I spent years thinking the fun had just gone from my climbing. Turns out it hadn't. It had got injured. This is about the injury you can't see, why it shows up as avoidance rather than pain, and how the way back is the exact opposite of rest.

The thing that always surprises me about discomfort isn't how uncomfortable it feels at first—it's how quickly it fades when you stop making it the centre of attention.

Discomfort is a bit like a border collie with a stick. The more attention you give it, the more determined it becomes. Ignore it for a while, and it eventually wanders off in search of something else.

You drove all the way here. You packed the bag. You even brought snacks. And then somewhere between the car park and the route you decided not to try. Where did that decision come from?

What if the thing most affecting your performance isn't fitness or strength — but something far more accessible than that?

If you've tried mental training and it hasn't stuck, this might explain why. And where to start instead.