EP 294: Melissa Strong

Top Real Talk
Written By Steven Dimmitt

March 9, 2026

Photo by Zach Bunch

Melissa Strong is a boulderer and restaurateur based in Estes Park, CO, who nearly lost her life in an electrocution accident in April 2017. We talked about her accident, what she experienced on the other side of the veil, having her arms sewn together, what climbing was like before and after the accident, skin graft DNA, the healing process of writing Climbing Through, and much more. You can learn more about Melissa at melissaistrong.com

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

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Nuggets:

00:00:00 – Intro

00:01:40 – Melissa’s hands

00:04:54 – Life before her accident

00:09:05 – The accident

00:14:56 – The Forest & The Tunnel

00:30:55 – Arms sewn together

00:47:25 – Climbing before & after the accident

00:58:29 – Skin graft DNA

01:00:20 – The expiration date of climbing

01:08:34 – What comes after climbing

01:14:40 – Writing her book

01:21:03 – What’s next

01:24:46 – Where to buy the book

01:26:13 – How Bird & Jim got its name

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EP 293: Joel Unema