foster fulfillment in your climbing with custom coaching
Build strength, refine skills, and transform your responses to challenges.
We help climbers develop lasting habits for sustainable success and a deeper connection to the sport.
Meet the Team
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Karly Rager, MS, CSCS, SPI
Karly founded Project Direct in 2020. She has climbed numerous 5.13 routes, with redpoints up to 5.13c. Passionate about the mental aspects of climbing, Karly focuses on how cognitive strategies influence progression and performance.
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Casey Elliott, MS, CPT
With extensive coaching experience across all climbing disciplines, Casey has successfully sent 8a routes in sport, trad, and bouldering. His expertise in movement coaching has made an invaluable contribution to Project Direct’s approach.
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Patrick Cooke, CPT
With over 20 years of experience, multiple first ascents, and WI6 climbs under his belt, his legendary achievements in the mountains speak for themselves. His deep wisdom of the frozen world is an invaluable resource for his athletes.
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Dana Taylor, CPT, SPI
Dana will show you how training & movement coaching will make a huge difference on those roof cracks and trad routes. She’ll help you unlock the power of gym training to elevate your trad climbing—and you might get more stoked than ever!
Climbing Coaching & Programs Built for You
For climbers driven to refine existing skills and unlock deeper potential, we're here to guide you on that journey. Our private climbing coaching helps you build strength that translates to rock, master nuanced movement, and turn those ambitious goals into deeply rewarding experiences.
Personalized Private Climbing Coaching
At Project Direct, we don't just talk the talk - we walk the walk. From first ascents in the mountains to pushing limits on hard redpoints, our coaches are in the thick of it. Our direct experience shows up in how we coach because we've been there too. Our athletes get more than just a climbing training plan — they get a real relationship with a coach who’s invested.
We believe better climbing starts with better thinking, so instead of just telling you how to move through a crux, we guide you in learning how to problem-solve on your own. Whether you’re training for your first 5.12 or navigating the mental and physical challenges of projecting, we’re here to help you climb stronger, think sharper, and own your process.
Recent Media
If you need it, you can’t have it
Head Coach Karly Rager relives the highs and lows of her first 5.13+ redpoint.
Coach Dana Taylor offers a sports-psychology perspective, explaining how working and procedural memory shaped Karly’s performance.
Inside the Ascent: Training and decision making for Teufelsgeige (WI5+/M6, r/x)
Ice and winter climbing coach Pat Cooke shares the story of his ascent of Teufelsgeige (WI5+/M6, R/X) - diving into the route itself, decision-making under pressure, and the training that made it possible.
The Ego, the Fighter, and the Dancer
The Fighter relies heavily on intuition and can easily access near-maximal try-hard each session. The Dancer avoids discomfort and only sends when everything feels just right.
The ideal lies in between. Coach Casey gives you specific ways to develop a balance in your climbing.
