EP 252: Justin Salas
December 9, 2024
Justin Salas is a legally blind climber who is a 6x National Champion and the 2018 World Champion. He’s also climbed up to V11 outside. We talked about what his visual experience is like, the psychology of an invisible disability, assistive technology, how he climbs, sight guides, projecting tactics, building out a van, the Olympics and paraclimbing competitions, visualization, being a changemaker, and much more.
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Show Notes:
Related Podcast Episodes:
References:
Daredevil (film)
Justin’s Links:
Nuggets:
00:00:00 – Intro
00:01:23 – Pulley injuries
00:05:26 – Vanlife
00:11:01 – Justin’s visual experience
00:15:35 – An invisible disability
00:23:37 – “Yes I’m blind, no I’m not.”
00:27:55 – Faces
00:30:45 – Losing his vision
00:35:59 – Denial, gratitude, & bad days
00:40:58 – BMX & getting into climbing
00:44:49 – Coping mechanisms
00:48:36 – Assistive technology
00:54:34 – How he climbs
01:02:26 – His first day of climbing
01:10:59 – Sight guides
01:22:34 – Footholds
01:25:29 – Stamina training
01:28:21 – Fred’s Cave & projecting tactics
01:33:14 – Getting inspired
01:36:34 – Texas Hold Em
01:37:32 – Assessing landings
01:41:31 – Downclimbing & approaching
01:45:04 – Toothpaste
01:47:58 – Specialized bikes
01:51:42 – Asking for help
01:57:54 – April
02:05:47 – Building out a van
02:10:09 – Vegas
02:12:56 – Nature is healing
02:15:37 – Overcoming fear
02:24:55 – Mitigating risk
02:27:29 – What drives Justin in climbing
02:30:48 – The Olympics & paraclimbing competitions
02:39:39 – Blind visualization
02:46:48 – Building a mental map
02:50:11 – Changemaker
02:54:40 – Faith
03:01:04 – Curiosity & learning
03:04:31 – A beautiful question from Andy
03:11:28 – “A house divided will fall.”