EP 257: Sol Wertkin
January 27, 2025
Sol Wertkin is a former rock climber, cancer survivor, nurse, and avid mountain biker. We talked about new routing in the PNW, the “Golden Era” of Leavenworth climbing, the passing of Johnny Goicoechea, Sol’s cancer diagnosis in 2020, the long and difficult road to recovery, how e-biking saved his life, sailing, why life feels richer now that he doesn’t climb, and nuggets to help your own health journey.
Feel free to message Sol on Instagram if you have any questions about cancer diagnosis or long covid.
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Show Notes:
Related Podcast Episodes:
References:
Sol’s Links:
Nuggets:
00:00:00 – Intro
00:00:57 – How I met Sol
00:03:56 – Depression & climbing roots
00:09:02 – New routing in the PNW
00:12:02 – The “Golden Era” in Leavenworth
00:23:37 – Johnny Goicoechea
00:28:37 – Training & sport climbing
00:31:27 – Smith Rock & Spain
00:35:40 – Getting diagnosed with cancer
00:49:07 – Lifetimes, surgery 1, & do the things
00:54:43 – Short of breath
00:59:12 – Systematic diaphragm paralysis, & surgery 2
01:03:33 – E-bikes
01:10:20 – Diaphragm plication
01:21:54 – Chylothorax
01:25:15 – The early stages of dying
01:28:39 – Surgery 3
01:32:31 – Planning for the worst, & getting discharged
01:36:40 – Bonus life
01:41:55 – A final hurdle
01:52:32 – Every day is a gift
01:54:14 – Sailing
02:01:06 – Replacing climbing
02:08:48 – Goals
02:13:59 – E-biking & ableism
02:19:07 – Why Sol doesn’t climb anymore
02:22:33 – A richer life after climbing
02:29:58 – Trail clearing & volunteering
02:34:38 – What’s next
02:37:44 – Healthcare & nursing
02:40:46 – Sol’s nuggets
03:06:19 – Let’s go!