Rashad Tubeileh

I started climbing in my mid 20s and found my way into routesetting shortly after, apprenticing with the crew at NMB before heading to Epic Climbing and Fitness, where I became head setter. 

I grew up overseas and moved around a lot. Being exposed to so many different cultures early on shaped how I think about people and community. I started out as a very cautious and static climber, so modern competition-style movement was foreign and intimidating at first. Over time, I’ve come to really appreciate how it builds on the fundamentals and opens the door for more people to feel strong, creative, and genuinely expressive on the wall. 

Routesetting is about more than putting holds up. It shapes the kind of community that forms around a gym. The climbs we set decide who feels invited to try, who gets that mix of challenge and flow, and who keeps showing up. I take that seriously and try to set with intention, mixing styles and experiences so more people can find somewhere they belong in our space. It’s ongoing work and I’m always trying to get better at it. 

Outside of climbing, I’m a compulsive collector of hobbies, and I love spending time with my wonderful wife and our beautiful puppy.