Can’t

In 2021, a tragic car accident left Varanique (or V, as she's known at Rox) paralyzed from the waist down. After a long stint in the hospital and multiple surgeries, doctors told Varanique she would never walk again. While this news would reshape her life, it wouldn't alter her vibrant spirit. Varanique knew the key to living a full life rested in her mindset. In 2022, V set out to find a job, landing at Memphis Rox, a climbing gym in South Memphis. Witnessing climbing for the first time, she thought the gym would keep her behind the front desk — that she couldn't participate in the sport. Until she did. Surrounded by community, Varanique is now a regular climber with a philosophy on and off the wall that the sky's the limit.

On Sight

Why put a rock climbing gym in the middle of an inner-city community? The answer lies within the community of individuals Memphis Rox, a climbing gym in South Memphis, has helped develop. Coach and climber, Tye Liggins, had no rock climbing experience when he stumbled upon Memphis Rox. Like many who come through the gym, the road to making a name for himself in rock climbing was unlikely, yet he did it in just a few years. Building community can change the world.

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MAMA'S SUNDRY