Welcome to Catalyst Climbing - Home of Louis Parkinson and the Catalyst Team.
Catalyst Climbing is a team of experienced and passionate coaches guided by Head coach Louis Parkinson, a former member of the GB Climbing Team known worldwide for his enthusiastic and dynamic approach to teaching climbing skills.
We train our students at LCC Climbing walls all over London - from helping beginner climbers learn the basics of climbing technique, to coaching GB team members as they win national competitions.
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I LOVED the more personal "rambling" about the emotional aspect of climbing and what progress even means on an individual level. I think it is so important to talk about this and show the humanity behind it, the insecurities and how to still enjoy climbing - because otherwise, what is the point? I hope more men can open up, because the gurlies are already doing it and they're making the climbing community a wonderful space of happiness and compassion. Not without struggles, but the whole experience just comes through as multifaceted, as it should.
Why don't you do a video with Magnus? He mostly relies on his intuition, while you cleary think stuff through and have methods behind things. I would be very curious to see you guys climbing together, as you have such a different background...
That's interesting what you said about your internal reflections, because once i've seen you participating in BIFF (I believe it was January of 2020), and it felt like it was not going well for you. And you were going circles seemingly being sad or even mad about your performance. And for me as a viewer it was very strange, because I've got used to you being very positive on videos and it was very unlikely seeing you in such mood. Now I understand what was happening there. So keep your track and don't put too much pressure on yourself! In the end it is always about having fun, remember that)
Is it just me, who gets annoyed and confused by edits, when actual moves are pasted into Louis' analysis before his approach? I'm cool with looking and listening as he walks through his idea, but those interruptions are making it hard. If you want to add it, how about a split screen? I'm watching your videos, since you share a lot of tips that are practical at any level and combine nicely physical aspects of bouldering with mental one. And all packed up in a light, funny format. One thing I would really enjoy watching would be a long term project- how do you approach it during multiple sessions over the course of few weeks.
Louis I love your videos, I’m a 52 year old climber and I get so much inspiration from your enthusiasm and mindset. I think your coaching vids are world class, when you climbed with Erin it was clear you had something to offer a climber of her ability. You might not (quite) be a world class climber, but I think your coaching is. Thank you for what you give me - you’ve made me a better climber.
These videos are great, but it'd be nice to see the route / holds in a bit more detail so I can try to read them myself in advance and then see whether that corresponds with the optimal beta. I think that would enable me to learn more. Great content otherwise.
Love it Louie. Very relatable. Having gone through cancer twice in the last 4 years, I have also come to the conclusion that I can still enjoy climbing even if I’m not at my best ever level. But of course I m motivated to try to get back to and beyond. And if I don’t that’s ok too I’ll still be grateful for having such a fulfilling lifestyle. Your dialogue about self talk I think is great for a lot of people to hear. And we watch you for you man, not for the grade level. You’re a great coach we all learn a lot from you.
I loved the internal reflections! I've been thinking a lot lately about my mindset and emotional state and its interplay with my athletic performance (both climbing and running). It's taught me a lot about myself on a broader level. So I appreciated hearing your own thoughts!
can't stop chuckling at Louis's "oh dear" at 19:53 with the wubby music immediately after having shared deep thoughts thanks as always for opening up & sharing! you truly inspire and motivate your following not only to grow & show kindness to oneself as a climber but also as a person :)
Can you please not show the clips of the moves as he Louie talks about the moves of a boulder? Iam here wanting to get psyched and it´s kinda dissapointing seeing the clips of the moves before the actual try :(
I can say i had the pleasure to meet loui at 2024 championship and at first i couldn't believe he was there, he was so friendly and really positive, it isnt a coincidence and as many people have mentioned it isn't about him being famous or anything its do with the energy he transmits to the crowd and his viewers, never change big man!
Hearing Louis talk about being ovee 30 and as someone that just started bouldering a few months ago and being 30+, im starting out on hard mode it seems
This video is awesome, Louis and Catalyst crew! Louis, your perspective and mindset here - and how you're feeling physically - remind me of Magnus. It feels like he's recently had the 'fire in his belly' re-ignited by interactions with people like Tomoa, Dave Mac and Stefano G - he seems to have got a lot of his climbing mojo back and I see a new sense of joy in his current climbing-specific videos (both on his main and secondary channel) and motivation to train and try hard. I also noticed Bob Swagger say in Emil's latest (awesome) video that he might have only five more years of real 'try hard' left in parkour, but sees himself climbing way into the future. I'm rambling, but I guess I'm saying - as a comparative old lady who only started climbing last year aged 43 - climbing is one of those sports you can always find ways to continue evolving even if your circumstances, situations, focus and motivations may shift. Really enjoyed this. Straightforward, entertaining, but still insightful.
For you, your legacy might be achieving V15. For the rest of us, in the 100s of 1000s, your legacy is inspiring us to love climbing, to cultivate what might be a life long passion, to climb better and to bring positive energy into every aspects of our lives. (At least for me). So thank you from this corner of the globe. 🇹🇭❤️
It's super useful for me to hear you talk about your mindset and how to get out of your own way, and that's the thing i most watch you for. I'm really hoping the lesson sticks, at some point ;) But, seriously watching and listening to you has led me to try a greater variety of climbs (dynos, even) coming back from two hand injuries.
I normally love these videos but I found this one very difficult to watch with the decision to show Louis do the moves as he's describing them - by the time he's climbing I've already seen the moves!
Its not about deserving, youre just an awesome human being and so nice and fun, I remember a time, where you just plopped up in some random videos and I always thought, how genius it would be if you had your own youtube channel and I can be inspired by your positiv additude and strong climbing. So this worked out pretty good!
Something that makes me love Louis so much is that he has this harsh inner critic and is so open about how negative his own mindset can be, and yet he is the gentlest, most supportive and positive person to every other climber he meets. His positivity isn’t fake-it comes from a deep understandjng of toxic negativity and a personal struggle with it. He doesn’t act like he’s above the psychological issues that he preaches about often. That makes me trust your advice and also-wish you would treat yourself with all the kindness you give to others! That reflection was one of the loveliest bits of climbing philosophy I’ve heard in a long time. Thank you for sharing. You may not be the greatest climber but you’re definitely one of my favourites.
Louis - were all here for YOU, not for the climbing. The climbing is the medium through which were learning about overcoming ourselves. Keep staying out of your own way and you'll keep achieving.
I think a lot of people star watching you for your climbing and staying for your personality. You deserve this because you are such a positive inspiration!
3:15 I've been taught the complete opposite rules basically lol. If the bolt hold is open then you're free to use it because if the routesetters consider bolt holds to be cheating then they would place a blocker and make it more difficult / flat out impossible to use.
🗽 7c is a bit too hard for me... 🤨 Louis, you don't have to be the best climber, to make good videos! You have to perform good on the videos, present a good show and help other climbers with ideas. That's all. There are many excellent climbers, but they never could explain to normal people how to climb better. 👊 .
Great video. Loved the editing with short shots of the moves when Louis talks about his plan, and the little conversation about motivation and imposter syndrome was really interesting to hear.
Hey Louis, i'm the guy with his spouse you met at yonder last week 👋 It was our first time in the uk and we visited several climbing gyms because of youtubers like you. Bouldering is our passion since we started three years ago and we wanted to experience what is like to be in the same gyms. My imposter voice told me not to disturb someone like who is that famous but i'm glad that i ignored it and got to shake your hand and change a few words. I would have loved to hug you but that would have been strange for the first time meeting i guess 🤔 You got a place in our heart that's what matters!
