In this gripping episode of The Determined Society, host Shawn French sits down with Emily Harrington — world-renowned professional climber, mother, and IMAX documentary star of Girl Climber.

Emily opens up about the physical and emotional peaks behind her record-breaking climbs, including her free ascent of El Capitan, balancing motherhood, and the deep human lessons that come with facing fear thousands of feet in the air.

What makes Emily’s story so powerful isn’t just the scale of her climbs — it’s the honesty behind them. She shares how fear still finds her on every wall, how she’s learned to trust her gear, her partners, and herself, and how failure is not the enemy but the environment climbers live in.

Together, she and Shawn explore the psychology of resilience, the beauty of imperfection, and the parallels between climbing and life — from battling self-doubt to finding meaning beyond the summit.

The conversation also touches on her marriage to fellow climber and guide Adrian Ballinger, her late mentor Hilaree Nelson, and her deep love for Ecuador, where she and Adrian were married. Between discussions of altitude, family, and fear, Emily paints a portrait of determination that transcends sport.

If you’ve ever faced something that scared you, doubted your own strength, or wondered what’s left after achieving the impossible — this one’s for you.

Key Takeaways

-Fear doesn’t disappear — it evolves. Even pros feel it at the edge.

-Failure isn’t the opposite of success; it’s the path to mastery.

-Parenthood and adventure aren’t mutually exclusive — both require endurance and grace.

-The real summit isn’t the wall, it’s who you become climbing it.

-Vulnerability is strength; perfection is a myth.

-Gratitude and perspective are the antidotes to burnout.

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Emily Harrington

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