Do Nguyen

Gym Director

I got into climbing because I needed a new obsession and I’ve been doing it ever since. This sport has taught me a strong sense of discipline. My favorite thing about my job is the community of people I get to work with and see at the gym, its truly what has kept me in the sport after all these years.

Jess Stephenson

Assistant Director of Instruction

I was feeling super stuck in my job working at a nonprofit and dealing with some major burnout. I picked up a part time job with PG to try and throw myself into climbing, and it ended up becoming a greater passion than I had anticipated!
Climbing has taught me that I can have a hobby that is good for my body, my mental state, and my social life. The climbing community has become one of the most influential and supportive communities in my life. Second only to my own family.
A good community empowers it’s members and fosters an environment where you’re confident enough to challenge yourself, and try new things. When you fail, they pick you back up and cheer you on. When you succeed, they’re the first to brag on your behalf.
If you’re nervous about getting into the sport, do it for you! It can be intimidating at first, but there are options for folks of all different walks of life. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, we are all here to help you out, and are always looking for new friends to share an experience with!

Zoe Spiliadis

Assistant Director of Retail

Climbing has taught me that it is okay to not be perfect, and that pushing yourself is how you grow! If I’m not falling off my climbs, overcoming fear, or struggling with sequences regularly I am probably not pushing myself enough.
[This] Community is important to me because it is my support system, gives meaning to the work I do, and not only attracts but also creates amazing and caring humans in the world.

Daniel Avila

Marketing Coordinator

I was looking to get involved with indoor climbing and figured that working for a gym would be the best place to start. I’m inspired by the lengths that we go through as people to help find our sense of belonging and I’m honored that I get to share about that with you through my job here at Planet Granite.
I am prone to giving up when things get difficult for me and I’m very easily defeated. Being a part of this community has not only challenged and helped me grow in a lot of of ways physically but also it has helped challenge and engage some broken ways of thinking about myself and what I am capable of doing.

From the outside it may seem like it’s “just climbing” but when you come here and do the hard work of engaging and interacting with those around you I hope you can find that it’s actually so much more.

Myles Taylor

Retail Coordinator + Supervisor

Climbing in particular has helped teach me how to self-analyze and take a critical yet constructive approach to problem solving– both on and off the wall.
The people. Plain and simple are my favorite part about working here. Whether they’re the people right next to me or on the other side of the desk, it’s the people in our gyms that have me genuinely psyched to get out of bed every morning.
If you’re feeling doubtful about trying things out, grab a friend to try it with you. The hardest part of trying something new is allowing yourself to take the first step and being okay with where it lands. If you can do it with a friend or be willing to talk to others at the gym you’re gonna have one amazing experience.

Zach Couto

Retail Coordinator + Supervisor

I’ve always been a big fan of moving my body! My best friend actually got me into climbing after many attempts to get me into a climbing gym. Once I finally got on a climbing wall I knew this was going to be a big part of my life.
As a person who was extremely nervous about climbing my first time I will say I am so grateful I was pushed past my comfort zone. In fact, the ability to push past comfort zones is something that climbing challenges you to do again and again. Embrace the nervousness!

Tiff Tran

Supervisor

Climbing means something different to everyone, but you won’t find that something unless you give it a try! Personally, climbing has given me all the best things in my life – my partner, my friends, and my career! Fun fact: my spirit animal is a sloth (you’ll realize why when you see me climb) and my favorite crag is Black Mountain.

Molly Darby

Supervisor

Climbing has taught me that I’m stronger than I think I am, and that my body is capable of things I could’ve never imagined. Climbing has taught me to love my body and trust in myself and my abilities.

Trust yourself. Often when I am nervous about trying something new, it is because I don’t believe I am capable of accomplishing it. We are powerful creatures with an amazing capacity for athletics and adaptation- even if it doesn’t feel that way at the beginning of your journey. Within this space you’ll find compassion, understanding, and a real desire to see you succeed.

Lily Kral

Head Routesetter

Cody Fults

Routesetter

Jordan Mathew

Routesetter

Alex Castro

Routesetter

Hunter Straub

Front Desk Staff

I have been climbing since a few months before P Gran FV opened. I really have had a blast learning something new and seeing progress in myself. I love to be challenged and climbing has been that for me with a combination of fear and exercise.
Start slow and easy and do not worry about what anyone else is doing or thinking. Try new things and take classes that we offer because they are a wonderful way to become comfortable with our facility.

Evan Hess

Front Desk Staff

I have been climbing for a few years now and love the laid back nature of the climbing community.
Climbing culture accepted me readily and I believe there is a place for everyone in this community.
Outside of climbing I’m a freak for coffee and comics.

fun fact: I have broken up with Myles 10+ times. I think he enjoys it.

Kyle Brouwer

Front Desk Staff

Tim Johnston

Front Desk Staff

I’ve been climbing for about four years! I love the challenge and constant pursuits climbing has to offer. There’s always another goal to be found and reaching personal feats along the way just keeps me stoked.

look, hey man. we’re all kooks at heart and there’s no judgement or pressure. so lets just try to be safe man and everything will just cruise from there so have fun and go kill it buddy

Tanisha Schuster

Front Desk Staff

I’ve been climbing about 5 years, but just started back up again after a long break. Climbing has become more than a sport but a way to have one focus, be challenged, and have a great time while building community. For me, it’s been beneficial for my physical as well as my mental and overall health.
Everyone starts somewhere. It’s okay if it’s a rough start or even scary. It’s about experiencing growth, accomplishing goals, and having fun! You’ll quickly realize we’ve all had a starting point and Simply desire to help each other reach higher and get stronger.
I’ve traveled the world to teach children English and various subjects, served different communities bringing them food and necessary materials, lead worship/taught music, cooked for a household, was able to further learn journalism/photography, and overall experience culture and the love of people in an incredible way!

Alyssa Palencia

Front Desk Staff

Zach De Vos

Front Desk Staff

I keep on climbing because I am addicted to the community and the vast potential beyond climbing it has for myself and others—mainly the youngins!
Be encouraged and motivated that you are trying/doing a bad-ass sport with some bad-ass and like-minded peeps whom are more like yourself than you know.
Take me to Australia or Antartica! I’ve been to 17 different countries on every continent except those (I’ve also never climbed outside the U.S.).

Jared Hackworth

Front Desk Staff

Chip Carls

Front Desk Staff

I’ve been climbing on & off for over ten years but probably about five cumulatively.
Everyone had to start somewhere. What works for other people may not be what works for you. Compete with yourself and you’ll never lose!
I am really into sound design and audio engineering. It’s my other job!
You’re always at the right place, at the right time, even if it may not seem like it! You must make wrong decisions to understand what the right decision actually is.

Cooper Ras

Front Desk Staff

I have been climbing for 4 years and I stick with it because I love the challenge.
It’s always scary to leave your comfort zone but its the best way to grow.

Jake Riggs

Front Desk Staff

I have been climbing for 7 years.
I enjoy climbing because it can put you in spectacular locations and amazing positions.
As with any new activity, everyone was a beginner at first. The more you put into it, the more you will get out of it.
I am very passionate about preserving natural areas and keeping them free from development, pollution, etc.

Rosemariae Dang

Front Desk Staff

Hi friends! I started climbing back in 2018 and would climb occasionally. I’ve stuck with it and also made it more routinely because I love the community – I think everyone has their own story to tell, but we’re all rooted by one passion.
To anyone who may be intimidated by climbing/yoga/fitness, I used to be in your shoes! But I was able to get more comfortable by getting to know other people and introducing my friends to this community.
Other than climbing, I love working with children! I hope to be in a career field where I can serve the youth.

Tai Nguyen

Front Desk Staff

I’ve been climbing for about a year. I just wanted to happy. For a majority of my life, the idea of “happyness” was something to pursue and wasn’t obtainable. I was wrong.
I love Magic. Not Magic the Gathering, but card tricks! Like climbing, magic has brought me out of my comfort zone. Ask me for a magic trick!

Austin Kilbride

Front Desk Staff

An Tran

Front Desk Staff

I have been climbing for almost 4 years and I love it! There is a sense of accomplishment and peacefulness when I send a climb, especially outdoors.
There is nothing to be nervous or uncomfortable about as this is a welcoming, encouraging and supportive community.

EJ Tugonon

Front Desk Staff

Kathy Bravo

Front Desk Staff

I’ve been climbing “for fun” since 2007, using day passes to explore gyms up and down California. This was due to a myriad of reasons including lack of exposure to the sport, and cultural and economic barriers. In 2017 I was able to meet like-minded folks and we worked together to build a welcoming community for climbers of color and low-income folks called Climb the Gap. I finally decided to “get serious” about my technique! So far it’s been such a pleasure combining my passion for “doing good” with my passion for climbing. Despite my on-and-off relationship with climbing, it has always been the best therapy. Climbing requires such focus when solving problems that all of my worries melt away. I also like a challenge and climbing delivers on that front mentally and physically. Lastly, I’m kind of an adrenaline junkie (anyone else like motorcycles, skydiving and plan on running into fires?)… climbing delivers on that front too!
It may sound cliche’ but “we all start somewhere.” Folks often compare themselves to others who have been putting in the work for decades, but like most things in life you should feel comfortable doing things on your own terms and timeline. It’s ok to do something different and differently! This is how we grow – by pushing ourselves outside of our comfort zone. Who knows, you might surprise yourself down the line with how strong you are, mentally and physically! Plus, climbing is a community-based sport (Trust me, we’re super friendly open-minded peoples.) So while you may be eyeballing someone else’s strength and technique, they may cheer you on with “Dang! PG fam is super creative and a real thinker! I wouldn’t have thought of solving that problem like that.” Besides…You can always change your mind, so it doesn’t hurt to try!

Wynnie Thoi

Front Desk Staff

I’ve been climbing for about 6 years now and I just can’t stop! Climbing has been a realm of constant excitement and intrigue. The bouldering gym is where I have found lasting interactions with people from different backgrounds, have overcome fears, and pushed my physical & mental limits. It’s always exciting to see what you can accomplish and find support in such a diverse community.
You’ll never know what you can accomplish if you never try it and you might even enjoy it! It’s like searching for your soul mate–you won’t find them if you stay at home. Trying something new is just a way of discovering yourself, so why not find out what you can do?

I love errthang about teeth and am passionate about good oral hygiene!

Jacob Gonzalez

Front Desk Staff

The community is what got me into climbing, and the challenge routes provide have kept me engaged ever since.
Everyone starts somewhere! I couldn’t do a v0 to begin and now I am pushing v8s!
The environment is a number one concern for me. Keeping our planet clean and producing less waste will keep our planet alive, and will keep temps good for outdoor climbing.
P.S. I’m always up for a game of Smash Bros!

Adam Mancini

Front Desk Staff

Anthony To

Front Desk Staff

I have been climbing for a little over 5 years. Climbing has stuck with me through the years because of all the experiences I have been fortunate enough to be a part of and for all of the people I have met through climbing. I’ve learned many things from climbing and hope to be able to spread the joy!

Bidz Dela Cruz

Front Desk Staff