430: How to Keep Your Passion After Kids (Without the Guilt), with World-Class Rock Climber Emily Harrington
What happens when you become a mom… and you don’t want to give up the parts of you that make you feel alive?
In this episode, JoAnn and Brie sit down with Emily Harrington—world-renowned rock climber, North Face athlete, and mom—who shares what it really looks like to pursue big goals, recover after a scary setback, and reshape your identity after becoming a parent.
You’ll hear why motherhood didn’t make Emily “stop”… but it did change what felt worth it—and how that shift actually brought her more peace than she expected.
In this episode, we talk about:
- What it’s like to climb El Capitan in a day (and how you fuel for a 24-hour push)
- The terrifying fall that sent Emily to the hospital—and how she rebuilt trust in herself afterward
- The mindset red flags she noticed before the accident (and what we can learn from them)
- Climbing through pregnancy—and the “random stupid comments” people love to make
- Why becoming a mom changed Emily’s relationship to risk (and why that’s not a loss)
- The surprising freedom that comes from letting your goals evolve
- The power of mentors: “You have to see it to be it”
- How to keep your passion and your family life—without feeling like you have to choose
Mentioned in this episode:
Emily’s film “Girl Climber” (currently available to rent on Jolt; streaming more widely next year)
JoAnn Crohn
CEO/Founder at No Guilt Mom
Title:
430: How to Keep Your Passion After Kids (Without the Guilt), with World-Class Rock Climber Emily Harrington
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Emily Harrington
Last Updated:
December 15, 2025
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