The Gray Zone

The correlation between putting effort into what you want to do. And feeling positive emotions. And not putting effort into what you are choosing to put time into. And feeling shitty.If you want coaching reach out.

Knowing something is useless if you aren't applying it.

This episode is about finding Flow in rock climbing.What that experience is like, the mindset that helps make it more likely for me. And how it applies to other parts of life. Like sales.

In episode 10 I am trying to touch on how "problems" in are life are not always stopping us from achieving what we want. As much as our belief that they are "in the way" does.I've seen this often with people while rock climbing pointing to reasons why they can't send a climb that are only stopping them because that is what they want.For example "I can't send because my shoes are too worn. So I am going to stop trying".No you could send in those shoes. But your _____ (Scared perhaps, or tired and don't want to try hard) so your using the shoes an excuse to not send.

Everything we do. We got to choose to do.Even if it feels like we don't have options. Or need to do something because of external factors.Ultimately we must still decide to give in to those factors and act accordingly.Recognizing that we always decide for ourselves what we do. Is empowering. It enables you to take back control. To take ownership over your decisions and the consequences. Because you made them.There is so little we control in life. External factors, other people, even our knee jerk reactions are out of our control. What we can control is our response. We have an ability to choose a response. To make a decision. Therefore we have a responsibility to choose wisely. Because it is all we can do.

In this episode we are joined by Meredith Kunz. Meredith works in Silicon Valley, is a Mother of two girls, and author of the book Beyond Stoicism.We discuss Stoicism, parenthood, and how it's impacted her life and outlook.Meredith Alexander Kunz is a writer who created The Stoic Mom blog in 2016 to explore how parents and kids can benefit from practicing Stoic philosophy. She is the co-author of Beyond Stoicism: A Guide to the Good Life with Stoics, Skeptics, Epicureans, and Other Ancient Philosophers, with Massimo Pigliucci and Gregory Lopez (The Experiment, 2025). he book was published in the UK as Live Like a Philosopher (Headline Press, 2025). Meredith is also a communications leader in Silicon Valley and a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC). She earned a bachelor’s degree in history and literature from Harvard College and a master’s degree in history from Stanford University. Her writing has appeared in Newsweek, The San Francisco Daily Journal, The Industry Standard, The Stanford Report, The STOIC magazine, the Stoicism Today blog, and she has given talks on Stoicism around the world and has been interviewed on podcasts and NPR-affiliate radio. Meredith is an associate faculty member at the Stoa Nova, an online school for a new Stoicism. Learn more and follow her work at The Stoic Mom Substack, The Stoic Mom on Instagram, or @thestoicwoman on Bluesky. You can also find her on LinkedIn.

It's easy when things start to go wrong, for us to predict the worst case outcome that it could get to. This is healthy. But spending too much time in this place can be harmful. Worrying to much about it, trying too hard to avoid it. May actually make it more likely. Learning how to recognize when something has is no longer benefiting you and how to let go is not easy. But so helpful.

Sharing 8 thoughts related to commitment. Without Commitment success isn't possible. But this also requires exposure to failure.There are many way to make commitment easier to access.

Sam Harvey owner of Braver Leaders sits down with me to discuss leadership, vulnerability, and the importance of slowing down. In a world that doesn't incentivize it.

When we start something. Learning comes quickly because there is so much we don't know.Eventually the easy lessons are learned.To continue our growth. We must continue to push ourselves to be uncomfortable.

Josh and I discuss Authenticity. The importance of self awareness. How and understanding of the different parts of you, can lead you to a life a greater ease and flow.

Trying Hard tends to have ideas of tension, gritting teeth, and blindly charging through discomfort associated with it.While these are important aspects. It seems to me that there are other facets to Trying Hard such as being relaxed and knowing when to let go.They are equally important.Often forgotten.By remembering that Trying Hard is more than gritting your teeth, you expand your toolset and create a competitive advantage.

In this episode, I share some thoughts about how a Judgement, is equivalent to closing a door on being open to learning more. We can't ever fully know anything. There is always room for surprise. Making conclusions are a short term strategy to reduce anxiety, that can lead to more long term anxiety. I explore an alternative I aim live up to. Enjoy!

In life we fall into patterns. There are experiences, emotions things we want to avoid. And things we want to move towards. We've learned how to succeed by working hard to get what we want and avoid what we don't. But sometimes, trying hard to avoid something, just brings you closer to it. You end up in a downward spiral, that perpetuates itself. The harder you try to get out. The deeper you sink. A Chinese finger trap. How do you get out? Relax.

Episode 26 of The Gray Zone! In this spontaneously filmed episode, I chat through some recent thoughts I've been having on what it means to apply yourself. To apply yourself as though you had a real chance of success. Regardless of what you believe about the chance of success.

I was fresh off 3 days of sleeping in the Red Rock Canyon. Rock Climbing. Kicking off a work conference. Reflecting on a conversation with friends around the dangers of defining yourself to strongly as a "climber". Which is relevant to defining yourself as anything. Enjoy

Maryia joins me to discuss her view of the sustainability movement. Jobs in the area, the challenge of making sustainability a priority. And the values that have helped in her path.

Breaking down what coaching is. How it can help empower you to live with intention. In a direction guided by the best version of yourself. Not by your weakest self. If you're interested in Coaching reach out!

Being present on a sales call is a skill. Just like any skill it can be practiced. It will positively impact your performance. At any performance based activity. Sales, Climbing, Public Speaking, Golf.... Enjoy, and if your interested in coaching reach out!

The importance of doing less. To focus on what's important to you with way more energy. If you're interested in coaching. Reach out.

I'm trying to share ideas that seem relevant to me. Hope you enjoy.

In this short episode, I share some thoughts around letting go of your past. Of what once served you to continue to grow. Hope you enjoy. If your interested in coaching reach out anytime.

In this episode I talk about a lesson learned from climbing legend Obe Carrion, and Chris Sharma. The lesson of Choice. Stay Tuned at the end for a special guest appearance. Lot's of Love.

This episode is about being present. How I learned that during climbing warm ups. How it translates to life in general. And why it's important.

Sharing as I uncover a deeper understanding of the purpose of the Gray Zone. Expect more 5-10 minute episodes moving forward. If your interested in learning more about working with me as a coach please reach out!

In this episode get a glimpse into Anna's path and mindset. A professional climber, youtuber, content creator and lover of life. It was a blast to speak to her. Her enthusiasm and passion shine through in everything she does. Check out her Youtube channel! If you've ever considered coaching, I am in training and looking for my first client. If you'd like to learn more now's the perfect time to reach out :).

1. What are your needs? 2. What are the needs of your workplace/environment? 3. Sandbox perspective. 4. Find and act on alignment An Episode about making work, work for your needs. If you're interested in Coaching. Listen till the end!

A Mountaineer, adventurer, lover of life and people. Claudia was a pleasure to have as a guest. She was equal parts vulnerable and insightful. We discuss Cold therapy, vulnerability, honesty, cats and much more. I hope you enjoy. Exciting things coming.

Travel. Community. Pursuit of Passion. Innes has lived life of his own accord. But massively supported by finding community. People who lift him up. A photographer and film maker.

Sisley and I chat about how she ended up being an Entrepreneur. And importantly, why purpose is not defined by what we do. The what can be almost anything. Don't focus on what to do. Focus on what is emotionally important to you. And chase that in everything. Something to keep in mind if your trying to find your own direction. Sponsored by Power Chalk

All about how we implicitly make assumptions every day. This is required for us to survive because there is literally to much information to consciously think about. But often times we make assumptions that trend toward negative outcomes, which then informs our actions. We limit ourselves. By recognizing this and considering a positive assumption. We give ourselves an opportunity to see a different reality, and act in line with it. Hope you enjoy. If you liked the episode, please rate it and show our sponsor powerchalk.ca some love!

We discuss Authentic Creation. The pull between creating for an audience vs creating for the sake of telling your story. Edit: the home has not been in the family for 90 generations. But 90 years. Shout out to Power Chalk for powering this podcast. Best climbing chalk on the market.

I try to open up in this episode. Share from my own experiences. Hope it helps you. Sponsored by: Power Chalk. powerchalk.ca

In this episode I share a piece of writing from a few months ago. I discuss what I see as a key piece in the puzzle of greatness. It has to do with letting go of perfection. My intention is that you walk away with a new perspective to consider, and hopefully some value. This episode is sponsored by Power Chalk :). A Squamish Chalk Brand with the highest quality chalk, planting a tree for every bag sold. See you next time, Christian

In this episode I sit down with Eric Warner. A Kelp enthusiast, Free Diver, who works in Carbon Reforestation. But what we discuss has more to do with his approach to life. His willingness to step out of the expected path, and move toward what gives him joy, in small but consistent ways. Super excited to announce our first sponsor too! Power Chalk! A Squamish based climbing chalk company that plants one tree for every bag sold. #gravitynotincluded. Hope you enjoy!

In this episode, I do my best to explain how limiting beliefs have direct impacts in our lives. Why it's harder to see limiting beliefs in life then in climbing. And how to adjust those beliefs. Thanks for listening!

Why Growth? I discuss the theme of this podcast. Why it happens to be growth. If you ever feel challenged, and uncertain. If you ever feel like you need to push yourself a little further.  You might enjoy this episode.  Cheers, Christian

Feedback is key for growth.  But this is obvious. So why even discuss. I find the obvious things are often overlooked, and when explored can provide a lot of insight. So I do some of that here and share more about my past. Why? Because I recieved feedback that not all of you know me well. And giving some context to who I am. Well it might be helpful. Hope you have a great day. Seriously. Christian

Exploring speed bumps and roadblocks.  How road can turn into walls if we stop moving. But if we keep going, they eventually become speed bumps.  Share a story from my own life as an example of this. The next episode will contain a bit of a road map of what to expect moving forward.  Thanks for Listening! :) 

Welcome!  To the first episode of the Gray Zone!  In this episode, I  give you an understanding of who I am, and why I have the audacity to start a podcast. How my love of climbing lead me here. And why the Learning Process that creates sustainable Growth and Performance is what I hope you can take away as I document my journey as a climber, as salesperson, and a human. We're also gonna have some fun and interview interesting people. Lot's of Love, and thanks for stopping by, Gray