Chess, Rock Climbing, and 50 Pound Weight Loss Meet James Agnew

Chess, Rock Climbing, and 50 Pound Weight Loss Meet James Agnew.

James Agnew is a routesetter at The Crag at Earl Bell in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He is currently studying Philosophy at Arkansas State University. And when he is not climbing, James is playing chess.

James used rock climbing to lose 50 pounds — I know — all of the following are basic objectives of a speech introduction except source https://writerswin.com/book/slope-intercept-form-homework-help/97/ https://ssmf.sewanee.edu/experience/to-kill-a-mockingbird-term-papers/250/ levitra mg essay for upsc exam 2022 mla format for college essay college essay application format heading levitra utisci source url how to write the best personal statement essay for college of social work que es mejor que la viagra here example of symbolism essays example of annotated bibliography chicago style https://robsonranchviews.com/article/primary-book-reports/4/ generic cialis online purchase middlebury essay enter site assunzione del viagra epic simile essay source https://reflectionsbodysolutions.com/doctor/buy-viagra-online-without-a-scripted/82/ go source url how long after you eat can you take viagra https://gretchenwegner.com/stories/creative-writing-exercises-for-character-development/96/ buying sildenafil uk interview essay the hand impressive (wait when you see his “before” picture below). He told me that he walked into The Crag and it was relatively fun for him. He saw that rock climbing was enjoyable enough and he wanted to use it to get in better physical shape. James says:

I never had a singular epiphany moment, I just had a stupidly strong desire to get better.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Please Meet James Agnew.

HCRB: What was the last good book you read?

James: The Four Loves by C.S Lewis.

HCRB: What is your current weight?

James: About 170.

HCRB: What was your weight when you started climbing 3 years ago?

James: About 220.

HCRB: What food do you no longer eat (or rarely eat) with your weight loss success?

James: Soda and fast food are almost always a no go, with the exception of a late night stop by Taco Bell after a climbing trip.

HCRB: Would you rather travel into space (set foot on the Moon or Mars) or become a meditation master (understand the deepest part of the inside of you)? Why?

James: Moon or Mars, because I have a strong desire to explore new areas.

HCRB: Climbing goals for 2016?

James: Ideally get a V7 and some more 5.12’s. I didn’t sport climb much last year and I feel I need to show it some love.

HCRB: The word “beta” in climbing is overused by many climbers. How do you overuse it?

James: In class: “Hey bro, what’s the beta on those essays?” In the grocery store: “Excuse me, what’s the beta on milk?”

HCRB: Tell that story of walking into the climbing gym and knowing immediately that it would help you lose weight and get healthy.

James: When I was in high school I was really over weight, had an awful diet and never did anything physical. I drank 3 or more sodas a day, 10 hour video game binges – I was the textbook nerd.

I had tried losing weight before, but it just became such a hassle because I hated working out that I never got anywhere. The summer after I graduated high school I decided I really wanted to get into shape, so with renewed zeal I started working out at the gym again, which quickly lead to the usual results.

After about 2-3 weeks, my brother invited me to come rock climb with him at the local gym as a fun sort of exercise. I initially said no because I was fat, and fat people and gravity don’t get along; but I soon changed my mind and went to climb. The gym in my town is in the back of a community center, so its pretty small. When I started climbing there was also no A/C, so during the summer it was pretty much like walking into an oven.

So I walked in, paid the grizzly-looking war vet who worked the front counter, and he showed me and my brother how to belay and tie knots.

I struggled on 5.6’s, but had fun so I came back a couple more times. After that I was hooked. I started climbing there every day they were open, from open to close. I rearranged my work schedule so I would always be able to climb, and made sure my classes never interfered. I never had a singular epiphany moment, I just had a stupidly strong desire to get better.

After a while I met other climbers who showed me how to lead, taught me technique, and took me outdoors. After a year or two I became one of the main route setters, and eventually started working there. I no longer work there, but I still route set and am at the gym almost every night.

HCRB: “Who’s fat now, bitch?!” Why was that your victory cry at the top of your hardest send?

James: Because I used to be fat! I yelled that after I climbed Mike Tyson’s ear binge (5.12a) in Jamestown Arkansas, it was my first (and so far only) 5.12.

HCRB: Did you get emotional?

James: No, it was just really surreal. This was the same crag where I took my first trip, and struggled my way up a 5.7 like a timid little rabbit. I had a book at my house called “How to climb 5.12” that I had bought a while ago to help me train, and it was just really weird for me to see how far I had come. For most climbers a 5.12 or a v4, is pretty achievable and probably not that big of a deal. But when I started I couldn’t sit start a V0, so it was a huge accomplishment for me.

HCRB: How did your diet change during your weight loss?

James: Cut out everything unhealthy. No soda, pop tarts, cupcakes, etc.

HCRB: Mentally, for you, is it easier to now say, “I don’t eat such and such anymore,” or “I now eat such and such”?

James: There isn’t much of a difference for me.

HCRB: Is rock climbing a good metaphor for life? Why or why not?

James: I am sure somebody could argue that it is, and it may very well be, but it won’t be me. I will say that I think that rock climbing has a good effect on life, or at least it did for me. When I was still early into climbing, I had this constant thought in the back of my head that this is good for me, it’s going to make me a better person. It took me out of my comfort zone, it taught me that I could be content so long as there was a rock nearby, and it taught me to strive to be better. Rock climbing is good for you; it builds character.

HCRB: Ok then, how is chess and climbing and life related?

James: I have thought about how my hobbies of climbing and chess are similar with my studies in philosophy a lot, and the best way I can describe it is like this:

When we walk up to our projects, we see this possibly daunting feat. It’s tall; it’s overhung. That section doesn’t have any holds– did I mention it’s tall? But we break it down. We perfect each part. We make sure that we get the right foot placement, make sure we drop that knee, left hand on the crimp then move the feet up, etc. We do this till we hate the idea of ever climbing again.

Ideally, once all the parts are perfect, we piece it together, and the result (hopefully) is we cruise through this once-intimidating route, with grace and ease.

With Philosophy, I see this argument I want to formulate, or this position I want to attack, and maybe it seems intimidating. I start with just this small first premise, make sure I get my definitions right, then I examine another premise and make sure it’s well supported and that it coheres with the previous. I do this until, if I read one more book on existential quantifiers, I will snap. After all this (hopefully) I have this nice, smooth, powerful argument that I can defend with ease.

When I play chess, I have to make sure that I have a pawn here, or else that knight will get troublesome, I need to strengthen my king-side, I need to get that bishop into play.

It’s easy for me to see how all these things have a common theme. If I have my hand on this hold then it may make one move easier, but the next harder. If I put my rook on that file, then it helps me block that check, but I lost my attack. If I state this premise this way then I avoid one objection, but then I have to defend this other theory. In each area, I am waging a systematic battle in which precision and forethought is key.

HCRB: It has been said that everyone should play chess to practice strategy and logic. Do you agree?

James: I agree, but I if you want to learn logic, it may help more to take a class on it!

HCRB: Do you have a favorite chess set for travel? Give the beta..

James: Small wooden board from target, $30.

HCRB: Best advice you can give someone new to chess?

James: Pick one or two openings and master them. Learn why you are making the moves you do. Don’t worry about knowing every conceivable opening. Better to practice one kick a thousand times, than a thousand kicks once.

HCRB: Back to climbing — what is the best advice you can give to someone new to climbing?

James: Have fun, and keep at it. Don’t worry about the grades.

HCRB: I’ve seen overweight men and women come to my climbing gym once, struggle, and then, never come back. How did you stay mentally strong when you were starting out and falling and failing?

James: Two things. First, forget about how much you weigh. When I lost my weight I very rarely looked at a scale. Focus on how much you love climbing, and how much you want to stick that move. Go in, climb, work on your project, and enjoy yourself. Don’t say “I want to lose 10 more pounds” say “I want to stick that v2.”

The reason I was able to lose so much weight from climbing is because it wasn’t a hassle to climb, it was the highlight of my day.

The second is don’t compare yourself to other climbers. I know from experience that when you see some young stud who has never climbed before come in and campus the route you have been working all month on, it can feel bad. Don’t compare yourself to anybody else except for yourself. You stuck that move today, could you stick it last week? That’s all that matters. Sharma’s tendons weren’t built in a day.

HCRB: Where are you favorite spots to climb right now?

James: I really like Cowell, Arkansas. Its free, easy access, and lots of routes.

HCRB: List a few “must do” problems for a new climber in the V0 – V2 range (or 5.8 – 5.9 for sport)

James: “Smarty Pants” in Jamestown Arkansas and “Greatest show on earth” in HCR come to mind.

HCRB: Give one car camping tip that will change someone’s life for the better.

James: It is possible to spend the night in a Pontiac Grand Am, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Also, if you have trouble sleeping in the woods, pick up a bottle of melatonin at Walmart. Works wonders.

HCRB: What is the most expensive piece of climbing gear you own? Why did you splurge on that item?

James: All my climbing gear is around the $100 range, except for my home wall which was about $800. I needed to train.

HCRB: What are 3 components of a perfect outdoor trip for you?

James:

Most importantly is good companions.
Secondly, good weather.
Thirdly, remembering to bring toilet paper.

Meet more excellent people in THE climbing community when you visit the HCRBeta Interviews Category.

Jason Clements is the founder of and writer for HCRBeta, Hike Climb Relax: How to… Jason has served as the President of the Kansas City Climbing Club where he grew the club from 100 members to 1000 members. He lives in Shawnee, Kansas and also runs the cell phone recycling company, Cells for Cells, which recycles cell phones to raise money for families battling cancer.