Performance Coaching

Chris Verbeck

Chris works as a route setter and coach for the competitive youth team at Ground Up. He has been climbing for 22 years and has devoted himself to a life in the mountains. Born and raised in Colorado, Chris learned to climb around his home developing a diverse background and love for the sport.

For the past decade, Chris has traveled the world climbing, coaching, and route setting. His background includes 5.14 sport climbs, speed ascents of El Capitan, V12 boulder problems, and 5.13+ traditional routes. This broad experience allows Chris to understand and engage with a variety of climbing goals.

Chris has worked and trained as a coach for several U.S and Canadian gyms and National competitions. “Climbing has had a hugely positive impact on my life. I want to share what I’ve learned with others and help them grow. I’ve always been particularly interested in the mental challenges climbing offers. In coaching, I specialize in movement and mental tactics and can provide strategies that help overcome these limitations.”

Chris uses structured and intentional training to bring out the very best in the athletes he works with. Whether it’s adjusting technique to push bouldering grades or conquering mental barriers while leading above gear, Chris has the experience to guide his clients towards success.

Photo Credit: Jaron Pham

Contact chris@climbgroundup.com

Jud(ith) Hirsch

*Note: Jud is unavailable to take on new clients for the foreseeable future. Thank you for your understanding.*

Jud(ith) was born in Austria and moved to Canada in 2015. Ground Up opened its doors at the end of 2015 and Jud was fortunate enough to be part of the original crew. Since 2017, she has been the Head Coach for the competitive youth team and Performance Coach for a variety of climbers that are looking to improve their climbing on a physical-technical-tactical-mental level. Her clients range from intermediate to advanced climbers that are looking for movement/technique and physical assessments, 1:1 coaching sessions, 4 week customized training plans. Over the years she has been working with a lot of beginner climbers as well to help them improve and understand basic climbing techniques on slab/vertical/overhanging walls. 2016-2019, she was a route setter for Ground Up Climbing Centre.

Jud is a multifaceted climber who has traveled the world to experience diversity in rock types and styles. With 25+ years of climbing and climbing-specific training experience, as well as competing in her earlier years for the Austrian national team at national/international bouldering and sport climbing competitions, Jud has a wealth of knowledge that she loves passing on as a coach.

She holds a master’s degree in performing arts (music & dance education) which has had a major impact on her coaching style, being methodical and analytical in her approach to help clients to meet their climbing goals.