Uploaded September 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
What if some of your best climbing is still ahead of you—even after age 50?
In this episode of the Training for Climbing Podcast, Kevin Dahlstrom, details his "life reboot" and his program for climbing hard after age 40. In fact, Kevin didn’t climb his first 5.13 until age 50! Five years later, at 55, he was having the strongest season of his life and knocking on the door of 5.13c—until a freak accident in Mexico resulted in a catastrophic triceps tendon tear and major surgery.
In this wide-ranging conversation, Kevin and I talk about his comeback, training and recovery after 50, why older climbers need to “turn the screws tighter” on sleep, nutrition, mobility, and recovery, and why targeted training becomes increasingly important when simply climbing more stops producing gains. We also dig into health monitoring, testosterone, peptides, and Kevin’s long-term goal of climbing 5.14.
But this episode goes well beyond grades and training. Kevin walked away from a highly successful corporate career in his late 40s and reorganized his life around something he came to value even more than money: time. His concept of becoming a “time billionaire” leads to a fascinating discussion about climbing, aging, priorities, and making the most of the years we have.
If you’re a climber in your 40s, 50s, 60s—or simply someone who wants to stay strong, adventurous, and ambitious for decades to come—I think you’ll get a lot from this conversation.
Brought to you by: trainingforclimbing.com
and physivantage.com
Save 10% on the performance nutrition used by dozens of professional climbers by using checkout code SAVE10 at physivantage.com
FREE eBook: 10 Must-Do Exercises for Climbers: physivantage.com/blogs/news/free-ebook-10-must-do-exercises-for-climbers-2025
physivantage.com/blogs/news/free-e-book-download-offer-for-physivantage-insiders
Visit Eric's Training for Climbing website and sign up for his free training newsletter: trainingforclimbing.com
Follow Eric on Twitter @Train4Climbing twitter.com/train4climbing
Expert training and climbing tips from the renowned coach and international best-selling author, Eric Hörst. Learn more about his latest book, Training For Climbing: physivantage.com/products/training-for-climbing
SAVE on La Sportiva shoes at this link: avantlink.com/click.php?tt=cl&merchant_id=068e9e04-44b5-4c1c-98f8-76881511fc5a&website_id=05d521e9-bd5e-46fb-9fd8-db2a9af5f910&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportiva.com%2F
What if some of your best climbing is still ahead of you—even after age 50?
In this episode of the Training for Climbing Podcast, Kevin Dahlstrom, details his "life reboot" and his program for climbing hard after age 40. In fact, Kevin didn’t climb his first 5.13 until age 50! Five years later, at 55, he was having the strongest season of his life and knocking on the door of 5.13c—until a freak accident in Mexico resulted in a catastrophic triceps tendon tear and major surgery.
In this wide-ranging conversation, Kevin and I talk about his comeback, training and recovery after 50, why older climbers need to “turn the screws tighter” on sleep, nutrition, mobility, and recovery, and why targeted training becomes increasingly important when simply climbing more stops producing gains. We also dig into health monitoring, testosterone, peptides, and Kevin’s long-term goal of climbing 5.14.
But this episode goes well beyond grades and training. Kevin walked away from a highly successful corporate career in his late 40s and reorganized his life around something he came to value even more than money: time. His concept of becoming a “time billionaire” leads to a fascinating discussion about climbing, aging, priorities, and making the most of the years we have.
If you’re a climber in your 40s, 50s, 60s—or simply someone who wants to stay strong, adventurous, and ambitious for decades to come—I think you’ll get a lot from this conversation.
Brought to you by: trainingforclimbing.com
and physivantage.com
Save 10% on the performance nutrition used by dozens of professional climbers by using checkout code SAVE10 at physivantage.com
FREE eBook: 10 Must-Do Exercises for Climbers: physivantage.com/blogs/news/free-ebook-10-must-do-exercises-for-climbers-2025
physivantage.com/blogs/news/free-e-book-download-offer-for-physivantage-insiders
Visit Eric's Training for Climbing website and sign up for his free training newsletter: trainingforclimbing.com
Follow Eric on Twitter @Train4Climbing twitter.com/train4climbing
Expert training and climbing tips from the renowned coach and international best-selling author, Eric Hörst. Learn more about his latest book, Training For Climbing: physivantage.com/products/training-for-climbing
SAVE on La Sportiva shoes at this link: avantlink.com/click.php?tt=cl&merchant_id=068e9e04-44b5-4c1c-98f8-76881511fc5a&website_id=05d521e9-bd5e-46fb-9fd8-db2a9af5f910&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportiva.com%2F
