Where Web Development Meets Rock Climbing Coaching in an ADHD Life

From Code to Crag: My Slashie Life

You might be wondering how a Web Developer, who spends their days immersed in code, logic, and screens, can also be a rock climbing coach battling gravity on a vertical wall. They're two completely different challenges, yet both deeply captivate me.

As a Web Developer, I love the process of building things from scratch. Seeing lines of code transform into a fully functional website or application brings an indescribable sense of accomplishment. It's a field that requires continuous learning, problem-solving, and focus, and for me, it's a place where I can materialize the jumping ideas in my head.

Then, when I put on my climbing shoes and stand at the base of a wall, I transform into a Rock Climbing Coach. On the rock, all distractions fade away, leaving only the judgment of the next handhold, foothold, and the mastery of body balance. As a coach, beyond teaching climbing techniques, it's more important for me to guide students in finding the joy of overcoming fear and challenging themselves. On the rock, I've learned how to trust myself and how to be a trustworthy partner.

ADHD: A Superpower and a Challenge

At this point, I can't not mention the impact of ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) on my life. For a long time, ADHD has been stigmatized with labels like "inattentive" or "hyperactive" by society, but for me, it's more like a double-edged sword.

On the positive side, ADHD has given me a unique ability for "hyperfocus." When I'm intensely interested in something, I can dedicate an incredible amount of concentration, often forgetting to eat or sleep, as I learn and delve into it. This trait has been incredibly helpful when learning new programming languages, debugging complex code, or figuring out climbing routes. My brain is like a high-speed processor, constantly receiving and processing information, which also gives me an advantage in fields that require rapid learning and adaptation.

However, ADHD also brings its challenges. Racing thoughts, easy distractibility, and procrastination are all issues I deal with daily. Sometimes, I find myself thinking about a dozen different ideas simultaneously, making it hard to go deep into any one of them. When coaching climbing, I also need to consciously slow down, ensuring my instructions are clear and precise, and not interfered with by the myriad thoughts in my head.

Intersection and Growth: ADHD, Web Dev, and Climbing

Interestingly, there seems to be a fascinating intersection between these three.

Web development provides me with clear structure and logical thinking training, which is incredibly helpful for managing the chaotic thoughts that come with ADHD. Writing code is like organizing my brain, turning those scattered ideas into a meaningful system.

Rock climbing, on the other hand, has taught me how to live in the present and how to focus on the immediate challenge. On the rock, there's no time to think about the past or the future, only the now. This focus has gradually carried over into my daily life, helping me better cope with the challenges of ADHD.

More importantly, both fields have shown me the unique advantages of ADHD. In web development, my non-linear thinking can lead to unique solutions; in climbing, I can leverage my energy and perception of dynamics to explore more possibilities.

Looking Ahead

My first blog post is both a sharing and a promise. Through this platform, I hope to share my insights from learning web development, my observations and experiences from rock climbing coaching, and how I, as an individual with ADHD, find balance and joy in life.

Perhaps my articles will be a bit jumping around, maybe I'll suddenly go from code to the climbing wall, then to little moments of happiness in everyday life, but that's just me – a constantly exploring, constantly growing "slashie" ADHDer.

Thank you for reading! I look forward to sharing more of my stories and thoughts with you in future posts. If you have similar experiences, or any thoughts on web development, rock climbing, or ADHD, feel free to leave a comment and connect with me!