The Nugget Climbing Podcast EP 260: Caroline Ciavaldini — The Magic and Selfishness of Competition, Becoming Adventurous, and Gentle Feminism
Feb 17, 2025
Caroline Ciavaldini, a French professional climber known for her honesty and adventurous spirit, discusses her journey from competition to outdoor climbing. She shares her experiences growing up in La Réunion, tackling personal loss, and facing the challenges of eating disorders. The conversation dives into gentle feminism, parenting complexities, and the emotional balancing act of competition versus personal growth. Caroline emphasizes the importance of discussing emotions and the empowerment of women in climbing, ultimately focusing on adventure and self-discovery.
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Questioning Competition's Importance
- Caroline questions the emphasis on competition in climbing and society, finding it narrow-minded and less important than other life aspects.
- She's torn between encouraging her children's excellence and wanting them to define their own path.
Yellow: A Symbol of Happiness
- Caroline associates the color yellow with happiness and encourages a positive outlook, even on challenging climbing days.
- She believes in finding the good in every experience and prioritizing happiness, especially as a parent.
Addressing Fear
- To address fear or discomfort, Caroline recommends acknowledging the emotion directly instead of trying to be strong and suppress it.
- She used this approach with her fear of falling on Le Voyage, working with a mental trainer to dissociate the physical sensation from the emotion.