In this episode of Mushing, Robert Forto sits down with returning guest Joy Weis, a canicross athlete, coach, and founder of the Friends of Oso Foundation. Joy shares how she got started in dog-powered sports, what makes a great canicross dog, what new athletes should know before entering their first race, and why the sport is more accessible than most people think. 

She also dives into her coaching work through Lucky Fox Coaching, explaining how she trains canicross teams, cyclists, runners, and multi-sport athletes using a data-informed, holistic approach. Joy breaks down the TrainingPeaks system she uses to review athlete metrics like pace, sleep, heart rate, and training load. 

The conversation shifts to the emotional origin of the Friends of Oso Foundation, which was created to honor her rescue husky and canicross partner, Oso. Joy discusses how the foundation provides grants to northern breed rescues to address immediate needs, such as food, medical care, and transportation, as well as resources like marketing and campaign materials. 

She closes with practical advice for anyone curious about dog-powered sports: start small, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to get involved. Whether you’re exploring canicross, considering a coach, or looking for ways to support northern breed rescue, this episode will give you a clear place to start.

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