Living a nontraditional life requires a lot of creativity and there’s no simple path to follow. Deciding to leave law school and become a full-time climber was one of the scariest decisions I made.
Steph Davis
An interview with Steph Davis, Climber, Flyer, Speaker, Writer, Vegan, Friend. This is part of the interview series for the book UNTHINKABLE.
Marcel Kuhn: Who are you and what do you do?
Steph Davis: I’m a professional climber and BASE jumper. I rock climb, fly wingsuits, climb mountains and try to live a simple lifestyle in the Moab desert.
Marcel Kuhn: How do you define success and fulfillment?
Steph Davis: I look for a balance between freedom and security. I like to create order and cause as little harm as possible in the world.
Marcel Kuhn: What is your vision / your dream for the next 5-10 years?
Steph Davis: My biggest goal is to simplify my life as much as possible.
Marcel Kuhn: What are your core beliefs/core values?
Steph Davis: I think all living creatures deserve respect, and I don’t think the desires of humans matter more than the desires of other creatures. I think every creature has the right to live a free and peaceful life. This is why I’m vegan, and I try to reduce my impact in the way I live.
Marcel Kuhn: What are your key challenges and key decisions in your life?
Steph Davis: Living a nontraditional life requires a lot of creativity and there’s no simple path to follow. Deciding to leave law school and become a full-time climber was one of the scariest decisions I made.
Marcel Kuhn: Who were your sources of inspiration on your journey?
Steph Davis: The climbers I met while living and traveling around climbing areas showed me that it was possible to live a nontraditional lifestyle.
Marcel Kuhn: What is your superpower and what super power would you like to have?
Steph Davis: My superpower is discipline and focus. I’d like to be able to fly, without my wingsuit and parachute.
Marcel Kuhn: What are the questions you ask yourself on a daily basis?
Steph Davis:
- What’s the best way to solve this problem or handle this situation?
- Are my animals happy right now?
Marcel Kuhn: What is the emotional state you are in most of the time?
Steph Davis:
happy
Marcel Kuhn: What are your daily rituals, practices, and tools?
Steph Davis: I start the morning with tea and some kind of activity; base jumping, climbing, running or hiking. I end the day by cooking a vegan dinner.
Marcel Kuhn: Who are your top three achievers that you would recommend to me to include in my book?
Steph Davis:
Keith Ladzinski, Kris Tompkins