Lee Sheftel’s rock climbing journey began in 1978 with a transformative experience in the flatirons of Boulder where he wandered onto one of the flatirons facing 500 feet of exposure!  At the age of 32, he found himself scrambling up rocks and realizing the sheer intensity and potential danger of climbing. Determined to learn the proper techniques, Lee immersed himself in the world of climbing, even though he started relatively late compared to most climbers.

At the remarkable age of 59, Lee achieved a groundbreaking feat by successfully completing his first 5.14 climb, The Whole Shot in Maple Canyon. Now 77 years old, Lee continues to climb at a high level and frequents Rifle, Colorado, where he challenges himself on difficult routes.

Lee feels that performing well as an athlete is as much a mental endeavor as it is a physical one, and that his mindset is one of the reasons why he has succeeded in climbing beyond ages where most people quit. He is excited to be a co-host on Inside The Vertical Mind because he wants to make an important contribution to the climbing community and help others facing challenges in their climbing as they age.