Climber Story: Meredith McConvill

To start, tell us a little bit about yourself

Hi, I'm Meredith! I grew up in Staten Island, New York, and spend most of my summers on the beach at the Jersey Shore. The life my brothers, sister, and I had was not what you saw on MTV's Jersey Shore. Instead, we spent summer days wandering the sand dunes, catching blue claw crabs off the dock, and swimming in the ocean as much as my parents would let us!

At the end of the summer, they dragged up begrudgingly back to the city. That was where you worked, and went to school. My mind was always tainted with the idea that you couldn't work at or near the beach! But after college, grad school, and a life in Manhattan, I moved to San Diego in 2004. I now run Top Rope Media with my husband, a boutique marketing agency whose name, you guessed it, was inspired by our love of climbing!

How did you start climbing?

I started climbing in 2004 in Athens, Greece! It's a long story, but I was working for NBC Olympics in Athens and met a man, now my husband Tyler, who offered to take me climbing. I had tried a few times in a climbing gym, but never climbed outdoors. So I bought a pair of climbing shoes and a harness and could barely sleep the night before!

Together with 2 local climbers, we drove several hours north from Athens to Meteora. I'd never seen anything like it. Little monasteries perched atop giant conglomerate rock formations overlooking this quintessential Grecian town. It was gorgeous!

Every morning we woke up and climbed in a new spot. Sport climbing felt good, and within a day I was trying multi-pitch routes. I learned about tying knots, how to belay, and picked up some good climbing technique!

What impact has climbing had on your life?

Climbing brings people together — it was how I met my husband after-all! After we returned from Greece, we met up in the US and traveled to Joshua Tree. Another first! It's also a place we return several times a year.

I've also had the opportunity to meet so many incredible people through climbing. Many of them are fellow female entrepreneurs!

Oh, and the places I've traveled to because of this love of climbing? Mallorca, El Portrero Chico, Tuolumne Meadows...Just beautiful!

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

Starting up and running my own company is quite rewarding. Especially because we work with outdoor organizations and lifestyle brands. But the outdoor adventures are really what keeps me going.

From climbing to surfing, snowboarding, cycling, hiking, mountain biking, camping...San Diego and the life we've found on the West Coast has offered us so many opportunities to get outside and explore.

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

Make small changes to eventually create the life you want to live.

Favorite thing about Dynamite Starfish?

I love that Dynamite Starfish is a woman-owned company! And that Leslie has taken what she loves and started a business around it.

I first heard of Dynamite Starfish while working in Marketing at Mesa Rim Climbing and Fitness. Top Rope Media was in its infancy, and I was so inspired by all the women I met at the climbing gym that were turning their side hustle into a full-time gig. It gave me even more hope that I could do the same!

Is there something you're working on that you'd like to tell our community about? We love a good story.

Always working on new projects for Top Rope Media with clients like the California Mountain Biking Association, Colorado Mountain School, or the American Avalanche Institute!

No new climbing projects, but I hope to get back on the road this month for more climbing adventures. I'm also hoping to get a Dolomites trip in the works for Fall 2022!

You can find Meredith on Instagram at @top_rope_media or on her business website.

Want to get to know more of the climbers in the amazing Dynamite Starfish community? Check out our archive of Climber Stories here.

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.

Have someone you think we should feature? Send us a message and let us know!

Until next time!