1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,507 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:13,147 Speaker 1: from Newstalks edb keep We. 3 00:00:13,507 --> 00:00:18,107 Speaker 2: Rachel Meyer will compete in the Power Climbing World championshipston 4 00:00:18,267 --> 00:00:22,747 Speaker 2: Soul Career in late September. Hers is quite the story 5 00:00:23,187 --> 00:00:26,507 Speaker 2: which we're about to get some insight into Rachel Myer's 6 00:00:26,547 --> 00:00:28,947 Speaker 2: with us. Rachel, can we take it back? Tell us 7 00:00:28,947 --> 00:00:33,627 Speaker 2: about the injury you sustained when you were sixteen years 8 00:00:33,667 --> 00:00:34,187 Speaker 2: of age. 9 00:00:35,267 --> 00:00:37,867 Speaker 3: Well, I tell the children, imagine make my vegetables in 10 00:00:37,907 --> 00:00:41,507 Speaker 3: my leg fell off. Love it, which I'm pretty sure 11 00:00:41,507 --> 00:00:45,867 Speaker 3: he's still off. Another adaptive athlete's actually the parents love it. 12 00:00:46,627 --> 00:00:49,427 Speaker 3: I had a climbing excellent when I was sixteen. It 13 00:00:49,547 --> 00:00:54,227 Speaker 3: was actually a very controlled, technically safe drop and a 14 00:00:54,267 --> 00:00:57,267 Speaker 3: bouldering facility. I had a spotter. I felt like the 15 00:00:57,427 --> 00:00:59,147 Speaker 3: last move that I could have done to get to 16 00:00:59,187 --> 00:01:01,547 Speaker 3: the walk off would have been a bit unhinged. I 17 00:01:01,627 --> 00:01:04,467 Speaker 3: was pretty tired, so I did a very controlled full. 18 00:01:05,427 --> 00:01:09,707 Speaker 3: Unfortunately went through a little margin where the facility of 19 00:01:09,787 --> 00:01:13,747 Speaker 3: Dutch takes Chris back together, so it didn't really work 20 00:01:13,787 --> 00:01:16,187 Speaker 3: out too well for me. I had bone grafts from 21 00:01:16,187 --> 00:01:18,587 Speaker 3: my hip into one ankle, along with a lot of 22 00:01:18,587 --> 00:01:21,027 Speaker 3: metal wear, and it also broke the other one and 23 00:01:21,067 --> 00:01:24,387 Speaker 3: then went on to have eighteen, well more now years 24 00:01:24,387 --> 00:01:27,987 Speaker 3: of disability and mobility challenges and pain. 25 00:01:29,107 --> 00:01:33,427 Speaker 2: So you didn't have you amputation came later, didn't it. 26 00:01:33,467 --> 00:01:36,707 Speaker 2: You went through multiple attempts to repair it. Is that right? 27 00:01:37,707 --> 00:01:40,507 Speaker 3: Yeah? I had ten surgeries before the amputation, which was 28 00:01:40,547 --> 00:01:43,907 Speaker 3: actually elective, and the last surgery before the amputation was 29 00:01:43,907 --> 00:01:47,227 Speaker 3: an experimental one where the surgeon looked at me anysic look, 30 00:01:47,307 --> 00:01:49,707 Speaker 3: I've got to be honest, I've only done this once 31 00:01:49,747 --> 00:01:53,627 Speaker 3: before and it didn't work, and you're going to need 32 00:01:53,667 --> 00:01:55,827 Speaker 3: to be pretty resilient. And they showed me a picture 33 00:01:55,867 --> 00:01:56,907 Speaker 3: of what they were going to do, and it was 34 00:01:56,907 --> 00:02:00,067 Speaker 3: this massive metal expit frame where they drilled into the 35 00:02:00,107 --> 00:02:03,067 Speaker 3: shin and the foot and wires and rods hanging out 36 00:02:03,067 --> 00:02:04,467 Speaker 3: of the leg and the foot, and then they gave 37 00:02:04,467 --> 00:02:06,307 Speaker 3: you a pair of spanners and you have to slowly 38 00:02:06,507 --> 00:02:09,747 Speaker 3: wine your ankle apart yourself over a period of time. 39 00:02:09,827 --> 00:02:13,947 Speaker 3: And that frame stayed on for four months, during which 40 00:02:13,987 --> 00:02:16,667 Speaker 3: time I was parenting, you know, three kids, one of 41 00:02:16,707 --> 00:02:19,627 Speaker 3: them with a disability herself very high needs, and one 42 00:02:19,627 --> 00:02:22,067 Speaker 3: of them still preschool age, and I would crouch into 43 00:02:22,147 --> 00:02:25,027 Speaker 3: kindy with this big exit frame on my leg, and 44 00:02:25,107 --> 00:02:28,307 Speaker 3: all these three four year olds will be tugging on 45 00:02:28,347 --> 00:02:31,427 Speaker 3: their mum's leaves saying, look, look, that lady's a transformer. 46 00:02:33,627 --> 00:02:35,867 Speaker 3: So it was pretty hectic, and that was like the 47 00:02:35,987 --> 00:02:38,747 Speaker 3: last attempts to stay this leg that had just given 48 00:02:38,787 --> 00:02:41,587 Speaker 3: me a lifetime, you know, my entire adult life of pain, 49 00:02:42,307 --> 00:02:44,547 Speaker 3: and I wasn't going anywhere with it. So I just 50 00:02:44,547 --> 00:02:46,227 Speaker 3: decided to fight for change. 51 00:02:47,227 --> 00:02:50,907 Speaker 2: So you opted for below the knee amputation on that stage. 52 00:02:51,387 --> 00:02:54,947 Speaker 2: Was it a relatively straightforward decision or did you think yourself, 53 00:02:55,147 --> 00:02:57,267 Speaker 2: hang on, I'm going to take half my leg off here. 54 00:02:57,707 --> 00:03:00,107 Speaker 2: I'm making a decision to get rid of half of 55 00:03:00,147 --> 00:03:00,787 Speaker 2: my leg here. 56 00:03:01,787 --> 00:03:05,987 Speaker 3: No. I was all in by that point. I was 57 00:03:05,987 --> 00:03:08,507 Speaker 3: competing as a para athlete unable to use the leg, 58 00:03:08,547 --> 00:03:10,587 Speaker 3: and I'd created this life for myself where I knew 59 00:03:10,627 --> 00:03:14,307 Speaker 3: worst case scenario if I had issues with the amputation 60 00:03:14,427 --> 00:03:17,507 Speaker 3: or I didn't get mobile on a prosthetic. I had 61 00:03:17,547 --> 00:03:20,187 Speaker 3: this thing that gave me joy and gave me purpose 62 00:03:20,307 --> 00:03:23,147 Speaker 3: in my climbing, and I had community and connections who 63 00:03:23,227 --> 00:03:24,867 Speaker 3: were able to help me through it. And it really 64 00:03:24,907 --> 00:03:27,707 Speaker 3: is just such a testament to you know, the words 65 00:03:28,027 --> 00:03:31,347 Speaker 3: fano and the wider sense of family and the people 66 00:03:31,387 --> 00:03:33,307 Speaker 3: around me that had carried me. And it's for sure 67 00:03:33,347 --> 00:03:37,027 Speaker 3: I've put some gritin, resilience in and thought to recreate 68 00:03:37,027 --> 00:03:39,947 Speaker 3: my own life, but I've also been carried thereby so 69 00:03:40,107 --> 00:03:42,307 Speaker 3: many people, and yeah, I was all. 70 00:03:42,187 --> 00:03:45,907 Speaker 2: In, can you just clarify? So do you climb with 71 00:03:46,147 --> 00:03:47,507 Speaker 2: a prosthetic leg or not? 72 00:03:48,627 --> 00:03:53,347 Speaker 3: That is an excellent question. I have competed more often 73 00:03:53,427 --> 00:03:57,907 Speaker 3: without a prosthetic than but that's been due to ongoing 74 00:03:57,987 --> 00:04:00,227 Speaker 3: challenges with my stump. I did end up with some 75 00:04:00,707 --> 00:04:05,907 Speaker 3: really difficult challenges with my residulum that involved another amputation 76 00:04:06,027 --> 00:04:08,667 Speaker 3: into twenty two on the same leg, I lost more 77 00:04:08,667 --> 00:04:12,387 Speaker 3: of it and so as it's worked out, most of 78 00:04:12,427 --> 00:04:14,507 Speaker 3: my comps have been without a prosthetic. But this year 79 00:04:14,547 --> 00:04:18,187 Speaker 3: I'm back on a climbing leg and I'm really enjoying that. 80 00:04:18,347 --> 00:04:22,547 Speaker 3: It's a different style. Our category of Wahini who compete 81 00:04:22,547 --> 00:04:26,907 Speaker 3: in the lower limb field, we all have varying degree 82 00:04:26,947 --> 00:04:29,427 Speaker 3: of limb loss, so it's all we're almosting one leg, 83 00:04:29,507 --> 00:04:31,147 Speaker 3: but it could be left or right, it could be 84 00:04:31,147 --> 00:04:33,187 Speaker 3: above or below the knee, and we may or may 85 00:04:33,227 --> 00:04:36,387 Speaker 3: not use a prosthetic and it's really against us in 86 00:04:36,387 --> 00:04:40,227 Speaker 3: the wall. You know, how we adapt to our difference 87 00:04:40,707 --> 00:04:42,987 Speaker 3: and what creative solutions we come up with in the 88 00:04:43,027 --> 00:04:46,027 Speaker 3: moment to like problem solve the route that I've given 89 00:04:46,107 --> 00:04:48,187 Speaker 3: us that we've never seen this form, I've never climbed, 90 00:04:48,227 --> 00:04:51,427 Speaker 3: and we've got this one chance to shine. So yeah, 91 00:04:51,427 --> 00:04:53,707 Speaker 3: it's a bit of both. And I'm really looking forward 92 00:04:53,747 --> 00:04:55,227 Speaker 3: to this year to being back out there with the 93 00:04:55,267 --> 00:04:58,707 Speaker 3: prosthetic and a May twenty twenty five or first World Cup. 94 00:04:59,427 --> 00:05:01,987 Speaker 3: This year I was on a prosthetic and canily with 95 00:05:01,987 --> 00:05:03,387 Speaker 3: the bronze, which was very exciting. 96 00:05:03,907 --> 00:05:06,987 Speaker 2: Indeed, I saw that, so obviously it's that that bodes 97 00:05:06,987 --> 00:05:11,067 Speaker 2: well for career. So I'm just trying to get my 98 00:05:11,107 --> 00:05:13,907 Speaker 2: head round there. So before you had the amputation, you 99 00:05:13,987 --> 00:05:17,187 Speaker 2: were still power climbing, but in a different class, is 100 00:05:17,227 --> 00:05:17,627 Speaker 2: that right? 101 00:05:18,107 --> 00:05:22,187 Speaker 3: That's crazy. I compared for one season and just one 102 00:05:22,187 --> 00:05:26,987 Speaker 3: competition actually and the reduced power for impaired range of 103 00:05:27,147 --> 00:05:32,827 Speaker 3: power category, And yeah, that was my introduction to climbing 104 00:05:32,987 --> 00:05:35,747 Speaker 3: on the international stage as a para athlete. And it 105 00:05:35,827 --> 00:05:38,587 Speaker 3: was actually the event where I was able to meet 106 00:05:38,707 --> 00:05:41,787 Speaker 3: a lot of amputees and talk to them and get 107 00:05:41,827 --> 00:05:45,627 Speaker 3: to know their story and the potential potential and possibilities 108 00:05:45,707 --> 00:05:48,987 Speaker 3: if I chose amputation of a pathway and I went 109 00:05:49,027 --> 00:05:53,187 Speaker 3: home from that competition and after the elective surgery. 110 00:05:53,547 --> 00:05:56,227 Speaker 2: Did the amputation stop the pain? 111 00:05:59,227 --> 00:06:02,147 Speaker 3: It stopped the pain from the damage I was living with. 112 00:06:02,227 --> 00:06:05,667 Speaker 3: But unfortunately, because they'd had ten surgeries previously, I was 113 00:06:06,067 --> 00:06:10,147 Speaker 3: high risk of neurological pain from severing those nerves, and 114 00:06:10,187 --> 00:06:14,227 Speaker 3: I now live with chronic chronic nerve pain. So at 115 00:06:14,267 --> 00:06:17,107 Speaker 3: the moment, because we're speaking, I'm probably sitting on like 116 00:06:17,147 --> 00:06:19,307 Speaker 3: a seven out of ten paint. So it feels like 117 00:06:20,347 --> 00:06:22,587 Speaker 3: I don't know if you've vapped yourself with an electric sense, 118 00:06:22,707 --> 00:06:25,867 Speaker 3: but well, it feels like an electric sense, but instead 119 00:06:25,867 --> 00:06:28,227 Speaker 3: of being like just a zap, it's non stop. It 120 00:06:28,387 --> 00:06:29,547 Speaker 3: just it never stopped. 121 00:06:30,187 --> 00:06:32,147 Speaker 2: Well, I touched an electric fence once, but it was 122 00:06:32,187 --> 00:06:35,627 Speaker 2: for about half a second. So I get in a 123 00:06:35,787 --> 00:06:39,427 Speaker 2: seven out of Is that where you where you live? 124 00:06:40,227 --> 00:06:42,187 Speaker 2: Day to day? At a seven out of ten. 125 00:06:42,827 --> 00:06:45,747 Speaker 3: Day to day seven? But like throughout the day that 126 00:06:45,827 --> 00:06:48,907 Speaker 3: we'll like escalate to a ten, and you know, evenings 127 00:06:48,907 --> 00:06:51,587 Speaker 3: in particular in that time, I won't sleep unless I've 128 00:06:51,587 --> 00:06:54,347 Speaker 3: had a stative. It just doesn't stop. It's just always there. 129 00:06:54,387 --> 00:06:57,267 Speaker 3: It's it's part of my journey now and I've just 130 00:06:57,347 --> 00:06:59,227 Speaker 3: learned so like trying to turn the volume up on 131 00:06:59,347 --> 00:07:01,467 Speaker 3: joy is like I guess, medicine to the soul and 132 00:07:01,507 --> 00:07:04,427 Speaker 3: the body, and that for climbing comes in. When I'm climbing, 133 00:07:04,907 --> 00:07:08,067 Speaker 3: the pain's still there, but it's quieter, and I've like 134 00:07:08,347 --> 00:07:10,147 Speaker 3: I've found a way to move and to feel free 135 00:07:10,187 --> 00:07:12,387 Speaker 3: and to feel live. And I guess like I'm also 136 00:07:12,387 --> 00:07:15,827 Speaker 3: pretty scared of heights, So lots of adrenaline and that 137 00:07:15,947 --> 00:07:19,027 Speaker 3: helps manage pain, and I feel like I have perfect 138 00:07:19,107 --> 00:07:21,747 Speaker 3: in it and maybe get to live a life with 139 00:07:21,787 --> 00:07:25,227 Speaker 3: impact for others. So, yeah, did you. 140 00:07:25,227 --> 00:07:26,547 Speaker 2: Say you were scared of as? Did you say you 141 00:07:26,547 --> 00:07:27,587 Speaker 2: were scared of heights? 142 00:07:28,267 --> 00:07:30,867 Speaker 3: Scared of heights of public speaking? Wow? 143 00:07:31,067 --> 00:07:34,587 Speaker 2: Here we are, I know exactly amazing. You want Brawnz 144 00:07:34,587 --> 00:07:36,387 Speaker 2: At the twenty twenty Free World Champs tell us. 145 00:07:36,307 --> 00:07:39,907 Speaker 3: About that, say, Will Champs was really challenging to me. 146 00:07:39,987 --> 00:07:43,507 Speaker 3: I actually had a very difficult situation with my daughter 147 00:07:43,547 --> 00:07:46,267 Speaker 3: who's heigh needs a month or two before the event, 148 00:07:47,667 --> 00:07:51,667 Speaker 3: and I ended up with a concussion and injury. Parenting 149 00:07:51,827 --> 00:07:54,587 Speaker 3: a special needs teenager on your hands and knees or 150 00:07:54,667 --> 00:07:59,547 Speaker 3: encrutches or wheelchairs. Just it's hard. And so I actually 151 00:07:59,547 --> 00:08:03,107 Speaker 3: took a big rest before that event, and the morning 152 00:08:03,107 --> 00:08:04,747 Speaker 3: I meant to fly out, I was lying on the 153 00:08:04,747 --> 00:08:08,027 Speaker 3: couch going yet not going to go, Like my heart's 154 00:08:08,387 --> 00:08:11,627 Speaker 3: I'm going to fail, it's not worth it. And a 155 00:08:11,667 --> 00:08:13,867 Speaker 3: friend came over and she literally packed my bag and 156 00:08:13,907 --> 00:08:15,587 Speaker 3: packed me out and put me on the plane. And 157 00:08:15,947 --> 00:08:17,507 Speaker 3: when I got there, I realized, you know, I just 158 00:08:17,587 --> 00:08:19,787 Speaker 3: it really sent home to me again how important it 159 00:08:19,827 --> 00:08:22,067 Speaker 3: is to do something for ourselves in a month's the 160 00:08:22,107 --> 00:08:25,987 Speaker 3: hard things. And family is important, but our own identity 161 00:08:26,067 --> 00:08:28,587 Speaker 3: is important too. So I just decided to go out 162 00:08:28,627 --> 00:08:30,867 Speaker 3: there and give it how and be in the moment. 163 00:08:30,987 --> 00:08:33,627 Speaker 3: I wasn't wearing a prosthetic, I couldn't walk, and I 164 00:08:33,747 --> 00:08:36,027 Speaker 3: came away with a bronze And yeah, I wear a 165 00:08:36,067 --> 00:08:39,587 Speaker 3: lot of emotion, and my heart's on my sleeve all 166 00:08:39,587 --> 00:08:42,067 Speaker 3: the time. And I think that just like shows how 167 00:08:42,307 --> 00:08:44,347 Speaker 3: important it is to me to be able to like 168 00:08:44,827 --> 00:08:49,147 Speaker 3: honor and reflect and be grounded and like the power 169 00:08:49,187 --> 00:08:51,587 Speaker 3: we have in ourselves to recreate our lives and to 170 00:08:51,707 --> 00:08:54,267 Speaker 3: find our identity and amongst all those other labels that 171 00:08:54,307 --> 00:08:57,987 Speaker 3: we carry, some of them good like mother, sister, friend, 172 00:08:58,107 --> 00:09:00,947 Speaker 3: all of those things, but also other labels that perhaps 173 00:09:00,987 --> 00:09:03,667 Speaker 3: we put on ourselves or other people give to us 174 00:09:04,227 --> 00:09:07,227 Speaker 3: then are more negative. And yeah, it was a really 175 00:09:07,227 --> 00:09:08,067 Speaker 3: great moment for me. 176 00:09:09,107 --> 00:09:11,547 Speaker 2: Your sport's been accepted onto the program for the first 177 00:09:11,547 --> 00:09:14,467 Speaker 2: time at the LA Paralympic Games in twenty twenty eight. 178 00:09:14,547 --> 00:09:16,987 Speaker 2: Is that a big, big carrot for you, a big motivator. 179 00:09:17,667 --> 00:09:22,147 Speaker 3: Yes, for sure. You know it's hard that are sweet 180 00:09:22,227 --> 00:09:25,107 Speaker 3: because it is the first time that we're in the Paralympics, 181 00:09:25,147 --> 00:09:27,107 Speaker 3: and as such it will be a smaller event. So 182 00:09:27,147 --> 00:09:30,427 Speaker 3: this means that not all of our categories that currently 183 00:09:30,467 --> 00:09:33,027 Speaker 3: compete on the international stage are going to be seen 184 00:09:33,067 --> 00:09:37,827 Speaker 3: at the LA twenty twenty Paralympics. Fortunately, my caategory is one, 185 00:09:37,867 --> 00:09:40,267 Speaker 3: so I do have the opportunity, but I'm very mindful 186 00:09:40,347 --> 00:09:42,707 Speaker 3: that as much of it as an opportunity for me, 187 00:09:43,827 --> 00:09:46,667 Speaker 3: it's also an opportunity to showcase our sport and to 188 00:09:47,267 --> 00:09:50,227 Speaker 3: do such a good job of that that all of 189 00:09:50,267 --> 00:09:55,267 Speaker 3: our categories are introduced for the following Paralympics in twenty 190 00:09:55,307 --> 00:09:57,587 Speaker 3: thirty two, and then we get our whole way that 191 00:09:57,667 --> 00:10:01,947 Speaker 3: adaptive family there, so we're all very happy to be 192 00:10:02,227 --> 00:10:04,547 Speaker 3: I guess there's a lot of joy in it, but 193 00:10:04,707 --> 00:10:06,307 Speaker 3: a lot of responsibility as well. 194 00:10:06,907 --> 00:10:10,187 Speaker 2: How much of climbing is about problem solving. 195 00:10:10,827 --> 00:10:14,987 Speaker 3: All of it? Yeah, we So it's an interesting sport. 196 00:10:15,027 --> 00:10:17,107 Speaker 3: You know, when you're swimming, you're running, you're swimming the 197 00:10:17,107 --> 00:10:20,787 Speaker 3: same pool. When you're rowing, you're rowing the same length, 198 00:10:21,147 --> 00:10:25,747 Speaker 3: and the conditions might be different. Again, like there's many 199 00:10:25,787 --> 00:10:28,827 Speaker 3: sports where with the route or the thing that you're 200 00:10:28,827 --> 00:10:31,427 Speaker 3: doing is repetitive and it's the same, but in climbing, 201 00:10:31,467 --> 00:10:34,747 Speaker 3: it's completely different. Every time we actually, if we're in finals, 202 00:10:35,027 --> 00:10:37,387 Speaker 3: we're actually locked in a stadium room out the back. 203 00:10:37,467 --> 00:10:40,227 Speaker 3: We're locked there for up to it could be six hours, 204 00:10:40,667 --> 00:10:44,307 Speaker 3: no bluetooth, no cell phone, no devices that could connect 205 00:10:44,347 --> 00:10:46,867 Speaker 3: us to the outside world. And during that time, the 206 00:10:46,947 --> 00:10:48,827 Speaker 3: problem that we'll climb has put up on the wall, 207 00:10:48,907 --> 00:10:51,267 Speaker 3: so we've never seen it the floor, we've never touched it. 208 00:10:51,387 --> 00:10:53,667 Speaker 3: They'll give us a six minute viewing period where we 209 00:10:53,707 --> 00:10:55,227 Speaker 3: can go and look at it, and then you look 210 00:10:55,587 --> 00:10:57,587 Speaker 3: locked back and you're room out the back where you're 211 00:10:57,587 --> 00:11:00,027 Speaker 3: trying to time your warm up for this imaginary stat 212 00:11:00,107 --> 00:11:03,267 Speaker 3: point that sort of shifts. People move quickly or slowly 213 00:11:03,387 --> 00:11:05,467 Speaker 3: through the route, and then you're brought out and you're 214 00:11:05,507 --> 00:11:08,547 Speaker 3: given this one time with six minutes to climb this road. 215 00:11:08,587 --> 00:11:10,387 Speaker 3: As soon as you fall off, it's all over. So 216 00:11:10,507 --> 00:11:13,507 Speaker 3: you're going to the highest point you can reach. And 217 00:11:13,707 --> 00:11:16,827 Speaker 3: each hold is one point and then positive direction towards 218 00:11:16,867 --> 00:11:19,187 Speaker 3: the next hole that half a point and it can 219 00:11:19,187 --> 00:11:20,427 Speaker 3: come down to half a point. 220 00:11:21,227 --> 00:11:24,467 Speaker 2: Incredible. And so is there a top, like, can you 221 00:11:24,547 --> 00:11:26,267 Speaker 2: do you typically reach the top? 222 00:11:26,947 --> 00:11:28,827 Speaker 3: There is a top? Yes, I think the route that 223 00:11:29,027 --> 00:11:32,707 Speaker 3: is a you know, there's a lot of responsibility to 224 00:11:32,787 --> 00:11:37,027 Speaker 3: make these dynamic and exciting and fun challenging, and then 225 00:11:37,067 --> 00:11:39,347 Speaker 3: also to see some tops, but not too many tops. 226 00:11:39,587 --> 00:11:41,867 Speaker 3: Want the whole field topping or you kind of. 227 00:11:43,587 --> 00:11:45,787 Speaker 2: It must be be too easy. Yeah, fas too easy. 228 00:11:46,107 --> 00:11:48,027 Speaker 2: Everyone's reaching the top. It must be too easy. 229 00:11:48,307 --> 00:11:50,667 Speaker 3: Yeah, I've had I've definitely had some tops. Actually, my 230 00:11:50,827 --> 00:11:54,067 Speaker 3: very first World Championship, very first international competition, I topped 231 00:11:54,107 --> 00:11:56,027 Speaker 3: my first climb and I got to the top of 232 00:11:56,067 --> 00:11:59,707 Speaker 3: it and was like, oh, I'm actually okay at this. 233 00:11:59,907 --> 00:12:02,747 Speaker 3: I did not expect that, And then I ended up 234 00:12:02,787 --> 00:12:05,067 Speaker 3: qualifying for finals, which was the first for New Zealand. 235 00:12:05,107 --> 00:12:09,547 Speaker 3: Athletes and able disabled climbing and male or female. That's 236 00:12:09,627 --> 00:12:11,507 Speaker 3: like a little piece of history I get to keep 237 00:12:11,547 --> 00:12:14,067 Speaker 3: for our country forever. And I remember just sitting there 238 00:12:14,067 --> 00:12:16,107 Speaker 3: looking at the list of four athletes through the finals 239 00:12:16,147 --> 00:12:18,667 Speaker 3: and my name was on it. I was like, is there, Like, 240 00:12:19,347 --> 00:12:21,427 Speaker 3: will an official come and tell me? How do I 241 00:12:21,467 --> 00:12:23,427 Speaker 3: know I'm allowed in the final warm month zone? What 242 00:12:23,427 --> 00:12:24,067 Speaker 3: do I do now? 243 00:12:24,107 --> 00:12:24,187 Speaker 2: Like? 244 00:12:24,227 --> 00:12:28,027 Speaker 3: I just haven't planned for it at all. So, yeah, 245 00:12:28,107 --> 00:12:31,187 Speaker 3: the top are pretty epic. That's what we're all going for. 246 00:12:31,307 --> 00:12:33,827 Speaker 3: There's a lot of joy in that. But there's also 247 00:12:33,907 --> 00:12:35,347 Speaker 3: just a lot of joy in being in the moment 248 00:12:35,507 --> 00:12:38,467 Speaker 3: and you know, trying to really, I guess, like take 249 00:12:38,507 --> 00:12:40,947 Speaker 3: advantage of that clim that's been put up there for us, 250 00:12:40,947 --> 00:12:43,827 Speaker 3: because as adapt to climbers, we're not getting that. In gyms, 251 00:12:43,907 --> 00:12:45,987 Speaker 3: often you go into a gym and the roots of 252 00:12:46,027 --> 00:12:48,747 Speaker 3: sets for people with two leaves or two arms or 253 00:12:48,787 --> 00:12:51,947 Speaker 3: a fully functioning body, and so you can come up 254 00:12:51,947 --> 00:12:54,507 Speaker 3: against blockermovs you like, yep, well I wanted not going 255 00:12:54,547 --> 00:12:57,787 Speaker 3: to work. So when we're competing, these routes are set 256 00:12:57,907 --> 00:13:01,747 Speaker 3: specifically for women with that legs or specifically for men 257 00:13:01,827 --> 00:13:05,187 Speaker 3: who aren't able to see or you know, all the 258 00:13:05,227 --> 00:13:07,827 Speaker 3: different categories they set specifically for us, and it is 259 00:13:07,947 --> 00:13:10,267 Speaker 3: such a joy to crime on those problems. 260 00:13:10,907 --> 00:13:14,547 Speaker 2: Do you ever think back and wonder what might what 261 00:13:14,587 --> 00:13:16,827 Speaker 2: your life might be like if they hadn't du taped 262 00:13:16,907 --> 00:13:19,427 Speaker 2: up that thing back in when you were sixteen? 263 00:13:20,347 --> 00:13:25,027 Speaker 3: I do. I don't allow myself to certain it too often, 264 00:13:28,507 --> 00:13:30,947 Speaker 3: and maybe I'll get emotional. And it's actually, ironically not 265 00:13:30,987 --> 00:13:34,667 Speaker 3: for the reason you might think. I am so grateful 266 00:13:35,147 --> 00:13:39,187 Speaker 3: for somebody else's mistake, because the person that I've become 267 00:13:39,427 --> 00:13:42,947 Speaker 3: and the pathways it's created for me, and the resilience 268 00:13:42,987 --> 00:13:45,347 Speaker 3: that it's developed in me that I now get to like. 269 00:13:47,027 --> 00:13:49,267 Speaker 3: I mean, I educate in this. This is something that 270 00:13:49,307 --> 00:13:51,507 Speaker 3: I do like part time on the side is public 271 00:13:51,547 --> 00:13:54,867 Speaker 3: speaking and resilience, and I make these connections for people 272 00:13:54,947 --> 00:13:57,227 Speaker 3: who will come up to me later and say, look, 273 00:13:57,267 --> 00:13:59,467 Speaker 3: you've like you've altered the path of my life. And 274 00:14:00,187 --> 00:14:02,867 Speaker 3: that's deep. I never expected to be able to have 275 00:14:03,427 --> 00:14:06,067 Speaker 3: that much impact in the world, but it gives me 276 00:14:06,547 --> 00:14:08,827 Speaker 3: much light to be able to do that. And yes, 277 00:14:08,867 --> 00:14:11,187 Speaker 3: I love in an extreme amount of pain, but I 278 00:14:11,227 --> 00:14:13,067 Speaker 3: also get to love a life of impact, and I 279 00:14:13,827 --> 00:14:15,747 Speaker 3: just wouldn't have it any other way. And I've definitely 280 00:14:15,827 --> 00:14:18,067 Speaker 3: looked back and thought, you know, what would it be 281 00:14:18,147 --> 00:14:21,867 Speaker 3: like if that hadn't happened? And I can't imagine it. 282 00:14:21,987 --> 00:14:25,987 Speaker 3: I can't. There's nothing like I if I ask myself 283 00:14:26,027 --> 00:14:29,587 Speaker 3: that question. There's just this blank, MD void in front 284 00:14:29,587 --> 00:14:32,187 Speaker 3: of me, and it's not full of light in sunshine. 285 00:14:32,467 --> 00:14:35,707 Speaker 3: And yes, what I do have in front of me 286 00:14:35,787 --> 00:14:37,707 Speaker 3: is difficult, but it is full of so much light 287 00:14:37,747 --> 00:14:40,307 Speaker 3: and sunshine. I think I feel that brightness so much 288 00:14:40,307 --> 00:14:42,507 Speaker 3: more because of all the doubt stuff as well. 289 00:14:43,867 --> 00:14:46,627 Speaker 2: Impacting others is an absolute superpower, it really is, and 290 00:14:47,187 --> 00:14:51,667 Speaker 2: obviously you are doing it regularly along with your supreme 291 00:14:51,907 --> 00:14:54,387 Speaker 2: climbing ability. Rachel has been such a delight to chat 292 00:14:54,427 --> 00:14:56,307 Speaker 2: to you. I can't wait to see how you go 293 00:14:56,987 --> 00:14:59,707 Speaker 2: in Seoul. Thank you for being so open and so 294 00:14:59,827 --> 00:15:01,187 Speaker 2: generous with your time this afternoon. 295 00:15:01,587 --> 00:15:03,347 Speaker 3: Thanks so much, Jason Cha no. 296 00:15:03,387 --> 00:15:06,187 Speaker 2: Thank you. Rachel May there off to compete in the 297 00:15:06,427 --> 00:15:11,867 Speaker 2: A Climbing World Championships in Soul Career late next month. 298 00:15:11,907 --> 00:15:16,107 Speaker 2: What a story now she get is completely unfunded. There's 299 00:15:16,147 --> 00:15:20,587 Speaker 2: no funding available to her to compete in this competition 300 00:15:20,707 --> 00:15:25,027 Speaker 2: or any competition as such. She is running a give 301 00:15:25,027 --> 00:15:29,027 Speaker 2: a little page to help raise some money to fund 302 00:15:29,107 --> 00:15:31,747 Speaker 2: her trip to the World Champs. So give a little 303 00:15:31,787 --> 00:15:35,427 Speaker 2: dot co dot MZ, just search for Rachel Meyer. The 304 00:15:35,467 --> 00:15:39,507 Speaker 2: surname is m Aia and you'll find the details there 305 00:15:39,547 --> 00:15:43,627 Speaker 2: of climbing with Purpose. So yeah, if you are in 306 00:15:43,667 --> 00:15:46,147 Speaker 2: the position to help out in any way, that would 307 00:15:46,187 --> 00:15:49,347 Speaker 2: be much appreciated. One of the more inspirational guests we've 308 00:15:49,387 --> 00:15:51,467 Speaker 2: had on the show for quite some time. 309 00:15:52,387 --> 00:15:55,587 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 310 00:15:55,667 --> 00:15:58,987 Speaker 1: to News Talk zed B weekends from midday, or follow 311 00:15:59,027 --> 00:16:00,627 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.