Adina Budriga
Pronouns: she/her/hers
With Flow in Mind
Adina offers 1:1 flow and mindset coaching designed for climbers and outdoor athletes who want to perform at their best—while staying deeply connected to their “why.” Her primary focus is on optimising mental performance through flow science, nervous system awareness, and mindset tools that support confidence, clarity, and sustainable progression.
Whether you’re struggling with fear of falling, overthinking during sends, or the pressure to always achieve more, she helps you transform those mental blocks into inner trust and consistent performance. Her approach blends practical tools, neuroscience, and deep reflection to support high performers who want more than just results—they want to enjoy the process and thrive in their sport long-term.
As a secondary offering, she also supports professionals and creatives with similar perfectionistic tendencies or imposter syndrome. Many of the tools she uses in climbing performance also help ambitious people redefine their limits in work, life, or other passions.personal and professional development.
Location: While I’m based in Ireland, I work with adventurers and athletes from anywhere in the world through online sessions. If you’re curious, committed, and ready to explore your mindset, I’d be happy to work with you—no matter where you call home.
“Working with me means more than just hitting goals—it’s about learning to trust yourself, enjoy the process, and build a mindset that supports you through every send and season. I work with climbers and passionate adventurers who are driven, self-aware, and ready to shift the inner dialogue that’s been holding them back. Together, we explore what flow means for you—not just as a peak state, but as a way of showing up in your sport and your life. Expect tailored support, thoughtful reflection, and practical tools that meet you exactly where you are—no fluff, no judgment, just powerful, grounded coaching. Because when your mind becomes your strongest asset, the impossible starts to feel within reach.”
Adina is a certified Flow Coach with a background in computer science and experience working in Big Tech. After years of navigating high-pressure environments, she chose to leave the corporate world to support others in redefining their limits—mentally, physically, and professionally. She’s passionate about helping climbers and high performers work through internal blocks, access flow states more consistently, and build a healthier relationship with performance and progress. Core to her values are adventure, authenticity, and growth. Climbing has been a gateway into deeper mindset work—teaching her to stay grounded in discomfort, reframe failure, and lean into uncertainty with curiosity. She sees adventure not just as something you do outdoors, but as a way of living: trying new things, staying playful with discomfort, and allowing experience to be a teacher. This lens shapes both her coaching work and her personal life. Currently transitioning into van life with her partner, she’s embracing a slower pace and deeper experiences—on the road and in her work. Through her practice, with Flow in Mind, she helps people cultivate clarity, confidence, and joy—in climbing, in career, and beyond. Always curious and evolving, Adina brings a spirit of ongoing learning into her coaching, continually refining her approach to better support the people she works with.
“Climbing is hands down my number one adventure—most of my time, energy, and even my work revolves around it. Whether I’m out on the rock, training at the gym, doing yoga, or working on my mindset, it’s all part of the same bigger picture: becoming a better, more present climber. It’s more than a sport for me—it’s a source of growth, and a space where I feel most connected to myself and others. My other adventure activities often end up supporting my climbing in one way or another, which honestly feels like a pretty good deal.”
What’s a common misconception about flow you wish more people understood?
That it’s much more attainable than people think. In the media, it either sounds like it’s reserved for the elite or like it’s something you can switch on instantly. I think the truth is somewhere in the middle. Flow isn’t something we talk about much with friends or family, so it’s harder to recognize—even when it’s happening. Add to that the brain’s negativity bias and survival mode, and it’s no wonder we often imagine what could go wrong instead of seeing ourselves in flow. If you never stop to look at the puzzle pieces that bring flow into your life, it’ll continue to feel accidental or elusive. But when you start targeting it more regularly (and reflecting on what helps and what doesn’t), flow becomes less mysterious. Still not guaranteed, but definitely more accessible. And the process itself becomes more enjoyable and meaningful.
Should all adventurers seek mindset coaching? Why or why not?
I think there’s a common misconception that mindset coaching is only for people who are struggling. But there’s a difference between mental health and mental performance—between your baseline and your ideal self. Working on your mindset can help you understand yourself better, enjoy the journey more, and take on bigger challenges. There are lots of great resources out there now, but if you don’t know where to start or how to bring that work into your daily life, coaching can be really helpful. You don’t have to wait until you’re stuck, unmotivated, or held back by fear or overthinking.
What do you think is the most underrated skill for sustainable high performance in adventure sports?
The ability to be fully present and take in exactly what’s happening, right now. So often we’re in our heads—frustrated about something that happened earlier, or anxious about what might happen next. On top of that, our bodies hold onto experiences, so we end up reacting in the same old ways, even when those responses haven’t served us well in the past. It’s hard to let go of that, and even harder to be fully present, perform with a clear mind, and give something your all without the expectation that it has to be enough. Mindfulness and similar tools aren’t the most popular—they don’t offer a quick fix. But honestly, what’s the point of chasing a win if you can’t fully savour it when it comes?
“I think there’s a common misconception that mindset coaching is only for people who are struggling. But there’s a difference between mental health and mental performance—between your baseline and your ideal self. Working on your mindset can help you understand yourself better, enjoy the journey more, and take on bigger challenges.”
What started your passion for adventure?
I grew up in a small village and didn’t travel abroad until I was nearly in my twenties. As romantic as it sounds, my main source of adventure as a kid came from books and making up games with friends. That made me resourceful—but also a bit hesitant when it came to change or new experiences. Over time, I learned that the moments where I travel, try something unfamiliar, or step into the unknown—those are the moments that teach me the most about who I am, and the ones that help me grow.
How do you define your comfort zone, and how do you challenge it?
Learning zones—comfort, stretch, and panic—are something I use a lot in my coaching practice. I don’t see comfort zones as a bad thing; they’re important for grounding and recharging. But without new input, growth doesn’t happen there. To challenge mine, I usually ask myself: what’s one small, manageable thing I can do right now to stretch a bit further?
How do you navigate setbacks or challenges during your adventures?
I think that when you truly know your “why,” setbacks become more manageable. They’re still hard—but they feel more purposeful. Ideally, I try to connect with that “why” before jumping into a new adventure, but when that’s not possible, it helps to remember that setbacks are part of the process. Not all adventures will be successful (and if they are, are you really pushing yourself?). That’s why it’s worth celebrating when things do work out. And when they don’t, it’s important not to make it mean something bad about ourselves, and to actually reach out for support from the community around us.
Can you share a moment from an adventure that pushed your limits?
A few days before I ever scrambled in Ireland, I injured my back at the gym. It was close to Paddy’s Day, so finding a physio was nearly impossible, but somehow I managed to get a visit just in time. I was barely walking, but I was so determined not to cancel plans—this was supposed to be a hike on Ireland’s tallest mountain. I think I ended up walking something close to 50k over two to three days (we didn’t have a car). Looking back, I can’t quite imagine how I did it. I remember limping for hours, and I still have a knee issue from that trip, 3–4 years later. While I wouldn’t recommend the experience to anyone, it reminds me that these kinds of novel challenges can push you further than you ever expected. Back then, I really liked putting myself in situations where turning back wasn’t an option, or at least, it would’ve meant more hassle than continuing.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start embracing adventure in their life?
Lots of things come to mind! First—don’t give up on trying to find the kind of adventure that works for you, and really own it once you find it. I feel like I tried loads of sports and activities before I eventually landed on climbing, and that just put everything into perspective for me. It gave more structure and purpose to my travels, made it easier to look after my health, and added something deeper to my life. It doesn’t have to be super physical, or what everyone else is doing; it’ll be much more sustainable if you’re doing it for the right reasons.
What aspect of your adventure experience brings you the most pride?
After filling in my Adventure Resume, I have to say—it’s a pretty cool feeling to look back and think, “I did this,” “I ticked this off.” Especially in climbing, where grades gamify the experience. But honestly, that’s not what brings me the most pride. For me, it’s the connection I build with myself and with others—the trust it takes to take on an adventure. Being able to look back and see how something changed me, how it shifted the way I think about myself and the world… that sense of “before and after” is really special to me.
What's the most challenging aspect of planning an adventure for you?
Packing, lol. I find it pretty stressful and often rely on my partner to help. That’s why I’m super excited to be living in a van soon—no more packing for week-long trips when you’ve got a home on wheels. Yay!
