Nick Ranelli

WHY YOU KEEP BACKING OFF MOVES (EVEN WHEN YOU’RE STRONG ENOUGH)

How often do you hesitate to do a particular type of move?

You know the fear I’m talking about. The move is insecure, and your brain floods with what-if scenarios.

Fear isn’t random—it follows a pattern.

The most common reason I see climbers struggle to commit is that they’re too focused on what they CAN’T control.

Fear follows a 3-step loop:

1️⃣ Trigger
You feel unstable → your brain flags danger
(It’s not height—it’s uncertainty.)

2️⃣ Response
“What if I slip?” → hesitation → backing off

3️⃣ Reward
You avoid the move → your brain reinforces hesitation

👉🏻This is why fear keeps showing up.

But fear doesn’t have to win — here’s how you can change the story👇🏼

🔥 Analyze The Beta:
Be patient. Break the move down until every hand + foot placement is predictable and there’s no uncertainty left in the movement.

🔥 Identify The Trigger:
Pinpoint exactly what creates the insecurity.
Solve that = reduce fear.

🔥 Visualize & Speak Success:
Picture yourself sticking the move confidently — in both first- and third-person views. Additionally, speak to yourself as if you’ve already done the move with conviction.

Clarity kills hesitation.

Confidence is built, not felt. Don’t let fear control you; turn it into a tool. Focus on the climbing and your self-talk because that’s what’s in your control and NOTHING ELSE.

If you want help training your mind and building rock-solid confidence, remote coaching spots are available!

🔥Personalized Training Programs & Direct Mentorship
🔥Structured Skill Practice
🔥Periodized Strength Training
🔥In-Depth Mental Conditioning

Comment “COACH,” and I’ll send the link to apply!

Every climber deals with this at some point.

ACCURACY STARTS WITH THE EYES

You’re not missing because you’re weak—you’re missing because you can’t aim.

Most climbers will try moves over and over again, falling for the same reason every time.

On every failed attempt, my hands were too low on the paddle and I was struggling to latch the hold. I kept missing.

I realized I wasn’t aiming well; my visual gaze was too broad.

If you can’t point to the exact spot you’re grabbing, you’re guessing.

The simplest way to improve your accuracy on the wall is to stop looking at the whole hold.

Looking at an entire hold doesn’t allow you to find that perfect spot at a high percentage. You might get lucky at times, but it’s unreliable.

As soon as I shifted my focus to the top of the hold, I consistently landed my hands in the ideal position and latched the move on command.

Nothing changed but my focus.

Before you move, decide exactly where your hand is going to land.

This is called visual targeting.

Pick your target before you leave the hold.

If you’re missing moves and don’t know why—this is exactly the problem.

Take the assessment in my bio.

WHY MOST CLIMBERS FAIL MANTLES (And How To Fix It)

Ever stall halfway through a mantle? You push, flail, maybe even throw yourself over — but nothing sticks. Most climbers fall into the classic trap.

You’ve likely fallen into the classic trap with mantles.

The 🔑 to mantles isn’t just about brute strength (though dips definitely help)!

It’s about technique — and most people miss this one detail👇🏼

🔥Here’s the trick:
🔹Push and lean over your foot
🔹Stand up instead of muscling up
🔹More space = smoother mantle

Center of Mass controls stability — move it over your base and the mantle flows.

Watch Emma: she stalls, shifts over her foot — mantle unlocked!

Shifting your focus to your foot lets you lean over, making it easier to stand up and finish the mantle smoothly!

Try this in your next session if you struggle with mantles!

I’ll be breaking mantles down at my next clinic: The Art of The Mantle

Saturday, April 25th @ Tufas Boulder Lounge

If your mantles and topouts feel desperate, this clinic is for you.

Movement multiplies strength — train it intentionally.
Link in bio to sign up.