In 1995, after a thorough search of the literature and practice of mental training and the great warrior traditions, Ilgner formalized his methods, founded the Desiderata Institute, and began teaching his program full time.
Since then, he has helped hundreds of students sharpen their awareness, focus attention, and understand their athletic (and life) challenges within a coherent, learning-based philosophy of intelligent risk-taking. Ilgner considers the joy and satisfaction in the effort – the “journey” – intimately linked to successful attainment of goals, the “destination.” Alumni of his courses now include some of the nation’s most prominent climbers.
Ilgner has run clinics across the USA and Australia. He has worked with young competition climbers and written national magazine articles based on his methods. He holds a BA in geology, spent several years operating his own geological consulting firm in the Wyoming oil fields, acted as Chief Financial Officer for an industrial tool distribution company, attended the Army Ranger School, and served a non-combat tour of duty in Korea.
Email Arno to book a course with him (or select a prescheduled course, when available, below).
February 2020
Combat Veteran Course – Nashville, TN
Helping combat veterans and their families use climbing to work through their struggles, build trust, and reconnect.
Find out more »High Point, Chattanooga, TN – Falling & Commitment – Gym Clinic
By the end of the clinic feel comfortable how to fall, relax while climbing, rest effectively, and how to commit to the moves.
Find out more »Triangle Rock Club, Richmond, VA – Falling & Commitment – Gym Clinic
By the end of the clinic feel comfortable how to fall, relax while climbing, rest effectively, and how to commit to the moves.
Find out more »Inner Peaks, South End, NC – Falling & Commitment – Gym Clinic
By the end of the clinic feel comfortable how to fall, relax while climbing, rest effectively, and how to commit to the moves.
Find out more »Inner Peaks, Matthews, NC – Applied Mental Training for Bouldering
Move confidently on boulder problems.
Find out more »Triangle Rock Club, Raleigh, NC – Falling & Commitment – Gym Clinic
By the end of the clinic feel comfortable how to fall, relax while climbing, rest effectively, and how to commit to the moves.
Find out more »Triangle Rock Club, Morrisville, NC – Falling & Commitment – Gym Clinic
By the end of the clinic feel comfortable how to fall, relax while climbing, rest effectively, and how to commit to the moves.
Find out more »Triangle Rock Club, Durham, NC – Applied Mental Training for Bouldering
Move confidently on boulder problems.
Find out more »Stone Summit, Atlanta, GA – Falling & Commitment – Gym Clinic
Leave feeling comfortable how to fall, relax, rest effectively, and how to commit to the moves.Time frame: 4-hour clinic.
Find out more »Charleston Parks Climbing Wall, SC – Falling & Commitment – Gym Clinic
By the end of the clinic feel comfortable how to fall, relax while climbing, rest effectively, and how to commit to the moves.
Find out more »March 2020
Charleston Parks Climbing Wall, SC – Falling & Commitment – Gym Clinic
By the end of the clinic feel comfortable how to fall, relax while climbing, rest effectively, and how to commit to the moves.
Find out more »Stone Summit Kennesaw, GA – Falling & Commitment – Gym Clinic
By the end of the clinic feel comfortable how to fall, relax while climbing, rest effectively, and how to commit to the moves.
Find out more »Uptown Climbing, Baton Rouge, LA – Falling & Commitment – Gym Clinic
By the end of the clinic feel comfortable how to fall, relax while climbing, rest effectively, and how to commit to the moves.
Find out more »High Point, Memphis, TN – Falling & Commitment – Gym Clinic
By the end of the clinic feel comfortable how to fall, relax while climbing, rest effectively, and how to commit to the moves.
Find out more »High Point, Huntsville, AL – Falling & Commitment – Gym Clinic
By the end of the clinic feel comfortable how to fall, relax while climbing, rest effectively, and how to commit to the moves.
Find out more »The Crag, South Nashville, TN – Applied Mental Training for Bouldering
Move confidently on boulder problems.
Find out more »The Crag, South Nashville, TN – Falling & Commitment – Gym Clinic
By the end of the clinic feel comfortable how to fall, relax while climbing, rest effectively, and how to commit to the moves.
Find out more »
