Francis Sanzaro (Ph.D.) is a climber, academic, speaker, and the author of books on philosophy, climbing, athletic theory and comparative religion. His essays, poetry and fiction have appeared in The New York Times, Outside, Huffington Post, Climbing, Adventure Journal, The Baltimore Post Examiner, Continental Philosophy Review, Vol. 1 Brooklyn and Rock and Ice, among a dozen others. His books include The Zen of Climbing; The Craft of Bouldering; and Society Elsewhere: Why the Gravest Threat to Humanity Will Come From Within. He appeared at TEDx Ascend in Colorado speaking on approaches to risk and our relationship with the natural world.
"Praise for the Zen of Climbing ""Climber Sanzaro ... writes simple but elegant, vivid prose to make his case for a unified approach to movement and mind ... An inspiring book aimed at rock climbers and other athletes that's ideal for both spirituality and sports psychology sections. Its emphasis on the virtues of cultivating mind-body awareness will also appeal to readers interested in New Age wisdom"" Library Journal 'Written by a climber, and for climbers, there is no better book to get you started climbing with the right mindset."" Adam Ondra, first person to climb 5.15c and 5.15d, multiple World-Cup Gold Medalist ""A skilled and experienced climber, Francis Sanzaro writes about his long-time application of Zen Buddhist mind-training techniques to overcome the difficulties of fear and enhance performance in life-challenging, climbing situations ... The lesson: we could bring this wisdom not only into climbing and other athletic pursuits but also into modern-day life in all its many aspects."" John Baker, co-editor of Cutting through Spiritual Materialism and The Myth of Freedom"