Oral history interview of Carrie Cooper, conducted by Tallie Casucci (audio and transcript)

Carrie Cooper grew up in Louisville, KY. Carrie recounts gymnastics, dance, and climbing as primary activities during her youth; including a two year stint living in Hong Kong. After high school graduation, she moved to North Carolina to attend the North Carolina School of Performing Arts and University of North Carolina at Greensboro for dance and psychology. She recounts an impactful 9 month study abroad in Sweden for psychology. Later she moved to Northern Arizona to boulder at the Priest Draw and become a professional climber. She recounts several important boulders during that time period (The Receptionist, Painted Cave, Mobius). After sending The Receptionist (V10), she moved to Salt Lake City with her husband to attend the University of Utah's Doctorate of Physical Therapy program. She became interested in pregnant and post-partum athletes while in PT school, based off her own childbearing experiences. Carrie also grew interested in rock climbing finger injuries and developed a schema for physical therapists to assess finger injuries without ultrasound imaging or a MRI. A few years after graduating from PT school, Carrie started her own business and eventually an educational website surrounding her research. In part 2, Carrie discusses memorable climbs in Little Cottonwood Canyon, such as Butt Trumpet, St. Nick, Shivers, and Sundial.