Modus Cafe: Conversations Beyond Climbing

In today’s Podcast, Mercedes is joined by Steve Bechtel to discuss the two most important principles of strength training and how you can use them to support your climbing training. Strength training shouldn’t be what you spend most of your time on in your climbing training, but it’s most likely the most crucial factor in getting stronger. Balancing strength training with your climbing can be tric...

Steve and Mercedes break down a meta-study examining various fasting styles and their impact on body weight, while emphasizing the importance of simplicity and awareness. They share insights on intermittent fasting, the role of protein, and why you can't out-train a poor diet. Ideal for athletes and individuals seeking to improve their health and performance. An important note: Steve and Mercedes...

If you're a V0 to V4 climber looking to improve, training power is crucial. Power helps express strength for big, cruxy moves and improves overall climbing performance. Start training power and you will climb harder! Join Modus Training with this 3 month membership special! https://www.modusathletica.com/offers/C5hDL5aq If you'd like to work one-on-one with me, visit my website for more details ht...

In this episode of Modus Cafe, Mercedes shares two small changes that can help create lasting habits. She also covers how to identify personal values, the significance of time management, and the effectiveness of actions leading to motivation (it's not the other way around!) Become more consistent and climb harder when you prioritize yourself! Join Modus Training with this 3 month membership speci...

Happy Pride everyone! In this episode, Mercedes looks at cardio from a different angle. Join the discussion as she highlights the advantages of interval training, like Jeffing and jump training, as a versatile, efficient, and FUN training tool. Jump training is for all climbers, but Mercedes explains how some benefits are especially important for women. Don't miss how to integrate this simple tool...

In collaboration with Steve Bechtel @ClimbStrongTV, Mercedes Pollmeier discusses a research study comparing single versus double training sessions for endurance athletes, exploring its implications for climbers. They delve into the physiological responses to different training intensities, the importance of low-intensity workouts, and practical applications for climbers looking to enhance their tr...

(Trigger Warning/TW: suicidal ideations) In this conversation, Mercedes Pollmeier shares her personal experiences with injuries as a climber, specifically her most recent elbow injury, discussing the mental and physical challenges she faced during recovery. She emphasizes the importance of acceptance, gratitude, and finding opportunities for growth during setbacks. Using her journey and experience...

In today's episode, Mercedes Pollmeier shares some research and personal experience from wearing a Continuous Glucose Monitor for a month! Take a closer look together at health, climbing performance, energy regulation, and eating habits. Mercedes talks functionality, benefits, and how a CGM can be used as a self-improvement tool. Hear about her journey, how it helped her understand her body's resp...

In this podcast episode, Mercedes Pollmeier discusses the strategy and art of projecting (even for those who avoid it), while also addressing common questions and mental barriers climbers face. She emphasizes the importance of mindset, the benefits of multiple attempts, and how to approach failure as a learning opportunity. Stick around to hear some practical tips for effective projecting, knowing...

The focus of today's episode with Mercedes Pollmeier is to get you familiar with the starting point of strength training for your climbing journey. She discusses the top injuries of climbers and why they may happen. Build body awareness by learning which muscles are engaged while climbing, and also learn how to properly press, pull, hinge, squat, and let's not forget your core. Mercedes is here to...

In this episode, Mercedes Pollmeier discusses the optimal training frequency for climbers of all levels, emphasizing the importance of balancing climbing, strength training, and cardio. If you need practical tips on where to start, let Mercedes guide you on how to structure a weekly training plan, focusing on deliberate practice and consistency, and skill development to enhance your climbing perfo...

In this episode, Mercedes Pollmeier and Steve Bechtel explore a research study that challenges traditional views on strength and endurance training. They discuss the implications of instability training, its effects on performance, and practical applications for climbers. The conversation emphasizes the importance of rethinking training methods to enhance strength and endurance without the need fo...

Hey climbers, listen up! In today's episode Mercedes Pollmeier and Clinical Nutritionist, Amanda Fitt, discuss nutrition pitfalls that hold climbers back. If you're a Modus Training member, you're familiar with Amanda as our nutrition expert and the important and valuable workshops that take place in the membership! We jump right in with the most common nutrition mistake, then we explore myths of...

Today's episode features Mercedes with guest Lucas Aaron from Range of Strength. We're excited to discuss the evolution of flexibility training, the significance of old time lifts, and the integration of strength and flexibility in training! We talk personal experiences, flexibility and rehab, and the mind-muscle connection. Of course, we relate this all to climbers! Join the conversation & dr...

Today we have Steve Bechtel here to talk with Mercedes about "periodization" (program length). And super sorry friends, I used the wrong mic for this recording! But join us as we discuss the intricacies of training program design, focusing on periodization, individual goals, and the importance of measuring progress. We explore common mistakes regarding program length and expectations, and emphasiz...

In this episode, Mercedes Pollmeier interviews climbing coach Juliet Hammer, exploring the intricacies of movement in climbing. They discuss the definition of movement, the importance of coaching techniques, and the role of exploration in learning. Juliet shares insights on problem solving via remote coaching, measuring progress, common mistakes climbers make, and personal growth in her own climbi...

Welcome special guest, friend and mentor: Ryan Hurst! He is a part of GMB which is an online bodyweight training & movement training company. Today, Mercedes and Ryan get the discussion going about movement. Learn about Ryan's background in movement and how he's made his whole life about it! They also talk about the role of movement from a personal perspective, simplifying training for longevi...

Let's talk Hangboarding! This is Part 3 in the Auto-Regulation and RPE conversation. (Check out Parts 1 and 2 to get more familiar with RPE, auto-regulation, and reps in reserve.) Hangboarding is one of the best ways to build finger strength. Mercedes is here to share strategies to help you understand what failure means in hangboarding, and what RPE you should be going for to get your fingers stro...

This is Part 2 of 3 in the RPE series. If you haven't listened to Part 1, do that now & come back here for more. We're continuing on the journey to find out if you're trying hard enough, or not nearly enough. Today Mercedes covers how to apply RPE into your climbing sessions, how to adjust intensity across different drills and energy systems, what RPE should feel like for different drills, and...

Do you know how hard to push in an exercise? Do you know if you're trying hard enough? What does "try hard" even mean? This is Part 1 of a 3 part series, and today Mercedes discusses the concepts of auto regulation and Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) in the context of strength training. She emphasizes the importance of understanding your body's signals and using your warm up to assess your daily...

In this episode, Mercedes shares some awesome updates, including her exciting new van purchase, her training journey over the past 12 weeks (following the Modus training program!), and her climbing achievements in Joshua Tree. (Check out the link below for a 3 month membership special to join us in gaining some wins this year!) Also, Mercedes discusses the importance of community in her life, so l...

Calling all intermediate and advanced climbers! Let's discuss the concept of periodization in climbing. Mercedes is here to explain how to effectively plan a year of training to peak performance TWICE! Come have a listen and learn about the basics of periodization, including the structure of macro, meso, and micro cycles which include base building, transitioning to specific strength, performance,...

Wondering why you're straying from your training plan? Let's talk about the importance of assessments in climbing & how they can help you understand your strengths and weaknesses. Today with Mercedes, explore the various types of assessments found in her Climbing & Health Self-Assessment Questionnaire, which include your physical status, technique, and mental aspects in training. Understan...

Let's kickstart the 2025 New Year with a blueprint for your best year of climbing! In this podcast, I emphasize the importance of setting personal goals that resonate with your values and motivations. The focus here is YOU. You may be inspired by someone else's goals, but I want you to focus on what is important to YOU rather than following external expectations. Keep listening as I share actionab...

Why you might not need mindset work around fear of falling. Katja is with us again on this episode to talk all about mindset and fear. She is passionate about this topic and her approach to climbers with fear might surprise you. Today we're talking about our nervous system, being thankful, and fear-shaming. We have tips, questions, and powerful information on ways to regulate and teach your body h...