Episode Details

Ageless Athlete Newsletter. Weekly longevity insights + behind-the-scenes. No spam ever. 🚨

What happens when the moment that changes your life doesn’t come from the “dangerous” thing… but from an ordinary day at home?

Cedar Wright has spent decades in the vertical world—professional climber, storyteller, and filmmaker whose adventures helped bring climbing culture to a wider audience. But in this conversation, the sharpest lesson isn’t about climbing at all. It’s about how quickly capability can disappear—and how “next year” is never guaranteed. 

In this episode

•  The freak accident that broke Cedar’s neck—and the clarity it forced 
•  Why “playing it safe” can still cost you the life you want 
•  The difference between reckless risk and chosen risk (and how to live with consequence) 
•  Watching a friend lose the ability to climb—and what it taught Cedar about urgency 
•  Staying hungry at 51: identity, edge, and how to keep moving forward without pretending you’re invincible 
•  Cedar’s “fetal attempt at immortality”: leaving something behind that outlasts him 

Cedar’s films + storytelling

Cedar talks about using small cameras, self-shooting, and editing to tell stories that go beyond climbing—and how the “Sufferfest” films resonated with people because they were about having a big-hearted adventure close to home. 

Follow Cedar on Instagram

Support Cedar’s Dirtbag Fund!

Cedar founded The Dirtbag Fund to give small grants to young climbers who are scrapping by, contributing to adventure culture, and pushing their craft forward. Cedar describes it as a big part of the legacy he wants to leave behind—and a way to keep the door open for the next generation.

How to give back: (and yes—Cedar notes it’s tax deductible, and even $1 helps). Go to  https://www.thedirtbagfund.com/

Marek Health: Get a deeper look at your health with comprehensive bloodwork and personalized guidance. Ageless Athlete listeners get 10% off with code AGELESS at https://agelessathlete.short.gy/marek

Timeline: Support cellular renewal and mitochondrial function with Mitopure, featuring Urolithin A. Get up to 20% off at timeline.com/AGELESSATHLETE

🚀 Love the show? Here’s how to support it 

If something you’ve heard here has stayed with you, made you smile, please consider supporting the show. 👉 https://buymeacoffee.com/agelessathlete

Ageless Athlete is a podcast about healthy aging for people who want to stay strong, active and capable for life. Conversations explore strength, endurance, mobility, recovery, VO2 max, muscle and bone health, and what it takes to keep doing the things you love as you get older.

Follow Ageless Athlete — How to Stay Strong, Curious & Capable for Life for new episodes each week.