Natalia Grossman’s Climb to the Top

Natalia Grossman – Athlete Highlight

22 year old Natalia Grossman’s climbing history has its roots in Santa Cruz, where she embarked on her climbing journey at Pacific Edge Climbing Gym at just six years old. The spirit of competition was already engrained in her from gymnastics, so she naturally transitioned to comp climbing only a few months after she first set foot in the gym.

Natalia broke through the climbing scene in 2021 when she became the first American in over 25 years to win gold and silver in the 2021 IFSC Climbing World Championships. She attributes this to intense moon board sessions, individualized training, and simply believing in herself.

“It was something I never thought would be possible”

Out of her 19 World Cup Podium finishes, nine of them are gold. Natalia has a ferocious attitude for the 2024 Paris Olympics she qualified for by winning the combined bouldering and lead competition in the 2023 Pan American Games. Climbing is still new to the Olympics, and Natalia is excited to be around other high-level athletes and teammates on the biggest stage climbing has to offer.

At 15 years old she moved to Boulder, CO, and later graduated with a Psychology and Business degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She plans to compete for as long as she possibly can and then start her own sports Psychology practice to help other high level athletes. In her off – time, Natalia paints, reads, and is constantly learning more about her interests in Psychology and other aspects of life.

“Knowing how the mind works helps me because I can apply it to climbing, how I approach my day, and how I treat others”

The most challenging aspects of competitions are not physical, but mental. When it’s time to take the stage in front of cameras and crowds, Natalia believes in herself, knows that she has trained to the best of her ability, and focuses on having fun and climbing.

“I want to have fun with it. As long as I can trust myself and the work I’ve done, I remind myself to just go in there and have a good time”

Climbing is a part of Natalia’s identity. Her first youth worlds comp in Arco 2015 opened her eyes to how open and supportive the climbing community can be. It has taken her to international climbing destinations and to Utah and Colorado, and has helped her find her closest friends. For Natalia, climbing is not just about strength and getting to the top of a route – it’s about discipline, goal setting, and motivation.

Natalia is thankful to the Pacific Edge Community for growing her passion for climbing for the first seven years of her career and is excited about what’s to come.