Momentum: A Motorsports Podcast

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Motorcycle coaching is about so much more than speed. It’s about safety, confidence, mentorship, and keeping riders in the sport for life. In this episode, host Heather Wilson Schiltz sits down with Lindsey Scheltema, Executive Director of the United States Motorcycle Coaching Association (USMCA), to talk about how her career has come “full circle” from racing and live event operations to leading a national organization focused on professional standards for coaching motorcyclists.

Lindsey shares how USMCA was born out of a surprising gap discovered during an effort to bring back high school motocross, what the certification process includes, and why coaching is becoming a key part of sustaining motorcycling across disciplines -- from motocross to adventure riding to track days. 

They also discuss what truly makes a coach impactful and how USMCA’s next chapter is expanding through coach calls, an in-person summit, and its acquisition by the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC).

🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Why AIMExpo was a networking goldmine—and how relationships drive business in motorsports
• Lindsey’s “full circle” journey from racer to Arenacross/Supercross operations to connector and leader at USMCA
• The surprising moment that sparked USMCA’s creation
• What USMCA certification includes: background screening, CPR/first aid, concussion/heat/cardiac training, reference checks, and more
• How coaching supports lifelong riding across multiple disciplines and at every experience level
• The role of follow-up and mentorship in building rider confidence and long-term success
• Online coaching growth: why it helps, and why it can’t fully replace in-person instruction
• The biggest misconception Lindsey wants to clear up: great rider ≠ great coach
• What’s next for USMCA: coach calls, an in-person Coach Summit, and expanded opportunities through MIC

🌐 Get info about USMCA and becoming a coach: USMCA.org

🌐 Find a coach: MotorcycleCoaching.org

SPONSORED CONTENT: If you're a motorsports event organizer who wants more participants or attendees, your marketing and operations may be in need of a revamp. I help evaluate where you're at, develop a customized strategy, implement the tasks and assess the results. So if you're serious about getting more support, let's work together. Visit HighGearSuccess.com to get started. 

SPONSORED CONTENT: If you're a racer looking to show sponsors how you can bring value to their company, visit HighGearSuccess.com to view services offered by High Gear Success for racers. 

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Momentum: A Motorsports Podcast, powered by High Gear Success

👉 Want to connect or recommend a guest? Visit: MomentumMotorsportsPodcast.com

🔔 Subscribe on YouTube for more motorsports stories and strategies

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From pyro booms you can feel in the stands to the cinematic opening ceremonies that set the tone for the night, Kat Voiles is part of the team responsible for turning Monster Energy SMX World Championship race weekends into a full-scale live experience. 

In this episode, host Heather Wilson Schiltz chats with Kat about her eight-season journey with Feld Entertainment -- from coordinating interviews in media operations to overseeing what fans watch and hear inside the stadium. Kat shares what goes into pre-season content capture, how storylines evolve week to week, why the touring schedule demands constant adaptability, and what it’s like calling the show in her headset.

🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• What a Senior Live Event Manager oversees on race weekend
• How pre-season media sessions capture hours of athlete content that fuels storytelling across all 31 SMX rounds
• The behind-the-scenes work that brings opening ceremonies to life, including video, timing and pyro
• Touring series realities: how planning for upcoming rounds happens while you’re still executing the current one
• How stadium tech changes from venue to venue
• Weather contingency planning: building Plan B, C, and D and making real-time calls when conditions aren’t safe
• Why Kat thrives in show control, what “a good day” sounds like in her headset, and how she’s learned to roll with chaos

🌐 Learn more & get event tickets: SuperMotocross.com

SPONSORED CONTENT: If you're a motorsports event organizer who wants more participants or attendees, your marketing and operations may be in need of a revamp. I help evaluate where you're at, develop a customized strategy, implement the tasks and assess the results. So if you're serious about getting more support, let's work together. Visit HighGearSuccess.com to get started. 

SPONSORED CONTENT: If you're a racer looking to show sponsors how you can bring value to their company, visit HighGearSuccess.com to view services offered by High Gear Success for racers. 

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Momentum: A Motorsports Podcast, powered by High Gear Success

👉 Want to connect or recommend a guest? Visit: MomentumMotorsportsPodcast.com

🔔 Subscribe on YouTube for more motorsports stories and strategies

📸 Follow @MomentumMotorsportsPodcast on Instagram + Facebook

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At just 18 years old, Kade Johnson has already built a résumé that most racers only dream of. With more than 70 career championships, an AMA Supercross SMX Next win and his first Pro Motocross start under his belt, Kade joins host Heather Wilson Schiltz to share the mindset, sacrifices and support system that have shaped his journey so far.

Kade reflects on his family’s decision to move across the country to support his motocross goals and what it’s really like stepping into the spotlight of SMX Next. He opens up about racing under the lights, adjusting to a last-minute bike switch, training at the Dog Pound alongside top professionals, and why “Keep On Keeping On” has become both his life philosophy and personal brand.

🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• What makes SMX Next different from amateur racing — and why it’s such a valuable stepping stone
• Kade's first Pro Motocross start and what surprised him most
• Training at the Dog Pound and the culture that sets it apart
• Making the switch from a Yamaha to joining Kawasaki Team Green
• The technical skills he’s focused on to reach the next level
• The story behind “KOKO – Keep On Keeping On” and how it became his personal brand
• Why giving back and staying humble matters as his platform grows

📲 Connect with Kade Johnson on Instagram

SPONSORED CONTENT: If you're a motorsports event organizer who wants more participants or attendees, your marketing and operations may be in need of a revamp. I help evaluate where you're at, develop a customized strategy, implement the tasks and assess the results. So if you're serious about getting more support, let's work together. Visit HighGearSuccess.com to get started. 

SPONSORED CONTENT: If you're a racer looking to show sponsors how you can bring value to their company, visit HighGearSuccess.com to view services offered by High Gear Success for racers. 

Support the show

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Momentum: A Motorsports Podcast, powered by High Gear Success

👉 Want to connect or recommend a guest? Visit: MomentumMotorsportsPodcast.com

🔔 Subscribe on YouTube for more motorsports stories and strategies

📸 Follow @MomentumMotorsportsPodcast on Instagram + Facebook

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Hey Momentum listeners!

Momentum: A Motorsports Podcast will not be releasing new episodes on Christmas or New Year's Day. However, I have been busy pre-recording content for Jan. 

I wish you happy holidays and a fantastic start to 2026! 

The next new episode will drop on Jan 8. Until next time -- keep the momentum rolling!

-Heather Wilson Schiltz

SPONSORED CONTENT: If you're a racer looking to show sponsors how you can bring value to their company, visit HighGearSuccess.com to view services offered by High Gear Success for racers. 

Support the show

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Momentum: A Motorsports Podcast, powered by High Gear Success

👉 Want to connect or recommend a guest? Visit: MomentumMotorsportsPodcast.com

🔔 Subscribe on YouTube for more motorsports stories and strategies

📸 Follow @MomentumMotorsportsPodcast on Instagram + Facebook

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Larry Mills and his family have spent more than three decades building DP Brakes into a performance-driven, rider-first brand. Host Heather Wilson Schiltz sits down with Larry to explore the family history behind DP Brakes, the aviation roots that shaped its technology, and why being present at the track still matters in today’s digital world.

Larry shares what actually goes into producing a high-quality brake pad, why sintered metal technology remains the gold standard, and how DP Brakes balances performance, durability and rider feel across motorcycles, ATVs, and UTVs. 

The conversation also dives into sponsorship from a brand perspective, long-standing racer relationships, and what Larry looks for when deciding who to support. It’s an honest, technical, and relationship-driven look at how one company has earned decades of trust in motorsports.

🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• How Larry’s father’s work with Dunlop Tires led to the founding of DP Brakes in North America
• The aviation roots behind DP’s sintered metal brake pad technology
• What actually goes into designing and manufacturing a brake pad
• Why ceramic backing plates matter for heat management and brake feel
• How DP Brakes balances performance, longevity and real-world conditions
• Why Larry prioritizes being at races
• How racer feedback directly influences R&D and product improvement
• What brands really look for when sponsoring racers
• Why loyalty and long-term relationships still matter in motorsports
• Where DP Brakes is focusing its growth heading into 2026

📲 Connect with Larry Mills on Instagram

🌐 Learn more about DP Brakes:

• Website: https://www.dp-brakes.com
• Instagram
• Facebook

SPONSORED CONTENT: If you're a motorsports event organizer who wants more participants or attendees, your marketing and operations may be in need of a revamp. I help evaluate where you're at, develop a customized strategy, implement the tasks and assess the results. So if you're serious about getting more support, let's work together. Visit HighGearSuccess.com to get started. 

SPONSORED CONTENT: If you're a racer looking to show sponsors how you can bring value to their company, visit HighGearSuccess.com to view services offered by High Gear Success for racers. 

Support the show

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Momentum: A Motorsports Podcast, powered by High Gear Success

👉 Want to connect or recommend a guest? Visit: MomentumMotorsportsPodcast.com

🔔 Subscribe on YouTube for more motorsports stories and strategies

📸 Follow @MomentumMotorsportsPodcast on Instagram + Facebook

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This episode with Adam McGill gets real. Host Heather Wilson Schiltz sits down with one of ATV racing’s most recognizable personalities to talk about how he built his 20-plus-year professional career from faxing resumes to landing lifetime contracts with sponsors and why fan relationships and youth riders matter so much to him.

Adam opens up about his most meaningful win with his dad by his side, the heart behind Vintage for Vets and his military support, and what he has up his sleeve for the 2026 GNCC season.

🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Adam’s perspective on building decades-long brand relationships with sponsors
• How his fan-first mindset and youth outreach have kept him in the sport longer than performance alone
• The emotional backstory of one his favorite trophies: a custom guitar gifted by families
• The origins of the McGill Mafia and what “family” really means under the tent
• How his mom accidentally inspired the “Gator” nickname and why it fits his racing style and personality
• Why supporting veterans through events like Vintage for Vets has become a core part of his purpose
• The powerful story behind his most meaningful win with his dad
• A HUGE announcement that you'll have to tune in for

📲 Connect with Adam McGill on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube

🌐 Shop apparel and accessories at ShopMcGill521.com

SPONSORED CONTENT: If you're a motorsports event organizer who wants more participants or attendees, your marketing and operations may be in need of a revamp. I help evaluate where you're at, develop a customized strategy, implement the tasks and assess the results. So if you're serious about getting more support, let's work together. Visit HighGearSuccess.com to get started. 

SPONSORED CONTENT: If you're a racer looking to show sponsors how you can bring value to their company, visit HighGearSuccess.com to view services offered by High Gear Success for racers. 

Support the show

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Momentum: A Motorsports Podcast, powered by High Gear Success

👉 Want to connect or recommend a guest? Visit: MomentumMotorsportsPodcast.com

🔔 Subscribe on YouTube for more motorsports stories and strategies

📸 Follow @MomentumMotorsportsPodcast on Instagram + Facebook

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Mark Long, host and producer of Driven to Ride Podcast and Director of Media Operations for Flint Rock, shares how a childhood spent in an automotive household, a career in radio, and a lifelong love of motorcycles all converged into his current work creating rider-focused stories. 

Host Heather Wilson Schiltz sits down with Mark to talk about his transition from being on-air talent to behind-the-scenes production, then eventually stepping back into the spotlight on his own terms. They also discuss the motorcycle memories and trips that have shaped who he is.

🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Why daily on-air radio life wasn’t the right long-term fit and how Mark found his sweet spot in production and storytelling
• The moment he decided to create Driven to Ride Podcast and build something that blended his creative skills with his passion for motorcycles
• How years as a production director taught him to interview people
• The family roots of his riding story, from a Sears minibike and a Honda Elite 80 scooter to dirtbike days with friends
• Lessons learned from demo rides on powerful sportbikes and a trial-by-fire experience on big Harley touring bikes
• Two trips that stand out as especially meaningful: a Wisconsin ride with his dad and a Yellowstone adventure out of Boise
• What life looks like when he’s not riding or recording

📲 Connect with Mark Long on Instagram

🌐 Learn more about Driven to Ride Podcast:

• Website: DrivenToRidePodcast.com
• Instagram
• Facebook
• YouTube

🎧 Listen to the episode of Driven to Ride Podcast where Heather was a guest 

SPONSORED CONTENT: If you're a motorsports event organizer who wants more participants or attendees, your marketing and operations may be in need of a revamp. I help evaluate where you're at, develop a customized strategy, implement the tasks and assess the results. So if you're serious about getting more support, let's work together. Visit HighGearSuccess.com to get started. 

SPONSORED CONTENT: If you're a racer looking to show sponsors how you can bring value to their company, visit HighGearSuccess.com to view services offered by High Gear Success for racers. 

Support the show

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Momentum: A Motorsports Podcast, powered by High Gear Success

👉 Want to connect or recommend a guest? Visit: MomentumMotorsportsPodcast.com

🔔 Subscribe on YouTube for more motorsports stories and strategies

📸 Follow @MomentumMotorsportsPodcast on Instagram + Facebook

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From rebuilding vintage Hondas with high-schoolers to teaching adults how to wrench with confidence, Steve Knoble has turned mechanical know-how into a mission. In this episode, Heather Wilson Schiltz sits down with the creator behind Knoble Moto to talk about his journey from millwright and NASA fabricator to YouTube educator, hands-on instructor, and advocate for bringing shop class back to schools through MotoGo Cleveland.

Steve shares how his early days of trial-and-error when wrenching on bikes led to a passion for creating accessible repair tutorials, teaching problem solving through failure, and building community at places like Skidmark Garage. They also dig into V-twin projects, tool preferences, the realities of filming useful how-to content, and what’s next for the Knoble Moto brand.

🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• How Steve went from industrial machine repair to building a motorcycle education brand
• The mission behind MotoGo Cleveland and why shop class changes how kids learn
• What inspired the Knoble Moto YouTube channel — and the biggest challenges with filming
• Why simple maintenance tutorials often outperform complex builds online
• How in-person classes boost confidence for new DIY riders
• The most common repair mistakes riders make
• Steve’s go-to tools, favorite project bikes and why torque wrenches matter
• What makes community garages like Skidmark so valuable
• Dream projects, current bikes, and future plans for Knoble Moto
• How he’s expanding into technical writing and install-video production

📲 Connect with Steve Knoble on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook

🌐 Learn more at https://knoblemoto.com

SPONSORED CONTENT: If you're a motorsports event organizer who wants more participants or attendees, your marketing and operations may be in need of a revamp. I help evaluate where you're at, develop a customized strategy, implement the tasks and assess the results. So if you're serious about getting more support, let's work together. Visit HighGearSuccess.com to get started. 

SPONSORED CONTENT: If you're a racer looking to show sponsors how you can bring value to their company, visit HighGearSuccess.com to view services offered by High Gear Success for racers. 

Support the show

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Momentum: A Motorsports Podcast, powered by High Gear Success

👉 Want to connect or recommend a guest? Visit: MomentumMotorsportsPodcast.com

🔔 Subscribe on YouTube for more motorsports stories and strategies

📸 Follow @MomentumMotorsportsPodcast on Instagram + Facebook

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Fred Bramblett has built one of the most consistent, rider-focused series of street and adventure getaways in the U.S. In this episode, host Heather Wilson Schiltz sits down with Fred to break down how Rides4Fun came to life, how he chooses venues, and why consistency is the foundation of every event he organizes.

Fred shares how he structures routes for both street and ADV riders, the amenities he looks for when selecting properties, and what it really takes to create a “Driveway-to-Driveway” experience for guests through his partnership with REVER. He also reflects on his decades-long career as an agent for top athletes like Scott Summers, Chad Reed, Grant Langston, and Ben Bostrom and more. 

They also talk about the incredible destinations included in the newly released 2026 schedule of Weekend Getaways, sponsored by BMW MOA, that boasts eight events.

🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• The inspiration behind Rides4Fun
• Why consistency is at the heart of every Rides4Fun event
• Street vs. adventure routes (and how Fred ensures ADV rides stay big-bike friendly)
• How he chooses event destinations and what amenities matter most
• The mission behind Backroads of Appalachia and why Rides4Fun partners with them
• What makes the “Driveway-to-Driveway” REVER experience so valuable
• How routes are scouted — including Fred’s “friends rides” strategy
• AMA Gypsy Tours, BMW MOA Getaways (and why these partnerships matter)
• 2026 event highlights across six states (including Peaks of Otter on the Blue Ridge Parkway)
• Fred’s most memorable rides: Alaska, Copper Canyon and Appalachian favorites
• His career journey from mechanic to agent to event organizer
• What makes Rides4Fun special for riders (and even their non-riding partners)

📲 Connect with Rides4Fun on Instagram and Facebook

🌐 Learn more at Rides4FunSeries.com

SPONSORED CONTENT: If you're a motorsports event organizer who wants more participants or attendees, your marketing and operations may be in need of a revamp. I help evaluate where you're at, develop a customized strategy, implement the tasks and assess the results. So if you're serious about getting more support, let's work together. Visit HighGearSuccess.com to get started. 

SPONSORED CONTENT: If you're a racer looking to show sponsors how you can bring value to their company, visit HighGearSuccess.com to view services offered by High Gear Success for racers. 

Support the show

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Momentum: A Motorsports Podcast, powered by High Gear Success

👉 Want to connect or recommend a guest? Visit: MomentumMotorsportsPodcast.com

🔔 Subscribe on YouTube for more motorsports stories and strategies

📸 Follow @MomentumMotorsportsPodcast on Instagram + Facebook

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As the first-ever American -- male or female -- to win an FIM Enduro World Championship, Rachel Gutish knows what it means to grind for a goal. In this episode, host Heather Wilson Schiltz talks with Rachel about racing across Europe on a shoestring budget to juggling multiple championships on both sides of the Atlantic. 

Rachel shares the highs and lows of a season defined by grit, travel and a few lucky breaks. She opens up about landing her factory ride with Rieju, how it felt to finally clinch a National Enduro title after more than a decade in the series, and what motivates her to keep pushing the limits of what’s possible in off-road racing. They also dive into her long career in the sport, including her 10 appearances at the International Six Days Enduro and her X Games experiences. Plus, they touch on what she’s doing to keep women’s EnduroCross alive in the U.S.

🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• How Rachel captured the 2025 AMA National Enduro Women’s Elite Championship
• What it took to win the FIM Enduro World Championship and travel the globe on a tight schedule
• The challenges of racing multiple series across continents and managing fatigue
• Her decade-long journey with the U.S. Women’s ISDE Trophy Team and how the program evolved
• Why she loves the challenge of EnduroCross and hard enduro 
• The story behind her surprise factory deal with Rieju and how it saved her professional racing career
• Honest talk about the opportunities women need in motorsports and what's changed throughout the years (and still needs to change)

📲 Connect with Rachel Gutish on Instagram and Facebook

SPONSORED CONTENT: If you're a motorsports event organizer who wants more participants or attendees, your marketing and operations may be in need of a revamp. I help evaluate where you're at, develop a customized strategy, implement the tasks and assess the results. So if you're serious about getting more support, let's work together. Visit HighGearSuccess.com to get started. 

SPONSORED CONTENT: If you're a racer looking to show sponsors how you can bring value to their company, visit HighGearSuccess.com to view services offered by High Gear Success for racers. 

Support the show

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Momentum: A Motorsports Podcast, powered by High Gear Success

👉 Want to connect or recommend a guest? Visit: MomentumMotorsportsPodcast.com

🔔 Subscribe on YouTube for more motorsports stories and strategies

📸 Follow @MomentumMotorsportsPodcast on Instagram + Facebook