Journey into the Outdoors #18 Shauna Coxsey

What sparked the love for bouldering and spending time in the outdoors?

I loved climbing from the very first time I went to an indoor climbing centre at 4 years old. I was naturally draw to the freedom of bouldering over rope climbing where more equipment and also a partner is required. My love for the outdoors definitely came from my father. We’d had countless adventures on weekends when I was a kid and the outdoors became a way for me to escape and feel free. When I discovered outdoor bouldering I knew I’d be doing it forever. 

Has your perspective on climbing and being outside changed since stepping away from competition?

Yes. It really has. When I was competing I always felt pressure to enjoy the experience and make the most of it. I would actually get anxious about climbing outside and feel a deep need to perform and accomplish something. Now my approach is very different. I appreciate the time I have and I have the capacitive and perspective to learn and grow regardless of how successful I was on the rocks. 

How has motherhood reshaped your relationship with physical challenge and personal time?

Motherhood has reshaped me in every single way. Both physically and mentally I feel different. It has redefined my understanding of physical challenge and forced me to assess my goals and ambitions, to question my why and ultimately allowed me feel confident and strong when I make decisions. 

I feel so incredibly lucky to be parenting with my best friend, my husband and to have so many amazing people in our lives who love and support our daughter. Both my husband and I know how important time and space are and we believe it’s important for our daughter to see and understand the we need our own time too. Though I will say this was very much harder for both me and my daughter when she was younger. 

What has the return to movement felt like physically and how have you found balancing that with the demands of being a new mum?

I had a really great pregnacy and an uncomplicated brith. I felt ready to get back on the wall in a matter of days but I worked with a specialist physio and waited 5 weeks (I almost made it to the recommended 6 weeks). For me movement is medicine and I felt so free and unencumbered when I got to climb without a bump in the way. It took some time for me to feel recovered from pregnancy and birth and even longer for my strength to return but I worked with a specialist pregnacy and postpartum climbing coach, Joy Black and with time and persistence I’ve had my best years on climbing rock to date. 

How do you spend your down time away from climbing?

I cook, I clean, I see friends, I walk my dog, I like a good glass of wine and I love book and I do quite like a good Netflix show too. All the usuals I guess. 

What does the future look like for climbing and inspiring younger generations to follow in your footsteps? 

This is a great question and one I think we’d all love to know the answer to. It’s such an exciting time for our sport. It is growing at a rate I don’t think anyone expected and I doubt it’ll slow down any time soon. My hope is that we see passion and joy pushing the sport forward because that’s what will ensure that the developments are positive.