Michaela Kiersch is a born-and-raised Chicago climber, a former member and coach of the FA Climbing Team, and one of the most accomplished climbers of her generation. She has multiple 5.14 and V14 ascents to her name, and in 2024, she became the first woman in history to have climbed both a 5.15a sport-climbing route and a V15 graded boulder problem. 
Most recently, Micheala was featured in one of four films in this year’s REEL Rock Film Tour, so we sat down with Micheala for a Q&A to learn more about her journey and her film in advance of the Chicago REEL Rock tour stop at the Davis Theater on Wednesday November 4th at 7:00 pm
Q: How have your Chicago roots shaped your climbing journey?
A: Growing up as a young climber in Bridgeport really encouraged me to strengthen my commitment to climbing. There is obviously a lack of outdoor opportunity in the city, and anyone who rock climbs in Chicago has to be very 
motivated and dedicated to making it happen. I was lucky to have such a generous community of mentors who kept me on “scholarship” for my early days in the RRG. Weekend projects sustained me through high school — I even opted out of a homecoming in favor of sending my first 5.14, Omaha Beach.
Q: Many pro climbers focus solely on climbing, while you’re crushing some of the world’s hardest climbs in the midst of building a career in occupational therapy, exploring chicken husbandry, establishing a family unit, and more. What drives you to pursue climbing at the level you do?
A: I have always liked to have spaces separate from climbing, whether that was school, gardening, etc. I think feeling really balanced as a person and sure of my identity outside of “climber” has given me the confidence and security to pursue climbing at a high level because the idea of failure doesn’t mean total decimation of my perception of self. This is crucial because there is a lot of failure in climbing, as we all know. Pursuing my doctorate in occupational therapy was always part of my plan and I remain dedicated to the field. I would definitely consider myself type A, and anything I endeavor to do I endeavor to do at the highest level, climbing is no exception.
Q: Which of your sends are you most proud of, and why?
A: I have reached many personal benchmarks in my climbing career, from breaking into new grades to first female ascents. The sends that stick out the most are definitely the first ascents I’ve established, the first being in the RRG at the Gold Coast and the most recent few are actually featured in this years Reel Rock. I traveled to New England in search of a hard limestone sport climbing project and also to Morocco in hopes of finding sandstone boulders to clean and climb.
Q: What teasers can you give us about your REEL Rock 20 film?
A: This year my piece on the tour is reminiscent of old school climbing films like Dosage, Progression, and Rampage (and made by the same guys!) It’s purely for the love of climbing, exploring, and the psych that comes from a good ole project. I hope you enjoy!
Q: What advice would you give climbers who want to level up?
A: Leveling up could include many things, but the most simple and essential is just to increase your climbing time. Nothing is more effective than learning new moves and trying to climb at your limit during a session.
Q: What excites you about the next year?
A: I have some pretty big ideas for my next projects, including a new discipline, and I’m excited to see how it goes!
Q: Anything else you want us to know?
A: Go White Sox!!!!!
All images used in this post belong to Michaela Kiersch. See more and follow her on Instagram @michaelakiersch.