Climbing Gold Going Pro: Lincoln Knowles and Zander Waller
Apr 3, 2026
Lincoln Knowles, a short-form climbing creator known for provocative soloing videos, talks building an audience and monetizing content. Xander Waller, a U.S. national boulderer and student balancing competition and a finance career, discusses competition plans and long-term pathways. They compare social media, sponsorships, soloing, and routes to making climbing a sustainable pursuit.
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Mental Focus And Late Blooming Shape Competition Outcomes
- Xander attributes early competition limits to mental focus and late physical maturation, now seeing different gaps: strength for bouldering and slab technique.
- This shows elite progression needs both psychological skill and targeted physical development.
Build An Outdoor Base Before Committing To Full Comp Cycle
- Xander plans to pause international comps to travel and build an outdoor base this season, then return to competitions aiming for 2028.
- He will use a light semester and focused outdoor trips in Utah, Bishop, Colorado to develop strengths.
A Stable Job Is A Viable Path Out Of Climbing Uncertainty
- Alex and Xander note a fourth path to pro climbing: finance or stable careers, which trade climbing time for financial security.
- This underscores that modern climbers often must balance practical income with athletic ambitions.