Episode 26: Performance Psychology for Climbers: AMA Session with Hazel & Angus
Hazel and Angus sit down with a cup of tea to answer some of our listeners' questions around performance psychology.

Are you ready to feel the pressure? Are you ready to hear the "Zawa... Zawa..." in your own head? Then sit down, take a deep breath, and meet the Ultimate Gambler.
Unlike many gambling anime where the protagonist has supernatural luck or photographic memory, Kaiji has only one weapon: his wits. The games in Kaiji are intricately designed logic puzzles disguised as children’s games.
Yet, Kaiji has one defining trait: In a world where everyone is trying to survive, Kaiji repeatedly puts himself in harm's way to save innocent people. In the Steel Beam arc, he defends a weak old man named Ishida, knowing it will make him a target. In the final arc, he tries to save a boy who betrayed him. kaiji ultimate gambler
Faced with years of forced labor to pay off the debt, Kaiji is offered a "second chance." He is invited to board a mysterious cruise ship, the Espoir , to participate in an exclusive gambling event called "Restricted Rock-Paper-Scissors." If he wins, his debt is cleared. If he loses, he disappears into the depths of Teiai’s underground labor camps.
The Brutal Philosophy of : Why This Isn't Just Another Gambling Anime Most "gambling" stories are about the thrill of the win. Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor is about the absolute, crushing agony of the loss. Are you ready to feel the pressure
For those searching for the definitive experience of high-stakes tension, the keyword often leads to the live-action movie adaptation or the overarching theme of the series itself. However, to understand why this franchise has cemented itself as a legendary pillar of the psychological genre, one must look beyond the surface of card games and dice. Kaiji is not merely about gambling; it is a brutal, visceral dissection of human nature, desperation, and the unyielding will to survive.
In the vast landscape of anime and manga, there are titles that promise high-octane action, magical worlds, and romantic escapism. Then there is Kaiji , a franchise that dares to ask a terrifying question: What would you risk to save your life, and how far would you fall if you failed? Then sit down, take a deep breath, and
This setup is the foundation of the narrative. It strips away the glamour usually associated with gambling anime. There are no fancy poker tables in Monte Carlo here; instead, there is a dimly lit, fetid ship hull filled with desperate men and the stench of sweat and fear.
A team of experienced mentors, coaches and climbers working together to help you take control of your mind and reach your potential.