This post is sponsored by Blue Cross® Blue Shield® of Arizona. All opinions are my own. #BCBSAZHealthy

Youth Rock Climbing
Embrace your Child’s Interests for Family Health

There’s really not much that makes me feel prouder than seeing our youngest daughter cheer on her big sister at rock climbing competitions. Our oldest daughter started climbing when she attended a summer camp at just six years old. Almost five years later, she passionately loves the sport and has dominated the USA Climbing youth competitions as one of the youngest members on her competitive team. Through rock climbing, she has developed mentally and physically while conditioning her body for a sport she loves. Some of her closest friends were made through climbing and her confidence is unshakeable. This is a very exciting time to be involved in the sport with building enthusiasm for climbing because it will debut in the 2020 Olympics. As we continue through the holiday season, I’m making a conscious effort to follow my daughter’s mental clarity through exercise and be mindful of stress in a healthy way. For our family that means getting us all involved for a breath of fresh air and many times, big sister is leading the way with what she has learned through rock climbing. We are reminding you that it’s important to focus on the meaning of the season for your overall wellness and making time to destress with the ones you love.

Little sister has come a long way since her early days as the team cheerleader.

She has been in the climbing gym cheering on her big sister since she could walk and it’s an incredible journey as she grows old enough to join a climbing team too.

Last climbing season was our oldest daughter’s final year competing in the youngest age group before she moved up to the next group, Female Youth C (FYC). She qualified to participate at Nationals in Philadelphia last ropes season and ended her FYD tenure in 17^th place. We walked into the experience knowing that regardless of how she placed, that number would end with “in the nation.” 17^th “in the nation” is quite commendable for a kid that just started climbing because of a positive experience with a summer camp program. We are truly grateful for the summer camp experience at her climbing gym, AZ on the Rocks, for encouraging children to develop and grow in ways we as parents didn’t recognize as a possibility. The climbing community is very kind and while there is a great combination of climbing families to novices like us, we all recognize the power in being part of a team. This holiday season, we’re applying what we’ve learned in competitive sports, and calling our own immediate family “our team.” Together we are stronger and even in the middle of the busiest season, like Blue Cross® Blue Shield® of Arizona (BCBSAZ), we are taking the time every day to acknowledge the power of physical and mental health.

Big sister’s commitment to rock climbing is astounding and with her team, she spends three mandatory evenings a week in the gym. Add that to a demanding curriculum at school, her time is mostly only divided between school and climbing. As her first season in the new age classification, she has done exceptionally well. Last week she participated in the youth regional bouldering competition in Tucson, Arizona.

Fourth place secured her an invitation to participate in divisionals next month in Houston, Texas. Until then she will be practicing and getting ready for the competition. We’ll also be following her lead and penciling in some time for outdoor family activities for destressing during the busy holiday season. BCBSAZ is committed to getting Arizonians healthy and helping them stay healthy longer. I’ve spent years meddling in and out of a great fitness routine. With a kid currently excelling at an Olympic sport and her little sister wanting to be just like her, 2020 will be our year of physical wellness consistency. In the meantime, we’re getting a head start with plenty of outdoor playtime and supporting our girls in the climbing gym. What do you do to destress during the holidays?

Learn more about BCBSAZ and how they have been dedicated to improving the health of Arizonans for more than 80 years by connecting with them on Facebook and Instagram.