I’ve partnered with Shaping New Tomorrow to take on an incredible challenge: the world’s longest rope climb in a suit. Yes, you read that right—in a suit! Climbing 50 meters up the Aalborg Tower, with nothing but a rope and determination, wearing Shaping New Tomorrow’s Essential Suit, was a test of both physical and mental endurance. But as they say, “The more we challenge ourselves, the harder and stronger we get in order to overcome things further down the road.”
The Training: When I first agreed to this stunt, I knew the preparation had to be top-notch. I had four weeks to get ready, and my own Get A Grip training program was the foundation of my preparation. Out of the 19 workouts in the program, I prioritized workout 12, aptly named “Endurance.” This workout is specifically designed to improve endurance on rigs or hanging obstacles—a common struggle for many athletes when facing long or exhausting challenges.
This wasn’t my first rodeo. Five years ago, before the Get A Grip program was even created, I completed the world’s highest rope climb from a hot air balloon. The training then was intense, and it gave me the confidence to tackle this new challenge. If you’re curious, you can check out the documentary of that climb:
But this climb was different. It wasn’t just about physical strength; the mental preparation wasn’t easy. The biggest challenge this time wasn’t the climb itself but how we secured me to the rope. We opted for the prusik safety knot, which meant that with every pull, I had to move the safety along with me, making sure never to put my hands above the knot. It was terrifying (I’m still scared of heights) and physically demanding, knowing that one wrong move could compromise my safety. I had to mentally prepare for the pain, the discomfort, and the pressure of performing in front of an audience and cameras. There was no room for distractions.
Here’s a behind the scenes story: The day before the climb, something special happened. Three of my best friends surprised me by showing up in Aalborg. They tracked me down, and I can’t even describe the happiness I felt. I was so overwhelmed with emotion that tears came out. It’s moments like these that remind me of how important my friends are. Being an orphan, the unconditional support that usually comes from family comes from my friends instead. Their presence made this experience monumental for me. Remember this is you’re a friend. Be an exceptional friend, it’s nothing short of magical.
The Climb: On the day of the climb, I arrived early at Aalborg Tårnet, eager to get everything right. I wanted to nail the interviews, warm up properly, and keep my focus sharp. As the crowd, media, and crew started to gather, I felt a mix of nerves and excitement, but also a strong sense of confidence. I figured this would be a 5-10 minute mission—no big deal, as long as I kept my cool. But that feeling didn’t last long.
With the crowd counting down, I started the climb. The first 10 meters flew by, but then I began to feel the prusik knot tightening, making it harder to move up. The next 10 meters were tough, but I pushed through, determined not to slow down. I should have, though, because by the time I reached 25 meters, I was sweating bullets and my forearms were on fire.
At 28 meters, I thought of Ida Mathilde, who had climbed the exact same height with the same safety system. I had immense respect for her at that moment, but I knew I had to keep going. Sweat, pump, pull, repeat. By 35 meters, doubt started to creep in – shit, I didn’t think I’d make it. At 40 meters, I wasn’t sure I could continue. At 43 meters, my arms were screaming, but I kept going. I could see the top at 45 meters—the safety crew, the video team, and Christian Aachmann (one of the founders). Quitting wasn’t an option. I kept telling myself that, pulling with everything I had left.
When I finally reached the top, I was drenched in sweat and bleeding from my leg, but the suit? Not a scratch on it. It still fit perfectly, and I was blown away by its durability and flexibility. Honestly, it should’ve fallen apart along with my forearms, but it handled the challenge even better than I did. Haha I know this sounds like a pitch or advertisement (it’s a sponsored stunt after all), but I was genuinely impressed and you’ll only see me in Shaping New Tomorrow suits in the future!
Post stunt thoughts: This climb was more than just a physical challenge—it was a testament to the power of pushing our limits. Every time we challenge ourselves, we grow stronger, not just physically, but mentally. It’s these challenges that prepare us for whatever comes next, giving us the strength to face future obstacles with confidence. You’ll hear me address this in the pre-climb interview as well.
I want to wrap up by saying a huge thank you to everyone involved in this project. To Shaping New Tomorrow for believing in this crazy idea, to my friends who supported me, and to the crew who made it all possible – thank you. This was a monumental experience, and I couldn’t have done it without you all. Now check out the epic video!