Brady Robinson – Climber, Educator, Outdoor Advocate

Brady Robinson is the Executive Director of the Access Fund, a conservation and advocacy organization that helps to protect climbing areas throughout the United States.  Despite being a relatively small non-profit, the Access Fund’s work has a broad ripple effect far beyond the climbing community and extends into areas of conservation, public lands policy, and general outdoor recreation, just to name a few.  Under Brady’s leadership, the Access Fund has been incredibly effective, and as climbing becomes more popular, the its work will only become more important.

Brady also has a seriously impressive outdoor resume—he was an instructor for both Outward Bound and the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and has done a number of large-scale expeditions throughout the Himalayas.  He still finds time to push himself hard in climbing, mountain biking, and other adventures, while simultaneously leading the Access Fund and being a fully committed family man.

 

We had a fun conversation that covered a wide range of topics.  We dig into the details of the Access Fund’s mission and methods, including why non-climbers should care about its work.  We talk about Brady’s diverse career experience, and he tells a few crazy stories from his big-mountain expeditions with climbing partners such as Jimmy Chin and Conrad Anker.  Brady also offers advice to young people who would like to pursue a career centered around the outdoors, conservation, or advocacy. [A full list of topics covered is below.]

Even if you’re not a climber, you’ll gain some solid insights from this interview, so I hope you enjoy.

All photos courtesy of Brady Robinson

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Episode Notes

Topics Covered

Information Referenced

• Brady Robinson
• The Access Fund
• Wilderness Act
• Devil’s Tower National Monument
• The Outdoor Alliance
• Land Trust Alliance
• Outdoor Industry Association
• Brady’s TED talk
• “The Solace of Vertical Places” by Brady Robinson
• Outward Bound
• National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS)
• VIDEO: 2001 K7 Expedition with Conrad Anker and Jimmy Chin
• Jimmy Chin
• Conrad Anker
• Galen Rowell
• Alex Lowe
• Longs Peak Triathlon
• Mountain biking the Colorado Trail
• Jim Collins
• Good to Great for the Social Sectors by Jim Collins
• Memoirs of the Second World War by Winston Churchill
• The Fog of War
• More info on proposed public lands transfer via Outdoor Alliance

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