The final episode of this season offers a thought-provoking exploration of connection as a central theme in sport and life. Stories from athletes, researchers, and community leaders highlight how human connection is what enables success and creates the meaning we seek in achievement. Our expert guests dismantle myths about grit, illustrating that true resilience is grounded in the strength of supportive networks, while Olympic athletes redefine competition, emphasizing collaboration over rivalry. Leaders and changemakers share powerful insights on fostering belonging and driving systemic transformation through collective action. These inspiring accounts remind us that even the most individualistic pursuits thrive within the context of community. As the year and our first season of the show draws to a close, this episode is a call to reflect on how connection enriches our lives and empowers us to achieve extraordinary goals. Whether finding joy in shared experiences or leaning on others during challenging times, this season finale celebrates the power of human connection.

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Amber reflects on key themes explored throughout the first season of the Be a Good Wheel podcast, focusing on the importance of mindset in personal growth and performance. Highlighting outtakes from various guest interviews, she connects different perspectives on how individuals can interpret setbacks as opportunities for growth, the distinction between fixed and growth mindsets, and practical strategies for fostering resilience. The episode emphasizes the significance of community support in cultivating a growth-oriented mindset and the power of self-awareness in challenging negative internal chatter and reclaiming personal agency. 

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Amber speaks with Rachel Hedderman, Olympian, former professional cyclist, and internationally renown sports director, on cultivating trust, fostering open communication, and building cohesive teams in competitive sports. Drawing from her experiences as a director and athlete, Rachel explains the complexities of team dynamics and shares how to align individual goals with team objectives. Hedderman highlights the importance of constructive feedback in personal and team growth, and how small gestures are essential to build trust. From tactical savvy to performing under pressure, her stories illustrate the importance of both realism and aspiration. As one of few women in a male-dominated arena, Rachel discusses the challenges of balancing family and career, the pressures of representation, and the progress being made in increasing visibility in women’s cycling. Her reflections on building confidence in young athletes and fostering resilience through honest feedback are inspiring for athletes and leaders alike. Rachel’s wisdom offers perspective on mindset, mentorship, and performance far beyond the racecourse.

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Amber speaks with PhD social psychologist and researcher, Dr. Omid Fotuhi. Dr. Fotuhi explains how different mindsets affect resilience, motivation, and performance. He shares how experiences as well as environments shape our mindsets, and how shifting from a fixed to a growth mindset can lead to better outcomes, especially in challenging or high-stakes situations. Dr. Fotuhi breaks down the process through which a growth mindset encourages resilience and self-compassion, and the secret to balancing process with outcome. He addresses misconceptions about grit, including why relying on sheer determination can do more harm than good. He reveals why self-compassion plays a crucial role in long-term resilience, persistence, and success. Dr. Fotuhi offers practical suggestions for reshaping mindsets, challenging self-doubt, and tracking personal progress to improve motivation, resilience, and performance. 

This is an abridged version of the interview. To hear full-length and extended versions of every episode, subscribe to a membership on Ko-Fi. Memberships start at $3 per month and support the sustainability of the show. Check out all of the perks of membership at: https://ko-fi.com/beagoodwheel

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Mentioned in this episode: 

• Dr. Omid Fotuhi on YouTube: https://bit.ly/4f9Pr84

Work by Alexander Rothman: http://bit.ly/3AvDfzh

Amber speaks with entrepreneur, workplace wellness expert, and former pro cyclist Pete Morris. Pete explores the intersection of personal growth, health, and performance, drawing parallels between bike racing and workplace productivity. He discusses the importance of unlearning outdated habits and the complexities of team dynamics. Pete shares tips on how to handle mistakes and communicate in ways that support morale and psychological safety. He offers a practical guide to cultivating more joy and getting more value out of your work, including how to integrate regular breaks, how to create opportunities for learning, and how to practice true presence. He reveals the secret to fostering openness within team and workplace dynamics, no matter what your role. Pete opens up about his experiences building Free Lap Collective, a retail shop focused on community and connection through a shared love of the outdoors. He discusses the interdependence of different life roles, and how shifting focus from performance to connection can create the intangible magic that occurs when a group comes together to work in harmony. 

This is an abridged version of the interview. To hear full-length and extended versions of every episode, subscribe to a membership on Ko-Fi. Memberships start at $3 per month and support the sustainability of the show. Check out all of the perks of membership at: https://ko-fi.com/beagoodwheel

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Mentioned in this episode: 

- Free Lap - https://freelap.cc

Amber speaks with Industrial Organizational Psychologist, researcher, founder, and CEO, Dr. English Sall. Dr. Sall talks about what differentiates the field of Industrial Organizational Psychology from other psychology-related fields. She untangles the complexities of building team culture, with lessons learned from her real-world experience as a co-founder and CEO. Dr. Sall reveals the key elements that build trust and foster the team dynamics essential to long-term success. She highlights how metrics of success and incentive structures need to account for inherent fluctuations in performance over time, and why redefining productivity to include both external accomplishments and personal well-being is crucial. Dr. Sall shares how system catalysts drive institutional change and why diverse leadership is essential to innovate the systems that shape our lives. She explores the foundations of effective collaboration, redefining leadership, and creating space for unconventional approaches to success in teams and organizations.

This is an abridged version of the interview. To hear full-length and extended versions of every episode, subscribe to a membership on Ko-Fi. Memberships start at $3 per month and support the sustainability of the show. Check out all of the perks of membership at: https://ko-fi.com/beagoodwheel

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Mentioned in this episode: 

- System Catalysts Podcast - https://www.systemcatalysts.com/

Amber speaks with eight-time National Champion, two-time Pan American Champion, and World Championship medalist, Brad Huff. Brad reflects on his long career in cycling, how an eating disorder almost ended his career before it began, and why his “farm kid work ethic” was both an asset and a liability. He shares how he stayed clean in a sport rife with performance-enhancing drugs, including stories about his encounters with doping in the sport. Brad reveals the pivotal change that enabled his most successful years on the bike and the tactics he used to win the US Pro Criterium National Championship ten years after his first US Pro Criterium title. He explains why joy, connection, and collaboration are essential to performance, and shares about his new project, The Men’s Room. 

This is an abridged version of the interview. To hear full-length and extended versions of every episode, subscribe to a membership on Ko-Fi. Memberships start at $3 per month and support the sustainability of the show. Check out all of the perks of membership at: https://ko-fi.com/beagoodwheel

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Mentioned in this episode: 

- Brad Huff on Instagram - @huffyusa

- The Men’s Room - https://themensroom.io

Amber speaks with Ayesha McGowan, the first African-American woman professional road cyclist. Ayesha shares why she recently decided to step away from racing (for now) and opens up about the shift in autonomy she experienced on the World Tour. She describes how she handles the different pressures and challenges of professional racing, and how she’s using her experience to create positive experiences for up-and-coming athletes. Ayesha talks about Thee Abundance Project, and how she’s building a supportive pipeline for women of color to get into and advance in the sport of cycling. McGowan shares what has worked for her to cultivate connection and camaraderie among athletes in the programs that comprise Thee Abundance Project. Ayesha offers advice on how to find the right coach, reflecting on her own experiences and the importance of the coach-athlete relationship. She highlights the role of community and support in her career, including the role her friends have played in helping her make the most of her neurospicy strengths. 

This is an abridged version of the interview. To hear full-length and extended versions of every episode, subscribe to a membership on Ko-Fi. Memberships start at $3 per month and support the sustainability of the show. Check out all of the perks of membership at: https://ko-fi.com/beagoodwheel

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Mentioned in this episode: 

• Ayesha McGowan on Instagram - @ayesuppose

Amber speaks with Devin Cowens, connector, adventure cyclist, and founder of Radical Adventure Riders Atlanta Chapter (RAR ATL). Devin shares how she thinks about creating opportunities for people to experience bikepacking, specifically how she addresses different barriers to entry to make those experiences accessible. She describes how her background in psychology has influenced how she connects others and fosters community. She shares her story of founding RAR ATL and explains how she thinks about the challenges of building and scaling a community-focused organization, without compromising or commodifying the mission and people it serves. Devin shares her perspectives on safety in the wilderness as a Black woman, highlighting historical, cultural, and systemic factors that shape how we engage with the outdoors. She discusses key questions she habitually asks herself, and how anyone can use these to fuel personal growth and collective action. 

Mentioned in this Episode:

Devin on Instagram - @dev_rox

Radical Adventure Riders - https://radicaladventureriders.com/

Thee Abundance Project - https://aquickbrownfox.com

This is an abridged version of the interview. To hear full-length and extended versions of every episode, subscribe to a membership on Ko-Fi. Memberships start at $3 per month and support the sustainability of the show. Check out all of the perks of membership at: https://ko-fi.com/beagoodwheel

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Amber speaks with professional cyclist Alexey Vermeulen, who left road racing on the World Tour to pursue a career as a professional off-road cyclist. Alexey shares why over-indexing on fun can be counterproductive, how to turn compartmentalization into a superpower, and his not-so-secret analog tool for cultivating balance, adaptability, and clear priorities. He shares what makes teamwork in road racing so special and why he believes the nature of gravel racing doesn’t enable racers to get the most out of themselves as athletes. Alexey divulges his successful approach to marketing, and why he’s aiming to change outdated models of sponsorship. He explains why some of the best financial decisions require turning down money, how to maintain agency and accountability in sponsorship negotiations, and how to avoid the biggest sponsorship mistake most athletes make.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Alexey Vermeulen on social - @alexeyvermeulen everywhere

Project Phase II - https://enve.com/pages/project-phase-ii

From the Ground Up - https://www.fromthegroundup.bike

Sir Willie the Wiener Dog - https://www.instagram.com/sirwilliethewiener/?hl=en

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