climbing I have amazing memories of climbing/camping road trips that I will cherish forever.

Q4: What are some other things you do that you find most fulfilling?
A5: Setting goals for myself that may seem unattainable is something that constantly motivates and drives me in my personal endeavors. There are a lot of things in life that I thought I could never do because I didn't think I was smart enough, successful, or even financially stable. But if you want something really bad, it's amazing what you can accomplish if you just believe in yourself and give it your best shot.

On a lighter note... I enjoy cooking, binging on Netflix and HBO crime documentaries, and as of recently, interior decorating.

Q5: If you could tell the world one thing, what would it be?
A5: Don't be afraid to be you, unapologetically.

Thank you all so much for reading, and for Lady Crush Crew for participating!

Find out more about Lady Crush Crew and their members at:

www.ladycrushcrew.com
Lady Crush Crew's Instagram
Maggie's Instagram
Vanessa's Instagram
Sabrina's Instagram