We’re coming at you with our last episode of this season of the Changing Gears Podcast. The first 49 episodes included some incredible people like Justin Williams, Brandon Semenuk, Blake Hansen, Jolanda Neff, Rebecca Rusch, and much more. In honor of our 50th episode, we wanted to do something special. And that’s exactly what we did. For our 50th e…

“In the quest of becoming the best version of me, nothing has made a bigger difference than biking.” Juan Pablo Raba may just be saying what we’re all thinking. Our guest today has found that biking helps him learn about respect, trying hard things, finding his zen, and ultimately, improving his health overall. On this episode of the podcast, we ha…

Most cyclists may never experience racing or winning at the elite levels. Our guest on this episode of Changing Gears breaks down why simply having access to a bike and being able to go out and ride is really the main point of all of it. To have that freedom, the ability to go far and fast, to feel childlike joy, that’s the real goal of cycling. As…

In the age of distraction, scrolling and swiping minimizes how present we are with any given moment. Our guest today believes that stories are one of the most important parts of life, and that magazines are the best way to tell them. Zapata "Zap" Espinoza has been pedaling bikes since the late 60s and slinging words and opinions on all things cycli…

Pushing up against the legacy of his father, our guest, Nico Roche, has always been striving to build his own path. From playing rugby to becoming a professional cyclist, he’s made a name for himself throughout his career. Nico is an Irish professional cyclist with UCI World Tour team "Team Sunweb". He is a former Irish National Road Race and TT Ch…

Our guest on this episode of the Changing Gears Podcast is trying to fix bike racing in the United States, learning from other major sports like basketball, baseball, and football, and using those models in a new and novel way. Paris Wallace (he/him/his) is the founder and CEO of the National Cycling League, the first majority-minority and female o…

What is the coolest job in the world? For Chas Christiansen, when he first found out about bike messengers, that was it. You’re going to pay me to ride my bike around fast and recklessly? Say no more. He was in. Exploring the world in search of the stoke, Chas (he/him) is a bike racer, artist, and adventurer. Constantly on the move seeking new expe…

This week’s guest on the Changing Gears Podcast is Andrew Shandro, the legend himself. From racing in Italy, his first pro contract, and the Freeride Movement, this conversation is not to be missed. Andrew (he/him/his) is an old-school mountain biker, a freeride pioneer. He is the Trek C3 Team Manager and the Trek Factory Racing Co. Team Manager. H…

Sports can teach us so much. They teach us how to work well with others, how to push our limits, how to stay humble, how to go after big goals. And on this episode of the Changing Gears Podcast, Paralympian Travis Gaertner shares his experiences in a few different sports and what he has learned along the way. Travis was born without his lower limbs…

Thomas Frischknecht believes in simplicity and durability. Within this world of innovation, Thomas likes to keep things on the simple side as much as possible. This episode shares Thomas’ life philosophy and a deep exclusive look behind the scenes of the SCOTT-SRAM team. Thomas is the Team Director for the SCOTT-SRAM Team with a full resume of Olym…

Mike Levy lives and breathes the biking world. Since he discovered mountain biking as a kid, he’s gotten at least 200 days per year every year. Now, that’s a passion. Mike is a prominent Canadian bike industry journalist known for his work with Pinkbike. As a reviewer and content creator, he is well-regarded for his in-depth knowledge, expertise, a…

We all want to tap into our inner child, feeling the wind blow in our face, riding our bikes around our neighborhoods. Anthony Carter borrowed an old bike in his mom’s garage for a spin, felt the freedom of two wheels, and never looked back. Anthony (he/him/his) is a grassroots community organizer based in the DMV area (District of Columbia, Maryla…

How do you network and create meaningful connections within the bike industry at large? Caitlin Bernstein shares her perspective on being a positive presence, showing up with grace and kindness, on this episode of the show. Caitlin (she/her) grew up in a small town in Vermont and from a young age, pursued her dream of becoming a professional ski ra…

In the last 10+ years, we’ve seen an evolution of sports psychology and our guest on the show for this episode is at the forefront of these changes, coaching athletes through them. Robbie Ventura is the founder and owner of Vision Quest Coaching, providing expert training programs for endurance athletes of all levels from beginner to elite, includi…

When you have an opportunity, one that feels big and maybe even scary, just go for it. That’s what Emily Horridge did when the opportunity came to move from the UK to start skills clinics in France. And she’s been helping open up skills and doors for people ever since. Emily (she/her/hers) discovered mountain biking back in 1992 and was smitten fro…

What kind of athletes does a town like Whistler produce? From a culture of being out in the mountains and getting after what you love to do, it spits out tons of big mountain professional athletes. And our guest on this episode is certainly part of that crew. Brandon Semenuk (he/him/his) got into mountain biking at a young age and transitioned to f…

What is a life well lived? How do our experiences and trials and tribulations train us to be stronger and better equipped for life? Fabian Cancellara shares his perspective with us. Fabian is a double Olympic champion and four-time world time trial champion from Bern, Switzerland. After leaving his professional career behind in the peloton in 2016,…

Having and being able to use a bike is the ultimate freedom. Tim Johnson found that he was competing all over the world, bringing his expensive bikes along for the ride, but was struck by the inequity of biking right here at home. So he decided to help make a change. Tim (he/him/his) is a former professional American cyclo-cross and road racing cyc…

When it comes to the cycling world, the Merckx family name is infamous. On this episode of Changing Gears, Axel shares his experiences being part of the Merckx family cycling dynasty. Axel Merckx (he/him/his) is a world-renowned retired Belgian cyclist who retired to British Columbia, Canada, in 2007. Born in 1972 in Uccle, Belgium, he is the son o…

Lea Davison achieved her lifelong dream of becoming an Olympian, crossing the finish line not once but twice. She epitomizes the phrase, “never give up.” Lea (she/her/hers) is a mountain bike racer with a past in competitive downhill ski racing from Sunderland, Vermont. She started mountain bike racing in 2001 and has since competed in World Cups, …

Justin Williams loves to be competitive on the bike but the thing he’s most proud of? Being able to turn that off outside of racing and be kind to others. Born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, Justin (he/him/his) is a professional cyclist and co-founder of the L39ION of Los Angeles UCI Continental cycling team based in the United States. As…

When Eric Arce was told he had Thyroid Cancer in his early thirties, the whole world slowed down and he had to take some time to reevaluate his life. The journey through cancer led him to leave his Ph.D. program and follow his dream of becoming a photographer. Eric (he/him/his) is now a photographer based out of Salt Lake City by way of Los Angeles…

After a vote by her family to go for it, Deanna decided it was time to step into the racing arena. And she hasn’t looked back since. Deanna Mayles (she/her/hers) is a Reliability Engineer at SRAM, elite endurance mountain bike athlete, and a wife. Only recently entering the race scene, Deanna is finding the balance between her full-time job and pro…

Alex Howes (he/him/his) stepped into racing at a young age and found it the perfect challenge. Unlike more common sports, like soccer, or basketball, where there is a clear winner, bike racing felt more subjective and offered more areas to improve as an individual. After a decade of World Tour racing though, Alex is changing gears and coming home. …

Allison Jones (she/her/hers) is one of the world’s greatest Paralympic athletes, winning 2 Gold medals, 3 Silver medals, and 3 Bronze medals in eight Paralymic Games, in summer AND winter. Allison began her athletic life at the age of 5, when her mom took her and her sister up to ski for the day. After accomplishing a lot in skiing at an early age,…

Ash (she/her/they) and Andi (she/her) Zolton are the founders of Roam Events, the production company behind Roam Fest, the first and largest femme mountain biking festival. Ash and Andi are passionate advocates for creating fun-first experiences for all riders, but are especially committed to creating safe and welcoming spaces for marginalized folk…

Alison Tetrick (she/her/hers) almost lost her life after a severe crash in a professional race. The bike almost took her life, but it also saved her time and time again; it gave her a platform to come back to the sport, love it again, and make a difference. Born and raised on a ranch in California, Alison is a NCAA tennis player turned biochemist t…

Blake Hansen (she/her) is using her voice to honor herself and other folks in the trans community and advocating for safer, more inclusive spaces within the biking world. Blake is a freeride mountain biker who lives for air time. Some say she’s more comfortable in the air than chilling in a chair. She’s got a passion for being an outgoing, kind adv…

After a life-altering car crash, Dr. Meg Fisher’s future changed. She survived a coma and lost the lower portion of her left leg. Meg worked hard to heal and move beyond her new physical limitations. Today she’s a decorated Paralympian dedicated to helping erase limits, change lives, and demonstrate the capacity of the human body and spirit. In thi…

If you don't know Kelli Samuelson (she/her/hers), you probably know of her. She's covered in tattoos and has a haircut that screams attitude. But Kelli doesn't bite. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. You see, Kelli is not just the founder and owner of LA Sweat, a team of women on bikes going fast and having fun,, she's the wheels that keep LA Sweat…

Kyle Strait is the only rider to compete in every single Red Bull Rampage event. When not throwing signature 70’ no-handers, Kyle is a proud father, mountain biking coach, product designer, and course builder. He is a multi-discipline racer with top results in World Cup DH, dual-slalom, slopestyle, and speed & style. In this episode, Kyle and DZ ta…

Rahsaan Bahati founded the Bahati Foundation to improve access to opportunities for youth in Los Angeles and has been bringing the cycling community with him on his mission ever since. After becoming a 10-time U.S. Champion in professional cycling, Rahsaan implemented his vision for The Bahati Foundation in 2010. He started the foundation to give b…

Vali Höll is an Austrian professional downhill mountain biker who has been World Champion three times over, as well as a three-time World Cup overall winner. In this episode, Vali and DZ talk about growing up skiing at her parent’s chalet, her positive attitude while recovering from a broken ankle, overcoming mental challenges on race day, and how …

Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Sam Boardman (he/him/his) discovered cycling in college when he moved across the country to attend UCLA. There, after joining the school's club team, he became obsessed with riding his bike, spending his free time during the week escaping from campus to explore the nearby canyons of Malibu and Hollywood. Since t…

Isabeau Courdurier (she/her) is a passionate mountain biking athlete that has certainly made her mark on the Enduro World Series. She started racing at the age of 5 and riding has always been a major part of her life. Outside of racing, she loves to share her passion and get as many people as possible on bikes. In this episode, Isabeau and DZ chat …

Originally from Switzerland, Jolanda Neff (she/her) is an Olympic Champion in mountain biking, 3 x World Cup Champion, 4 x European Champion, and many more titles. She also finds time to work with organizations like Greenhope, Grow Cycling Foundation, and Unicef. In this episode, Jolanda and DZ talk about growing up racing with her siblings, her de…

Lindsey Richter (she/her) is the founder of the Ladies AllRide mountain bike skills camps. She is a former Survivor TV show participant, marketing dynamo, and all-around outdoor sports enthusiast. She loves inspiring women to face fears, gain skills, and have FUN on mountain bikes. In this episode, Lindsey and DZ chat about her experience on Surviv…

Nino Schurter grew up in a small Romansh-speaking mountain village in the Val Lumnezia, Graubünden. He spent a great deal of time outdoors with his parents and two elder siblings. Mountain biking was particularly fascinating for them and they developed a great passion for such a fun style of riding. Since then, Nino has won so many titles, it’s alm…

Originally from Australia and residing in Boulder, Colorado, Mirinda Carfrae (she/her) is one of the world’s most successful triathletes. Her 2007 70.3 World Championships win secured her ticket to the Ironman World Championships in Kona. In 2009, she set a course run record and finished second in her first Kona appearance. She has only continued h…

Kiel Reijnen (he/him) is an American cyclist, who currently competes for American “all surface”, gravel team Trek Driftless. He previously competed in professional road racing between 2008 and 2021. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Kiel is a father, sailor, and gravel bike adventurer and racer. In this episode, Kiel and DZ dive into what i…

Alexis Ryan (she/her) is an American racing cyclist, who rides for American amateur team L39ION of Los Angeles. She is the sister of fellow racing cyclist Kendall Ryan and She’s been crushing it on 2 wheels since 2007. In this episode, Alexis and DZ chat about overcoming injuries and crashes, learning to focus and compartmentalize, deciding what is…

Claudio Caluori is a professional mountain biker who has won the Swiss National Championships 7 times, raced in the World Cup, founded and managed multiple World Cup race teams, and is the owner of the pump track company, Velosolutions. In this episode, Claudio and DZ talk about Claudio transitioning from hockey to mountain biking, how he started t…

Christopher Blevins (he/his/him) started in BMX at five years old and raced around the country until he was 16. At 12 years old, he started racing mountain and road alongside BMX, which is only natural for a kid growing up in Durango to do. In 2019, he decided to focus on mountain biking with an eye on the Tokyo Olympics. He hopes the rest of his c…

Sven Nys (he/his/him) is a former professional cyclist competing in cyclo-cross and mountain bike. With two world championships, seven world cups, and over 140 competitive victories, he is considered one of the best cyclo-cross racers and remains a prominent figure in cyclo-cross. In this episode, Sven and DZ talk about how he got into biking, Sven…

Braydon Bringhurst has been passionate about bike riding since his childhood, and now as a husband, father, and mountain bike rider, he finds great joy in sharing his love for two wheels with other people. As co-founder of the Boise Mountain Bike Festival, he aims to break down walls between cycling groups and celebrate the common joy of riding bik…

Rebecca Rusch (she/her) is the “Queen of Pain” with a heart of gold. She is a seven-time World Champion and well-known in the ultra adventure and endurance realms for nearly three decades, the first person inducted into both the prestigious international Mountain Bike Hall Of Fame as well as the inaugural class of the Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame, h…

Alistair Brownlee is a lifelong athlete and professional sportsman, passionate about encouraging others to live healthily. He is the only triathlete ever to retain an Olympic title, winning in both London 2012 and Rio 2016. With Jonny Brownlee, Alistair started the Brownlee Foundation to help get more young people introduced to swimming, cycling, r…

Sarah Swallow (she/her) is an adventure cyclist, organizer, route developer, and advocate. As a representative for the sport, she shares the knowledge she gains from her experiences and promotes cycling as a positive tool for well-being, community connection, and relating to the natural landscapes we travel through. In this episode, Sarah and DZ ch…

Originally from Texas, Payson McElveen (he/him) relocated to Durango, CO in 2012 to simultaneously pursue an undergraduate education at collegiate cycling powerhouse Fort Lewis College and his dream of being a professional mountain biker. After graduating, his career went in a bit of an unexpected direction, gravitating toward longer events like a …

Kate Courtney (she/her) is a professional cross-country mountain bike racer from Marin County, California. Kate is an Olympian, World Champion, and World Cup Overall Winner who currently competes for the Scott-SRAM MTB Racing Team. Beyond racing, Kate is a Stanford Graduate, passionate writer and speaker, and dedicated advocate for getting more gir…