Michael Cohen

 

Born: 1995

Current location: Boulder, Colorado

Started Climbing in: 2006

Number of years on Zero Gravity: 6

 

Memorable Achievements:

• Driving down to Bishop alone one weekend and firing off Stained Glass (V10) just as the morning light began to heat up that last, crucial crimp.  Just a couple weeks ago, some friends and I skated across the ice covering Boulder Creek so I could try Witch Hunt (V10/V11).  Ended up feeling great on it, and put it down fairly quickly.  There's no telling what I'll try next - the potential out here is endless.  I do know, though, that I'm ready to take it up a notch.  I have my eye on The Altruist (V13) out here in Boulder and The Swarm (V14) back in Bishop.

 

What Zero Gravity meant to you:

• Zero Gravity was the ideal foundation for realizing the importance of training brutally and smiling at the same time. I suffered through numerous injuries (four finger brakes, torn trapezius, etc.) over the course of a few years, but maintained training despite those setbacks with the help and encouragement of my coaches.  Every time, I came back stronger, always looking forward to the next competition or V-grade.  Without such strong support from Zero Gravity, I don't think I could have pushed through to the level that I have.

 

Favorite place to climb/travel:

• Bishop will always be my favorite place to climb, I think.  It was there that I was taken on my first real climbing trip, and it's hard to beat the accessibility to so many great problems.  Living out in Colorado has definitely given me a stronger appreciation for the good landings you get out in the desert.

 

What you went on to do with your life:

• Right now, I'm a member of the Honors Residency Program at CU Boulder.  I couldn't be happier here; the accessibility to good climbing, skiing, and mountain biking is unreal.  I'm happy to be part of the Psychbar athlete team, an awesome granola bar company out of Missouri that works harder than anyone to pack all natural, carefully balanced nutrition into a reasonably-priced package.  I'm insanely excited to see what comes next out here - I've only been here a few months and I couldn't imagine myself anywhere else.