It is all relatively simple in theory, more difficult in application: to harness the human potential by synergistically combining the training of the physical body, the conscious mind, and spirit of the individual.

No single element can be trained in isolation; attaining fitness, health, wellness, strength, and performance is complex. Examples: You can train for countless hours without the appropriate nutrition and thus not gain strength or loose body fat; without the mental conditioning, the competitive athlete will not have the edge necessary to win; without desire, discipline, and a worthy goal to be attained, the individual will loose motivation and fail to achieve.

How do you begin?

Be honest with yourself and accept responsibility.  Ask yourself difficult questions: What do you want to change? What are your weaknesses? Where do you need to work? What are your goals? Deep inside you know the answers to these questions; you may not know how to change, but you know what you'd like to change. Even the most motivated and elite athlete is searching for the answer to harness more of their potential. This is where I come in...

Begin with an assessment of your nutrition.

NUTRITION

The foundation of all health and fitness is nutrition. You cannot put crap in your body and expect it to perform well and be healthy. You can kid yourself as long as you want but fast food, processed, bleached, packaged, sugar coated, dyed, and convenience food is bad for you on every level. The human body is designed to eat whole foods, from natural sources, in small quantities, regularly. Okay so you already do this maybe this isn’t your weakest area: everyone can improve find the answers to questions: (see NUTRITION)

Next, implement or alter your training

TRAINING

Everyone you see out there that ‘has it all’; fitness, health, good attitude, success in performance and life, is paying their dues everyday. Train intelligently, eat better, sleep enough, reduce stress…it is not rocket science. (See REST AND RECOVERY, BASIC WORKOUTS, ADVANCED WORKOUTS.)

WORKOUTS

So motivation is not your problem, perhaps you've plateaud, or possibly you are looking for something new and different, – good, I have some dandy workouts for you. (see BASIC WORKOUTS, ADVANCED WORKOUTS or TRAINING GAMES)

Finally, find your PASSION

What fulfills you and makes you feel like you have a pulse! You say your passion is sitting on the couch - well, I doubt that or you would not be here. What motivates you, what do you want to do? I do not mean the gym; how about getting outside, riding a bike, hiking, climbing, skiing, surfing, running, swimming, yoga, martial arts, getting fresh air, or getting away from all of the things that do not really matter. You WILL feel better, be happier, have more energy, live longer, be healthier, have a goal to direct your training toward and hopefully be a more conscious human being. 

I hope you have enjoyed reading thus far; you certainly deserve to know me better if you are actually going to listen to what I have to say. Click here to read about FOUNDER, CAROLYN PARKER.

FOUNDER, Carolyn Parker

I am a professional climber among other things; born in New Jersey (moved before the age of one), raised in Malibu, California and Los Alamos, New Mexico. Began searching at age 6, soccer at 7, swimming at 8, exploring alone in the mountains age 10, alpine skiing at age 11, driving fast age 15, racing bikes age 18, Telemark skiing age 19, mountain biking 19, climbing age 21, 1990; ice climbing age 24, 1993; began running marathons and mountain races at age 24; and still compete whenever it “flips my switch.”

The focus of my work and my life is to engage others in activities that create positive self change, to inspire, mentor, motivate, encourage, educate, and if that means changing the world one person at a time, so be it. I derive the deepest satisfaction from seeing others succeed, however I will be the first to tell you it is not just about being faster or stronger – it is about being a more conscious human being.

Carolyn Parker

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Age: 39

Certifications: BA, English/Philosophy University of New Mexico, Associates Degree in Legal Assistant Studies, AMGA Certified Rock Guide, Wilderness First Responder, EMT – WEMT, CrossFit Level 1 Instructor, AFAA Certified Trainer.

Trainer

1993 – First Trainer certification; worked at Defined Fitness, Albuquerque, NM.

Since 2002, I have completed over 5000 individual or group training sessions, training marathon runners, adventure racers, cyclists, climbers, triathletes, recreational athletes and yes even grandmothers, my clients are as committed and devoted as I am.   My expectations are simple; you need not be the best, the fastest or the strongest, but you must be willing to work.

2002-05  Athlete Trainer, part owner, Focus Fitness, Climbing Gym and Fitness Facility (2002 – 2005)

2005 – current  Owner, trainer; Athenafit Training www.athenafit.com

Other Professional Work Experience:

1990 – 1993 Worked as a Paralegal, Richard Stoops Esq.

1993 - 1995 Guide for Ultimate Experience Guide Service, Albuquerque, NM.

1995 - 1997 Owner and Guide for Wild West Climbing Guides, New Mexico. Instructor and Guide, rock, ice, team building seminars.

1997 - 2001 Guide for American Alpine Institute    Bellingham, WA; I was one of ten year round guides for AAI and had tremendous opportunities while working for AAI; guiding 6000m peaks in South America, instructing basic to advanced rock craft, guiding multipitch rock routes in the Cascades, Squamish, and Red Rocks, leading Basic Alpine Mountaineering courses in the Cascades, Water Ice courses and Winter Mountaineering Courses in Ouray,  CO.

2002 - Currently I Co-own and Guide for Suntoucher Mountain Guides, partnered with my husband we operate an International Guide Service, continuing to travel and explore worldwide. Ski touring, Rock Climbing, Ice climbing and Alpine Routes on remote peaks, see Suntoucher Mountain Guides www.suntoucher.com

Sport: events mostly outside the world of climbing....

1987-89: USCF Cat 2 Road racer, raced primarily in NM, CO, AZ while in college. I would ride back to back centuries to visit parents in Los Alamos, NM from Albuquerque. Road 10,000 miles or more a year then decided I liked Mountain Biking more, a little more adrenaline, and a lot less traffic involved!

1990 -1993 NORBA Expert Mountain Bike racer, raced one race in Moab, Utah in Sport Division, finished 20 minutes ahead of the rest of the field, raced Expert for all other Races, not interested in turning Pro. More days spent on the bike than I can remember, favorite rides? Link ups: ride to the mountains, ride the trails, ride home 80+ miles in a day.

1994: Imogene pass run, Ouray to Telluride, 18 miles, 11 miles up, 5310ft elevation gain, 7 miles down 4300ft;   4th place 20 – 29. 3:19;41

1995: Imogene Pass run, Ouray to Telluride, 18 miles 2nd place 20 – 29 3:09:19:
Climbed Mt. Sneffles (14,150ft) Snake Couloir AI3, 4th the next day 15 miles, 6000 ft elevation gain.

1996: Sandia Crossing, Tijeras NM across the Sandia Mountains to Tunnel Springs NM, 28 miles, 17 up 4070ft elevation gain, 11 miles down 4750 elevation loss, 1st place female 4:45.

1998:“Stuart Glacier Couloir”, IV, WI3, 5.6, Mount Stuart, WA, car-to-car in 16hrs

1999: First Knee Surgery, still climbed a lot.

2001: American Makalu Expedition. Attempted 2nd ascent of Czecho-Slovakian Route on Makalu 27,765ft.

2002: Opened Focus Fitness and lost myself in too much work, argh.

2003: Defined Fitness Duathlon Albuquerque, NM, Team (w/Scott Hubbard); Run 5k, Bike 20k, Run5 k, 1st place;
Get Fit Festival, Oak Flat NM; Road Ride 45mi, Trail run 5K, Mtn Bike 12mi, 2nd place.

2004: 1st ascent of “The Promiseland”, V, 5.12c, Sandia Wilderness, NM.
Tram to Tram Sandias (9.5 miles, trail, 4500ft elevation gain): 1:45:10 summer, 2:20 winter, with pack and snow shoes.
River to Crest, Rio Grande River to Sandia Crest (6000 feet of elevation gain, 18.5 miles [9 miles bike, 9.5 run/snowshoe with pack]): 3:32 winter. 
Second Knee surgery, other knee.

2005:  Mount Taylor Winter Quadrathlon (Ride, Run, Ski, Snowshoe – 43 miles, 4800 ft elevation gain), 1st place (35-39), 7th female overall in 5:19:35, One year exactly from meniscal repair surgery, left knee. 6 months later...surgery again left knee repair didn't work, going strong now.

2006: Passed AMGA Rock Guide Exam, Red Rock Nevada.
April  2X BW deadlift #255.
Guided the haute Route (ski mountaineering tour through the Alps, from Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland), 60 miles, 20,000’ of elevation gain

2007:Guided the Haute Route again this time the Verbier variation (ski mountaineering tour through the Alps, from Chamonix, France to Zermatt, Switzerland), 60 miles, 20,000’ of elevation gain.
Competed in my first ever triathlon, inspired by dear friend Elizabeth McCourt. The Mighty Hamptons, Olympic Distance Triathlon, Long Island NY. 2:53 minutes, Swim and Bike went great run was disastrous due to bad adductor injury. Super fun anyway!

Personal Climbing Skills:

Lead 5.12 on rock (hardest onsight 5.11d, redpoint 5.12); Lead WI 5+ on ice; Lead M 8 mixed routes (hardest onsight M7, redpoint M8); Ski 40-degree slopes; Comfortable on Grade V alpine routes

5.11a   lll  Midsummer Nights Dream/Sex Comedy, Black Canyon, CO; 5.11a   lll  Comic Relief, Lightning Bolt Cracks,   Black Canyon, CO; 5.12c   V  FA  The Promise Land  Sandia Wilderness, NM;  5.11b/c I    Spaghetti Western, On sight, Indian Creek, UT;         5.10b   III  Johnny Quest   Questa Dome, NM;                            5.10+   IV Inti Watanna,  Red Rock, NV;                                     5.11b/c ll FA  Sister Sledge,  Sandia Wilderness, NM;                  5.11a   ll  Western Justice, On sight, Sandia Wilderness, NM;     5.12a   lll  VooDoo Child, Sandia Wilderness, NM;                        5.11a   IV  Levitation 29   Red Rock, NV;                                            5.8 A2  V  Lowe Route, Angels Landing, Zion, UT;                                5.8 A3  IV  Super Glide, Sandia Wilderness, NM;                                 5.9 A4  VI  Iron Hawk, Yosemite, CA;                                            5.11c   lll North Face, Monster Tower, Canyon Lands, UT;              5.10d   lll  Washer Woman Tower, Canyon Lands, UT;                 5.10a   lll  Chapelle de Gliere,  Chamonix, FR;                               5.11c   lll   Voix Contamine, S Face Aguille du Midi;                      5.10b/c IV  Voix Rebuffet, S Face Aguille du Midi;                         5.11b/c IV  Luna Bong,  Verdon, France;                                      5.10b/c ll   Coeur de Verre,  Verdon, France;                                    5.11 A0  IV   The Grand Wall,   Squamish, BC;                                  5.11 c/d ll SA  Dancing on the Moon, Sandia Wilderness, NM;        5.11a   ll   Fine Jade, Castle Valley, UT;                                              5.11 d  ll  Crime of the Century, Squamish, BC;                            5.11d   IV  Cloud Tower,   Red Rock, NV;                                     5.9       V   Epinephrine,   Red Rocks, NV;                                           5.11a   lll    Lightning Bolt Cracks, North Six Shooter, UT

Ice: between 1994 and now, some more than once of course, some climbed only, some guided…
Climbs listed below are in varying areas in the COlorado, Wyoming and Canadian Rockies.

The Rigid Designator WI 4/5 II; The Fang WI 5/6 II; Redstone Pillar WI4; Secret Probation M7; Dexter Creek Slab WI3/4 III; Skyrocket WI5 III; Senator Gulch WI 4/5; The RibbonWI4 V; The Skylight WI 5 M5/6; Choppo’s Chimney WI 4/5 II; Slip Sliddin’ Away WI4 M5 II; Slippery When Wet WI 4/5 M5 II; Chockstone Chimney WI 4/5 II; Horsetail Falls WI 4/5 II; Coronet Falls WI4 –; The Fang WI5 II; Bridalveil Falls WI5+ IV; Silver Pick Falls WI 4+/5 I; Ames Ice Hose WI 5 III; Ames Falls WI4/5 I;Cracked Canyon Ice Fall,  WI 5  M5; Sundance WI 4/5 I; Cataract Creek WI 3/4; Direct North Face WI 4/5 III; Snowblind WI 5 III; Bad Ass Pencil WI 5/6 I; Whore House Hoses WI 4/5 IV; Stairway To Heaven WI 4 IV; Gold Rush WI 4/5 III; Second Gully WI4 III; Haflin Canyon WI 4/5; Lime Creek WI 4+ II ;Treasure Falls WI4+ II; Moratorium WI 4/5 II; The Mean Green WI 5 III; High on Boulder WI 4+ III; Gibraltar Wall WI 4; Essondale Right WI 4+ III; Carlsberg Column WI 5 III; Louise Falls WI 4 – 5 II; Lower and Upper Weeping Wall WI 5+ IV; Mixed Master 5.8 WI 5 IV; Ice Nine WI 5+; Kitty Hawk WI 5 IV; Rainbow Serpent WI 6 III;Malignant Mushroom WI 5 II; Professor Falls WI 4 III; Murchison Falls, My Daddy’s a psycho Variation WI 5+ III; SARS on Ice WI3/4 III; Five Seven Zero WI 4 III; Pilsner Pillar WI 6 III; Nemesis VI, WI 6.

South America: Cotopaxi (19,300ft): Cayambe (18 ,995ft): Antisana (19,100ft); Illiniza Sur (17,600ft) and Norte (17,300ft) in Ecuador. Pyrimide Blanca, West Face AI 3,(17,200ft);  Peq. Alpamayo, Normal Route & West Face AI 4 (17,700ft); Huayna Potosi, Standard Route AI 3 (19,800ft); and Illimani, West Ridge (21,100ft); in Bolivia.

North America: North Ridge Mt. Baker (10,781ft) AI 4 Grade IV, Coleman Deming Route, Easton Glacier Route.  Glacier Peak(10,541ft), Frostbite Ridge AI3 4th class; Mt Shuksan (9131ft)Fischer Chimney’s and Sulphide Glacier Routes: Mt Daniel, (7960ft) Daniel Glacier Route; Forbidden Peak (8815ft)West Ridge AI 3 5.7; Mt. Stuart (9,415ft) Stuart Glacier Couloir”, IV, WI3, 5.6, WA, car-to-car in 16hrs.  Enclosure Couloir & Northwest Ridge”, IV, AI3, 5.7, Enclosure, Tetons, WY, North Ridge of the Grand Teton (13,770ft) 5.8 V, CMC Route Mount Moran (12,065ft), NW Couloir Middle Teton (13,200ft) AI 4 easy 5th.  East ridge of Teewinot (12,325ft) 5.8 var. Teton National Park, WY

France: Chere Couloir, D, Mont Blanc Du Tacul (AI4+ M4); Cosmiques Arete PD+, Aguille du Midi;  South Face Aguille du Midi, Contamine Route III 11.a, Rebuffet Route IV 5.10; Point Lachanel;  Pollux AD SW ridge; West Flank of Dom Peak, Switzerland, highest peak (entirely) in Switzerland.

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