Tommy Caldwell: True Grit

Tommy Caldwell is nothing if not laser focused on his goals. Working to discover and hone precise hand and foot movements for a climb and memorizing handholds the size of credit cards takes years, as well as dedication and determination. Completing the first ever free ascent of the Dawn Wall of El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, Tommy spent eight years training for the climb, which took 19 days.

“I grew up a clumsy kid with bad hand-eye coordination. Yet here on El Cap, I felt as though I had stumbled into a world where I thrived. Being up on those steep walls demanded the right amount of climbing skill, pain tolerance, and sheer bull-headedness that came naturally to me.”

– Tommy Caldwell, C+L Athlete

Grinding through the pain

Tolerating pain for grueling injuries caused from repetitive motions in the shoulder, elbows and fingers can take a toll.

To reduce pain and inflammation, Tommy turns to Champions + Legends full-spectrum CBD products, touting the RECOVER Series in getting him tuned up to be ready for the next day’s ascent.

Staying sharp

Sleep isn’t always consistent when you are attempting an epic ascent.

“El Capitan is the most chapping environment in the world: windy, cold, super dry. I wake up twice a night and reapply lotion to my hands,” says Tommy. “We sand our fingertips to keep them smooth.”

So when Tommy does get to sleep - rest is so important. An added bonus of C+L’s RECOVER Series are the benefits it provides in winding down from the day and improving sleep quality. You want to be sharp the next day when you’re hanging 1000 meters off the ground.

Learn more about CBD and Climbing here.