In this special episode of the Race Ready Podcast, Andy Newell and Brian Halligan sit down with Olympic gold medalist Jessie Diggins for an in-depth and deeply personal conversation about the mindset, training, and heart behind her success. From her early days racing at Minnesota high school meets to becoming one of the most decorated cross-country skiers in U.S. history, Jessie reflects on the long journey of learning, failing, and finding balance in the pursuit of excellence.

Jessie opens up about her evolution as an athlete and person. From her first humbling World Cup starts to her current role as a leader and mentor on the U.S. Ski Team. She discusses how her relationship with longtime coach Jason Cork has shaped her career, revealing how trust, communication, and process-based goals have driven her consistency and joy in the sport. The episode also explores the hard lessons that came with overtraining, learning to listen to her body, and turning past struggles, including her recovery from an eating disorder, into strength and self-awareness.

In classic Diggins fashion, the conversation dives into the “pain cave” that place of pure effort where physical limits meet mental grit. Jessie shares how she developed her now-iconic ability to push past pain and stay present under pressure, and how her motivation has evolved from chasing results to using her platform for something greater. It’s an inspiring, candid, and often funny conversation that captures the true spirit of one of the world’s toughest and most joyful endurance athletes.

In this listener-driven episode of the Race Ready Podcast, Andy Newell and Brian Halligan open with stories from Soldier Hollow, Whitefish, and early-season training camps before diving into a stack of listener questions. The duo explores the value of lactate testing for master skiers—when it’s worth the investment, when “easy, medium, hard” is good enough, and why feel still matters more than lab data. Along the way they touch on muscular endurance, polarized training balance, and the eternal challenge of stress versus recovery.

Mid-episode, conversation turns to one of the sport’s more uncomfortable topics: doping. Drawing from the 1990s and early-2000s cross-country scene, Andy recounts the dark years of EPO, the fallout from the Finnish and Austrian scandals, and how those moments shaped the ethics of endurance sport today. Brian weighs in on biathlon’s past and the controversial idea of “enhanced games,” prompting a candid discussion about performance, fairness, and athlete health.

To close, the hosts tackle health and longevity on a more personal level—how to adjust training after illness or injury, why recovery doesn’t erase fitness, and how patience pays off when returning to snow. They connect lessons from World Cup pros like Julia Kern and Dario Cologna to everyday athletes balancing family, work, and racing goals. It’s a thoughtful, wide-ranging episode packed with real-world coaching insight, endurance wisdom, and plenty of laughs from the trail.

Conconi test

In this episode of the Race Ready Podcast, host Andy Newell sits down with Dr. Lauren Loberg, a performance psychology consultant whose experience spans the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team, the NFL, and elite winter sport athletes. Together, they explore the mental side of high-performance sport — from stress management and emotional regulation to the importance of mental “prehab” for preventing burnout and injury. Lauren shares her own journey from Division I athlete to sports psychologist, revealing how personal setbacks inspired her mission to help athletes build resilience and self-awareness both on and off the field.

The conversation dives into the evolution of sports psychology into what Lauren calls performance psychology — a holistic approach that extends beyond competition to everyday life. She explains how modern mental training isn’t just for fixing problems but for strengthening the mind before challenges arise. Topics include reframing negative thoughts, balancing recovery with motivation, and cultivating mental toughness through awareness and repetition. Andy reflects on his own experiences as an athlete and coach, highlighting how mental fatigue, self-talk, and visualization all influence performance during the racing season.

In the final part of the episode, Lauren and Andy discuss the power of visualization, flow states, and positive self-talk in unlocking an athlete’s best performances. They unpack what really goes through an elite skier’s mind during high-pressure moments — such as Olympic races — and how athletes can learn to focus on what they can control, even amid chaos. Whether you’re a developing skier, coach, or parent, this conversation offers tangible insights into building confidence, managing anxiety, and approaching sport — and life — with a healthier, more sustainable mindset.

In this episode of the Race Ready Podcast, hosts Andy Newell and Brian Halligan dive deep into the benefits and challenges of altitude training. They share insights from observing world-class athletes like Johannes Høsflot Klæbo and Emil Iversen training in Park City, and discuss how altitude adaptation varies from athlete to athlete. The conversation covers what it means to be an “altitude responder,” why timing and duration matter, and how to maximize gains without overloading the body.

From there, the discussion shifts to the role of cycling in modern ski training. The hosts compare philosophies from international coaches—some favoring running for its ski-specific benefits, others increasingly turning to cycling as a lower-impact way to build volume. Drawing from their own coaching experience, they explore how athletes can strategically add cycling into their plans, whether as early-season base work or as a recovery tool during interval-heavy training blocks.

The episode rounds out with listener questions on fall training topics, including how to adjust workouts when sick, best practices for strength phases, and creative solutions for athletes without access to long training hills. Andy and Brian emphasize practical, real-world advice: prioritize recovery when illness strikes, focus on technique before heavy lifting, and adapt training creatively to your environment. Packed with actionable takeaways, this conversation offers both athletes and coaches tools to fine-tune their approach heading into the race season.

Linked study about Max Strength

In this episode of Race Ready, hosts Andy Newell and Brian Halligan welcome three-time Olympian and World Championship medalist Susan Dunklee for a wide-ranging conversation about her journey from Vermont ski racer to international biathlon standout. Susan reflects on her early days growing up in a skiing family, her transition into biathlon through the early days of "Project X", and the pivotal advice from her father that set her on the path to competing at the highest level. She shares stories of racing in front of massive European crowds, breakthrough performances on the World Cup, and the psychological challenges of balancing ski speed with precision shooting.

The discussion also dives into Susan’s training philosophies and the adjustments she made throughout her career to remain competitive over 11 seasons on the World Cup. She explains how she tackled weaknesses on the shooting range, developed resilience through process-oriented racing, and found balance by embracing her community at the Craftsbury Outdoor Center. The hosts highlight her 2017 World Championship silver medal performance as a career-defining moment and explore what it meant for American biathlon to achieve international success. Susan also offers perspective on longevity in elite sport, emphasizing the importance of keeping training fun and building supportive team cultures.

Now serving as the Director of Biathlon at Craftsbury, Susan reflects on her transition into coaching and mentoring the next generation. She shares insights on teaching fundamentals, fostering a learning mindset in young athletes, and even creating lasting traditions like the “silver bib” for older competitors. The conversation rounds out with Susan’s work supporting para athletes and her passion for growing inclusive communities in sport. This episode is both an inspiring look back at a decorated career and a forward-looking exploration of how one athlete’s legacy continues to shape the future of biathlon.

In this episode of the Race Ready Podcast, Andy Newell and Brian Halligan sit down with Chris Grover, longtime U.S. Ski Team coach and current program director for cross-country skiing. Grover shares his perspective on what it takes to bring more World Cup events to the United States, the financial and logistical hurdles behind them, and how climate change and global economics are shaping the international race calendar. From Lake Placid’s 2026 World Cup Finals to new race formats at the Tour de Ski, listeners get a rare look at the forces shaping the future of World Cup skiing.

Grover also reflects on his journey from an Anchorage high school skier to Dartmouth racer, to decades of coaching at Stratton, Sun Valley, and the U.S. Ski Team. Along the way, he highlights the mentors who shaped him, the shift toward a “servant leadership” coaching philosophy, and the importance of building strong support networks for athletes. The conversation dives into the growth of American skiing over the past two decades—from early podium breakthroughs to the U.S. becoming a top-five nation on the World Cup circuit.

Finally, the discussion turns to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Grover shares insights into managing Olympic quota spots, the evolution of national team staffing, and the collaboration between U.S. Ski Team and club coaches across the country. With the looming retirement of Jessie Diggins and the push to develop the next generation, Grover explains what it will take to keep U.S. skiing moving forward. It’s a candid and inspiring conversation about leadership, culture, and the ongoing journey of American cross-country skiing.

In this episode of the Race Ready Podcast, Andy Newell and Brian Halligan dive into the lessons learned from Andy’s recent experience at UTMB and how they translate to building resilience as an athlete. From the challenges of fueling and sodium balance to the mental process of evaluating performance after a tough race, Andy shares candid insights into the realities of long-distance competition and what it takes to bounce back stronger.

The conversation explores the concept of durability in endurance sports, often referred to as the “fourth pillar” alongside aerobic capacity, economy, and threshold efficiency. Andy and Brian discuss how athletes can cultivate durability not just physically, but mentally, through consistent training, technique work, and maintaining a problem-solving mindset. They connect these ideas to both master skiers and competitive runners, offering practical takeaways for anyone striving to improve.

Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or someone signing up for your first big race, this episode highlights the importance of resilience in sport and in life. With stories from the trail, reflections on biomechanics and physiology, and a healthy dose of humor, Andy and Brian provide inspiration and actionable advice for athletes looking to push their limits and “blast” their next challenge.

In this episode of the Race Ready Podcast, Andy Newell and Brian Halligan sit down with Olympian and legendary coach Jim Galanes for an in-depth conversation on training philosophy, athlete development, and the evolution of Nordic skiing in the United States. The discussion begins with the “dog days of summer” training block, where both coaches reflect on the heavy training loads their athletes are absorbing. Jim shares stories from his own Olympic career in the 1970s and 80s, highlighting the massive training volumes of that era and how his perspective has shifted toward smarter, more sustainable approaches to building endurance today.

The conversation then turns to the state of U.S. skiing development. Jim details his transition from athlete to coach, his role in pioneering club-based programs like APU and Stratton, and his philosophy on keeping young athletes engaged in sport for as long as possible. He raises concerns about the high financial cost of skiing, early specialization pressures, and the way current systems risk “selecting out” athletes too young. Instead, Jim argues for strengthening community-based skiing, providing consistent coaching, and building a culture of lifelong participation—lessons he believes are critical for long-term national success.

Finally, the episode dives into science-based training tools and recovery strategies. Jim explains his use of HRV (heart rate variability), EPOC, and other metrics to balance stress and recovery, helping athletes avoid overtraining and maximize adaptation. He and the hosts discuss fueling strategies, controlled intensity, and the importance of technique and strength development for juniors. From practical tips for everyday athletes to reflections on the Norwegian training model, this episode blends history, science, and coaching wisdom into a compelling conversation for skiers, coaches, and endurance athletes alike.

In this episode of the Race Ready Podcast, hosts Andy Newell and Brian Halligan dig into listener questions and explore the nuances of summer training for cross-country skiing and biathlon. They kick things off with reflections on their own recent workouts, highlighting the contrast between long, steady L3 intervals and high-tempo double-pole sessions. This sets the stage for a broader discussion on how different workout modalities stress the body in unique ways—whether it’s durability in the upper body, aerobic efficiency, or technical precision.

The first major listener question tackles training periodization. Andy and Brian unpack the Arthur Lydiard model, its emphasis on base building, and how those ideas align (and sometimes diverge) from modern ski training. They break down concepts like macro and micro periodization, meso cycles, and how coaches plan volume, threshold, and high-intensity work across the year. The conversation also branches into examples from top athletes like Noah Hoffman and Nils van der Poel, and the hosts emphasize the importance of knowing the athlete, balancing training loads, and planning recovery to avoid burnout.

Later, the duo address practical listener questions about classic vs. skate roller skiing, the importance of double-pole training, and even equipment quirks like roller skis with extended wheelbases. Throughout, Andy and Brian weave in their coaching philosophies, personal experiences, and anecdotes from athletes at different levels. The result is an engaging, highly informative episode that blends science, coaching insight, and listener-driven curiosity, perfect for athletes, coaches, and ski enthusiasts looking to fine-tune their training approach and stay motivated through the off-season.

How to Skate a 10K

In this episode of the Race Ready Podcast, Andy Newell and Brian Halligan sit down with U.S. Ski Team standout Ben Ogden for an in-depth conversation about his journey from small-town Vermont skier to World Cup podium contender. Ben shares how the ski culture in Southern Vermont, with deep community roots and role models like the Caldwells and his own family, gave him the belief that a professional ski career was possible. He reflects on his time at UVM, why he chose to pursue a degree in engineering while racing at an elite level, and the challenges of balancing NCAA competition with World Cup and Olympic aspirations.

The discussion dives into Ogden’s development as an athlete, including his close relationship with coach Patrick Weaver and the way he now takes ownership of his training plans. He opens up about lessons learned from sickness setbacks, the importance of managing energy throughout the long World Cup season, and how he’s beginning to incorporate more self-directed decisions like altitude camps. Ben also shares how training at the Center of Excellence in Park City has helped him refine his strength work and prevent injuries, highlighting the importance of technique and intent in the weight room.

Finally, the conversation explores the dynamic within the current U.S. men’s team, which Ogden describes as one of the strongest and most supportive groups in program history. From his battles and friendship with Gus Schumacher to the camaraderie that keeps the team motivated through the highs and lows of World Cup life, Ben emphasizes how essential teamwork is in what is often overseen as an individual sport. With insights into training philosophy, career balance, and the unique culture of American skiing, this episode offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at one of the sport’s rising stars.