Cloe Coscoy in an interview | Explosive moves and absolute passion

Playful, passionate, and explosive – that's Cloe Coscoy's bouldering style. She combines impressive strength with infectious joy and is a successful climber on the international circuit. A competitive climber and member of the US national team, she has been a three-time Pan American champion and three-time US runner-up. Through bouldering, she has found her own unique way to express herself and show who she is.

Her joy at tackling challenging moves is written all over her face as she encourages bouldering enthusiasts to try some of the competition routes at the Get High Finals in Berlin. We met her there and talked to her about mindset, community, and her boundless passion for the sport. 

In conversation with Cloe – Mindset, community & passion

Lacrux: What fascinated you so much about climbing? 

Chloe: I grew up playing many sports; for example, I was on a swimming team for a while, I ran cross-country, played tennis, skateboarded, and did some snow sports. I loved all of these sports. I enjoyed the competition, I liked being outdoors and active, moving around. But after a few years, I either stopped pursuing each of these sports as intensely or quit altogether.
The moment I discovered climbing, I knew I'd never stop. I think that's because it allows me to exert myself in a creative and playful way. There are so many different ways to make a move, and it opens up a whole new world where you realize: I can do this in my own unique way. In my own playful way, which feels right and is fun. And that's what I found so cool about climbing. That's why I've stuck with it. 

Lacrux: How does it feel for you to have a problem on find A completely unique way to solve it? 

Chloe: A unique aspect of competition is that you are your own biggest supporter. At the same time, you are often also your biggest obstacle – primarily due to your own belief in your abilities. This is precisely what taught me to trust myself, to believe in myself, and to be willing to take risks. I think climbing is unique in this respect: if you truly commit to something and make it your own, the experience is often incredibly fulfilling in the end. 

Lacrux: Has climbing affected your self-confidence in any way?

Chloe: Definitely. Climbing has made me more self-confident. I've also always felt very comfortable in the climbing community. It's a community that has welcomed me warmly and inspired me. For example, when I go to the climbing gym, it's a place where I can immediately leave everything behind. No matter if the day was stressful or the week exhausting – the moment I step into the gym, I can let go, be completely myself, and feel good. This lighthearted, playful approach to climbing is something I experience constantly. Overall, I feel that the climbing gym is a very open and welcoming space.

Lacrux: Do you think the mental challenges in climbing are just as important as the physical ones? 

Chloe: Without a doubt, the mental aspect is one of the most important for me – at least for the way I like to climb. The key to feeling good on the mat and ultimately being able to perform at my best is energy. When I'm energized and enthusiastic, I can better engage with hard or tricky moves, climb more boldly, explosively, and powerfully. When I manage to get into this state, I really thrive. This can happen through all sorts of things: listening to music, talking to friends, or doing easier moves to get into the groove. This state is my sweet spot – and it's exactly what I'm looking for when I start a session.

Lacrux: You said you love competition. Is that enough to get you into your flow? 

Chloe: Oh yes, I liebe Competitions. Sports competitions are one thing, but climbing competitions are simply the best. The funny thing is: before every competition, I have this brief moment where I think: Wait, what am I doing here? I'm nervous, my heart is beating a little faster. I think to myself, I could just be sitting on the couch relaxing. Why did I put myself in this situation?! But as soon as I step onto the mat, all of that disappears. Whether the round goes well or not, there's this feeling of living in the moment. I only get that when bouldering, nowhere else. At the end of the round, I almost always think to myself how incredibly glad I participated, because it was truly amazing.

Lacrux: What do you feel during a competition? 

Chloe: The greatest thing for me is the enormous energy I feel while climbing. When I finish a route I wasn't sure I could do, or when I know how hard it was and how much I trained for it, and then it actually works out – something happens. The moment I top a boulder, I get this incredible surge of energy. The feeling is almost indescribable, but it's exactly what drives me. Whether it was a good or a bad run, if I feel even a hint of that feeling, I immediately think: That was worth it. And then I want more – bigger stages, new challenges, more boulders to top. Because that's what I enjoy so much.

Lacrux: Do you ever struggle with fear while climbing? And if so, how do you deal with it? 

Chloe: What I often experience is that moment before a move that might be a bit risky—for example, a jump or a long move where a fall could be unpleasant. In those situations, I tell myself: "Go for it the first time." You often see athletes in competition using several attempts to test moves before actually going for it. But in the end, it always comes down to the same thing: that one moment when you think: Now I'm going all in. Now I'm going for it. Now I'm going to give it my all. That's exactly the internal dialogue I have then: "Do it now. Don't wait another two minutes before you really try it." Do it now.“This inner ‘Three, two, one – go!’ is the easiest way for me to deal with fear. The moment I just do it, I can push everything else aside. But the longer I remain in this uncertainty, the more uncomfortable and insecure I feel.”

Lacrux: When you started climbing, you knew immediately that it was your thing. Did you already imagine becoming a professional climber back then?

Chloe: Professional sports are a very uncertain field, and it can be difficult to really find your place in it. I still have imposter syndrome even today. Sometimes I think, "Climbing is my job? That's kind of crazy. Maybe there are other people who deserve it more." What I am very proud of, however, is the fact that from the moment I started competing, I always knew: I wanted to improve and challenge myself. And that's exactly what I've been doing ever since—for over a decade now.
There are also many sessions where I really don't feel like it, or days when training is less fun than usual. But I almost always manage to see the positive side because I see so much potential for my future in climbing. When I was younger, I couldn't help myself. I wanted to train as much as possible, participate in competitions, and just see what happened. It made sense to me. I simply loved it, and it made me feel most alive. That's why I'm glad I've taken this path. And I will definitely continue on it. 

LacruxDo you consider climbing an inclusive sport?

Chloe: The challenges encountered in climbing are incredibly diverse. They are mental, physical, and technical. There are so many components, such as flexibility, finger strength, arm and upper body strength, and each component suits different body types, strengths, abilities, and approaches to movement. This means that ultimately, everyone can find their own niche, something they excel at and that works for them. Climbing is a fantastic way to create a space where everyone has a place. 

Lacrux: As a professional athlete, do you feel obligated to be a role model for others? 

Chloe: As someone who grew up in the climbing world, I can definitely say that watching strong climbers has always had a huge influence on me. It helped me understand what kind of climber I wanted to be. The better you get, the more people look up to you, and with that comes responsibility. It's important to me to treat everyone with respect. When people are passionate about movement and climbing, you already share something essential. And I find that quite special. This shared passion creates a space for encounters, conversations, and exciting exchanges. Whenever I manage to strike up a conversation with someone—and I hope others feel the same way—it feels really right. That's why I enjoy approaching people, getting to know them, and listening to their stories. And if we happen to talk a little about climbing in the process, all the better—because climbing is simply incredibly fun.

Lacrux: If someone who is just starting out in climbing asks you for your best advice – what would you tell that person?

Chloe: I think the most important thing is not to be afraid of things feeling uncomfortable at times. Climbing tests our mental and physical limits. So we have a relatively easy way to play with exactly that. To push those limits a little and see if we can surprise ourselves and go a little further than we originally thought possible. To take small risks – on the wall, but also within the climbing world. If the climbing gym is a place where you generally feel safe, you can deliberately put yourself in slightly uncomfortable situations there. That could be a move you haven't wanted to try before, or simply a conversation with people you might feel a little intimidated by. You don't have to rush anything. But try new things. Allow yourself to feel uncomfortable for a moment. Maybe that's when something really cool will happen.

Lacrux: And last but not least: What do you appreciate most about the climbing community? 

Chloe: What I love most is the enthusiasm and playfulness in the community. I started climbing when I was really young, and now I'm in my twenties. Even as I grow up, climbing remains something I can play with. It's so good for me. Sometimes I turn to my friends and say, "Oh man, I wish we still played tag or hide-and-seek and all those childhood games—just because it's fun." For many people, climbing is very similar to tag or hide-and-seek: it's simply fun to move, put things aside, get excited, and play. I find it really special that we can share this joy as a community. It creates truly amazing spaces.

Here's the link to the interview on YouTube:

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Credits: Cover image by Cloe Coscoy All images from Cloe Coscoy and Niklas Höllmer