It was that childhood pleasure of climbing trees which sparked Nina Williams’ interest in the sport and after signing up at a local climbing gym she didn’t look back.

Nina has gone on to break records and capture the eye of rock climbers from around the globe. Her hunger to pursue new areas of the sport combined with her passion to work with young climbing enthusiasts give her an extra dynamic most are unable to rival.

What are your first memories of climbing and who inspired you to give the sport a go?

I remember climbing trees as a child, testing the branches and seeing how far up I could go. I enjoyed the feeling of being scared yet knowing I was pretty safe at the same time. I tried out a climbing wall in New Hampshire for the first time and fell in love, so I found my local climbing gym and signed up shortly after.

Where do you live and what opportunities does it give you to climb on a daily basis?

I live in Boulder, Colorado, where the opportunities for anything outdoor-related are endless. I could start my day with a scramble up the first flatiron, then have a mid-morning bouldering session at Flagstaff. In the afternoon I could choose between sport climbing in Boulder Canyon or trad climbing in Eldo. Those are just a few of the areas within a 30-min drive. In an hour, I could be climbing in Rocky Mountain National Park, Mt Evans, Lumpy Ridge, Clear Creek, Independence Pass… There are areas I’ve never even been to, and I’ve lived in Colorado for almost ten years.

How did it feel to be the first woman to climb Too Big to Flail highball at Bishop? Is it your biggest achievement?

Climbing Too Big to Flail is definitely one of my top achievements. It required all the mental skills and strategies I’ve learned over the years. I’m certainly proud to be the first woman, but I’m prouder to be the seventh climber, male or female, to do it. Women are equally as capable of achieving the same types of climbs as men. That’s one of the best things about our sport.

Are you currently in training for a specific challenge?

I’m in a rest period at the moment, having just gotten back from a six-week trip to South America. I’ll begin a structured training cycle in September and continue through the end of the year. I’d like to push my limits in terms of hard bouldering and trad climbing.

Where in the world has the sport taken you and what have been some of the highlights?

Climbing has brought me to places such as South Africa, Japan, Switzerland, Australia, Brazil, Peru, and Great Britain. There are too many highlights to count but many of my favourite experiences happened in Rocklands, SA.

Tell us a bit about your work as a climbing coach?

I started coaching as far back as 2008 at my local gym in Rhode Island. I continued coaching at ABC Kids Climbing in Boulder, working with incredibly hard-working and talented young people who compete at national and international levels. I stopped coaching in 2014 to pursue my own professional career. Currently, I offer clinics and workshops for climbers of any age that centre around physical and mental training. I focus on the theme of consistency and simplicity. No matter what your goals are, you can achieve them through small steps and intentional processes. Time and effort will take care of the rest!

Which athletes do you have the most respect for?

I have the most respect for athletes who combine their passion and platforms in a way that contributes to the greater good of their communities. Athletic prowess is impressive, but finding ways to inspire change within the lives of others is equally as admirable. I also respect athletes who work hard for their achievements. Some examples are Tommy Caldwell, Alex Honnold, Hazel Findlay, Shauna Coxsey, Kyra Condie, and Shelma Jun.

What advice would you give to aspiring climbers who are inspired by your success and achievements?

Success depends on how you define and pursue it. Define your success by setting a goal that is 100% true to yourself, and pursue that goal in a way that works for you. Learn from failure, try again, and take a moment to appreciate how far you’ve come..