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Climbers are daring. Endurance athletes are masochists. So it stands to reason that alpinists, as hungry connoisseurs of both danger and pain, would be … different.

Andres Marin — longtime athlete for The North Face — literally climbed his way to the U.S. Along the way, he learned what being a sponsored professional athlete really means.

He’s put up numerous first ascents, albeit quietly. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Marin has not sought the spotlight. His Instagram conveys less about the danger and extreme environs in which he thrives and more about quiet reflection and personal growth.

Still, danger is real. And Marin, a pillar of perhaps the most prolific brand athlete team on the planet, explains how he manages his ambition with very real fear.

Plus, if you’ve ever wondered what life is really like for a sponsored athlete for a major brand like The North Face, Marin pulls back the curtain. A prolific ice climber, Marin also explains how he found his way into the fringe sport — and if it will ever be an Olympic event.

Find all that and a whole lot more on The GearJunkie Podcast!

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