Sarah Hay embodies dedication and persistence in all she sets her sights on. She is a coach, a route setter, and the owner and director of Northern Rocks gym in Auckland.

A climbing trip to Europe sparked Sarah's dream of opening a gym back in New Zealand. But it would be many years, and many set backs before that became a reality.

Sarah chats to us about the importance she places on creating opportunities within Northern Rocks for girls, women, and gender neutral climbers. She discusses her own challenges in this male dominated world, and shares how she has been able to create supportive spaces in management, route setting, and their local climbing community.

We also chat about Sarah's other passion, weight lifting. Why she initially included it in her climbing training, and how it makes her walk through the world with more confidence.

Huge thanks to our sponsors for supporting this episode and series 5 of the podcast Urban Climb and Climbing Anchors

You can follow Sarah on instagram @sarahhay.climbing

Visit Northern Rocks in Auckland northernrocks.co.nz

Content Warning: infrequent strong language

Disclaimer: Content, commentary, and opinions shared on the Mum's Gone Climbing podcast are for informational purposes only. They are not a substitute for medical and/or health advice from a professional, and should not be substituted for care based on the facts/circumstances of your individual situation.