Girls Gone Gravel podcast

On this episode, Kathryn and Kristi get to chat with the “most famous memer in gravel” who is known widely for her Instagram account Holy Spirit of Gravel. They chat about her perspective of cycling as an “online space” and how she is helping to remind cyclists that the spirit of gravel is still very much alive. We hear how she decided to start up the Instagram account, and also how it has helped her build connections with other women in the gravel space and find a common language to communicate with like-minded people.

Follow the account on Instagram and YouTube @holyspiritofgravel

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Follow us on Instagram:

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Girls Gone Gravel Website:

https://www.girlsgonegravel.com/

Support our Partners:

Wahoo: Learn about the ELEMNT ROAM 3 at https://wahoofitness.pxf.io/6kn0Eb

Momentous: Use code GIRLSGONEGRAVEL for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com

Tifosi: Use the code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at tifosioptics.com

In this special episode, your Feisty Women's Performance podcast host Dr. Erin Ayala brings together a group of experts on mental health to talk about the science and psychology of stress and collective trauma.

Along with being a sports psychologist & therapist in her own right, Erin also lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota — which has been at the center of the news over the last month since it became the target of the largest immigration enforcement action to date in the U.S. Thousands of federal agents have patrolled the streets and detained residents, and, over this past weekend, shot and killed a second bystander — leading to hundreds of thousands of people protesting in Minneapolis and around the country.

In this tense environment, how do we show up as athletes, as members of our community, as our best and healthiest selves?

Join Dr. Tess Kilwein, Dr. Quincy Guinadi, and Christine Bright as they discuss how these experiences shape mental health and performance, and how you can respond to stress and trauma — whether you're going through it right now with the news or you're dealing with your challenges.

Key Takeaways:

• What is collective trauma? Learn how collective trauma impacts communities and individuals, and why this understanding is crucial for athletes and coaches.

• Recognize that intentional rest in times of stress can be essential for long-term sustainability.

• Know that movement and sport can be powerful tools in community healing.

• Get tips on how to navigate the complexities of wanting to help without feeling performative or overwhelmed, and how to effectively engage in difficult conversations without shame or guilt.

Don't be perfect. Be brave.

Guest Introductions:

• Dr. Tess Kilwein: A board-certified clinical, health, and sport psychologist with expertise in mental performance and athlete wellness.

• Dr. Quincy Guinadi: A postdoctoral resident specializing in identity, mental health, and the experiences of marginalized communities.

• Christine Bright: Lead consultant at the Center for Healing and Justice through Sport, focusing on trauma-informed coaching and community support.

Resources Mentioned:

• Center for Healing and Justice through Sport

• Nothing Heals like Sport Playbook

• "What Happened to You" by Dr. Bruce Perry and Oprah

• Beyond Ally by Dr. Maysa Akbar

• Find ways to help at standwithminnesota.com

This week we bring you another live episode with the one and only Alison Tetrick, who was our first podcast guest way back in 2020. Ali is a former world tour pro-turned gravel racer, and winner of events like Unbound 200 and Gravel Worlds. Recently, Ali has taken to the trails in a new form, taking up ultra running as well as ultra distance cycling. She talks about how her passions have evolved over time, and why it has been important to her to chase them in a way that feels true to herself. Ali has also been an integral figure in getting more women to start lines, especially at Unbound, and she describes how that work inspiring and motivating others has actually now become an inspiration to her; highlighting the importance of showing up for each other. Ali will be back at Unbound in 2026 at the start line of the 100 mile race in support of the More Women More Mile initiative. If you’ll be there too and want to ride with Ali listen in for all of the details, then head over to https://feisty.co/more-women-more-miles/ to learn more.

Follow Ali on Instagram @amtetrick

Sign up for the Girls Gone Gravel newsletter at https://feisty.co/cycling/

Courses and Coaching: https://livefeisty.com/courses/

Follow us on Instagram:

@feistycycling

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Girls Gone Gravel Website:

https://www.girlsgonegravel.com/

Support our Partners:

Wahoo: Learn about the ELEMNT ROAM 3 at https://wahoofitness.pxf.io/6kn0Eb

Momentous: Use code GIRLSGONEGRAVEL for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com

Tifosi: Use the code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at tifosioptics.com

Welcome to our 6th year of the podcast! Our first guest of 2026 is friend of the podcast, and professional cyclist Sarah Sturm. Sarah joined us live to answer all of our burning questions about her life as a professional off-road cyclist. She talks about managing stress and disappointment, learning from mistakes, navigating her own expectations, and why she loves strength training. Sarah also explains her view on how she and her fellow female racers are continuing to develop the craft of racing in the women’s pro peloton, and the differences in racing in Europe versus North America. Sarah will be returning to the Life Time Grand Prix in 2026, and she talks about what went into her decision to return to the series this year.

Join us for live episodes on the Feisty Youtube channel

Courses and Coaching: https://livefeisty.com/courses/

Follow us on Instagram:

@feistycycling

@feisty_media

Girls Gone Gravel Website:

https://www.girlsgonegravel.com/

Support our Partners:

Wahoo: Learn about the ELEMNT ROAM 3 at https://wahoofitness.pxf.io/6kn0Eb

Momentous: Use code GIRLSGONEGRAVEL for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com

Tifosi: Use the code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at tifosioptics.com

This week on the show Kathryn and Kristi are chatting with French cyclist, Cécile Lejeune. Cécile grew up in the suburbs of Paris, and got her start in endurance sport in triathlon at age 12. She had quick success in the sport winning national titles in both triathlon and running. This success earned her a running scholarship at Arizona State University. But behind the scenes Cécile was struggling with an eating disorder and battling RED-S, and just one month into her collegiate running career she suffered a stress fracture that ultimately led to her being medically retired from running by the team doctors as ASU. Cécile speaks openly about her struggles with her eating disorder and RED-S, and how she has worked her way back to a more healthy view of fueling and training. She also tells us how leaving running allowed her to find her way into cycling and pursue the sport professionally. After a stint on some UCI road teams in Europe, Cécile moved back to the US and is now part of team CCB. This is her first year in the Life Time Grand Prix, and she is currently in 5th in the overall standings.

Follow Cécile on Instagram @cecilejeune

Courses and Coaching: https://livefeisty.com/courses/

Follow us on Instagram:

@feistycycling

@feisty_media

Girls Gone Gravel Website:

https://www.girlsgonegravel.com/

Support our Partners:

Wahoo: Learn about the ELEMNT ROAM 3 at https://wahoofitness.pxf.io/6kn0Eb

Momentous: Use code GIRLSGONEGRAVEL for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com

Tifosi: Use the code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at tifosioptics.com

On this week’s episode Kathryn welcomes back Jill Martindale, who was last on the show in 2021 after she won the 2020 Iditarod Trail 1000 Invitational. Recently, Jill set the FKT on the 300 mile Mega Midsouth route in November of 2025 despite chilly weather, lack of sleep, and being chased by guard dogs. Jill lives in western Michigan, and spends her winters outside on her fat bike in all kinds of weather. She gives some of her best tips on how you can dress and prepare yourself for outdoor riding all winter long no matter the weather. Jill will also be hosting a luminary bike ride on January 15th, 2026 as part of the Grand Rapids World of Winter Festival.  

Follow Jill on Instagram @billfartindale

Listen to Jill's previous Girls Gone Gravel episode here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inspire-yourself-with-jill-martindale-episode-38/id1506779235?i=1000506607019 

To learn more about all of The Cyclist’s Menu events head to https://www.ridebikeseatfood.com/

We’re back! And to celebrate, Kathryn and Kristi welcome back their friend and cycling guide extraordinaire Heidi Rentz. Heidi and her husband started The Cyclist’s Menu back in 2015 with their shared passion of adventuring by bike and eating delicious food. Fast forward 10 years of amazing trips, and the pair have guided countless cyclists on trips around the world, and have built their home base in the gravel mecca of Patagonia AZ. Planning for their 2026 trips is in full swing, and we are excited to announce that Feisty will be partnering with The Cyclist’s Menu for a trip to Mallorca! The trip will be held May 17-22, in the small town of Burger on the Island of Mallorca. Heidi and Zander have been hosting trips in Mallorca for many years, and Heidi shares what she loves most about the island. Heidi and Kristi will also be teaming up this winter on a new project called Training Grounds, a 5 day gravel training camp based out of Patagonia AZ coming up in February 2026. 

To learn more about all of Mallorca trip and join us head to https://www.ridebikeseatfood.com/mallorca-road-cycling-trip

Courses and Coaching: https://livefeisty.com/courses/

Follow us on Instagram:

@feistycycling

@feisty_media

Girls Gone Gravel Website:

https://www.girlsgonegravel.com/

Support our Partners:

Wahoo: Learn about the ELEMNT ROAM 3 at https://wahoofitness.pxf.io/6kn0Eb

Momentous: Use code GIRLSGONEGRAVEL for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com

Tifosi: Use the code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at tifosioptics.com

On this week’s episode we have another interview from Kathryn’s time in Girona this spring. Today she is chatting with the Girona-based, American cyclist Morgan Aguirre. Morgan started cycling in 2019 and quickly fell in love with the sport. She joined a team, and started racing on the road in the US. With a fully remote job, Morgan realized that she had a unique opportunity to relocate from Seattle to somewhere that would allow her to ride her bike outside all year long so she made the move to Girona in 2022 to immerse herself in the world of cycling in Europe. Not long after her arrival in Girona she was laid off from her job, but she seized the opportunity to focus more on her riding and started racing gravel. Morgan saw quick success in the gravel racing scene and garnered some support from brands to help make her season possible. At the end of last season she joined Pas Normal, and she talks about what it’s like being part of that team. Living and training in Girona has also allowed Morgan to meet and ride with some other big names in the world of gravel, and she tells us about how she has formed friendships with other women in the sport that have helped to guide her along in her career so far, and why it is so important for women to support and lift each other up. 

Follow Morgan on Instagram @morgan_aguirre

Courses and Coaching: https://livefeisty.com/courses/

Follow us on Instagram:

@feistycycling

@feisty_media

Girls Gone Gravel Website:

https://www.girlsgonegravel.com/

Support our Partners:

Wahoo: Learn about the ELEMNT ROAM 3 at https://wahoofitness.pxf.io/6kn0Eb

Momentous: Use code GIRLSGONEGRAVEL for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com

Tifosi: Use the code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at tifosioptics.com

This week on the show we welcome back Lauren Hall to fill us in on all of the recent happenings in the world of cycling. Lauren was on the ground at the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift with the USA Cycling Foundation, and we get all of the inside scoop on what her time was like there. She then headed straight to Leadville to be part of the commentary team and the Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike race. Leadville 2025 was an epic day, and the three discuss all of the highlights of the day, as well as a few controversial topics. They then take a dive into the Grand Prix standings post Leadville, and how the standings will play into the dynamics for the rest of the season.

Courses and Coaching: https://livefeisty.com/courses/

Follow us on Instagram:

@feistycycling

@feisty_media

Girls Gone Gravel Website:

https://www.girlsgonegravel.com/

Support our Partners:

Wahoo: Learn about the ELEMNT ROAM 3 at https://wahoofitness.pxf.io/6kn0Eb

Momentous: Use code GIRLSGONEGRAVEL for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com

Tifosi: Use the code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at tifosioptics.com

This week Kathryn is joined live by professional cyclist and coach Serena Bishop Gordon to chat about all off-season training. Serena is our Feisty Cycling coach and has developed a three month winter training plan for cyclists. Her approach is to think of the “off-season” as a time to build the foundation for your race season, and she talks through a few of the mistakes that she commonly sees athletes make, as well as how to avoid them. Serena talks about the importance of building a progressive plan in order to maximize your training and recovery, and how to set goals that will help guide your training through this base building season. Serena and Kathryn also go through the details of how the Feisty Winter Training Plan will be run, and it kicks off December 1st!

Find the Feisty Winter Training Plan for Cyclists at https://feisty.co/winter-training-for-cyclists/ and use code WINTERTRAINING

Courses and Coaching: https://livefeisty.com/courses/

Follow us on Instagram:

@feistycycling

@feisty_media

Girls Gone Gravel Website:

https://www.girlsgonegravel.com/

Support our Partners:

Wahoo: Learn about the ELEMNT ROAM 3 at https://wahoofitness.pxf.io/6kn0Eb

Momentous: Use code GIRLSGONEGRAVEL for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com

Tifosi: Use the code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at tifosioptics.com