About Climbing Business Journal
Climbing Business Journal is an independent news outlet dedicated to covering the indoor climbing industry. Here you will find the latest coverage of climbing industry news, gym developments, industry best practices, risk management, climbing competitions, youth coaching and routesetting. Stay current on the latest trends that are shaping indoor climbing.
We created CBJ to fill a gap in the climbing media universe. While there are many magazines, websites and film companies covering the exciting and photogenic world of outdoor climbing, we wanted more information about the growing indoor climbing community. We wanted one place that offered news and advice for people that work in the industry or just love climbing on plastic: owners and managers of climbing gyms, routesetters, hold shapers, wall builders, pad designers, equipment retailers and climbing geeks. Since that place didn’t exist we decided to create it. CBJ launched in July 2013.
Our goal is to provide breaking news, in-depth coverage and just plain fun stories about the indoor climbing industry. We welcome your thoughts, suggestions and gentle criticisms, so why not drop us a line? We would love to hear from you.
Climbing Business Journal’s mission is to inform, connect and empower the professionals of the climbing industry, with integrity and generosity.
Core Values
We strive to embody the values below in all our interactions, initiatives and relationships with every stakeholder, including our staff team, our advertisers and members, and our readers and followers.
INDUSTRY STEWARDSHIP
We do our best to use our leadership position and voice to care for the ever-changing climbing industry, delivering on the needs of the businesses, professionals and climbers, honoring the past, present and future.
INTEGRITY
We aim for high professional and editorial standards across all our platforms, stories and tools, working hard to be accurate, thorough, independent, and minimize harm.
EMPOWERMENT
We do our part to create an environment and produce resources that inform, connect, uplift and inspire climbing industry professionals, supporting thriving gyms and workplaces.
GENEROSITY
We cherish how the sport of climbing is a fun, beneficial and social activity, and give back to the people and organizations who make our industry better and bring joy to their communities.
Editorial & Data Manager |
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 Read articles by Joe Robinson |
Joe Robinson, Editorial & Data Director Communications specialist and poverty economist, Joe has been contributing his expertise to the global climbing industry for nearly a decade and currently manages CBJ editorial. He traveled around the world as the IFSC’s community manager during Olympic inclusion as well as across the US while writing for Alpinist, Climberism, DPM and CBJ. He worked in local climbing gyms of the Pacific Northwest and West Michigan and advanced economic empowerment, educational equity, youth development and diversity programs alongside national non-profit organizations. |
Sales & Service Manager, Senior Editor |
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 Read articles by Naomi Stevens |
Naomi Stevens, Sales & Service Manager, Senior Editor Naomi is a competitive youth team coach who has also worked at climbing gyms as a routesetter and personal trainer. After starting college at Colorado State University in 2017, she wanted to make new friends and found climbing, fell in love, and now climbing dictates most of what she does. Naomi earned a bachelor’s degree in Ecosystem Science & Sustainability, and when not climbing she enjoys baking, gardening and crafting. |
Marketing Manager |
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Megan Cheek, Marketing Manager Megan is a yoga teacher and climber who discovered climbing in 2017 and hasn’t looked back since. After starting her career in secondary education, she transitioned into the climbing industry in 2022—first as a program manager and later as a digital marketing manager for Climbing Collective. She’s passionate about bringing climbing to more people and enhancing lives through recreation and healthy living. Based in Charlotte, NC, Megan enjoys long walks with her dog, weekend trips to the beach, and listening to audiobooks. |
Contributor |
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 Read articles by Holly Yu Tung Chen |
Holly Yu Tung Chen, Podcast Host, Contributor Holly is a journalist and routesetter based in Denver, Colorado. She kick-started her career in climbing with an internship at the American Alpine Club; now, her writing has appeared in Climbing Magazine, the Alpinist, the AAC’s annual Guidebook to Membership, Sharp End Publishing, and more. Holly has traveled to routeset at gyms all over the American west. Her home gyms are the Spot and Boulder Rock Club, and her motto has always been: “keep it interesting.” Holly hosts CBJ’s The Impact Driver Podcast. |
Publisher & Owner |
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 Read articles by Scott Rennak |
Scott Rennak, Publisher & Owner Scott has been promoting indoor climbing since 1997 when he bought Climb Time of Cincinnati and started what would become the American Bouldering Series. Since then he has helped hundreds of small businesses grow including climbing gyms and manufacturers. He is available for projects through Reach Climbers. In his free time he still scours nearby hills for fresh boulders, skis all year, and is a dedicated father to his two young children. |
Founder |
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Mountain Helt, Founder Mountain has over 20 years experience working in and with climbing gyms all over the country. He’s a USAC Level 5 National Chief Routesetter with setting experience that ranges from locals to international World Cups, and he sat on the USAC Routesetting Committee, which created USAC’s routesetter clinic and certification system. In 2007 he founded Routesetter.com and ran the site until its closing in 2009. Mountain is also Head Routesetter at Mesa Rim Climbing – Reno. |
CBJ Alumni |
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Over the years many others have served on the CBJ team or contributed to our development, including:
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