Biography

I’m Shara Zaia and I am an Assyrian-American climber, educator, and community organizer based in Denver, CO with my sweet, fluffy sidekick Beau. I started climbing about 5 years ago and since then, I have surprised myself in ways that I never imagined - physically, mentally, and emotionally. A year after I started climbing, I sent my first 5.12s and just recently sent my first 5.13! That being said, you can still find me getting gripped on 5.9 and top-roping my warm-ups. While I love being on the wall, my passion for climbing lies beyond any grade or send (although who doesn’t love the feeling of screaming with joy at the chains or dancing on top of a boulder?). For me, climbing is about connecting with myself, with others, and with nature. It has made me challenge my deep-rooted imposter syndrome and wrestle with my own fears. Most importantly, climbing has given me a community of people without which it felt difficult to survive. After spending 9 years building early childhood classrooms that aim to help our country’s youngest learners feel represented and valued, I have transferred that passion into the outdoor industry. Today, I am a Programs Manager for the American Alpine Club and President of Cruxing In Color. I’m so honored to be part of the Scarpa family and pursue the goals I have for myself and my community! Read more about my story at sharazaia.com.

ATHLETE MENTORSHIP INITATIVE