The Deeper Meaning, Part 1: Pride

DeadPoint Mag recently posted this article on the “direction” of the sport of climbing.  The feature is a meandering look at how petty everyone in the climbing community is becoming, mostly as a result of the increasing interconnectedness through the internet.  It hits on a few topics that may have some validity, but I happen to know the counterpoint.  She’s one of my favorite people, and her name is Melissa Godowski.

Melissa, currently finishing up her junior year in high school, is a climber whose heart is in all the right places.  Melissa loves climbing, hates drama, and trains every chance she gets until her fingers are bleeding.

… usually longer, come to think of it.

About a month ago, I asked Melissa if she’d be interested in contributing something to EasternClimber; something from her point of view, about climbing in general.  I told her to write about whatever she wanted, but only if she had something to say.  Her eyes widened, her face lit up, and I think she started it that night.

Meet Melissa Godowski:

The Deeper Meaning, Part 1: Pride

I began climbing when I was 13.  Who can forget those great days when they were 13?  The way our bodies were misshaped, growing hair in places you didn’t before… or maybe not.  My point is that puberty was awful for me and everyone else.  I wore old jeans that barely fit and over-sized Gap sweatshirts.  I hated the 7th grade, and felt like I stood out because of how awkward I looked.  I liked myself the way I was, but feared everyone else looked at me as a freak.  I was trapped in a gossipy middle school, desperate for an outlet.  That is when I found Rhode Island Rock Gym and began climbing on their youth team.

I was the youngest on the team, but I felt like a winner as I became stronger.  The older kids accepted me, and helped me grow to who I am now.  I looked up to them, and I became a more mature person.  My parents deserve some credit, as they helped me find climbing, and dedicated many hours to sitting in a chalky gym while I had fun.  Climbing, and the climbing community, helped me develop a sense of pride in myself when I needed it most, and it continues to do so, even through the toughest times.

Continued in Part 2…