Climbing is not just a sport, but a way of living and feeling the mountain, the rock and your own body. With this series of interviews we want to discover the most authentic and personal side of climbers, going beyond performances and numbers.

Today we have the pleasure of getting to know Marta better, our ambassador and climber who tells us about her bond with climbing, her habits and, obviously, her relationship with Lazyghost chalk.

Every climber has a moment when they fall in love with the rock. When did it happen for you and how?

For me it was love at first sight! My parents climbed but stopped before I was born; then it was a childhood friend who took me to the crag for the first time, at 17. At the time I was boxing, but the passion for climbing took over and I never stopped! It was summer, during the school holidays, and I remember that I desperately begged for lifts (I didn't have a driving licence!) and safety nets from everyone (including my mother) just to find a way to go to the crag!

Everyone has a ritual before going on a shot or a block. What's yours?

Double check with your climbing partner, fist bump, big smile, chalking and two deep breaths!

If you could describe climbing in one word, what would it be and why?

Freedom, because that's how it feels to be in contact with the rock and enjoy that sensation.

Hands are the main tool of a climber. What is your relationship with yours? Do you take special care of them?

Mmmh, let's say it depends on the season! I have pretty good skin, so it doesn't need any special care, but if I plan to climb for many days in a row I try to put on a special and natural cream (Spontanea Project) every night to help the skin grow back. In winter they usually need more hydration, so I'm a bit more consistent. In my backpack I always have sandpaper and a razor blade just in case :)

What about chalk? Are you one of those people who digs their hands into the bag or do you use it sparingly?

I'm a compulsive, serial, smagnesata consumer, mea culpa! But I'm trying to quit, so I put a little at a time in the bag to avoid waste :)

If your chalk had a superpower, what would it be?

The superpower of invisibility: so I wouldn't leave a trace and ruin anyone's onsight attempts!

If Lazyghost were a climbing partner, how would you describe him?

Lazy, of course!

Last question: some advice for those who are starting to climb and still have baby-soft hands.

Climb Climb Climb!