Performance coach with GB Paraclimbing, White Spider & Be Climbing
Who you are and what do you do?
My name is Belinda Fuller and I’m a rock climbing coach. I am currently the head performance coach at White Spider Climbing and coach the squad there every Tuesday and Thursday. I also run my coaching business, Be Climbing, which involves coaching individuals at various climbing walls over the south and outside when the weather allows. I love the variety that my job provides, every day is different and I get the opportunity to climb and train myself at various centres before or after work. My work with the GB paraclimbing team also takes me to incredible venues all over the world and I am very fortunate to work with some incredible athletes.
What was your first climbing experience?
Climbing trees from as soon as I could walk, which was about 9 months old [laughs]
How did you know that climbing was your thing?
I think I might be part monkey. [laughs] It was quite simple.
Where is your favourite outdoor climb?
Ooh, that’s a very good question. One of my favourite places to climb is Brean Down near Bristol. But I’ve just been to Ton Sai in Thailand and that was unbelievable. That kind of trumps most places I’ve been in the UK or in Europe now.
What has been your proudest climbing moment?
Climbing my first 8a was probably my highlight, because that was my dream goal from when I started climbing. But seeing Hannah [Baldwin] become a World Champion is probably one of the highlights of my career and climbing life.
What are your ambitions?
To continue climbing hard and get better at sport climbing as I get older. I’ve made the biggest gains in the last few years since I’ve focused on my endurance and applied my bouldering strength to routes. It took me the whole of my twenties to go from 7a to 8a so it makes perfect sense that in the next 10 years I can climb 9a by the time I’m 40! (Laughs)
In all seriousness I really just want to stay fit and healthy and keep coaching the kids who are the future of climbing.
Lead, Speed or Boulder and Why?
Hmm. Probably … boulder would be my gut reaction but since leading 8a I’ve really got the bug. I love it. I can really go on some adventures with rock climbing. Yeah, let’s go with sport.
What are your most liked and hated healthy foods?
Most liked healthy food, eggs. I’m going to go controversial because a lot of people don’t see eggs as a healthy food. Eggs are a dream food as they’ve got so much goodness and are delicious! Sorry vegans [laugh].
I really don’t like Brussels sprouts. I really tried but you either love them or you hate them apparently and I’ve really got the genetic hate for them.
If not climbing, what sport would you be doing?
Surfing or snow boarding. I love surfing.
Give us an inspiring quote (either yours or someone else’s).
“In order to succeed you must fail.”
Thank you to Be for letting us interview her.
For more information about Belinda see her website Be Climbing or Instagram at Be_Climbing.
Be was interviewed for us by Erin Berry (@erinclimbs on Instagram)
