Sterling Athletes Team

Rob Pizem

Name: Rob Pizem

DOB: June 12, 1976

How did you get started climbing?  

I began climbing the short shale cliffs along the streams in northeastern Ohio.  That led to some adventurous rappelling (with a hemp rope that my dad would use to redirect trees that we would cut in our back yard).  I would hand over hand down the cliff wall and always wonder about a safer way of doing it.  Then a friend in high school, who worked at a ropes course, told me that I was going to kill myself doing what I did and showed me how to tie my own harness with some webbing.  After that my brother took me top roping south of Cleveland and I was hooked (and terrified at the same time).

How old were you when you started?

19 years old

Who or what inspired you to start climbing?

My brother inspired me and I liked the physical and mental challenge of getting to the top

Who served as your inspiration in life?

 My dad has certainly set the standard for me to follow.  A hard working, honest, small business owner who started with nothing but determination and some skills from his time in the US military has shown me what skills are necessary in life.  I try to always do my best and represent my family and myself as best as possible.

What was your first outdoor climb?  

I was just south of Cleveland at a top roping area and I tried something called the Horses Head crack.  It was slightly slabby and felt impossible.  I had a blast and was hooked ever since.

What do you do when you're not climbing?  

I am a high school science teacher.  I teach Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Astronomy, Earth Science, Marine Biology and whatever else they can ask me to.  I like to trail run (sometimes), golf, hike, and scout new places to establish new climbs.  I love to hang out with my wife, travel and live out of the truck; if I have time I will go rollerblading or watch scary movies.  More recently I have enjoyed giving slide shows, working with new climbers and instructing them on safe climbing techniques indoors and outside.  I also find time to take my high school students climbing, caving and hiking after school.

Any training advice or suggestions?  

I would say that you have to love to train.  Otherwise you will end up getting burned out and quit.  If you over train you will know when you aren't getting any better and not recovering and if you train well you will be injury free and climbing well.  Lastly, not training your head/mind will be your downfall even if you are the strongest climber.   

What do you feel is your best accomplishment, outside of climbing?  

It would have to be following through with my dream of living and working in Europe.  When I decided to become a teacher, I had been working as a geological engineer for about 2 years.  After living on the road and climbing for a year, all I wanted to do was earn my teaching license, get three years experience, earn my masters in education and then move to Europe.  Well, I can say that four years later I achieved my dream of living, working and climbing in Salzburg, Austria and it was one of the best experiences in my life.

What do you feel is your best accomplishment within climbing?  

I feel that giving back to the community through adding new sport, boulder and traditional climbs is something that I am very proud of.  A second would be making sure to work with new climbers and make sure that they are continuing the tradition of safety throughout their daily adventures whether in the gym or outside.  Finally, making sure that when I leave the crag that I am leaving with more friends than when I started.  Be nice, we all love the sport!

Favorite quote?

"Ahh yeahhhhh"  me : )

If you could have 1 superpower what would it be?  

To always be able to make people happy.  Being able to cure sadness would be pretty nice.

If you could have 3 wishes, what would they be?  

I want a new crag, I want a new bigwall, and I want first free ascents on both!

What was your favorite childhood cartoon?  

Tom and Jerry was the balls!  

Shameless self-promotion

Pizem Blog
Arcteryx
Camp-usa
Scarpa

Marathon Pro

Evolution Velocity BiColor

Fusion Ion2