EP 87: Alita Contreras — Learning Languages, Coaching Women to Climb Powerfully, and Translating Training Books

Alejandra (Alita) Contreras is a half Colombian half Venezualan professional rock climber, coach, and translator. We talked about the economic situation in Venezuela and why she moved to Colombia six years ago, about living in Germany and translating training books by Udo Neumann, about coaching women, our global climbing family, and her current 5.14a project.Support the Podcast:thenuggetclimbing.com/supportBecome a Patron:patreon.com/thenuggetclimbingShow Notes:  thenuggetclimbing.com/episodes/alita-contrerasNuggets:1:50 – Alegria3:52 – Alita vs. Alejandra6:40 – The situation in Venezuela, and why Alita emigrated to Columbia14:21 – Studying languages, Alita’s father, singing opera, and becoming interested in Germany18:48 – Separating languages in your head21:13 – Tips for learning a new language25:36 – Thinking differently, and having different personalities in different languages28:13 – Bad milk29:42 – The many things Alita does for work, and coaching a women’s group34:05 – Patterns Alita notices in working with women climbers, and what she works on with her group39:23 – Empowering girls and educating guys41:46 – Researching a new project to help women with cancer regain physical and emotional health through climbing45:55 – Translating Udo Neuman’s books into Spanish48:30 – Parallels with translating and the podcast, and the big takeaways from Udo’s books54:51 – In Search of Greatness (documentary), going with the current of motivation, and being honest with yourself59:11 – The powerful 13a that Alita is most proud of (even though she has climbed 13d)1:02:29 – My season of seeking out obscure 12d’s at Smith, and the benefit of climbing easier routes outside of your best style1:05:16 – Alita’s 14a project1:08:59 – Macheta climbing area, and a description of the 14a1:10:45 – Alita’s video of ‘Los Tenahos Contratican’, and similarities to Hueco1:11:33 – Dreams of climbing at the Red, and climbing in Europe1:12:53 – Alita’s favorite climbing destinations1:15:00 – Living and climbing near the equator, and tactics for projecting when you don’t have seasons1:19:10 – How Alita thinks about yearly goals1:21:12 – Continuing to improve, and enjoying the process1:26:07 – Living in Canada, competing in one competition, and Alita’s hype-up song1:31:33 – Patron question from Eli: What is the local climbing like in your area? Similarities and differences in climbing cultures around  the world?1:36:18 – Gratitude for Alegria (her dog)1:39:46 – A new opportunity1:37:25 – Aspirations to be a pro-climber?1:39:01 – Vulnerability and the gift of sharing 1:40:10 – Gratitude, and meaningful connections