Bob Toews

Do you go by a nickname? My legal name is Robert, but that's way too stuffy.  I'm a Bob to the core.

Birthdate: 12 September 62

What is your occupation? Assistant Director of Institutional Research, Goshen College.

What/when was your first climb? 2006 Hancock

How many climbs have you completed? Over thirty events at 11 venues (and counting).

Why/how did you start? My 7th grade basketball coach made us run our 1 story stairwell for conditioning.  I hated it, but I came to understand the benefit (long story).  Many years later I would train for hiking in The Rockies by climbing stairs, always daydreaming of climbing BIG buildings.  One day someone told me he was doing a climb at the John Hancock Building in Chicago.  Really?  This IS a thing?  I convinced my son to join me.  Training was great for both of us (again, long story.)  The event was the worst pain I'd felt to that point.  We were back the next year.  Several years later I got into a Hancock preclimb dinner David Hanley put together and met David, Karen Geninatti, Alex Workman, and Ed Badida.  The rest, as they say, is history.  Why was I so fortunate to fall in with this lot?!

Do you have a favorite climb? Why? It's a toss up between Bennington and Aon Chicago.  I love everything about Bennington (and a big thank you to Alex for getting me out there!), but Aon this year was a breakthrough climb for me - and they love to see us climb it multiple times.  I also like the course at Strat.

Least favorite climb? Why? Sears is just hard (steep and long), but, so far, it's the multiple climbs I detest the most.  If I was pacing for total number of climbs it would be one thing, I could do that, but when you destroy yourself competing for fastest time up AND total number, it's just rugged.  I did 23 trips up the Springfield Hilton the day Justin broke the WR there.  I loved that day!

Why do you climb? You're the one writing the book, Jane.  :-)  In a nutshell, to hang out with some of the coolest people I know, to stay in shape, and to push myself to see what I really am capable of.  I keep finding ways to get past barriers so who know where this will end.  I am also convinced the body needs challenge or it will wither.  I'm not into withering.

Are there other sports you’re passionate about? I played a lot of tennis in high school, but now enjoy biking and hiking for fun, no other real passions at this point.

Did you have injuries or issues you needed to overcome to climb? I tore my meniscus several years ago playing indoor soccer.  Climbing seems not to adversely affect that injury.  Otherwise I've been quite fortunate.

How do you train? I used to Spin, but have recently started more programmed interval workouts on an ArcTrainer (someday a Stairmaster).  I also do some work in a very short stairwell, some on a bike, and other core and strength work. It's tough to hit the intensity level of a climb, especitally for the duration, but I try to do that at least once per week leading up to an event.  I have to step into the stairwell knowing I've pushed mentally through the pain for that long.

Do you have a special relationship with any of your step-siblings? Yes, many of them!  These relationships are what keep me in the sport.  A few have patiently mentored me.  I hate to single anyone out, and should not, but I will just mention that David Hanley was my gateway drug to this community and continues to be an inspiration both as an Elite climber who continues to get faster, and as a person who takes a scientific approach to training and competing.  Karen and Oz were (are) early inspirations on how to keep going when it gets tough.  I also have to give a shout out to Mark. He was so welcoming to WCL, my other gateway.  He even called me, yes on the phone, to give me advice about how to do Bennington.  Pleasant surprise, it was.  50+ climbers continue to amaze and inspire me.  No excuses!  And so many others whose connections are vital.

Who inspires you? My first inpiration in climbing was Terry Purcell.  My son and I would race over to the after party at Hancock after our climbs to see how fast Terry was that year. We always had to laugh at how ridiculously fast his times we were.  (And later Terry was very willing to give advice to this newbie!)  I'm also very inspired by the incredible guys in my AG (and older!) who prove age does not matter.

Do you have a good luck charm or any superstitions or pre-race rituals?  No, but I am looking for the perfect warmup.  It's critical for both the mind and the body to be ready at go time.

What's on your iPod during workouts/competitions? I am trying to train and climb without tunes so I can listen to my body, but tunes do help take your mind off of the pain.  When I listen, I like The Tubes, Talking Heads, some Petty, a little Mancini, Peter Gabriel, and the occasional Philp Glass to name a few.

Do you have a website or blog for those interested in learning more about you? Just facebook.

If we had numbers on our jerseys, what would your number be? I'm a numbers guy by day, but wouldn't have a preference here.

What would you like to tell others about yourself and your experience with stair climbing that might inspire them in their lives? You very likely won't be the fastest of the fast - I'm certainly not - but that's not the point of climbing.  It's a great place to get to know yourself and other athletes who want to push boundaries- to see what's deep down inside.  It's low impact, and a great way to challenge both mind, body, and spirit.  If you can find a good indoor stairwell to train in, there is no such thing as a bad weather day!  And, as Syd is famous for saying, staying this active slows down the slow down.

Additional Comments: It's about time someone started collecting clilmber profiles.  :-)  Thanks Jane!

Tom McGee

Do you go by a nickname? Not since my school days – Max, after Green Bay Packers’ Super Bowl I hero, Max McGee     

Birthdate: 25 August 1956      

What is your occupation? Qualitative Market Research Consultant - I’m not a numbers guy; I prefer living in the fuzzy grey area instead of black & white.      

What/when was your first climb? American Lung Association’s Tackle the Tower; Oakbrook, IL 2/12/06     

How many climbs have you completed? 50, as of this year’s 1 WTC climb     

Why/how did you start? I love bike riding, and back then, I would put my bike away once December rolled around in Chicago. I got bored going to the gym, so was looking for something else to keep me active in the winter. I heard about the climb, it sounded like fun, and being an ex-smoker, I supported the ALA’s cause. So, I gave it a try, got hooked and have been climbing ever since.      

Do you have a favorite climb? Why? I can’t say I have any one favorite, b/c they are all different.  ALA Oakbrook is always one of my favorites b/c it was my first climb, and it’s a great building. It has a fairly narrow stairwell that allows you to use both railings, it’s clean, and it has a consistent step count all the way to the 31st floor. It also has, what I think is the best organized Power Hour of any climb – you never have to wait for the elevator down to the lobby. I also love the Sears/Willis Tower. It was my second ever climb, and after doing Oakbrook’s 31 floors, I didn’t think Sears would be all that difficult at 103 floors...wrong...it kicked my butt ☺ It’s the hardest climb for me, but I love doing it. Another favorite is AON Chicago. It’s a clean stairwell, has a consistent stair count up to the 80th floor. And, best of all, they allow climbers to do as many repeats as they want after their initial timed climb. Last year a whole group of us did a vertical mile climb – believe that required about 7-8 trips up. And, of course, 1 WTC. I had the honor of doing the inaugural climb of 90 floors in 2015, and the full 104 this past May. As a native New Yorker, and with my brother a member of FDNY who spend 6 months on recovery at the site in 2001/2002, and still on the force as a captain, this climb will always have great meaning.     

Least favorite climb? Why? I enjoy the challenge, and have done it the past 4 years, but the American Lung climb in Milwaukee’s US Bank Center is always tough. Most of the people I know do the Power Hour/Elite Climb, and at 47 floors, it’s a tough one. Beyond the climb itself, the most aggravating aspect of the event is that the PH takes place in a stairwell that starts in the sub-basement, and when climbers reach the top floor, they are required to use slow moving and erratically timed service elevators to get back down. The elevators have broken down or gotten stuck on multiple occasions, one year stranding climbers for about 5 minutes – thus, blowing their chances at winning or at least achieving PRs.     

Why do you climb? I love the workout – it’s unlike any other physical activity I’ve ever tried and, by far, the most difficult. I’m never going to be on the podium, but I love the challenge of trying to top my times from previous years / set PRs. It’s a sport that’s tough to explain to people who have never tried it. Friends don’t fully appreciate how difficult and rewarding it can be. There’s a great sense of accomplishment when you’re back out on the street after a climb and you know you just conquered the building you’re standing under.

The other aspect of the sport I love is the people. Regardless of whether you’re an elite climber, the slowest climber or somewhere in between, everyone is completely supportive of one another. Regardless of how competitive the top climbers are, they are always willing to offer encouragement in and out of the stairwell. I feel there’s an unspoken respect among step-sibs in knowing that we each try to do our best whenever we climb. I’ve also been fortunate to form friendships with a number of climbers, and even though we may only see each other a couple times a year, we always enjoy the time together, whether it’s for pre or post climb meals, an occasional social outing, or just a post-climb photo-op on the top floor. And, of course, there’s always Facebook!!!     

Are there other sports you’re passionate about? Road bicycling.  Much like stair climbing, I’m never to going to set any land speed records, but I can ride all day ☺ I enjoy completing century rides, an occasional hill climbing challenge, bike touring, and week-long bike parties such as RAGBRAI      

Did you have injuries or issues you needed to overcome to climb? Nothing serious      

How do you train? Cycling is a great cross-training exercise, especially doing hills. Unfortunately, in Chicago, you need to travel a bit to find hills ☺  I’ve also had good luck with friends either living or working in high-rises around Chicago, so we access their stairwells whenever possible. Friends & I will also sneak into hotels when possible (security eventually gets wise and kicks us out, but we usually have good runs before that happens). There’s also a great outdoor stair climbing area in suburban Chicago, called Swallow Cliff that is great for training. Unfortunately, I no longer live close enough to get there very often. It’s an old toboggan hill that was closed years ago for safety reasons, but they kept the stairs intact, and just recently added another set of stairs b/c the originals have become too crowded. Beyond that, it’s a lot of lunges, squats, etc.     

Do you have a special relationship with any of your step-siblings? Number one, my girlfriend, Debbie Breit ☺  who started stair climbing in 2015, and is now hooked. Beyond her, I’ve become good friends with Harish Nambiar. We have road-tripped across the Upper Midwest the past 2 years doing a series of American Lung Association climbs. And, I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know his entire family who participates in the Chicago area climbs at Oakbrook and Presidential Towers.

A group of us in the Chicago area also formed a team, The Half-Fast Climbing Society, and enjoy climbing together whenever possible – Dave Hecker, Andy Hanson, Sherm Fields, Brian Duhn, Eldridge Bolin, Malina Chereji, Anna Dowd,as well as Debbie, and Harish and family. I’ve also climbed as part of Karen Geninatti’s team for ALA Springfield, and with many others as part of Mark’s West Coast Labels/X-Gym team.      

Who inspires you? Most inspiring is Mark Block. I know his story has been well documented, but every time I see him, I tell myself, no matter how much pain I might be in at some point during a climb, it can’t compare with what he’s been through, and what he’s accomplished. It’s an amazing story.

I’m also inspired by my girlfriend, Debbie Breit, and Madeleine Fontillas Ronk. They are both breast cancer survivors who refuse to let that stop them. Deb loves life, and will not back down from a challenge. She doesn’t obsess over her times in the stairwell, but shows up and climbs as hard as she can.     

Do you have a good luck charm or any superstitions or pre-race rituals?  No good luck charm or set ritual, but I am a breakfast freak, so will wake up hours before a climb to eat and allow time for the food to digest. Although, I wish I could do Eric Leninger’s Snickers bar & Red Bull pre-race routine and, of course, then win ever climb I compete in ☺     

What's on your iPod during workouts/competitions? I never listen to music when climbing or cycling. I find it distracting. I like to know what’s going on around me, especially when biking on the road.     

Do you have a website or blog for those interested in learning more about you? Nothing beyond my Facebook page     

If we had numbers on our jerseys, what would your number be? 56 – my birth year, and the number of my all-time favorite NY Giant, Lawrence Taylor.     

What would you like to tell others about yourself and your experience with stair climbing that might inspire them in their lives? Not to be intimidated by something that you might initially fear, or that other people have told you you’re not capable of, or shouldn’t bother trying to achieve.  At the wise old age of 59, I’ve learned to stop listening to negative people, and I don’t listen to those suggesting that “I act my age.” (I never have understood what that means). I hope I’m still climbing stairs in my 90’s!  ☺ Do what makes you happy!      

Additional Comments Thanks for inviting me to share my thoughts, Jane. I just completed reading your wonderful book, “See Jane Climb,” and am suggesting it to others who might be looking for some inspiration.     

Veronica Stocker

Do you go by a nickname? V or Vero

Birthdate: 18 April 1969

What is your occupation? Spanish Interpreter

What/when was your first climb? September 2004, The US Bank Tower

How many climbs have you completed? Too many to count

Why/how did you start? My boyfriend at the time (now ex­boyfriend) encouraged me to sign up because I was always training on the stairclimb machine at the gym.

Do you have a favorite climb? Why? The US Bank because it was my first climb 

Least favorite climb? Why? The Stratosphere, because it always takes me a couple of weeks to recover from that race, I think it’s because the air is so dry in Las Vegas or something, I don’t know, but I am coughing & sneezing for days after that event.

Why do you climb? Fitness, the challenge, the feeling of accomplishment, the charity organizations.

Are there other sports you’re passionate about? Running

Did you have injuries or issues you needed to overcome to climb? No

How do you train? Stairs, hill repeats, Spin bike, weights, running

Do you have a special relationship with any of your step­siblings? I consider a few to be some of my closest friends.  They understand me.  My friends who are not athletes, cannot fuly relate to what I do or appreciate why I devote so much time, effort and money to this sport.  My step­siblings totally get it!

Who inspires you? Many people in my life, some who are no longer with me, inspire me. I also inspire myself, because my road has been a long one, I was not always an athlete, far from it, and only I know how much blood, sweat and tears it took to get to the point where I am today.  I am motivated by the idea of setting a good example for my son as well.

Do you have a good luck charm or any superstitions or pre­race rituals?  I do.  I have a certain necklace that I wear every race.  I always pray before a race and I remember all those who have inspired me and I also focus my thoughts on the people that I dedicate my runs to.

What's on your iPod during workouts/competitions? I never listen to music during a race or during my workouts/trainings.  The motivation has to come from within.  Music is an artificial motivator, one learns to depend on it.  I don’t want to depend on anything but my own willpower.  It’ s just a personal preference, it’s what works for me.

Do you have a website or blog for those interested in learning more about you? No.  I chronicle my races on my FB page.  That’s all.

If we had numbers on our jerseys, what would your number be? I have no idea.  I would take whatever was handed out to me.

What would you like to tell others about yourself and your experience with stair climbing that might inspire them in their lives? Don’t live vicariously through others.  If you have a passion or an interest, just go for it.  It’s great to admire other people for what they do or for what they have achieved, but be your own hero as well.  

Dave Hecker

Birthdate: June 1975

What is your occupation? Technology Sales

What/when was your first climb? Hustle Up the Hancock 2013

How many climbs have you completed? About 20

Why/how did you start? Like minded fools convinced me to try it out.

Do you have a favorite climb? Why? Oakbrook power hour because it is very physically demanding to run that building as many times as you can in an hour.

Least favorite climb? Why? Hustle up the Hancock because it is very crowded and hard to post a good time.  Plus I don’t like that you need to pony up the full fundraising part up front.

Why do you climb? for the challenge and to have a training goal during the winter.

Are there other sports you’re passionate about? Road cycling and downhill skiing

Did you have injuries or issues you needed to overcome to climb? Thankfully, no.

How do you train? cross training (running/cycling), stair machine at the gym.

Do you have a special relationship with any of your step-siblings? We bond over alcohol after climbs.

Who inspires you? Tom McGee!  The incredible time-warping climbing and cycling machine!

Do you have a good luck charm or any superstitions or pre-race rituals?  No

What's on your iPod during workouts/competitions? Nothing. I just let the voices in my head take over.

Do you have a website or blog for those interested in learning more about you? No.  I post stuff on facebook from time to time and relish the 4 likes I have accumulated to date.

If we had numbers on our jerseys, what would your number be? 9

What would you like to tell others about yourself and your experience with stair climbing that might inspire them in their lives? Stair climbing is physically and mentally demanding and gives you a real sense of accomplishment when you can point to a building and say “I climbed that.”  People that don’t climb towers just think you are insane or a glutton for punishment.  Those that do other competitive sports totally get it.  Everyone has their mountains; go climb them and knock them down (whatever they are).

Kathleen Andrew Schwarz

Birthdate: 5 November 1957

What is your occupation? Supervising Children's Social Worker; Los Angeles County Dept. of Children and Family Services.

What/when was your first climb? 28 February 2011, San Diego Fight for Air Climb (just 31 floors!)

How many climbs have you completed? 17

Why/how did you start? I just wanted to see if I could finish one.  Also, I was tired of just standing around waiting for Stan and watching everyone else participate.

Do you have a favorite climb? Why? I like the Stratosphere in Las Vegas.  Most people don’t like it, but it's fun because it's in Las Vegas, people travel to the race from all over the country (and even outside the U.S.), and I like looking down inside the open stairwell!

Least favorite climb? Why? The Willis Tower.  It's the tallest building I've ever climbed.  I thought I was going to die.

Why do you climb? I am not a competitive racer, and unfortunately, I don't practice or train enough for it to improve my fitness.  And I actually don't like climbing very much.  But, it's fun to get to say that I've climbed these different buildings, and does give me a sense of accomplishment when I've finished.  Also, we have met so many great people through the sport, who we maintain contact with through social media, and get to see at the races.

Did you have injuries or issues you needed to overcome to climb?  Well, no, other than my inferiority complex.

How do you train? I think about training.  I really should train.  I kind of just show up.  Maybe that's why I'm so slow!

Do you have a special relationship with any of your step-siblings? The best part of this sport is getting to meet different people, and making good friends who do end up feeling like a sort of extended family.  

Who inspires you? Madeleine Fontillas Ronk, and those who have dealt with weight issues including my brother John Andrew, David Garcia, and you, Jane!

Do you have a good luck charm or any superstitions or pre-race rituals?  I have lucky underwear that I've worn for every climb!  They're black and white striped with a metallic silver thread.  I'm not actually sure that they're especially lucky, though.

What's on your iPod during workouts/competitions? I usually like loud hard rock or something with a heavy beat. Some stuff I like is from System of a Down, KONGOS, "Shipping Up to Boston" from Dropkick Murphys, and "Normal Person" from Arcade Fire. I also like dance music, like "Dance Apocolyptic" from Janelle Monae. And of course, "Let it Go" from Frozen works really great, too!

Do you have a website or blog for those interested in learning more about you? No, but I'm sometimes along for Stan's adventures, and his website/blog address is 1134.org

If we had numbers on our jerseys, what would your number be? Something ending in 5, because that's my favorite number.

What would you like to tell others about yourself and your experience with stair climbing that might inspire them in their lives? Whenever people find out that I do stair climbing, the most common things I hear are "you must be in really good shape," and "I could never do that."  Neither of those things are true. I used to work out a lot, and I was pretty fit. I hope someday to get back to that, but right now, my work and commuting schedule just haven't made that possible (yeah, yeah, I know that's an excuse!). So I'm here as proof that anyone who can climb a flight or two of stairs can do one of these races.  I just take my time, and I get there eventually.  Along the way, you get to meet new people, make great friends, and have an excuse to travel to new places!  And if you do have time to practice and train, stair climbing really can help you get in great shape and improve your health and fitness.  But even if that's not your goal, you can still have fun and get a lot out of the sport.

David Garcia

Birthdate: 5 March 1979

What is your occupation? I'm a television producer.

What/when was your first climb? My first race was the American Lung Association's Fight For Air Climb in Los Angeles. It's in the Aon Center, which is 63 stories, and it was in 2012.

How many climbs have you completed? Nearly three dozen.  

Why/how did you start? In 2010, I started what would become a life-long journey to lose weight and get healthy. At the time, I weighed over four hundred pounds. In about a year's time, I lost 160 pounds through diet and exercise - which I've kept off ever since. (I write about my struggles and successes at www.keepitupdavid.com. One of my weight loss habits was to try new things, whether they're foods, workouts, or mindsets. In 2011, I began eyeballing the StairMaster at my gym. It intimidated me, but I knew it burned tons of calories and provided a kickass cardio workout. So I pushed myself to start using it. I started with just 5 minutes, and slowly, over weeks, increased the time. I began noting, after each climb, how many floors I had climbed (the StairMaster includes this info on the display), and I would go home and look up a skyscraper somewhere in the country that was the same height. Seeing photos of these tall buildings and knowing I climbed the equivalent inspired me to keep going, and soon I began challenging myself to climb, on a StairMaster, the equivalent of landmark buildings around the world. In a few months, I had climbed the equivalent of the Burj Khalifa, Willis Tower, Chrysler Building, Petronas Towers… the list goes on and on. I don't remember where I first heard about an actual stair climb race, but the idea stuck in my head. If I was climbing buildings hypothetically at the gym, why couldn't I do it in real life, too? So I signed up for that first Aon Center climb, and worked my ass off to prepare. I was terrified on the big day, looking up at that looming 63-story building, but the feeling of pride and accomplishment I got on the roof, afterward, was overwhelming. It brought me to tears. I had done something that, just a few years prior, at 400 pounds, would've been nearly impossible. It makes my heart race just thinking about it!

Do you have a favorite climb? Why? I'm partial to the Aon Center, because that's where I popped my stair racing cherry. Otherwise, I love traveling and conquering new buildings much more than doing the same ones again. So far, i've competed in nine different cities, with ten and eleven on the calendar. I've raced in all four time zones!     

Why do you climb? I climb because these races require so much focus and dedication, and I like having events to work towards. Stair racing keeps me on track with my health and fitness goals, and is a huge reason why I've been able to maintain my 160-lb loss. I climb because it's so challenging, so grueling, so intense… and therefore so rewarding. I climb because I like getting access to skyscraper rooftops and penthouse offce suites - where the finish lines are - and access to those places is nearly impossible outside of a race setting. I climb because I've met an astounding, inspiring network of friends - many of whom are in this book - and I've never felt so welcomed and embraced in a team-like setting. Mostly, though, I race because I like proving to myself, again and again, that I am capable of extraordinary things, and I am worth the hard work and sacrifice needed to compete in such a strenuous sport.

Did you have injuries or issues you needed to overcome to climb? I'm not the fastest climber, and I probably never will be, and I'm fine with that. Now that I've lost and kept off the weight, my largest isues are mental ones. Starting up the stairs at the beginning of the race requires a lot of physical strength and endurance, but I also focus just as much on my attitude. This means encouraging myself, squashing thoughts of doubt or sabotage, and staying positive from the first floor to the last.

How do you train? I can't train too much on actual stairs because I start to go a little crazy from the repitition. So once a week I'll train in a stairwell, or on some of the public stairways in the hilly parts of Los Angeles. I'll work out five other times during any given week, and some of that is cardio and weightlifting that targets the leg muscles that are engaged in climbing. But generally I switch it up - running, lifting, aerobic classes, swimming… I try to never do the same thing 2 days in a row.

Do you have a special relationship with any of your step-siblings? I've developed great friendships with a couple step-siblings that have become really important to me. And there's a couple dudes that I have big crushes on!

Do you have a good luck charm or any superstitions or pre-race rituals?  I've worn the same pair of underwear at every race for the past year. (Yes, I wash them after each race!)

What's on your iPod during workouts/competitions? I'm constantly tweaking my workout playlist, but some tentpoles include "What I've Done"/Linkin Park, "Geronimo"/Sheppard, "It's Not Over Yet"/For King & Country, and "Army of Me"/Bjork.

Do you have a website or blog for those interested in learning more about you? YES! www.keepitupdavid.com - there's a good deal of content about climbing and my races. I'm @keepitupdavid on Twitter and Instagram as well.   

What would you like to tell others about yourself and your experience with stair climbing that might inspire them in their lives? Had you told me five years ago that I would become so heavily invested in such an extreme sport in my mid-thirties, I would have laughed at you. I've never excelled at physical activity, historically, and I never thought I ever would. But I kept an open mind, and ended up falling into something I love. I want to encourage your readers to keep an open mind. They'll never know where a new experience might lead. Don't be afraid to try new things. The first time I stepped on a StairMaster, over 4 years ago, I certainly didn't think I'd become a nationally-ranked stair racer with 20 races under his belt, but that's happened, because I was open-minded.

Andy Hanson

Birthdate: 28 October 1971

What is your occupation?: Enterprise Risk Manager at Aon.

What/when was your first climb?: My first climb was the Step up for Kids event at the Aon Center in Chicago back in January 2012. I was hooked, even though my lungs burned for days after that climb. When I participated in that event, I had no idea that stair climbing was a sport and all the events going on across the country and world. It's crazy!! I'm glad the Chicago area hosts so many great events.

How many climbs have you completed? 23 in total with 9 so far in 2016. All nicely tracked in a spreadsheet.

Why/how did you start? The company I worked for was bought by Aon and the following year, there was a flyer on my desk about the Aon Step up for Kids event. I had no idea what I was getting into, but very glad I took that first step.

Do you have a favorite climb? Why? My favorite climb is probably the One World Trade Center climb in New York. Just so much meaning behind the climb. I remember getting to the top the first year and being exhausted and overcome with emotion. It's really been an honor to attend the first two events. I hope to be able to go back again next year. Despite all the "stuff" that impacted the event this year, it was still great to climb up to the 102nd floor even at 5:00 am.

Least favorite climb? Why? I've really enjoyed all the climbs I've done as they each pose a unique challenge. Having said that, the Hustle up the Hancock is probably my least favorite because the building is just so crowded in general and the stairwell gets pretty full, which makes it a little harder if you are trying to improve you time.

Why do you climb? This June will mark my 22nd year as a leukemia survivor. I went through 2 years of treatment starting in June 1994 and am very fortunate to be here today. Unfortunately, one of the side effects from my treatment was that I developed avascular necrosis in both my hips and I had to have them both replaced in 1999. Because of this, I was unable to find a true outlet for my competitive nature until about 5 years ago when I participated in my first stair climb event and I've been hooked ever since. 

While I won't be taking home first place in any of the events, I love the competition and trying to get better each and every climb.

Are there other sports you're passionate about?: I love sports in general. I played the standard baseball and soccer through high school. I played rugby in college. Rugby is a great sport and was a lot of fun both on and off the pitch. I could tell you some stories, but I won't!! Rugby and the other sports I played really helped my mental toughness and made a difference in my battle against leukemia. Stair climbing also requires a lot of mental focus to keep you pushing as hard as you can to reach the top. It's mentally and physically exhausting no matter how fast you climb.

Do you have injuries or issues you need to overcome to climb?: Unfortunately, I developed avascular necrosis in both my hips from the high levels of the steroid prednisone I received during my treatment for leukemia and had to have the both hips replaced back in 1999. I don't think it really limits me in the stairwell, but I have to watch how I train as my hips are in great shape and I want to avoid having to get them replaced any sooner than I have to. Hopefully, that's a long time away. The great thing about finding stair climbing is that it gave me something that I could compete in given I need to avoid sports and activities that have a lot of impact on my hip replacements.

How do you train? Mainly an elliptical at home (no impact on my hips). I go into to work occasionally on the weekends to climb the stairs. Unfortunately, there are only 144 steps, so I try and go up around 35 times. I usually have to go in very early as I've got 3 kids at home so helps if I'm done before they are up and about.

Do you have a special relationship with any of your step-siblings? I don't want to leave anyone out as I've made a lot of friends along the way, but Harish Nambiar and Tom McGee really got me involved with the sport as I saw them at several of the Chicago based events. They taught me the ropes and introduced me to anyone and everyone they know. Everyone else I've met along the way has been great. I'm grateful that I found this stair climbing community of new friends. So many great personal stories and such a supportive and generous group. I also have to give props to the really fast climbers as they are so supportive. It's very encouraging when one of top climbers passes you and they take a moment to pat you on the back and say great job.

Stair Climbers are just flat out Great People!!

Who inspires you? Cancer survivors for sure along with anyone that keeps fighting even when the chips are down. I would just add that a cancer survivor isn't defined by living or dying, but rather bringing the fight against it each and every day. You are a survivor on day 1 and that never changes.

I've unfortunately met too many families that have lost loved ones to blood cancer. Despite experiencing a tragic loss, these families work tirelessly to ensure others don't have to go through what they had to endure. Their stories and their efforts serve as an inspiration to me every day. Just incredible people who do amazing things.

A good friend of mine that I played rugby with in college sent me a card when I was going through my treatment that said, "CHAMPIONS" on the the front of the card and had a picture of a rugby player trying to get up from a pile of players on the ground. On the inside it read, "A champion is someone who gets up event when they can’t." I kept that card on my wall during my treatment almost 22 years ago and still have it today. That message still resonates with me today. 

If you keep your eyes open, you can find inspiration all around you.

Do you have a good luck charm or any superstitions or pre-race rituals?: Not really, but I do try and get to races early as I hate rushing into the stairwell right when I get there.

What's on your iPod during workouts/competitions?: I kind of prefer not listing to music when I climb as I find it a little distracting. However, when I have music on, it's generally old school rock like AC/DC, Van Halen, Zeppelin, Metallica, etc. I do like softer stuff as well, but generally not during workouts.

Do you have a website or blog for those interested in learning more about you? : www.leukemia-hope.org

What would you like to tell others about yourself and your experience with stair climbing that might inspire them in their lives? If you are looking to do something different, this is the sport for you. I've lost over 20 pounds since my first climb and knowing there is a next event helps keeps me on track. The great thing is that you are competing against yourself. Most of us aren't going to get to the top the fastest, but you just have to keep taking that next step. It really applies to anything in life.

Additional Comments? Climb On!!

Jason Larson

Birthdate: 9 July 1983

What is your occupation? Engineer

What/when was your first climb? I was introduced to the sport in 2009, but started climbing in 2012. From 2013 to mid-2016 I’ve done over 100 races and 50 climbs.

How many climbs have you completed? 54 as of May 9, 2016 with many more scheduled!

Why/how did you start? I started as a challenge to myself. I kept going to improve my performance and hopefully to win a race or two….

Do you have a favorite climb? Why? The inaugural World Trade Center 1 climb was amazing to be a part of. The pre-race ceremony was incredible to witness in the streets of Manhattan steps from the world trade site. Empire State Building due to its iconic status both as a building and a race is also an excellent one. I’ll also never forget the first ever tower running world championship race in Doha, Qatar. I never thought I’d be traveling halfway across the world for these things….Then, my local climbs and some exotic (international) ones make the list as well

Least favorite climb? Why? Ones that don’t get the “race” aspect of it right. Timing issues isare a big thing at these sometimes, and poor organization can really hurt as well. Events need to understand that some people train hard to race, others simply participate, others go to watch and cheer. When a climb organizes itself properly they can be amazing events, regardless of venue and format (fundraiser, race, etc). If a climber is new to the sport, I recommend looking into a race that gets these things right – there are plenty out there that do..

Why do you climb?  For the challenge, for the competition, for fitness, for the people involved

Are there other sports you’re passionate about? Trail running, running, triathlon, cycling.

Did you have injuries or issues you needed to overcome to climb?  No – crossing my fingers.

How do you train? Running, trail running, cycling, triathlon, and…..climbing stairs. One of these almost every day!

Do you have a special relationship with any of your step-siblings? I’ve made some great friends with many of my fellow climbers all over the country from coast to coast. It’s one of the great things about this sport! I also have a bunch of friends overseas now, and it’s great to know that I could see someone I know at virtually any race no matter where it is in the world. The community in the sport is excellent.

I could go to races in NYC, LA, Chicago, Seattle, Florida, and the list goes on. I’ll likely see experienced racers I know at events; Alex and Sproule at a race in NYC. Over in LA, I’ll certainly see Jeff, David, and others. I couldn’t leave out the captain of this sport and Jane’s brother Mark Trahanovsky either! The founder of the West Coast Labels team.  Dr Scott and Scott Stanley seem to be almost everywhere, and Josh, Oz and others are tough competition in the Midwest region. Sue lives down in Fla, and PJ and Dan are up in the Pacific NW.

I have to give a specific shout-out to my mentor Eric Leninger though. He’s a real champion of this sport, and he’s given me training tips and we’ve swapped racing stories for the last 3 years. His experience and tough work ethic has inspired me to be the best I can. Before I had met Eric, it was the legend Jesse Berg from Chicago that drew me in to the sport. I had heard the name before, and it was an honor to race with him a few times.

Who inspires you?  Winners

Do you have a good luck charm or any superstitions or pre-race rituals?  Maybe a pre-race snickers bar…someone taught me that at one time. Also post-race pizza and burgers never seems to do me wrong

What's on your iPod during workouts/competitions? I never listen to music during workouts/races

Do you have a website or blog for those interested in learning more about you?      One day….

If we had numbers on our jerseys, what would your number be?  8

What would you like to tell others about yourself and your experience with stair climbing that might inspire them in their lives? Despite the challenge it’s incredibly rewarding. You see cities and locales in ways most people don’t ever get to after reaching the top under your own power. And knowing that you accomplished it yourself only adds to the experience. I highly recommend that everyone give it a try at least once.

You never know, you may just like it. Every time you drive or fly into a downtown with a building you’ve climbed you see it and are reminded of the time(s) you tackled it yourself.

Is it hard? Yes. All workout and competitions are. But is it rewarding? Also yes. Very much so, and in a very different way than most events. I could say much, much more but for now I’ll just suggest you try it out…..

Daniel Dill

Do you go by a nickname? Ha, I wish. Although come to think of it I still get “Dan The Man” from a few of my Step-Sibs. I will take it. It has a great ring to it.     

Birthdate: 25 February 1973    

What is your occupation?  Partner and COO of Trinity Fitness, also known as X Gym in Seattle, WA    

What/when was your first climb? LLS Big D Climb in Dallas Texas, January 2012. Back when it was in the Fountain Place building.     

How many climbs have you completed? Oh Lord, I never kept count. I’m weird like that. I don’t track stats or times or how many climbs. Probably the same reason I do not collect baseball cards or stamps either.

I would guess about 30 since I do around 8 climbs per year on average. My last 2 years have been near double digits.     

Why/how did you start? Interesting story behind this, or maybe not. Depends on who is reading. I was walking out of the 24 Hr Fitness near my place in Dallas when I spotted a flyer at the front desk. At the time I was doing volunteer work at The Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. I was itching to do something more challenging on a personal level. Something that would also be fun. Viola! It hit me. Go climb some stairs. It’ll be easy and fun.

Easy and fun it was not. When I look back at the pictures of the event I remember how I thought I was going to die. Literally, I thought I was going to die right there in the stairwell. I think I alctually prayed for the Good Lord to take me so I wouldn’t have to finish. There’s a picture of me Tebowing. That picture was actually of me praying that it would end. I finished however. And from there the rest is history. A long journey from that day to where I am now.     

Do you have a favorite climb? Why? I would say that after doing the Towerathon last year it quickly became my favorite multi-climb race. My favorite solo race is US Bank.

The Towerathon is a fun event and well run. Plus it’s San Diego. Can’t go wrong with that. I am also becoming more interested in the multi-climb formats. Mostly because it levels the playing field a bit for us bigger guys. The speed factor that favors the shorter, lighter guys begins to go away in a race like the Towerathon. I also enjoy the mental test of slogging through 2 hours of hiking a stairwell.

US Bank is a superb event. On a Friday to boot. With a big ass block party that goes on all day in a city like Los Angeles. Sure I would love to spend the extra money to go do Willis or WTC1, but since I live in Seattle it is way better to head to sunny L.A. to hang with the pretty people. We crave vitamin D up here in Seattle and L.A. has plenty of it. Oh, and the US Bank building is pretty freaking cool too.     

Least favorite climb? Why?  I don’t really have a least favorite climb. At least not at this point.

I would say that my least favorite issue occuring more frequently now is the lack of focus on best practices between climb directors. This is driving a level of inconsistency that I believe is not necessarily the best business practices. Most times the answer to inquiries is veiled as, “we are focused primarily on our donors, and are constantly looking for ways to attract more money”. While this makes sense, it also would make sense to standardize events so they are not re-inventing the wheel every few years when a new director comes on board.

From an Elite perspective, we deserve and demand a few formalities. Race bib #’s indicating our placing in the previous year’s event or our current ranking, preferred start times, and a good awards ceremony with quality awards. Not much to ask. Instead we are seeing a proliferation of more money, less reward. Other than US Bank and the Father Joe’s Villages Towerathon I would say that the events I attend are moving backwards.

Why do you climb?  I started climbing because it was something that I could do that fit my workout ADD. Short, hard, and done! It was something that I could focus on that also fit my go hard or go home personality. Unfortunately when I started I was 250 pounds and had not gone hard in a long time. It hurt me, bad, real bad.

I now climb because my life would not be the same without it. I would not be the person I am today without stair climb racing, and I cannot imagine my life without the clarity of focus that training brings me.    

Are there other sports you’re passionate about?  Disc Golf and bowling. I was a Professional Disc Golf Association touring pro for 10 years. Didn’t earn a dime doing it however, but I had a blast traveling the country and meeting awesome people. I still play local events like random draw doubles and weekend singles.

I have bowled since I was like 6 years old. At one point in my life I held a 225 average, and bowled in 4 leagues per week. Fitness and life has pushed bowling to the backseat, but that is not a bad thing at all. Some day I will get back to it. Once the X Gym’s are super famous.  

Did you have injuries or issues you needed to overcome to climb? I have severe childhood asthma. The wonderful thing about hardcore climbing is that my cardio-vascular performance has increased 100 fold. I breathe better now then ever before.

As I mentioned above I was 250 pounds and 24% body fat when I started climbing. As of today I am 200 pounds and 12% body fat. I train hard like an athlete now, and I feel like an athlete. It really has been a life altering journey.   

How do you train?  My training conists of a 5-day regimine of X Gym strength training and cardio. I teach indoor cycling so I use that as a training option. Fortunately we have access to big buildings in Seattle. My climb training varies between short duration intervals, standard building climbs, and long session training.

Our X Gym system, The Glassey Method, of time under tension to complete muscle fatigue builds super muscle endurance. This has made a difference in my climbing. Anyone who knows PJ Glassey knows what the X Gym methods can do for stair racing.    

Do you have a special relationship with any of your step-siblings? I call PJ Glassey my Sensei. We don’t hang out together on a personal level, but he is my stair mentor. Without him I would not be the climber I am today. Guaranteed!    

Who inspires you? I do not have any one individual or even individuals who inspire me. What does inspire me is the challenge to wake up every day and kick ass. People who wake up and kick ass regardless of what stands in their way are awesome. I have fought through years of low wages, being poor, living with roommates, and so on in order to become well educated and to hone my professional craft. I have had to wake up every day, look in the mirror and say to myself, “get the f&%k to it man, you got work to do”.     

Do you have a good luck charm or any superstitions or pre-race rituals? I carry a 4-leaf clover in a glass stone inside a small pouch I wear.

As far as rituals go, hmm, you know, I still have not found any one ritual that works for me. Partly because pre-race warmup is such a muddled affair. Between socializing, warm-up, and waiting in line for undefined periods of time, the pre-race routines are always hit or miss. I am trying to be more like Sproule Love and get my heart rate up higher just before climbing. Still have not figured the whole routine out yet. Practice. Practice.       

What's on your iPod during workouts/competitions? My music selection varies based on the type of climb. Sometimes I choose songs based on length. Sometimes feel. Sometimes both. It can vary between EDM, jam band rock, dance pop, and heavy metal. I would say that my favorite right now are Drum and Basses mixes. Hard driving bass heavy toons that are continuous mixes. This will certainly be on my IPod for the Towerathon.      

Do you have a website or blog for those interested in learning more about you? People can follow me on FB at Cycle Dan and Instagram at cycle_dan.      

If we had numbers on our jerseys, what would your number be?  I would like my number to be whatever U.S. ranking I start the year out with. Regardless of what that is, it is what I earned and rightfully deserve.   

What would you like to tell others about yourself and your experience with stair climbing that might inspire them in their lives?  Stair climbing is certainly a life altering experience. Like most fitness routines, stairs are not for everyone. There is one truth though about stairs, barring any major physical limitations, everyone can do stairs.

I honestly cannot understand why anyone would want to exercise in a manner that is less effective and/or more negatively impactful on the human body. Stairs take no training. Stairs take no real skill. Stairs take no money. All you have to do is Take The Stairs!    

Michael Rollhaus

Birthdate: 16 April 1957

What is your occupation? I manufacture restaurant furniture

What/when was your first climb? About six years ago, Top of the Rock, Rockefeller Center

How many climbs have you completed? 25-30

Why/how did you start? I liked climbing the Stair master at the gym. There was no line at the Stair master. I don't like running.

Do you have a favorite climb? Why? 140 floors in Tel Aviv Israel. Nice people.

Least favorite climb? Why? Boston - least friendly

Why do you climb? To keep in shape. Its a fun, crazy hobby.

Are there other sports you're passionate about? I used to play baseball.

Do you have injuries or issues you need to overcome to climb? A bad left knee.

How do you train? Stair master, bicycling, weights.

Do you have a special relationship with any of your step-siblings? So many are so nice.

Who inspires you? You do Jane. Everyone is an inspiration.

Do you have a good luck charm or any superstitions or pre-race rituals: I tell my oldest daughter to get my eulogy ready.

What's on your iPod during workouts/competitions? Peppy music.

If we had numbers on our jerseys, what would your number be? 33

What would you like to tell others about yourself and your experience with stair climbing that might inspire them in their lives? The thrill and challenge of climbing buildings is indescribable.

Did you know Michael climbs wearing a shirt that says "Maaleh B'kodesh" which means going up in holiness.