Professional Rock Climber Kyra Condie on Scoliosis Spinal Fusion and the Tokyo Olympics

Kyra Condie is a professional rock climber who had a spinal fusion as a teen to stop a rapidly progressing scoliosis curve.  On this episode, Kyra discusses what it was like to have scoliosis progress to needing surgery when her climbing career was starting to take off. 

Fast forward to the Tokyo Olympics and Kyra is the first athlete to compete in the Olympic Games with a spinal fusion.  

She shares a great story about the first surgeon she went to telling her that climbing wasn't going to be a big part of her life, so she should just not worry about it.  She ended up having a second opinion from a surgeon who took her goals into account when doing the surgery.  

One of the huge takeaways from this episode is to advocate for yourself...even if you are a teenager discussing with your parents.  If you are looking at surgery for scoliosis, Kyra also recommends getting a second, and maybe even a third, opinion.  

You can find out more about Kyra's journey and story by following her on Instagram:

@Kyra_condie

or on her website:

www.kyracondie.com

Kyra continues to do some awesome things in climbing, so watch for her on the world stage.  She was also such a cool person to get to know on this podcast.  Thanks Kyra!