NOW PLAYING | E+F JULY PLAYLIST

Any climbing I thought I might do last week got completely sabotaged with work while I was in Portland. And, of course, my friend Michael had to rub it in, with pics of just how gorgeous it was climbing...at dusk...at Smith. A girl can dream. Between Austin and LA this week and entertaining myself here playing DJ with some of my favorite tunes currently on rotation while I'm in the air. Enjoy!

(photo Smith Rock at dusk courtesy of @michael_._curry)

NOW PLAYING | E+F FEB 18 PLAYLIST

BREAKING NEWS: I'm back on the wall! Climbed this week for the first time since November's ACL reconstruction. Granted I'm limited to top rope/auto belay in the gym until probably April or May, but I'm celebrating the small wins. And, yes, there may have been a few tears.

I think me and the Slaydies crew have settled on City of Rocks in June for a long weekend of climbing, laughing, wine drinking and other shenanigans. Can't. Wait. Until then, Power Company Climbing is keeping me busy on the hangboard, where I'll be listening to the E+F Feb 18 playlist. Enjoy!

(photo City of Rocks at dusk by John Laughlin) 

NOW PLAYING | E+F JAN 18 PLAYLIST

Two weeks! That's it and will hopefully get the 'all clear' to climb again. I can't believe how quickly the time since my November ACL repair surgery has gone, but, I'll admit, these last two weeks seem to be craawlinggg.

Buzzed my friend Krystle from this past September's Spain adventure, and we're scheming a girls trip to Red Rock or Zion in May. Yeesss. Something to look forward to and continue to speed my recovery.

The E+F Jan 18 playlist is the current soundtrack playing in my head and keeping me in the spirit until I can get back on the wall. Enjoy!

(photo Zion National Park courtesy of @krysttothele)

NOW PLAYING | E+F OCT 17 PLAYLIST

With my ACL reconstruction now just a little more than two weeks away, the countdown is on to my last blast climbing trip this weekend and first visit to the Red River Gorge. One of my climbing partners, Shawn, who never gets excited about anything, describes the Red as "magical." Sounds like an excellent way to go out.

For the first time in my life, I'm finally learning how not to be motivated by achievement and outcomes. It's now all about experiences and living, and the only thing on the agenda this weekend will be hanging with great friends, eating pizza at Miguel's and climbing some amazing pitches.

This month, the E+F Oct 17 throwback playlist is the perfect soundtrack for the current mood. Enjoy!

(photo via Elemental Climbing)

NOW PLAYING | E+F SEPT 17

12 months, one trip delay and a torn ACL later, I'm now exactly one week out from climbing in Spain. SPAIN!!! This time next week it's wheels up for Costa Blanca with Rock & Sun, and it can't get here soon enough.

This will be the official kick off of what I'm calling my 'Last Blast' fall season before knee surgery in November, and I plan on making the absolute best of it. And because every great trip needs a solid playlist, here's E+F Sept 17 that includes a few of my favorite tracks currently in rotation. Enjoy!

(photo via Rock & Sun)

NOW PLAYING | E+F APRIL 17

Rainy day Sunday in Austin this weekend, so will be pulling on plastic later this afternoon at ABP and checking out Friends and Allies Brewing Company after. Things could definitely be worse.

Still I was really looking forward to an outdoor volume session in prep for Spain, now pushed off until September. A series of events at work forced me to delay my March trip to Costa Blanca with Rock & Sun, and, once I got over being irritated, I realized it was definitely for the best. Forever a glass-half-full kinda gal, it gives me six more months to train and get strong for the endurance fest I'm anticipating.

Speaking of training, started a six-week Endurance and Stamina training cycle with Power Company Climbing last week and already feeling the performance gains. More details to come, but for now will be finding my flow with the E+F April 17 playlist. Enjoy!

photo: view from the top of Peñón tower in Costa Blanca, Spain, courtesy of Rock & Sun

NOW PLAYING | E+F MAR 17

Climbing season is (almost) here! We're already experiencing some pretty superb days in Texas. Here's a gorgeous image from Smith Rock captured by Pete Keane from Smith Rock Climbing School, together with a few tracks from my current playlist rotation for inspiration. Enjoy!

photo: Smith Rock State Park, courtesy of Smith Rock Climbing School

NOW PLAYING | E+F BEST OF 2016

You can go ahead and add the week between Christmas and the New Year to my list of favorite things. For a brief moment, life slows down and there's a sense of magic in the air. A moment to pause and reflect on how far we've come and to dream about where we're headed over the next 365 days. 

I've spent a lot of time this last week doing a review of my 2016 and what I'm most hopeful for in the future that is 2017. If you're a Tim Ferriss fan like me and follow his podcast, you've more than likely already listened to Ep 210 'Becoming the Best Version of You.' If not, do it now. With guests Josh Waitzkin, Ramit Sethi and Adam Robinson, it's the best 1:35 you can spend.

The highlight for me was actually in the opening segment when Adam shares his keys to success. When asked how he thinks about the transition from one year to the next (resolutions, any particular routines or approaches closing out the year), he answered by saying that he likes to try and take stock of what he's learned over the past year, and that this year, he's learned three things. Three things he wishes he'd known when he was younger because, in his words, "I think they're the keys to success."

I'm not a big fan of resolutions, but I've decided to apply his lessons to my 2017 and always: 

Approach everything with enthusiasm.

Prioritize your relationships and connecting with people.

Expect magic. If you expect magic in every encounter, you find it. 

So here's to magic in 2017. And because I like to make monthly playlists, the E+F Best of 2016. 

Happy New Year!

 

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NOW PLAYING | E+F NOV 16

Vegas baby...VEGAS! Currently packing my bags for my first trip to Red Rock. Wheels up in less than 24/hours for a four-day weekend climbing with Elaina Arenz. I promised our mutual friend Coach Seiji I'd try not to fangirl her too much. Needless to say the psych is high, and the E+F Nov playlist definitely sets the vibe. Enjoy!

NOW PLAYING | E+F OCT 16

Finally enjoying a little bit of a cold front here in Austin. And by 'cold front' I mean anything less than 100 degrees. Yes, it's still hot, but the cool mornings mean it's almost time for the long sleeves and boots to come out. Yeesss. 

Trying to take advantage of the break in the heat as much as possible with regular weekend trips to Reimers and little happy hour climbing at Gus Fruh. Made my first visit on Wednesday after work, and it's easily a new favorite. I don't think I'll ever get tired of the fact that I can now be outside on the wall, in the middle of the week in 20 minutes or less. 

In celebration of the new fall season and those send-it temps, here's the E+F Rocktober playlist. May it and the force be with you as you clip the chains on your next project. 

NOW PLAYING | E+F SEPT 16

Well here we are, summer's last bash. I for one could not be happier for the 3-day weekend. Extra time to unplug, get outside and maybe even do a little bit of *gasp* nothing. These days, I'm trying to practice being more present and in the moment, but I can't help thinking ahead to my fall climbing trip calendar. Things are looking good with CO and Red Rock already on the schedule.

Wherever you are and whatever you're doing this holiday weekend, the E+F Sept 16 playlist will help you celebrate these unofficial last days of summer and welcome the new fall season ahead. Enjoy.

NOW PLAYING | E+F AUG 16

Awesome day climbing with Coach Seiji at Reimers yesterday — I've had the biggest sh*t-eating grin on my face all week and still can't quite believe that, at any given time, I can now get outside to climb in 15 minutes or less. I love Austin.

Got rained out this morning, but recovered with hot cakes and a little afternoon gym session planned with Chalked Up Chicks. This month's playlist got delayed with the move, but here it is E+F Aug  16. A good one for these last few training days of summer before fall redpoint season begins. What's on your tick list?

NOW PLAYING | E+F JULY 16

Listening to E+F July 16, it's a lot like me this month — all over the place. The next three weeks will see me in Denver, Austin, Dallas and finally back to Austin for the move. Will still manage to squeeze in a weekend trip to Reimer's for a few burns on my project. This playlist might be a little scattered, but it's a good warm up for the redpoint run to help you finally stick the move. Enjoy.

NOW PLAYING | E+F JUNE 16

It's the (un)official start of summer, and for the next 3+ months here in Texas, it's all about the early start and chasing the shade. E+F June 16 is the soundtrack I'll have on repeat with a cold beer after the send at the end of the day.

NOW PLAYING | E+F MAY 16

New releases and fresh discoveries with 'send it' vibes from Kalymnos.

NOW PLAYING | E+F APRIL 16

Pack a suitcase and hit shuffle for this month's playlist. E+F April 16, the #kalymnoscalling edition.

NOW PLAYING | E+F MAR 16

Currently...a few E+F faves for March.

NOW PLAYING | E+F FEB 16

New month, new beginning, new start...new music.

NOW PLAYING | E+F JAN 16

Hello 2016! Here's a few fresh tracks to help welcome the New Year.

NOW PLAYING | E+F DEC 15

New, discovered and buzzworthy. What's currently on repeat for December.