I’ve always known that I wanted to be a parent. From a young age, I imagined a life where children were a central part of my world. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about the idea of shaping a new generation - guiding them and watching them grow into their own person. For me, it wasn’t just about having a child; it was about nurturing a connection, creating a bond that would last a lifetime. Deep down, I always craved the joy and challenges that come with raising children, the little moments of wonder and discovery that would make life feel fuller. 

I often wondered whether I would push my child(ren) towards climbing. I hope to not to, but the exposure they will have to climbing will be present. I would be so incredibly happy to see them excel at climbing but I’m happy with whatever sport they choose. Raising children reminds me of climbing: you’re always moving forward. Before I had a child, I knew it would be a ton of work; it has lived up to that expectation mainly because of how much I want to be involved. I don’t want to be a bystander in my child’s life; I want to be there with them as much as I can without interfering to their detriment.

Life has its way of unfolding on its own terms. Even though I knew early on that I wanted kids, the timing never quite worked out. I have spent decades building my career, learning about myself, and waiting for the right moment. It’s a common misconception that having kids is an impulse or a phase. For me, it was a decision that felt more like a calling—something I always knew I wanted, waiting for the right time. 

Some of my friends started having children when I was in my late 20’s or early 30’s, I knew it wasn’t the right time for me, but I hoped I wouldn’t be far off. When I finally had my first child at 36, it was as if the stars had aligned. It’s funny to spend years making sure you don’t get someone accidentally pregnant, then suddenly flip the switch and do everything you can to get someone pregnant.

My son “Thomas Bouthot McColl” was born on July 2^nd at 23:01 and from then on, I have felt different. Having a little human that I would give my life for is a remarkable feeling. Arnold Schwarzenegger has often spoken about how fatherhood is his greatest accomplishment. He has said that his children have taught him the essence of life and that being a dad is his highest calling. I am only one year into this journey, and I couldn’t agree more. 

Watching Tommy grow up this first year has been mesmerizing. I have grown up around tons of kids but it’s different watching your own. Seeing him every day, every leap, every new skill acquired is fascinating. From watching him discover his own hands and feet, to taking his first steps, I’m captivated by the development of children. 

One strange aspect of patenting culture is how much people compare their children or babies to others. “When did yours crawl? When did they use sign language? When did they walk? “. After researching child development, I find those comparisons utterly baffling in the end, almost none of those things matter, so long as they are learning new things. I try to avoid conversations about “what age” he did things, I try to just be positive to any parents that they will learn at their own pace. I’m here to enable my son, not compare him to other babies with different surroundings.

When I think about my career as a climber, I think about my friends, my teammates, my competitors with whom I’ve developed lifelong friendships from. I absolutely love competing; I’m competition junkie. Representing Canada in World Cups for over 20 years is a source of immense pride and honor for me. To wear the maple leaf on my chest and compete on the world stage has been a dream come true, and to do so for so long is something I’ll always cherish. Every time I step out onto the mats, I carry with me not just my own hopes and dreams, but those of my fellow Canadians. 

I’ve had the privilege of competing alongside the best in the world, but to represent my country in such a global arena adds an entirely different level of motivation. Over the years, I’ve watched the climbing community in North America grow and evolve, to be part of that journey—helping to put Canadian climbing on the map—fills me with pride. I’m grateful for the unwavering support from my fellow Canadians and am determined to continue pushing the boundaries, knowing that I’m not only representing myself but also the spirit and resilience of our country. I’m not at the end yet but I see the allure of coaching. Whether it’s in a few years, 5, or 10, I’m sure I’ll move into that role eventually.

It’s impossible to talk about my career until now without talking about the Olympics. It was truly an honor to have qualified and competed at the Olympic Games, an experience that represents the pinnacle of my career to-date and the culmination of years of hard work and dedication. Being part of the Olympic movement was a dream that I had had since before I can remember, and to have that moment become a reality is something I’ll forever cherish. 

I joined the International Federation of Sport Climbing’s Athlete Commission in 2011 and became chair of the commission in 2012. Our immediate goal was clear: get climbing into the Olympics. In 2014, we failed to get into the RIO 2016 Olympic Games but that didn’t deter us, we set the next goal to Tokyo 2020. Two years later, and another half dozen presentations to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), we got the green light: sport climbing would debut in Tokyo.

There was a caveat: only one medal per gender, placing us in a tough spot. Choosing one discipline would have sidelined the other two, so—following IOC advice—we proposed a combined format: all three disciplines, one medal. Over the next four years, while training to qualify and compete, the IFSC Executive Board worked toward Paris 2024 and the hope of more medals. We doubled the medal count to two, separating Speed from Boulder & Lead.

Watching the Paris Games live with my four‑week‑old son was special. It had been hard to compete in the Olympic Qualifying Series knowing my child was about to be born, and although I didn’t qualify for Paris, feeling the crowd’s energy (absent in Tokyo) was unforgettable.

Early in 2025 we received even better news: Los Angeles 2028 will feature three medals—one for each discipline—and an increased athlete quota. Securing that future rounds out my 14 years on the Athletes’ Commission; 2025 will be my last year, but the original goal is finally complete.

So what’s next? The possibilities of LA 2028 and the 2027 Pan American Games are enticing enough to chase another three‑year cycle, yet I also think about my son and the path he’ll follow over the next 20 years. I love the life of an athlete, and the allure of the Games is strong. I’d love to dedicate more time to outdoor climbing while maintaining my Lead‑climbing fitness. I could compete on the World Cup circuit, aim for LA 2028, raise my son, and climb outside every other day in between.

I grew up climbing, and I love it. It’s more than a sport—it’s a lifestyle and my passion. Watching the sport grow over the past decade has been amazing, and I’m excited for its future. Balancing fatherhood and climbing is definitely a challenge, but props to all the dads out there—I agree with Schwarzenegger: raising kids is amazing.