foster fulfillment in your climbing with custom coaching

Build strength, refine skills, and transform your responses to challenges.

We help climbers develop lasting habits for sustainable success and a deeper connection to the sport.

Meet the Team

  • A woman rock climbing on a vertical cliff face with a forested mountain landscape in the background.

    Karly Rager, MS, CSCS, SPI

    Karly founded Project Direct in 2020. She has climbed numerous 5.13 routes, with redpoints up to 5.13c. Passionate about the mental aspects of climbing, Karly focuses on how cognitive strategies influence progression and performance.

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  • A man in a yellow shirt and black shorts rock climbing on a steep outdoor rock face, using climbing gear including harnesses, carabiners, and quickdraws, surrounded by trees.

    Casey Elliott, MS, CPT

    With extensive coaching experience across all climbing disciplines, Casey has successfully sent 8a routes in sport, trad, and bouldering. His expertise in movement coaching has made an invaluable contribution to Project Direct’s approach.

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  • A person rock climbing on a vertical cliff face with colorful chalk marks, with a landscape of hills and a partly cloudy sky in the background.

    Patrick Cooke, CPT

    With over 20 years of experience, multiple first ascents, and WI6 climbs under his belt, his legendary achievements in the mountains speak for themselves. His deep wisdom of the frozen world is an invaluable resource for his athletes.

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  • A woman in a turquoise tank top and beige climbing pants ascends a rock face with climbing gear, including a helmet, harness with carabiners, and gloves, while a spotter below belays her.

    Dana Taylor, CPT, SPI

    Dana will show you how training & movement coaching will make a huge difference on those roof cracks and trad routes. She’ll help you unlock the power of gym training to elevate your trad climbing—and you might get more stoked than ever!

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Climbing Coaching & Programs Built for You

For climbers driven to refine existing skills and unlock deeper potential, we're here to guide you on that journey. Our private climbing coaching helps you build strength that translates to rock, master nuanced movement, and turn those ambitious goals into deeply rewarding experiences.

Personalized Private Climbing Coaching

At Project Direct, we don't just talk the talk - we walk the walk. From first ascents in the mountains to pushing limits on hard redpoints, our coaches are in the thick of it. Our direct experience shows up in how we coach because we've been there too. Our athletes get more than just a climbing training plan — they get a real relationship with a coach who’s invested.

We believe better climbing starts with better thinking, so instead of just telling you how to move through a crux, we guide you in learning how to problem-solve on your own. Whether you’re training for your first 5.12 or navigating the mental and physical challenges of projecting, we’re here to help you climb stronger, think sharper, and own your process.

A woman rock climbing on a steep outdoor rock face, wearing a red jacket and black climbing shoes, using safety harness and carabiners.

Recent Media

A woman rock climbing on an overhanging cliff face, wearing a red jacket, black leggings, and climbing shoes, secured with a harness and rope.

Sports Psychology for Climbers

Learn sports psychology basics for climbing, why mental training extends beyond fear of falling, and how our unique approach differs from traditional methods you've encountered.

Two climbers ascending a steep rock face with safety gear and helmets, set against a background of rugged terrain.

the longer road will take you further

Taking longer paths in climbing progression ultimately leads to sending harder routes and advancing further, even though shortcuts seem appealing—the goal is distance, not speed.

Climber in a blue tank top and beige pants ascending a crack in a red rock face, wearing a white helmet and climbing gear, with text "Episode 19 Dana Taylor" over the image.

The Ground Up Podcast, May 2025

Project Direct Coach Dana Taylor discusses her journey from sport to trad climbing, coaching methods, and adventures that led her to where she is today.

  • A woman wearing a black helmet and jacket is in the foreground, with two people in helmets and outdoor gear in the background against a rocky cliff. The focus is on the woman, who appears to be climbing or preparing to climb.

    "Project Direct totally changed my idea of what I thought was possible for my own climbing progression! Karly keenly identified weaknesses and wrote wonderfully structured sessions.

    I have seen my strength, technique, and climbing ability grow massively - I even flashed my first 5.12a on gear, in no small part due to Karly's training program!”

    -Project Direct Athlete, Olivia Wetzel

    Learn more about Custom Training & Movement Coaching
  • Young woman smiling and climbing a rocky mountain or cliff, wearing a gray hoodie and gloves, with sparse vegetation and rocks in the background.

    “I tried everything to fix my head. I read books. I asked random fearless strangers at the crag how they did it. I attended fear of falling workshops by pro climbers. I experimented. Nothing worked…

    Fast-forward to now, and I’m not scared anymore. It’s kind of crazy. Karly is the best investment i have made for my climbing. she has completely transformed my head game. I am performing better than ever and having more fun. headpoint training is truly priceless.”

    -Headpoint Trianing Athlete, Hayley Mckinney

    Learn more about Headpoint Training
  • A woman is rock climbing on a steep granite cliff with a landscape of trees and mountains in the background.

    “Working with Dana was such a wonderful experience. Her keen attention to detail in both my lifting form and climbing movement was invaluable.

    I also appreciated her understanding of my life and how to help me get the most out of my training. Her feedback was so thoughtful and intentional. She made me feel motivated to work harder but also always made me feel proud of whatever I had accomplished that week, big or small.”

    -Deann Synder

    Learn more about 1 on 1 Coaching