Obe Carrion: The Alpha and Omega
posted by dpm on 08/11/2010
It was 10 past 9 and I had just hung up the phone with my editor. The conversation was quick, “Obe is waiting for you at the show.” The interview was scheduled at 10am but miscommunications can happen. And as I streaked from light to light preparing to jump out at the front of the Salt Palace amidst the morning traffic I could only think of two things…1.) I bet he is pissed 2.) I wonder if he will drop me inside the Mad Rock booth. Strolling up to booth I noticed we were the only ones in the area and Obe was leaning on the table red-eyed tilting back a large cup of coffee.
Late…and today was a big day as Obe would be assuming ownership of the Mad Rock Team. Back in 2001 he became the first Mad Rock athlete to scratch his name onto their roster and now nine years later he is in a position to enact change, mentor a group of up and coming climbers, and help a company remake itself.
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Split shot courtesy of www.climbrockclub.com
Welcome Back...Why are you coming back into the spot light?
When I was younger one of the biggest reasons why I signed with Mad Rock was that I couldn’t afford climbing shoes. I joined Mad Rock in 01 because their goal was to make climbing affordable and the shoe was innovative at the time and it allowed people (and me) to get into the sport.
When I was younger one of the biggest reasons why I signed with Mad Rock was that I couldn’t afford climbing shoes. I joined Mad Rock in 01 because their goal was to make climbing affordable and the shoe was innovative at the time and it allowed people (and me) to get into the sport.
I want to be a part of the design and pass on a better product for sure. I have not done that yet but I plan to be more hands on. I keep my promises and I am going to help the athletes to get a high end product.
Mad Rock has asked me to put together an elite team to make that happen and I am gonna pull athletes from the current team and scout outside the team.
So you are doing this for the money?
No. I would not put my name on a product I don’t know about. I am interested in being a part of something that is not wack; if it was I would not have accepted the job. I have expectations and objectives. I am here to reestablish a legacy image.
No. I would not put my name on a product I don’t know about. I am interested in being a part of something that is not wack; if it was I would not have accepted the job. I have expectations and objectives. I am here to reestablish a legacy image.
Why did you step back? Has the industry changed much?
At the end of the day it was lame, corny - a joke, with its relationship as a corporate businesses. It was not like the healthy cycle that is in every other sport. That is what you get when you have an industry of dirt bags, haunting confusion. It was a negative thing and it makes you wonder. That is the biggest reason why I stepped out.
At the end of the day it was lame, corny - a joke, with its relationship as a corporate businesses. It was not like the healthy cycle that is in every other sport. That is what you get when you have an industry of dirt bags, haunting confusion. It was a negative thing and it makes you wonder. That is the biggest reason why I stepped out.
How are you going to change the culture you see?
The industry does not know how to bring in athletes, they only know about sales talk and they have the investment to make it happen and make it push through, they just need guidance. Pusher will never die in this industry because people will continue to replicate it. Back in the Pusher Days it was a period in time when climbing actually jumped. Business wise they may have failed, but the market responds to a good image. A lot of companies do not know how to do that. I want to create a legacy like Pusher, something that will be everlasting.
The industry does not know how to bring in athletes, they only know about sales talk and they have the investment to make it happen and make it push through, they just need guidance. Pusher will never die in this industry because people will continue to replicate it. Back in the Pusher Days it was a period in time when climbing actually jumped. Business wise they may have failed, but the market responds to a good image. A lot of companies do not know how to do that. I want to create a legacy like Pusher, something that will be everlasting.
How do you see your role…as a captain?
It is an image, one that needs to be respected. If you look around at this industry we do not have an equal amount of respect. Captains are in a role where they can be empathetic to the companies, they can help mold a brand. I’ve been in the game for a long time and I want to contribute and watch it evolve as a whole.
It is an image, one that needs to be respected. If you look around at this industry we do not have an equal amount of respect. Captains are in a role where they can be empathetic to the companies, they can help mold a brand. I’ve been in the game for a long time and I want to contribute and watch it evolve as a whole.
Are you prepared to deal with the entitlement factor that is plaguing every team?
Climbers that are in this industry have entitlement…well I have entitlement too. Here is what they expect me to do for them, but then here is what I expect them to do for me. I think it is easier to identify with a big name who came up and Mad Rock has a higher expectation for their athletes. When you look at it at the end of the day it is a job, you have to take it serious, and you have to work to get something out of it. Everyone wants something for nothing; they all say what can you do for me? I have learned from some of the best people in the game, it isn’t about me me me, it should be about us us us.
Climbers that are in this industry have entitlement…well I have entitlement too. Here is what they expect me to do for them, but then here is what I expect them to do for me. I think it is easier to identify with a big name who came up and Mad Rock has a higher expectation for their athletes. When you look at it at the end of the day it is a job, you have to take it serious, and you have to work to get something out of it. Everyone wants something for nothing; they all say what can you do for me? I have learned from some of the best people in the game, it isn’t about me me me, it should be about us us us.
Photo courtesy of Ryan Zimmerman
What are the roles of athletes?
Ultimately this is a business. Climbers can be an amazing tool, but they just stay on the shelf and do not get used. There is not a mutual understanding as to their roles. Companies that are run by climbers seem to run the best, but we are here at a sales show and you need to have a song and a dance for everything. Most climbers do not know how to perform in a way that makes them able to demand. When you have companies that need to have spokesmen they do not step up, it has been ass backwards.
Ultimately this is a business. Climbers can be an amazing tool, but they just stay on the shelf and do not get used. There is not a mutual understanding as to their roles. Companies that are run by climbers seem to run the best, but we are here at a sales show and you need to have a song and a dance for everything. Most climbers do not know how to perform in a way that makes them able to demand. When you have companies that need to have spokesmen they do not step up, it has been ass backwards.
How has stepping back from the industry spotlight helped you grow?
Stepping back from the industry allows you to grow because the industry is quite redundant, it gets boring. After the dissolving of Pusher, I realized that you should go rock climbing for yourself, making your name in the game that is bullshit, if you are just down to climb and you are trying to be a part of something, get people to be a part of you. I have never been a me me me person, I have away worked well in a team. The industry is not appreciative of that.
Stepping back from the industry allows you to grow because the industry is quite redundant, it gets boring. After the dissolving of Pusher, I realized that you should go rock climbing for yourself, making your name in the game that is bullshit, if you are just down to climb and you are trying to be a part of something, get people to be a part of you. I have never been a me me me person, I have away worked well in a team. The industry is not appreciative of that.
What is this we heard about you getting into a bar fight in NYC?
We were in the city for a birthday, and we went to a bar upstairs and we started to play pool and there were two different parties, with the Ready-Whip and I started the fight by throwing the Ready Whip can at home and he hit me with a pool ball and I beat his ass.
We were in the city for a birthday, and we went to a bar upstairs and we started to play pool and there were two different parties, with the Ready-Whip and I started the fight by throwing the Ready Whip can at home and he hit me with a pool ball and I beat his ass.
Wow…
You know you seem to be a pretty emotional guy and all…
A lot of what you saw in the movies and at comps was show. I was putting on a show because that is what you have to do.
A lot of what you saw in the movies and at comps was show. I was putting on a show because that is what you have to do.
You seem to be more grounded now
Thank you. That means a lot.
Thank you. That means a lot.
From bar fights to coaching…Is your coaching something you use to look for young talent?
My coaching has nothing to do with this industry it is more mentorship then coaching. Rock climbing allows you to teach life skills, and understand emotion. You can take what you learn in rock climbing and use it in your life that is why I coach to help pass on these lessons.
My coaching has nothing to do with this industry it is more mentorship then coaching. Rock climbing allows you to teach life skills, and understand emotion. You can take what you learn in rock climbing and use it in your life that is why I coach to help pass on these lessons.
How do you feel about the rift between Climb X and Mad Rock?
There is not much feeling. I have known Joe; he is doing his own thing. The product looks quite the same, understandably so, he is doing his own thing. I am not concerned about that. I think Mad Rock is now in a position to reinvent itself. This drama has been motivating and empowered them to change up their product.
There is not much feeling. I have known Joe; he is doing his own thing. The product looks quite the same, understandably so, he is doing his own thing. I am not concerned about that. I think Mad Rock is now in a position to reinvent itself. This drama has been motivating and empowered them to change up their product.
Have you met your team yet?
I have not had a chance to deal with my team, but we had a small group of people actually who came out to make it here. When we meet I will want a more cohesive relationship, I will tell them what I expect, and hold them to it. I will not have my athletes ask for something and then not show, that is bullshit! It will be a cool test to see if I can create something that the industry is shying away from.
I have not had a chance to deal with my team, but we had a small group of people actually who came out to make it here. When we meet I will want a more cohesive relationship, I will tell them what I expect, and hold them to it. I will not have my athletes ask for something and then not show, that is bullshit! It will be a cool test to see if I can create something that the industry is shying away from.
The industry is trying to make something that has more communication and respect athletes can make a huge impact, they are an employee, and a lot of athletes do not feel comfortable with that, they are so above it that they do not feel comfortable. I am going to select the best “employees” for the job. They think that they are the shit and I say fuck that. They are going to have to be in the right position, they are going to have tryouts and for the self centered people, that are not fitting the bill they can look elsewhere.
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