I’m Rachel, and my passion for bouldering and training is matched only by my love for coaching others. I began my climbing journey and my role as a youth coach around the same time (2019), so my experience as a climber has always been intertwined with my experience as a coach. Everything I’ve learned as a coach, I’ve been able to practice myself. And everything I learn as a climber, I can share with my athletes, helping them grow as well.

I’ve learned from coaching courses, books, online research, fellow coaches, and countless hours spent experimenting with exercises, drills, and challenges—failing, adjusting, and trying again.

My own climbing journey has been a rollercoaster—starting with rapid progress, followed by a low point where I often considered quitting. Thankfully, I always found my way back, rediscovering the joy of the sport. These personal experiences have helped me truly understand the challenges athletes can face and have highlighted the crucial role of mindset in bouldering. As a coach I focus on technique, physical strength and the mental aspect of climbing.

Mindset is obviously also of the greatest importance for competition climbers. Staying focused under pressure, managing expectations, keeping an optimistic approach and staying adaptable, are all issues I work on with my athletes. Furthermore, I’ve developed the ability to think on my feet, making quick adjustments to meet the needs of each individual climber. I’ve developed strong observational skills, allowing me to assess a climber’s technique, mindset, and performance. By analyzing their movements and behaviors, I can identify the key limiting factors—whether technical, mental, or physical—that they can improve on.

Licenses / qualifications:

• Sportklimtrainer 2 (NKBV license)

• Trainersdag Bewegingsanalyse (NKBV)

• Sportklimtrainer 3 (NKBV license, starting January 2025)