There are certain moments in a profession when you get to witness the beginning of something special. Recently, Jen and I had the privilege of presenting to the athletes of Westminster University’s inaugural climbing team — a program making history as the university launches its very first official team at the helm is coach Keely Carolan.
As clinicians who spend our days working with climbers, mountain athletes, and highly motivated movers, being invited into a brand-new team environment felt particularly meaningful. Early education is one of the most powerful tools for keeping athletes healthy, confident, and performing at a high level throughout the season.
And if you’ve ever been around climbers, you know — they don’t do anything halfway.
Building a Foundation Before the Season Begins
Our goal for the evening was simple: give these athletes practical, immediately usable knowledge that could help them stay on the wall and out of the clinic.
We focused on two areas that consistently shape a climber’s longevity:
Pulley injuries — the infamous finger injuries that can sideline even the strongest climbers.
Shoulder health — often overlooked until it becomes the limiting factor in performance.
Rather than delivering a dense lecture, we emphasized what we care about most at Rev PT: translating sports medicine into real-world decision making.
We talked through:
Why pulley injuries happen (and why they’re not always just a “strength” problem)
How training load, intensity spikes, and fatigue influence tissue tolerance
Early warning signs athletes should never ignore
Smart modification strategies that allow climbers to keep training
The shoulder’s role as both a generator and absorber of force
Strength patterns that support powerful, durable movement
Because the strongest athletes aren’t just the ones who train hard — they’re the ones who understand their bodies.
The athletes questions were thoughtful.
The engagement was genuine.
The stoke was high.
It is not lost on us how big this year is for them. Competing as Westminster’s first official climbing team means stepping into the role of pioneers — setting the tone for every class of athletes that will follow.
Why This Work Matters
At Rev PT, we believe strongly that injury education belongs in training spaces, not just medical offices.
When athletes understand concepts like load management, recovery, and tissue adaptation early in their careers, injuries become less mysterious — and often less severe.
If we can help athletes recognize when to push and when to pivot, we’ve done our job.
Looking Ahead
To the Westminster climbing team — thank you for welcoming us, for your curiosity, and for your commitment to doing this sport well.
And to the broader climbing community: supporting developing athletes is one of the best investments we can make in the future of the sport.
Strong fingers are great.
Resilient shoulders are essential.
But informed athletes? That’s where longevity lives.
We cannot wait to see what this team accomplishes.
— Carrie & Jen
Rev Physical Therapy
