What are you up against? | Tommy Caldwell | TEDxKC

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  • čas přidán 14. 09. 2015
  • Tommy Caldwell is a big-wall free climber, over 19 days in early 2015 he completed the first-ever free climb of the Dawn Wall at El Capitan (considered the hardest climb of its type in the world).
    Tommy's talk raises an interesting question: why do some people experience post-traumatic growth? Tommy credits his father who understood the idea of raising kids with grit long before it became a parenting buzzword; believing you must prepare your child for the path, not the path for your child.”
    Tommy Caldwell began climbing not long after he learned to walk. When his father, a larger-than-life bodybuilder and mountain guide, introduced him to the world of adventure, he handed him an eternal flame.
    As a teenager, talent and passion led Caldwell to the top of the competition climbing and sport climbing circuits. Soon after, as his appetite for adventure grew, he became obsessed with the incredibly demanding genre of big-wall free climbing.
    But in his early twenties, Caldwell was held hostage by militants in a harrowing ordeal in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, and then, upon returning home, he lost his index finger in a home remodeling accident. Caldwell emerged with a renewed grit and ability to suffer, further cultivating his legendary determination.
    His subsequent free climbing accomplishments on El Capitan - the Mecca of the pursuit - remain unmatched, and most of his peers consider Caldwell the best all-around rock climber in the world.
    This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

Komentáře • 123

  • @cpcnw
    @cpcnw Před 5 lety +177

    “Maybe the journey isn’t so much about becoming anything. Maybe it’s unbecoming everything that isn’t you so you can be who you were meant to be in the first place.”

  • @josedacunhafilho
    @josedacunhafilho Před 4 lety +20

    Caldwell is so emotional, so sensitive, and this side of his personality passes on to us. I don't know a person who didn't cry at the end of the film, when he and KJ finish the climb. Caldwell is both an angel and a sacred monster.

  • @GarySchmidtPianist
    @GarySchmidtPianist Před 8 lety +347

    ps. Funny story. One day my daughter came home from middle school and said her gym teacher was teaching them about how to climb. I kind of shrugged it off as a bit of a climber myself. Went to parent teacher night and the guy was Mike Caldwell lol.

    • @kayasawyer8379
      @kayasawyer8379 Před 7 lety +1

      FyGary Schmidt

    • @justinkoh4594
      @justinkoh4594 Před 5 lety +5

      r/ThatHappened

    • @LachlanGB
      @LachlanGB Před 5 lety +32

      @@justinkoh4594 It's not a particularly exciting story to make up Justoh...

    • @MegzWassup1215
      @MegzWassup1215 Před 2 lety

      @@justinkoh4594 r/nothingeverhappens also this isn’t Reddit

    • @TT-tk8kn
      @TT-tk8kn Před 2 lety

      Çocuk ıpııpııpıpıpııpııppıpııpppıppıppııııpıpııppıııppııpıpıpııppııpıpppııppııpııpıııpııııııpı

  • @Neilypeel1
    @Neilypeel1 Před 5 lety +52

    just watched The Dawn Wall movie. Excellent. Unbelievable achievement.

    • @Matt-gk4jy
      @Matt-gk4jy Před 5 lety +3

      Same here. Incredible story. The perseverance of this guy is inspiring.

    • @dianebays5484
      @dianebays5484 Před 5 lety +1

      Same! He's awesome!

  • @kearress7350
    @kearress7350 Před 8 lety +144

    Tommy, you are a true legend!

    • @highlyfavored2434
      @highlyfavored2434 Před 5 lety +7

      His character truly came alive when he decided to wait for his partner Kevin to send pitch 19 on dawn wall instead of pushing ahead and leaving him behind. Great guy

    • @ShaigKhaligli
      @ShaigKhaligli Před 4 lety

      @@highlyfavored2434 Yeah exactly ! I always think about that decision by Tommy. He has such a strong character.

  • @brandystill2974
    @brandystill2974 Před 8 lety +52

    3 years ago.... I watched you projecting this climb just before my, now husband, proposed to me in El Cap Meadow. He said I made it hard for him to say his "speech" because all I could talk about was how awesome it was that you were projecting it. Climbing is our world to(bouldering and sport), and we look up to you for inspiration.... Good work, on the wall, and on this show. Very well done.

  • @vashusan1984
    @vashusan1984 Před 8 lety +40

    Probably won't read this Tommy, sure you're super busy, but as a climber myself, knowing just a little of your struggles inspires me as I chase my own "impossible" dreams.
    As a new father I really appreciate your view on hardships and the opportunity that lies within them. It is clear to me that you truly understand the phrase Carpe Diem, and live it each day.
    As person in the spotlight I can't think of any other pro athlete that I respect more or would rather spend time with, climb with or even shake the hand of. Thanks for everything you do and have done for the wonderful sport of rock climbing.
    And I thank you most for the attitude and commitment to hard work and self determination. I hope I have the chance to meet you somewhere along the way. Happy sending wherever the peaks and cliffs call you!
    - Josh, Salt Lake

  • @Funandconsciousness
    @Funandconsciousness Před 8 lety +15

    Anyone who has faced tremendous challenge can at least begin to grasp what you describe here, Tommy. I truly bow to you.
    As a former national level competitive gymnast, I have found myself perturbed by sports announcers who clearly have no idea of the complexity and precision required of a gymnast ... yet my own experiences feel rather minor compared to what you went through so humbly/triumphantly. How wonderful of you to share this story!! Thank you!

  • @daniel_brqlo
    @daniel_brqlo Před 8 lety +8

    Great talk indeed. I loved to see and hear more of Tommy´s history. Really inspiring.

  • @jonathanzbinden4134
    @jonathanzbinden4134 Před 6 lety +6

    Love your finishing thoughts in your book. Your growth all leading to the realization that your value was founded in how much you gave to others and that climbing was merely the first venue. The biggest disservice would be to discount your climbing but I think many people are excited to see the future of what you offer. Thank you for being an inspiration but more importantly a foundation and rock for your family.

  • @GarySchmidtPianist
    @GarySchmidtPianist Před 8 lety +8

    Very well done. Great talk and a much needed message. Thanks for your living your dream and inspiring us all to live ours as well, pushing "barriers" which are only really potential "projects" as you call them.

  • @richardhoulton4016
    @richardhoulton4016 Před 7 lety +26

    His book...."Push"....is a fabulous read. He writes really well.

  • @KielTee
    @KielTee Před 7 lety +101

    Just Lost the same part of the same finger. Was having a really hard time dealing with it right up until seeing this. Thank you Tommy. Although I had an extraordinary accident, I wont allow it to limit me to live an un-extraordinary life.
    6 year update - I’m now a paramedic. Just like the people that came to help me the day of my accident, I now help others.

  • @nigelcarren
    @nigelcarren Před 5 lety +3

    A young man who climbed an actual mountain, who has in turn inspired thousands to climb many metaphorical obstacles. BRAVO and thank you. 🎯👏👏👏👏

  • @laxrule337
    @laxrule337 Před 7 lety +5

    What a mind broadening talk. Teaching us to always understand our limits are way in front of our narrow vision.

  • @culos27
    @culos27 Před 8 lety +10

    Inspiring and articulate, great job!!

  • @BadManN_TheBushes
    @BadManN_TheBushes Před 3 lety +3

    Watching the Dawn Wall now..God said let's go all out when we make this one let's call him Tommy Caldwell. What an inspiration 👏 he doing something that I first off could never achieve and he's doing it like he was born to for this🙏🧗‍♀️💪

  • @marijnwouters4643
    @marijnwouters4643 Před 8 lety +1

    Wow.
    Thanks a lot for sharing!!!

  • @gummbyandpokey
    @gummbyandpokey Před 5 lety +1

    "anything worth having doesn't come easy" awesome quote

  • @loresjenell
    @loresjenell Před 8 lety +16

    I just finished watching your Ted Talk Tommy.... Thank you... for your example of perseverance and your dogged determination!! Wow... It was great to hear you share your motivation for the climb and in brief your commitment to tackle Dawn Wall... Congratulations for not giving up on your 'research project!'.. :-)

  • @cassy612343
    @cassy612343 Před 3 lety +1

    Always inspiring to listen to this man...

  • @climberdad
    @climberdad Před 4 lety +17

    "All I wanted to do is sit silently with my wife." Wish I could hang out with Tommy for a day. What an amazing guy.

    • @connorchilders6215
      @connorchilders6215 Před 2 lety

      i thought he was abt to say "All i wanted to do, was flip off the doctor"

  • @artemis7913
    @artemis7913 Před 2 lety +1

    What a man. What a life. Absolutely incredible.

  • @bornfreesix
    @bornfreesix Před 6 lety +1

    this is great and inspiring. all the best for you and your wife Tommy.

  • @thecuzz1
    @thecuzz1 Před 3 lety +1

    Truely inspiring man

  • @dianebays5484
    @dianebays5484 Před 5 lety +1

    You're the man, Tommy! Loved the movie.

  • @ajlasmajlovic2337
    @ajlasmajlovic2337 Před 7 lety +4

    This was great👍🏻😊💯

  • @andreamartins1595
    @andreamartins1595 Před 8 lety

    Love this, Tommy!

  • @MountainRhode
    @MountainRhode Před rokem

    Electrifying and inspiring

  • @staylucky4727
    @staylucky4727 Před 8 lety

    Thank You Tommy

  • @oceanwaves3139
    @oceanwaves3139 Před 3 lety

    i saw the documentary of his climbing the Dawn Wall; i think he was a brave man when he pushed that guy off the cliff; what a great protector...I was thinking from the GF's perpective. He had sheer determination to conquer the Dawn Wall. I was very impressed.

  • @rosswilliams8134
    @rosswilliams8134 Před 2 měsíci

    Some great lessons here.

  • @Notaserioushuman
    @Notaserioushuman Před 8 lety +3

    ...and I'm crying.

  • @captainnemonic
    @captainnemonic Před 8 lety +6

    One of my favorite humans.

  • @marilynbronsard5618
    @marilynbronsard5618 Před 5 lety +1

    Great speech, super inspiring! Thank you!

  • @nightarya11
    @nightarya11 Před 3 lety

    "I'm grateful for that damn tablesaw"
    As someone who has struggled with chronic injury as a roadblock to their physical goals those are some resonating words.

  • @lukaskucera9043
    @lukaskucera9043 Před 7 lety +11

    i went t ok school with this guy. he was cool

  • @jackking605
    @jackking605 Před 2 lety +1

    Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.

  • @cosmiceon
    @cosmiceon Před 8 lety

    Thank you Tommy

  • @ScottLRoyal
    @ScottLRoyal Před 8 lety

    Well said.

  • @LStottmann
    @LStottmann Před 2 lety +1

    I watched this documentary on Netflix and it was absolutely amazing. It really goes to show what a human person can endure and really do in their lifetime man I feel so unaccomplished LOL

  • @Luke-pk3rb
    @Luke-pk3rb Před 5 lety

    Such a legend

  • @Morrisopolous
    @Morrisopolous Před 5 lety +4

    4:43 hit me just when I need it

  • @JAyThaRevo
    @JAyThaRevo Před 3 lety

    This guy is a legend

  • @Joker2Phresh
    @Joker2Phresh Před 8 lety +1

    Fitz Caldwell, what a fuckin rad name.

  • @jamesevans2507
    @jamesevans2507 Před 3 lety +1

    I wish my father toughened me up by having me go rock climbing instead of insulting, criticising, punishing and beating me at every step.

  • @Yosef9438
    @Yosef9438 Před 5 lety

    What a life

  • @illduitmyself
    @illduitmyself Před 5 lety

    that's how he overcame....hes thankful............

  • @thereaper55
    @thereaper55 Před rokem

    old video yes but my dad went to high school a few years ahead of him

  • @julesybethmedlini
    @julesybethmedlini Před 4 lety

    👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

  • @carloschau9310
    @carloschau9310 Před 7 lety +1

    "What are you up against"
    What a title

  • @geot4647
    @geot4647 Před 7 lety +46

    The guy he pushed apparently ended up living.

    • @Yosef9438
      @Yosef9438 Před 5 lety +24

      They met later, as well; the guy he pushed said he didn't blame him at all.

    • @StevenBonus
      @StevenBonus Před 5 lety +1

      Psuffix wait what?!

    • @ThmsDouglas
      @ThmsDouglas Před 5 lety

      Can't find anything online verifying hes alive, not one thing.

    • @chackotaco6482
      @chackotaco6482 Před 5 lety +7

      Kihlo Seven it’s true. Watch the documentary “Dawn Wall”

    • @ThmsDouglas
      @ThmsDouglas Před 5 lety +2

      @@chackotaco6482 Yeah seen it multiple times there's no mention of the guy living, nothing. I'm not saying it's not true I just can't find anything.

  • @df4291
    @df4291 Před 5 lety +3

    The soldier he pushed off the cliff survived, according to his Wiki page

    • @dianebays5484
      @dianebays5484 Před 5 lety +5

      But, I bet it ruined his whole afternoon.

    • @stevenmeyer9674
      @stevenmeyer9674 Před 2 lety

      He was put on trial for murder, kidnapping, and more crimes. He probably wished he would have died in the fall.

  • @Brian_Moser1118
    @Brian_Moser1118 Před 8 lety +3

    i wish he would become my best friend/ climbing buddy

    • @hossentc
      @hossentc Před 7 lety +1

      didn't know you're a climber Liam?

    • @strawdawgs78
      @strawdawgs78 Před 7 lety

      He likes to climb wonderwalls.

  • @aiztinik
    @aiztinik Před 8 lety +4

    Can someone please, write down the words from 4:15 to 4:24, thanks

    • @andreigabzdyl5270
      @andreigabzdyl5270 Před 8 lety +13

      +Aiz Yasser Montes Lima I reached out grabbed the gun strap that was still over his shoulder and i pulled as hard as i could and he arched backwards falling freely. A wheezing thud broke the silence from far below.

  • @millerfour2071
    @millerfour2071 Před 2 lety

    5:20, 6:32, 9:47

  • @Piano999Man
    @Piano999Man Před 4 lety

    Oh, it is pointless! and I love it

  • @PathofCultivation
    @PathofCultivation Před měsícem

    He lost his index finger yet still is one of the top climbers.

  • @charlescanning7918
    @charlescanning7918 Před 5 lety +1

    Insane story and I thought he was just known for climbing

  • @spartan5490
    @spartan5490 Před 5 lety +2

    Get him a bottle of water!!

  • @jrblackify
    @jrblackify Před 7 lety

    Wonder why Beth and he divorced... they both seem like amazing people

    • @jessicaford3155
      @jessicaford3155 Před 7 lety +7

      Codependency issues and incompatibility, in a nutshell. Highly recommend reading his new book The Push. Quite a powerful memoir of his life

    • @WonkoTheSane99
      @WonkoTheSane99 Před 3 lety +1

      She cheated on him and banged another guy. That and she kept repeatedly talking about how she never rly loved him but felt indebted to him for saving her life.

    • @stevenmeyer9674
      @stevenmeyer9674 Před 2 lety

      @@WonkoTheSane99 Don't you just love youtube comments? That was sarcasm if you couldn't tell.

  • @phutton88
    @phutton88 Před 7 lety

    Sasha Digiulian did this talk about one of her climbs. Cheesy presentation. who's idea is this?

  • @81elpedro
    @81elpedro Před 5 lety +1

    what do we learn????legalize drugs!!!!

  • @t.jonnson7306
    @t.jonnson7306 Před 8 lety

    You're are an idiot and brought this upon your own self, and have nooooooo support therefore.

  • @letsssgooo4618
    @letsssgooo4618 Před 2 lety

    Wtf is a Ted talk? Who payed for the chopper ride?

  • @PetraKann
    @PetraKann Před 2 lety

    Laughable analysis.

  • @marialuisua8806
    @marialuisua8806 Před 5 lety

    how can it be climbing like you can keep trying to jump and jump on that same spot each time. in everest you call you die.

    • @davidcadavid4207
      @davidcadavid4207 Před 5 lety +18

      Kinda unfair to compare Everest to the Dawn Wall as they're totally different types of climbing. More people have summited Everest than completed the Dawn Wall. Everest is more so mountaineering and a good part of it is just "follow the leader;" plus, you're still tied in on some parts of the climb. Falling does not necessarily mean you die. While it's technical, it's not the most technical or deadly climb in the world. What makes Everest so difficult is the weather and altitude, not the technicality. Not to knock Everest though, it's definitely an achievement that the average person cannot do but once again, you're comparing two totally different sports. In fact, you don't necessarily have to be a climber to summit everest. However, you've gotta be more than just a climber to free climb the Dawn Wall.

  • @mr.shannon6137
    @mr.shannon6137 Před 5 lety +1

    Wish more of the younger generation had that attitude. Most young men these days are all into entitlement, metrosexualism, being lazy and taking lazy way out, avoiding pain and hardship at all cost, and finding any far fetched way to protray themselves as some kind of victim.

  • @creep2300
    @creep2300 Před 2 lety +1

    OR... you could not fuckin go to remote areas in politically unstable countries

  • @rokso8774
    @rokso8774 Před 2 lety

    I have heard eulogies at funerals more exciting than his speech --- so fake --- not coming from the heart -- kind of like a politician's pitch for election