ザ・ノースフェイスさんのインスタグラム写真 - (ザ・ノースフェイスInstagram)「Climbing serves as an anchor in my life, and not just the physical benefits. It is my therapy. I spend hours at the gym. I push myself to join competitions, I plan vacations to climb outside, but I almost didn’t get into the sport, in large part because I didn’t feel like I belonged in the climbing gym at first.⁣ ⁣⁣ ⁣I was introduced to climbing many years ago through a school program, but I did not feel welcome; other climbers weren’t friendly and didn’t even acknowledge my presence. I stuck out like a sore thumb; when looking around the gym, I didn’t see anyone who like me, an AfroLatina woman. There were very few women to begin with and definitely no black and brown people. It was a terrifying place and climbing then only increased my feelings of depression and anxiety at a time when my mental health was already suffering.⁣ ⁣⁣ ⁣So, I walked away. It wasn’t the right place for me even though I really liked it. It took me years before I had the confidence to walk back into a gym.⁣ ⁣⁣ ⁣After I began my climbing journey in earnest, I was able to build a space where I felt empowered, not intimidated. Over the years, I’ve been able to surround myself with a diverse group of climbers, including several powerful women of color. This community is my support system, they’re mentors, they’re my family.⁣ ⁣⁣ ⁣With them, the scary things became less scary: Failing on a problem is no longer a reflection of my shortcomings. Failing on a problem is a learning experience, and a way for me to improve or experience something new within myself. Unlike that first day, climbing now gives me confidence. It provides me with an abundance of joy. Mainly because climbing outside with my powerful community now leads to healing.⁣ ⁣⁣ ⁣That’s why today I love introducing new people to climbing. I want to share that experience and one day open a climbing gym of my own so that next time a depressed young woman of color walks into the gym, she can feel welcomed and safe.⁣ ⁣Perhaps climbing can provide her with the healing she needs, instead of being another obstacle for her to overcome.⁣ ⁣⁣ ⁣Words by @han_edgy⁣ ⁣Photos by @urbanclimbr」6月26日 7時31分