Personal Coaching

Franz Buzawa

Franz is an AMGA certified Single-Pitch and Climbing Wall Instructor with a foundation of 25+ years of climbing experience. His mission is to assist clients in evolving into self-coached athletes by emphasizing fundamentals and underlying principles.

Specializing in the technical aspects of climbing, Franz focuses on the tools of the trade, movement skills, tactics, and conquering the fear of falling. He enjoys collaborating with clients who are curious, self-motivated, and willing to step out of their comfort zone.

For climbers who perceive failure as a stepping stone to progress, Franz is adept at providing effective guidance at any point in their journey. However, he’s found that his expertise is most beneficial for intermediate climbers seeking to solidify their base as they pursue more advanced projects.

Off the wall, he likes to seek out beauty and sanity in unexpected corners of this big burly city we call home.

Elisha Gelin

Elisha is a Certified Personal Trainer and Nutritionist with a passion for Functional Movement and Body recomposition. She views climbing as an amazing sport that incorporates different aspects of fitness. It challenges balance, mobility, endurance, strength, and problem solving skills in unique ways. 

Coming from a background in skateboarding and being an active skateboarder for the Bronx Girls Skate team, she is excited about the challenges within climbing. The many similarities in skateboarding and climbing meant she fell in love with the sport very quickly.

Outside of climbing, Elisha is a sponsored skateboarder and enjoys skating the streets of NYC with her friends. She finds comfort in nature through hiking and camping in the woods of Maine, Maryland, and Tennessee.

Sam Lee

Sam is a bit of a nerd when it comes to climbing.  They are always excited to get others excited about climbing. They are eager to meet people where they’re at and help them progress while maintaining the joy and fun of the sport.

Sam specializes in technique and body movement/positioning. As a shorter climber with a negative ape index, they strive to help people figure out the climbing styles that fit them.

Off the wall, Sam enjoys everything about food & movies. They like spending time with their dog and friends, working with their hands, cycling, and enjoying the outdoors.

Rosie Perez

Rosie has been rock climbing for over six years, and has worked with youth for the past three years.

Her coaching varies from person to person -depending on their goals and where they’re at. She tailors her approach to help them to achieve their goals. 

Rosie loves working with enthusiastic individuals looking to solve problems or to reach the next level in a circuit. They greatly enjoy working with young climbers. Regardless of age, they enjoy working with those that are new to the sport. 

Rosie loves climbing because if she’s having a rough day, she can take that energy and throw it on the wall. Climbing feeds her inner child. When she can accomplish a move, she feels invincible… like when you’re a kid and you finally conquer the monkey bars. 

Off-the-wall, Rosie loves being in nature and learning about plants, being artistic, and playing around with new mediums.

Sam Stagg

Sam is a competitive climbing team coach dedicated to deepening climbers’ understanding of movement beyond the surface level. His journey into climbing began in 2019, following years of competitive sailing at a youth international level, and later as a powerlifter, skater, and actor. Sam started coaching primarily to help youth athletes maintain a positive relationship with climbing — his experiences burning out in a highly competitive environment inspired him to help people manage expectations under pressure.

His coaching revolves around in-depth discussion, on-the-wall experimentation, developing mental and physical cues, and repetition. He hopes to help you embrace and explore new movements, develop efficiency across climbing styles, and equip you with tools for self-assessment so you feel empowered outside of coaching sessions.

Sam recognizes that pursuing climbing at a higher level includes unique mental and physical challenges. He works with climbers in a manner sensitive to their unique needs, whether facing perceived limitations, hitting a plateau, or encountering fear.

Above all, Sam aims to give people what climbing has given him: community, family, and a consistent physical and mental challenge. Oh, and fun — this sport should be fun.