Meira Shuman, Baby Beta Founder
Hi there! I’m an overachieving UX Designer 🤓, rock climber 🧗♀️, and now momma to a sweet little boy 👶.
Throughout my pregnancy, I was often unable to find the information I needed to make informed decisions about climbing while pregnant. The best resource I found was just asking other climbing moms in the community what they did, and then trial-and-erroring for myself from there. As I thought about the next wave of climbing moms, and all my postpartum/parenting questions, I felt compelled to create a helpful resource where people could share their baby beta with others.
A little bit about me climbing-wise: I’m in my late 30s and have been climbing on-and-off for almost two decades. I primarily boulder and was projecting v8/v9 pre-pregnancy. I created a little human in November 2023. My goal used to be climb a v10 before I had a kid, but now it’s climb v10 before I die. 🙂
Our contributors (A-Z)
Becca: I’m 33 and have been climbing for 21 years. I like everything (except ice climbing which I haven’t tried, but which seems cold, sharp, and dangerous), but I am really a boulderer at heart. This is particularly true post baby. I do core regularly, but otherwise am not much on training. I had my daughter when I was 31.
Kristy: I’m 35, and have been bouldering since probably about 2011. My first trip was to Hueco when I was a fresh climber and it was intense (we went in July- young and dumb, lol). I prefer to boulder but don’t mind getting on a rope. I was training with Power Company prior to moving to Chatt (summer ‘22). I was working on v8 and v9 outside prior to pregnancy. Mostly wanting fun movements or crimppppsss.
Liz: I am 37, and have been climbing for 24 years. I have tried every discipline of climbing but enjoy bouldering the most. Especially postpartum. I train to get fit, with a more Crossfit/HIIT/Swimming kind of focus. I love accomplishing small feats of strength to stay motivated.
Preston: I’m (almost) 32 years old and I’ve been climbing for about 12 years. I started climbing in college at USF in Florida. After a few visits to the local bouldering gym and falling in love with the community, I gave up my dance scholarship and joined the rock climbing team. I climbed and competed in all disciplines but bouldering is my undeniable favorite! My family and I moved to Birmingham for 5 years to be closer to climbing, then made our way to Chattanooga last year. At my prime (prior to having my daughter) my highest climb was V8. Postpartum I was getting back up to V6 when I got pregnant again. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a molar pregnancy and had a D&C at 12 wks. My family and I are now expecting again and are eagerly awaiting the arrival of a baby boy in June 2024. As of now I am not training, but trying to round up enough energy to get on some ropes!
Shaina: I’m 30, and have been climbing since 2012. My first love was sport climbing, but I’ve found myself in a world of boulders the last 4 years. I had my daughter when I was 23, and most of my major climbing accomplishments have happened after having her. Most recently climbing v8-v9 prior to taking a break from the boulders this year to focus on running.
Shelby: I am 32 and have been climbing 5-6 years. I started out sport climbing and bouldered really for the first time after moving to Chattanooga around 3 years ago. I had my daughter almost a year ago and prior to my pregnancy I was climbing 12- and projecting V7 outside. I have always enjoyed training but never did anything climbing specific. I played basketball before I climbed so I have a good base for lifting and running. Now I go to Crux and it has been beyond helpful for climbing specific training.
V: I’m currently 38, and I’ve had a rocky relationship with climbing since 2012ish, no pun intended.. I like to boulder and sport climb, and I love going to Crux to condition and train during the off season. Highly recommend Crux for postpartum recovery as well. I had my daughter when I was 36.
Would you like help contribute to the Baby Beta community? If you’re interested, please email me at hellobabybeta@gmail.com or fill out the Contact Form.
Baby Beta 