Life As I See It with Cal Ryan, blacksmith and mountain leader

Hi Cal, thanks for letting us catch up with your Life as I See It. We’ve seen some images of your time in New Zealand, so we’re excited to find out what you’re up to now. No more modelling, it that right?

“Right. It was fun while it lasted but I’m focussed on other things now.”

Tell us more! So what’s the best thing you’ve got going on in your life right now?

“Growing my business is up there. I’ve always loved being outdoors and feel totally at home on the fells so it’s great to share that with other people. Being back in Cumbria feels like coming home in more ways than one.”

Great answer. If you were allowed to find out everyone who was secretly in love with you at some point in their life, would you want to know?

“Maybe I’d ask just one person what they really felt.”

Ooh, that’s curious. Care to share?

“Nope.” (laughs).

Okay, we’ll leave that one there, Cal! So in ten years’ time, do you think you’ll be proud of what you are doing now?

“I hope so. Whatever’s going on in my mind, whenever I’m bouldering or climbing, trying to reach that next hold, that’s all I need to focus on. And it’s always brilliant to see people doing things they never thought they could. The sense of achievement after a climb or a summit is massive.”

That’s very cool. So what does your inner voice tell you?

“Don’t worry about the stuff you can’t change.”

Good advice. What are your strongest beliefs about?

“Given what I do, I’d say getting outside. I’ve been exploring the mountains since I was a kid and they saved me, in a way. Gave me something bigger than me to think about.”

Thanks for sharing that, Cal. What’s important on your to-do list but not urgent?

“Social media. I have an event coming up and I need some great content. I’m working on that, so watch this space.”

Make sure you tag us, we’ll share. What have you done recently that made you feel great?

“Spent time with someone important to me.”

Do you have a name?

“No, I doubt they’d appreciate the mention right now.”

Moving on, then. What keeps you awake at night?

“Nothing. After countless nights in a tent, I can sleep anywhere.”

Those early morning views must be stunning?

“They really are. It’s worth the effort it takes to get wherever you want to go.”

Would you say you’re trying to avoid being like anyone else?

“I’m not sure.” Hesitates. “Probably me as a teenager. I had to learn to do better.”

Fair enough. Hopefully we never stop learning but we all have our vices. What’s yours?

“Running, usually from stuff I don’t like.”

Name something you’d really hate to lose.

“Am I allowed to say a yacht?” (laughs). “It came with the house I’m renting, and I’ll have to give it back. Seriously though, I’d hate to lose the excitement I feel whenever I’m in the mountains. It’s always been with me, and I hope that never changes.”

We love that, Cal. Could you achieve more by doing just half as much?

“No. There’s a lot of training involved in being a mountain leader and my clients are my responsibility, so I make sure everything’s in place before we ever set foot on a fell.”

What’s something that no one knows about you?

(Laughs). “I thought everything was already out there.”

Maybe but there must be something?

“I’m a terrible singer, I can’t hold a note. My mum sang in folk bands so that’s something I haven’t inherited from her.”

Okay, we won’t ask you to prove it! What thoughts come to mind when you are relaxed?

“I’m not the best at doing nothing, so it would be trying to appreciate whatever’s in front of me.”

Are you going to get another tattoo?

“Maybe.” Looks at right arm. “Not sure I’ve got room.”

Left arm? You’ve only got one on there.

“No. I like the wolf as it is, I’m not going to add to it.”

Would you say there’s anything missing in your life?

Hesitates. “I try not to miss what I don’t have.”

You’re making a name for yourself now, both for your wildlife sculpture and the mountain leading. But what do you want to be remembered for?

“Someone who maybe made a difference. If my experience as a kid helps just one person, then it will have been worth it. And I like that my sculpture is out there now.”

Who do you admire in your life?

“Anyone who can find a way out of difficult circumstances. It’s never easy and I think you always need someone on your side.”

If you were offered the chance to feel happy all of the time, would you take it?

“No, because then being happy wouldn’t feel so great when it comes.”

Do you believe that love has to be mutual?

“I think life’s much better when it is.”

If you could only choose being a mountain leader or a blacksmith, which one would it be?

“They’re very different and working with steel is a brilliant way to switch my mind off other things. But there’s nothing like being in the mountains to know what’s real and what matters when you just need that next hold or a safe route back down. Sorry, I think I’ll have to keep them both!”

Okay, we’ll let you have that! Surfing or sailing? We’re going to guess surfing, because all those beach shots in New Zealand are what first got you noticed.

“Sailing right now but I’m sure I’ll surf again sometime.’

Cameras at the ready, Cal!

“No thanks, I’m done with that!”

What are you still learning about yourself?

“That I’m a better man now than I was before. I’ve come a long way.”

If the most challenging thing to ever happen to you happened again, would you handle it differently?

“For sure. I wouldn’t run again.”

When you look at the world, what is most fascinating to you?

“How connected we all are but maybe not enough in ways that really matter.”

 That’s pretty deep, Cal. So, do you ever underestimate yourself?

“Usually right before I climb a mountain.”

Is it best to judge people by their intentions or their actions?

“I’m no one to judge anyone else. We all make mistakes.”

Where do you feel most like yourself?

“Anywhere outside and when it’s just me and someone I love. I can be a bit solitary.”

And finally, what are you most excited to do in your lifetime?

“Lead others into the mountains and hope the experience stays with them. Maybe spend my life with someone else. Keep learning.”

Thanks Cal, for telling us about life as you see it. You can catch up with Cal and all those incredible expeditions he leads over on Instagram. And if wildlife’s your thing, check out his studio and make sure you don’t miss the wolf, it’s stunning.

© Suzanne Snow 2022