Arno Ilgner, a pioneering rock climber who distinguished himself with bold and dangerous first ascents in the 1970s and ‘80s, created a unique mental training program called The Warrior’s Way. Since founding the Desiderata Institute in 1995, he’s helped hundreds of students and climbers sharpen their awareness, focus attention, and understand challenges within a learning-based, risk-taking philosophy. He’s an American Mountain Guides Association Single Pitch Instructor, and resides with his family in Nashville, Tennessee.

Heather Weidner is a professional rock climber currently living in Boulder, Colorado. A Las Vegas native, Heather started climbing in college while studying veterinary medicine at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. But, after five years as a small-animal general practitioner, she left the vet life behind to climb full time. Her most notable ascents include Stockboy’s Revenge, (5.14b) in Rifle, Colorado, and China Doll (5.14a R) on gear in Boulder Canyon, Colorado. When she’s not climbing she loves doing yoga, cooking vegetarian meals, reading, and hiking with her dog.