What happens when you stop wrestling a motorcycle and start dancing with it? That single shift changed everything for our guest, Nieta De Young, who joins us from Ghent, Belgium to unpack how motorcycling, mindfulness, and daily practice can turn fear into focus and effort into flow. We trade stories about the “bike-dropping era,” the hard-won art of riding slow, and why presence behind the bars feels like stepping into a quiet room—even on a chaotic city street.

Nieta takes us inside Belgium’s demanding path to a license—written tests, maneuver exams with lasers, and road riding that forces split-second decisions around medieval streets. Those constraints refined her craft and nudged her toward Zen, where she learned to meet herself honestly. On the bike, that honesty shows up as small, crucial choices: wave someone by, breathe through frustration, smooth a line instead of forcing it. We explore how weather helps too. As a daily rider in a rainy country, Nieta explains how wet roads sharpen throttle finesse and judgment, building a resilient mindset that carries into work, relationships, and the rest of life.

Community threads through it all. From a peace sign on a mountain highway to rare but instant bonds among women who ride in Belgium, the shared language of helmets, hand signals, and risk creates quick trust. We also talk bike fit and reality—why her Suzuki SV650 is the right partner for city streets, and why comfort and control beat spec-sheet bragging rights. If you’re starting later, you’ll find practical encouragement: keep the healthy fear, invest in slow-speed drills, and let the motorcycle be a teacher of patience, kindness, and joy.

Press play for a grounded conversation about skill, presence, and that simple moment when the engine clicks off and the world feels right. If the blend of Zen and riding resonates, share this with a friend, subscribe for more conversations like this, and leave a quick review to help others find the show.

Nieta's Mindfulness@IBM interview:  https://on.soundcloud.com/9a1NNUe1Ba7SL9OOXA

Tags: Mindfulness, Motorcycle riding, mindful motorcycling, motorcycle therapy, nature connection, peace on two wheels, Rocky Mountain tours, rider self-discovery, spiritual journey, motorcycle community, open road philosophy.

A one-pound ranger changed my whole ride. I rolled into Rocky Mountain National Park at dusk, layered up at 8,000 feet, and let the quiet find me—wind through pines, a slow river in Endo Valley, and the sharpest voice of the night from a tiny Albert squirrel telling me to move along. That small interruption opened a bigger conversation about how we listen, how we ride, and how we care for the places that move us.

I talk about the practice of letting your ears adjust to wild spaces—how silence isn’t absent, it’s layered—and why I teach that to guests on tours. From there, the road bends toward responsibility. We touch the ache of seeing endless sprawl from the air and the jolt of hearing a single loud exhaust erase a canyon’s calm. Marvin Gaye’s Mercy Mercy Me becomes a clear-eyed warning that still echoes today, while John Denver’s Rocky Mountain High gives language to the surge of joy that leaves you small beneath 13,000-foot peaks and somehow more at home than anywhere else.

This is a love letter to riding and a call to ride with care: tuning for quiet, leaving no trace, choosing routes and habits that honor wildlife and fellow visitors, and backing it up with support for the National Park Foundation and local volunteers. Motorcycles can be more than machines; they can be tools that help us understand the world and our place in it. If nature’s chorus is already singing—the stream, the breeze, the elk, even a fierce little squirrel—our job is to add harmony, not noise. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves the open road, and tell me: what sound of the wild stays with you?

Tags: Mindfulness, Motorcycle riding, mindful motorcycling, motorcycle therapy, nature connection, peace on two wheels, Rocky Mountain tours, rider self-discovery, spiritual journey, motorcycle community, open road philosophy.

What if the best reason to ride a motorcycle has nothing to do with miles and everything to do with play? We make a case for motorcycling as real, restorative play that lifts stress, sharpens focus, and reconnects us with the fun we knew as kids. It starts with a simple invitation—can you come out to play?—and unfolds into a story about how open-ended rides turn attention, movement, and friendship into peace.

Ready to turn riding back into play? Listen now, share this episode with a friend, and if it resonates, leave a quick review so more riders can find the show. Then send that text: “Come out to play?”

Tags: Mindfulness, Motorcycle riding, mindful motorcycling, motorcycle therapy, nature connection, peace on two wheels, Rocky Mountain tours, rider self-discovery, spiritual journey, motorcycle community, open road philosophy.

The first fat drops hit your visor and instinct says, find a bridge and wait it out. We take the other line—how preparation and perspective can turn a storm from something to fear into something that deepens the ride. From a solo run through Monument Valley straight into a black-green wall of hail to the quiet joy of forest air after rain, we share how gear, mindset, and community help you keep rolling when the sky gets loud.

You’ll hear practical ways to read weather and ride safely—slowing with intention, widening your margin, managing visibility and grip—paired with simple mental tools that keep panic from taking the bars. Mindfulness becomes the full-face helmet for your thoughts, self-care the waterproof layer for your spirit, and your riding community the warmth that holds when the temperature drops. Along the way, we explore why rain amplifies the senses, how discomfort can sharpen presence, and why some of the best views only appear in your mirrors after you’ve gone through the worst of it.

If you’ve ever huddled under an overpass and wondered what it would feel like to keep going, this is your invitation to gear up and see storms differently. Subscribe for more road-tested reflections, share this with a rider who avoids the rain, and leave a review with your best wet weather tip—we’d love to hear how you ride it out.

Tags: Mindfulness, Motorcycle riding, mindful motorcycling, motorcycle therapy, nature connection, peace on two wheels, Rocky Mountain tours, rider self-discovery, spiritual journey, motorcycle community, open road philosophy.

A latte with a heart, served underground while missiles land nearby. That’s the kind of moment Neale Bayly brings to life as we follow his two-year journey through Ukraine on a motorcycle—seeking peace and love where the news rarely looks. Instead of chasing explosions, Neale sits with amputees at the Superhumans Center, listens to a young mother find words for loss on an 18-hour train, and rides shotgun with a businesswoman who builds drones beneath a department store before driving them into Kherson in a white Jaguar. The war is real—sirens, checkpoints, shattered bridges—but so are the people who make beds, mop floors, and keep serving coffee with care.

We talk about Operation Freelander, a grassroots effort refurbishing Land Rover Freelanders for frontline evacuations and supply runs—and how that mission unlocked a childhood memory of giving that still fuels Neil’s work. We meet volunteers who collect the uncollectable so families can have closure. We hear how a single hug at a rural gas station reframed purpose: tell the human stories that slip past the headlines. Along the way, soldiers hold doors, teenagers thank warriors with shaky hands, and a nation’s dignity shows up in small, stubborn acts.

This conversation moves through fear, shock, anger, joy, and love—then lands on a simple truth: peace isn’t the absence of conflict; it’s the presence of humanity. If you’ve ever believed motorcycles can be a bridge to connection, this ride will prove it. Join us, share it with someone who needs a dose of grounded hope, and if it resonates, tap follow, leave a review, and tell us which story stayed with you. Your support helps more of these voices be heard.

Links
Wellspring Website
wellspring-outreach.org
NBR Facebook
facebook.com/NealeBaylyRides
NBR Instagram
instagram.com/nealebaylyrides

YouTube

 www.youtube.com/@NealeBayly

Tags: Mindfulness, Motorcycle riding, mindful motorcycling, motorcycle therapy, nature connection, peace on two wheels, Rocky Mountain tours, rider self-discovery, spiritual journey, motorcycle community, open road philosophy.

The hum of motorcycle engines, the rushing sound of the wind, and that high-pitched ringing that lingers after long rides—these sounds define our experiences as riders. But what happens when we actively quiet this noise? What clarity emerges when we protect ourselves not just from physical sound, but from mental distractions as well?

After years of riding without adequate ear protection and developing tinnitus, I've discovered something unexpected: wearing quality earplugs doesn't diminish my riding experience—it transforms it. I'm more observant, less fatigued, and see the world around me with newfound clarity. This revelation sparked a deeper question: could we experience similar benefits by reducing the noise that clutters our minds?

We're bombarded daily by an endless stream of information—24-hour news cycles, social media feeds brimming with outrage, work stressors, and constant notifications from every device we own. This mental cacophony is like riding without protection down the highway at 70 mph—a deafening roar that leaves us exhausted and disconnected from what truly matters. "Doom scrolling" triggers chemical reactions that make us crave more negative information while simultaneously draining our emotional reserves.

Our motorcycles offer the perfect antidote—they're freedom machines that naturally guide us into mindfulness. When riding, we instinctively filter out the world's chatter and focus on the present moment: the feel of the bike, the beauty of our surroundings, the subtle cues from our bodies and machines. This state of focused awareness is perhaps the greatest gift of motorcycling.

Challenge yourself this week: spend more time on your motorcycle, identify one source of noise in your life, and consciously limit your exposure to it. Create space for silence and joy. You might be surprised by what you hear when the noise finally quiets—perhaps the voice of your true self, your kind and gentle self who happens to ride a motorcycle.

Tags: Mindfulness, Motorcycle riding, mindful motorcycling, motorcycle therapy, nature connection, peace on two wheels, Rocky Mountain tours, rider self-discovery, spiritual journey, motorcycle community, open road philosophy.

A powerful demonstration of kindness and forgiveness inspired me to reflect on how we motorcyclists interact with drivers who seem careless around us. When someone cuts us off or fails to see us, our default reaction is anger—labeling them as "idiot drivers" who don't value our safety. But what if we're missing crucial context? That driver who turned in front of you might be fleeing a traumatic situation, vision blurred by tears, world crumbling around them. We never truly know what battles others are fighting behind their windshields.

By choosing kindness over condemnation—a friendly wave indicating "it's okay" rather than an angry gesture—we might not only diffuse our own negative emotions but potentially inspire greater awareness for motorcyclists. The space between helmets and steering wheels contains human hearts capable of both tremendous hurt and healing. Craig's story reminds us that beneath our protective gear, we're neighbors and friends with capacity for extraordinary compassion. 

What act of unexpected kindness have you witnessed recently? Share your story and help spread this message of compassion that our roads—and our world—so desperately need.

Tags: Mindfulness, Motorcycle riding, mindful motorcycling, motorcycle therapy, nature connection, peace on two wheels, Rocky Mountain tours, rider self-discovery, spiritual journey, motorcycle community, open road philosophy.

Sebastian Schoepe, CEO of Eagle Rider, returns to share exciting updates on the company's expansion and his personal motorcycle adventures over the past year. We dive deep into Eagle Rider's growing fleet diversity, their innovative subscription model, and the transformative power of guided motorcycle tours that turn strangers into lifelong friends.

If you're interested in motorcycle rentals, guided tours, or want to experience the freedom of two wheels without ownership, visit eaglerider.com to explore all their offerings and find a location near you.

https://www.eaglerider.com/

Tags: Mindfulness, Motorcycle riding, mindful motorcycling, motorcycle therapy, nature connection, peace on two wheels, Rocky Mountain tours, rider self-discovery, spiritual journey, motorcycle community, open road philosophy.

Freedom takes many forms, but rarely is it as beautifully illustrated as when a beautiful Bald Eagle decides to share your journey. Riding through the expansive high plains of southern Wyoming, where the sky stretches endlessly and human presence fades away, I encountered something truly extraordinary – a curious bald eagle who chose to follow me for miles.

Standing on my pegs, cruising at a modest 30 mph along the dirt roads near the Colorado-Wyoming border, I first spotted this magnificent creature perched atop a pine tree. As I passed by, trying not to disturb its solitude, something unexpected happened. The eagle took flight and began following me, soaring about a hundred feet above my right shoulder against the brilliant blue sky. For five remarkable miles, we shared the landscape – a rider on his steel horse and the king of the skies, both experiencing the same freedom in our own ways.

This encounter resonated deeply with Steve Miller's iconic "Fly Like an Eagle." The song speaks of personal revolution, of breaking free from constraints – exactly what motorcycling represents for so many of us. When we ride, we shed anxieties and expectations, declaring our independence from the mundane. We experience transformation with every mile. The eagle seemed to understand this, swooping down as if to communicate a profound truth: that out there, away from the noise and busyness of modern life, we can find perfect presence. We can learn to live for today, to simply fly and be free.

Next time you're on your bike, whether navigating busy streets or remote trails, remember to slow down occasionally. Stand on your pegs. Take in the world around you. You never know what magic awaits – perhaps your own eagle, ready to teach you something about freedom, connection, and the incredible perspective that belongs uniquely to those of us on two wheels. Share your own magical riding moments and leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help others discover these stories of peace, love, and the special freedom that comes with motorcycling.

Steve Miller Band “Fly like an Eagle”

Tags: Mindfulness, Motorcycle riding, mindful motorcycling, motorcycle therapy, nature connection, peace on two wheels, Rocky Mountain tours, rider self-discovery, spiritual journey, motorcycle community, open road philosophy.

In today's hyper-connected world, finding that peaceful state of mind has become increasingly difficult. The 24-hour news cycle, addictive social media platforms, and constant digital stimulation have created unprecedented mental burdens. Many motorcyclists find themselves wondering: can we ever reclaim that pure, carefree joy we once knew on two wheels?

Author and Mindfulness expert Elysia Skye believes we absolutely can. With remarkable insight, she explains how motorcycling naturally cultivates mindfulness—the practice of being fully present in the moment. When we ride, we must focus intently on our surroundings, creating a natural state of presence that counteracts the mindless scrolling that dominates modern life. This presence, combined with the sensory experience of riding, creates perfect conditions for reconnecting with our authentic selves.

Eylisa shares fascinating perspectives on how technology affects us on multiple levels—from the content we consume to the actual frequencies embedded in our devices and social media platforms. She offers practical strategies for grounding ourselves through simple acts like touching trees, feeling the earth beneath our feet, or embracing the vibrations of our motorcycles. These physical connections help reset our overwhelmed nervous systems and return us to a state of calm awareness.

Perhaps most powerfully, Elysia and Ron discuss how motorcycling can become a gateway to greater purpose and connection with others. When we experience the peace that comes through mindful riding, we naturally feel more gratitude and compassion, which often manifests as generosity toward others—whether stopping to help a stranded motorist or simply offering a genuine smile to someone in need.

Ready to transform your rides into journeys of mindfulness and purpose? Listen now to discover how motorcycle therapy might be exactly what your soul has been craving. Then share your own experiences finding peace on two wheels in the comments or on social media—we'd love to hear how riding has helped you reconnect with your happy place.

Resources for reaching Elysia:

• elysiaskye.com
• elysiaskye.com/podcast
• patreon.com/thebrilliancemethod.com
• https://www.instagram.com/elysiaskye
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/elysiaskye/

Tags: Mindfulness, Motorcycle riding, mindful motorcycling, motorcycle therapy, nature connection, peace on two wheels, Rocky Mountain tours, rider self-discovery, spiritual journey, motorcycle community, open road philosophy.