World champion climber
Jesse Grupper is one of the friendliest and most respected climbers in the world today. Growing up in Montclair, NJ, Jesse began climbing at age six and competing at age nine. Now based out of Salt Lake City, UT, he has earned five IFSC Lead World Cup medals, including two gold medals.
Since 2016, Jesse has been suffering from ulcerative colitis, and was hospitalized for the condition for a week in 2021. The following year, he earned 3rd place for the overall 2022 IFSC Lead World Cup season. All of the above, while earning a mechanical engineering degree from Tufts University and working with the Harvard Biodesign Lab. In 2023, Jesse qualified for the Paris Olympics by winning the Pan American Championships, and will compete in the combined boulder and lead event this Summer.
Outside of the world’s of competition climbing and mechanical engineering, Jesse is also known for his quick ascents of some of the hardest outdoor sport routes in America. Having sent multiple 9a+/5.15a routes, flashing multiple 8c+/5.14c’s, and sending multiple V14 boulders outdoors, Jesse has one of the most well rounded skill sets in climbing today.
What is your profession? Did you always know this is what you would end up doing or was it something you “stumbled into”?
As someone who found climbing when I was six years old, I was hooked on it as a lifelong passion. Did I know it could be my career path? Twenty years later, I feel so fortunate to still be redefining my relationship with the sport, and continually finding joy within it.
Favorite movie?
Memento
Favorite book?
Slaughter House Five by Kurt Vonnegut
Most inspiring quote, piece of art, saying, or advice that has impacted the way you live today?
“Take it easy, but take it” - advice from my dad before leaving for my first World Cup of my 2019 season which catapulted me on the trajectory I’m on today.
When you're not working, what are you doing for fun?
Making granola, board games, and does climbing count?
Coolest place you've ever traveled?
I studied abroad in Cape Town in 2018, and it was just so awesome to get to settle into a new culture, learn, and have seemingly infinite rock climbing
Bucket list destination you haven’t been yet?
Flattanger, Norway! I like ropes
You’re stranded on a deserted island - who is coming with you and why?
My partner Hannah, she knows how to comfort me on the good and bad days.
You get to have drinks with anyone (dead or alive) - who are you calling?
Barack Obama! What a legend
What advice would you give an 18-year-old that wants to do what you do?
Have fun, focus on the learning more than any one day
Any guilty pleasures?
Does dark chocolate count? (Like a lot of it?)
Favorite wild meat/fish to eat? (i.e. venison, dove, quail, king fish, redfish, etc.) And in what kind of meal do you prepare it/eat it?
Probably Salmon - I love sushi or Pad Thai (yum)
What’s your favorite element of Turtlebox? (battery life, durability, waterproofness, sound, togetherness, elevating experiences)
I love music, and Turtlebox helps you feel like the artist is right there with you. I like the term “elevated experience”, it's the same as what I look for in my climbing
How do you use your Turtlebox?
In my 2005 Prius that doesn’t have a working bluetooth, at a home wall session, listening to a favorite podcast while cooking, or most importantly jamming to music at home with friends.
