For most of us, climbing is the thing we squeeze in around our day job, a release, a dream, a reward for surviving emails and deadlines. For Czech climber, Jana Švecová, that used to be her routine too. Days filled with HR meetings, interviews, and workplace events, then evenings at the gym, pushing herself on the wall, quietly wondering what would happen if she could give climbing everything.

“I liked how packed my schedule was,” Jana says. “Wake up early, work all day, rush to training. I loved cooking dinner after a session. But I always wondered… how much better could I be if I had all that time just for climbing?”

It was a question that would lead to a total reinvention.

Life Before Climbing Full Time

Before she was a full-time athlete, Jana worked in human resources at an IT company, balancing a packed day job with intense evening training.

“I used to wake up around 7 a.m. because I’m most productive in the morning. I’d work all day, interviews, headhunting, one-on-one meetings, and organising company events. Then I’d rush to the gym to train, go grocery shopping, cook dinner (I love cooking), stretch if I had the energy, and crash into bed.”

It sounds like a lot – and it was – but the structure gave her momentum.

“Honestly? It was easier back then because I didn’t have time to get lazy. I was already in motion.”

Still, the question was always in the back of her mind: What if I had all day to train and recover? How much better could I be?

Taking the Leap – Becoming a Professional Climber

Leaving a stable job to become a full-time climber isn’t a small step. But for Jana, it was fuelled by energy and trust.

“Pure psyche! I’m not afraid of change, I actually like it. I just thought, ‘Let’s see how this goes.’ If it didn’t work, I could always find a job again. Why not give it a shot?”

Though the decision felt surreal, especially without anyone in her circle making similar moves, she never looked back.

“It was exciting. I love challenges and new situations. And I didn’t give myself a deadline, just space to try.”

More Time, More Pressure – Adjusting to Full-Time Climbing

The shift brought unexpected challenges. Suddenly, there was all the time in the world… but also, more mental pressure.

“After six months, I realised I needed something outside of climbing. When your whole life is just about it, and training doesn’t go well, it can feel like everything sucks.”

To create balance, Jana turned to painting, then began managing the Instagram account for a climbing hold brand.

“It’s like a small part-time job that keeps me busy. I love it.”

And when it came to training, she knew she needed structure. That’s when she started working with Lattice coach, Cameron Hartley.

“Without a coach, I probably would’ve gone overboard. Cam helped me find the right balance. It’s still intense, but much more focused.”

Wait… I Miss Work? Rediscovering Creativity and Structure

Jana’s need for routine didn’t go away, it just shifted. Content creation became a new outlet.

“I knew I needed to focus on building my Instagram and inspiring people. I love the whole creative process. Brainstorming is a 10/10. Filming is a 9. Editing is a 9.5. Posting is maybe an 8 because I get nervous… but then it’s a 10 again!”

One of her sponsors eventually asked her to manage their social media, and it turned out to be the perfect side hustle.

A Week in the Life – Balancing Sponsors, Content, and Climbing Goals

A typical week for Jana isn’t just climbing. It’s a carefully structured mix of training, work, content, and recovery.

“Mondays I have a call with Cam to plan the week. Tuesdays I meet with my social media boss, sometimes I travel to gyms, film, edit, and post. Then the rest of the week is training and more content.”

Actual training time might be 10 hours a week, but with rest, travel, filming, and admin, it totals around 15–20 hours. Content and sponsor work takes another 6 hours or so.

“People think pro climbers just climb. But honestly? The balance is key, and the ‘rest of it’ is a huge part of the picture.”

Big Walls and Bigger Dreams – Opening Her Gym and Building Community

In 2024, a session with Adam Ondra sparked the next chapter of Jana’s story.

“Adam visited our gym, and afterwards we asked what he thought. He said, ‘Yeah, it’s alright… could be higher though.’”

That was all the motivation she and her husband Martin needed. They found a bigger space, with higher walls, better access, and the same energy.

“We’re building new profiles, and I’m working on registering the gym as a climbing club, which honestly feels harder than sending Terranova!” 😄

The goal? To build a real climbing community in their hometown, with training sessions, comps, movie nights, and lectures.

“I love training with friends. That’s what it’s all about, coming back to that sense of shared purpose.”

7. It’s Not Just About the Grades – Reflections on the Lifestyle

Behind the performance, the content, and the gym builds, Jana is still reflecting on what this journey is teaching her.

“It feels a bit early, I’m still gathering data,” she laughs. “But if I’ve learned one thing, it’s this: nothing is permanent.”

“If you never try, you’ll always wonder. To me, the scarier scenario is wondering what could have happened, not the risk itself.”

She signs off with her favourite quote: “What if it all works out?”

Follow Jana:
@jane_svecova on Instagram

Words by: Teresa Coimbra (Lattice Athlete Manager) and Jana Švecová
Photos: Courtesy of Jana Švecová

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