Bouldering, Life and Neurodivergence | A Patagonia film

Sometimes the only way to get stronger is to let go.

a person in yellow trousers is bouldering on smooth rocks, in front of yellow leaf trees suggesting its autumn

Author of Born to Climb Zofia Reych and outdoor gear brand Patagonia tell a story of bouldering and neurodivergence.

After a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and being forced to limit climbing during the pandemic, Zof explores the role of climbing in their life in new short film The Gifts of the Forest. Ultimately, they discovered that the best way for them to move forward was to temporarily let go.

The morning light was pink and peach, the air hazy over the dusty expanse of the Cederberg Mountains in Rocklands, South Africa. I knew it was beautiful but was unable to feel it.

Read Zof’s story here, or watch below: