Mickael Mawem - An HONEST talk about money in climbing

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Mickael is a french boulderer and he is the bouldering world champ from Bern 2023. In this episode, we have an extremely honest conversation about how growing up poor motivated him to make money as a climber, why he stuck with climbing despite the lack of financial prospects, what his training looks like which includes warming up with 80 pull-ups, and of course, what happened during the Bern world champ finals. Shoutout to Madrock for hosting this interview at their headquarters!

Guest links:
Mickael’s Instagram (instagram.com/lesfreresmawemofficiel)

Reference links:
Climbing with Jonathan Sin Video (youtu.be/QnnIrBs8i9k?si=7msAdnLT_ibkyNOh)

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Timestamps of discussion topics
Timestamps of discussion topics
0:00 - Intro
1:30 - Mad Rock Shoutout!!
3:46 - Starting climbing with his brother Bassa
7:45 - AUDIENCE Q: Being one of the few black climbers in the IFSC
13:39 - Affording climbing when growing up poor
24:31 - Pro climbing only pays enough for the present
28:10 - Why he would not choose climbing in hindsight
30:51 - Why he still chose climbing
34:34 - AUDIENCE Q: Will you ever compete again in the IFSC?
38:33 - The goal: be rich
45:25 - Bern World Champs finals boulders
53:26 - Encountering no-tex for the first time ever
1:01:59 - Mickael's crazy pull up training
1:06:12 - How to work on your technique
1:11:47 - The secret to French slab
1:14:28 - Why he trains alone
1:21:59 - Keeping up with the evolution of climbing
1:25:44 - His future in climbing?
1:31:01 - New climbing goal
1:33:38 - AUDIENCE Q: Who were your role models growing up?
1:34:46 - AUDIENCE Q: What's your family like?
1:39:28 - AUDIENCE Q: How to maintain strength without getting injured?
1:44:50 - Where to find Mickael