Alex David Johnson
  climber, free runner, DJ
- April 1, 2011

FRB: Name?

Alex: Alex David Johnson.

FRB: Age?

Alex: 19.

FRB: Height/Weight?

Chris: 6 ft. 150lbs.

FRB: Location?

Chris: Lakewood, Colorado.

FRB: Blog/website?

Alex: alexdavidjohnson.blogspot.com & adjsoundz.blogspot.com

FRB: Why don't you tell us a little about who you are, Alex.

Alex: I am 19 year old student studying Business at Colorado Christian University.  I also am an inspiring DJ.  "ADJ Soundz"  When I am not focusing on school I love to go outside and climb and hang out with friends.  I moved out to Colorado from Downers Grove, IL.

FRB: How did you get into climbing, Alex?

Alex: In 2002, my mother started working at the YMCA as a climbing instructor.  I was 10 at the time,  I would go with her and climb around.  I really enjoyed it and got pretty good at it too.  Another employee at the YMCA told my mom and I about competitions.  It sounded fun so I attended one and ended up coming in second.  After that i was hooked.

FRB: Where were some of your early influences/mentors?

Alex: A few of my early climbing influences include Dave Hudson, Bernie Corwin, Greg Padavoni and my mother.

FRB: What famous climbers do you admire, Alex?

Alex: Some famous climbers I admire are Daniel Woods and Chris Sharma because they are both very respectable people and I love how they just keep  pushing the game of climbing to the next level.  Also Patxi Usobiaga is very inspiring because of his commitment to keep pushing himself to train so that he could become the champion.

FRB: Where do you climb/train, Alex?

Alex: I climb at the Denver Bouldering Club and practice break dancing at my school apartment, which has really helped develop certain muscles that do not get worked while climbing.

FRB: Do you do any specific training for climbing?

Alex: I am not big into training,  I just prefer to climb, climb, climb.  The closet thing that I do training would be my nightly  break dancing and yoga.  Occasionally I will train with Dave Wahls Athletik Specifik.

FRB: What kinds of climbing do you like, Alex?

Alex: I love both sport and Bouldering.  I can not pick which one would be my favorite as both disciplines are unique. As far as trad climbing - not going to happen, ha ha.

FRB: You're a competition climber.
          How did you get into comp. climbing, Alex?

Alex: Growing up in Chicago it's a little harder to get outdoors so I just naturally gravitated more towards the comp scene as it was just easier to get too and closer.

FRB: How many competitions have you won or placed in, Alex?

Alex: Not counting local comps:
2nd. place 2011 ABS Nationals.
17th place Youth Worlds 2009.
Junior ABS Nationals Champion, 2011 and 2010.
SCS Divisional Champion, 3 times I think.
Hard to remember. Lets just say placed 1st within the Youth series 10+ times.

FRB: What do you suggest for training for competition climbing, Alex?       

Alex: Every one is different.  I have found the best success from just setting and or working hard problems to build up strength by working them.  I like to keep it simple.

Alex on his way to 2nd. place 2011 ABS Nationals, Boulder

FRB: What about sponsorships?      

Alex: Can't forget about those guys.  Rock Candy Holds, Five Ten and Organic have all been great. Also my family and mother have been Huge in my successes.

Alex sends at the ABS Nationals, Boulder	Alex sends at the ABS Nationals, Boulder

FRB: What are some of your favorite moments in your climbing career?

Alex: Making it to finals this year at the Open ABS Nationals and placing 2nd.  Also sending my first 5.13d and V12 outside.

FRB: Do you ever hit a plateau in your climbing?
          How do you overcome the plateau?

Alex: I do not believe that climbers have limits or plateaus.  If you believe that you can climb harder then you can climb harder, sure it may be harder for some to progress than others but if you want it bad enough I believe that you can do it.  It wont always be easy though.

FRB: What are your thoughts on Highballing?

Alex: ha ha Highballing, I personally am not a fan of it for I like to know that when I fall I am not going to die ha ha.   But hey if that's your thing then go for it.

FRB: How often do you climb, Alex?

Alex: I try to climb 5 days a week in the gym.

FRB: Hardest sends?

Alex: 5.13d Pipedream, Maple Canyon, Utah and Bambi, V12 Morrison, CO.

FRB: Any words of wisdom on how to climb hard?

Alex: Keep at it.

FRB: What have you sent lately, Alex?

Alex: Living in Illinois I did not the opportunity to go outside bouldering as much I would have liked, however since moving to Colorado I have sent my first V10, Animal, V11, Cage Free, and V12, Bambi.

FRB: How many FA's have you done?       

Alex: I came close to one down in Arkansas but had the finish hold break on me.   So none.

FRB: Favorite bouldering in the world and why?

Alex: That's hard to say as I have not really been to very many places.  I am pretty psyched on getting out to Lincoln Lake, Colorado.

FRB: How would explain your climbing style?

Alex: Dyno for it!   I love big moves to solid holds.

FRB: What are you working on these days, Alex?

Alex: Pushing myself to the next level. DJing.

FRB: Do you have any projects right now, Alex?

Alex: Fantasia V14.

FRB: Thanks for the interview, Alex.       

Alex: Thank you.

Alex, free running, somewhere unknown. - Photo: Chuck Fryberger

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