Lock Down Rock Up

Lock Down Rock Up – A conversation with climber and Paramedic Jerome Mowat.

This week Eoin Walker joins Jerome Mowat for a conversation about the making and narrative of the film ‘Lock Down Rock Up’. The film which is directed, produced and shot by Nico Hambleton has been designed to appeal to both health workers and adventure lovers. It showcases the beneficial and healing transition from high-stress work in healthcare to a high focus and committing activity.

Lock Down Rock Up, takes audiences through the challenges Jerome faced as a frontline paramedic in London during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and how he used rock climbing to escape.

During this session Eoin and Jerome discuss:

• The beneficial impact of climbing and intense activities on mental health
• The importance of a separate identity away from your professional life
• Stress within the team and the need to support each other
• Optimising strategies for self-care and mental health

Jerome Mowat Biography:

Jerome Mowat initially trained as a paramedic with London Ambulance Service. He transitioned to Yorkshire Ambulance Service to embrace his love of climbing to return to London during the first wave of the COVID pandemic.

He features in a documentary about the life of an NHS paramedic winning recognition at a global film festival. The film called ‘Lock Down, Rock Up’ follows the life of Jerome, as he uses rock climbing as an escape from working on the front line of healthcare. The film won the Best Short prize at Kendal Mountain Festival, which celebrates mountaineering and outdoor culture.

If Jerome has inspired you to get out there and try some bouldering and climbing check out these articles:

Beginners guide to Bouldering: https://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/skills/beginners_bouldering_-_how_to_get_started-3100

Beginners guide for climbers: https://www.ukclimbing.com/gear/publications/other_publications/rockfax__the_beginners_guide_for_climbers-4558

Read Jerome’s article ‘On the Front Line’ on the UK Climbing website at https://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/features/on_the_front_line-12718 

You can watch ‘Lock Down Rock Up’ on Amazon

Follow Jerome at https://www.instagram.com/jerome_mowat/

Follow Nico Hambleton at https://www.instagram.com/nicohambleton/