Most racers try to fix their problems by just riding more, swapping parts, or blaming “arm pump,” but never really look at their weakest links. In this episode of Seat Time, former factory pro and Troll Training coach Alex Martin breaks down why your real gains probably aren’t on the track, and how to build the aerobic base, strength, and fueling habits that actually move the needle on race day.

We dig into:

• Why the “ride more” mentality holds most riders back and how periodizing your year (strength, cardio, sprint, technique phases) unlocks real progress.
• How to honestly identify weaknesses you’ve been avoiding (starts, sprint speed, technique, fitness) and bake them into your weekly routine without killing the fun.
• Trusting the bike: understanding setup limits, making smart changes, and taking responsibility instead of blaming suspension, engines, or frames.
• Arm pump fixes that go beyond gimmicks: strength, aerobic fitness, technique, bike setup, and the mental side of pushing past your usual practice intensity.
• Alex’s “big 5” strength moves for riders (deadlifts, single‑leg work, squats, and key upper‑body presses) and why dumbbells often beat machines.
• Using wearables (Whoop, Oura, Garmin) and blood work the right way—getting helpful data without letting HRV scores or recovery numbers wreck your head.
• Practical race‑day and training‑day nutrition: carbs per hour, sodium, training your gut, and simple rules so normal humans can fuel like serious racers.
• Why investing in quality food, sleep, and long‑term health is one of the most underrated performance upgrades in dirt biking.

This is Mindset of the Racer – Episode 2, a 12‑episode 2026 series on the Seat Time podcast feed focused on the mental side of going faster, riding longer, and enjoying dirt bikes more.

If this conversation resonates, share it with a riding buddy who takes racing (or themselves) a little too seriously, and make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss the next Mindset of the Racer episode.

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Episode Links:

• The Ride More Mentality
• Troll Training

Seat Time exists to keep you stoked on two wheels! We create entertaining and educational content to get your prepared for the single track, and keep you riding longer once on the bike.🤘🏻🤙🏻⚡️ 

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Tyler Baumann is the younger brother to Mathew Baumann, and it sounds like they have an awesome 2026 lined up. Tyler shares how they plan to tackle the 2026 US Hard Enduro Series, as well as a few hard enduro suspension setups tricks I hadn’t heard before. We look forward to seeing which brother comes out on top in Johnson Valley.

These King of the Motos preview interviews are to try and build hype around the 2026 King of the Motos and the US Hard Enduro Series. Share with your riding buddies so they can enjoy the good times while listening or watching. 

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• Motorcycles & Coffee

Seat Time exists to keep you stoked on two wheels! We create entertaining and educational content to get your prepared for the single track, and keep you riding longer once on the bike.🤘🏻🤙🏻⚡️ 

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Tobin Miller is an up and coming young hard enduro racer. He’s excited for the support from Championship Brick Racing for the 2026 US HArd Enduro season. With GPS training out of the way from last years Moto Madness, he’s ready to take on the terrain that Johnson Valley has to offer. 

These King of the Motos preview interviews are to try and build hype around the 2026 King of the Motos and the US Hard Enduro Series. Share with your riding buddies so they can enjoy the good times while listening or watching. 

Sponsor Links:

• Motorcycles & Coffee

Seat Time exists to keep you stoked on two wheels! We create entertaining and educational content to get your prepared for the single track, and keep you riding longer once on the bike.🤘🏻🤙🏻⚡️

Support the show

Mathew Baumann is coming to the States from Canada for his first trip to King of the Motos. He’ll be traveling the U.S Hard Enduro Series in 2026 with his brother Tyler. I’m excited to see what this Canadian duo think of the Johnson Valley area and to see how they place at the first hard enduro round.

These King of the Motos preview interviews are to try and build hype around the 2026 King of the Motos and the US Hard Enduro Series. Share with your riding buddies so they can enjoy the good times while listening or watching. 

Sponsor Links:

• Motorcycles & Coffee

Seat Time exists to keep you stoked on two wheels! We create entertaining and educational content to get your prepared for the single track, and keep you riding longer once on the bike.🤘🏻🤙🏻⚡️

Support the show

Nick Poochachoff is moving up to the pro class this year in Hard Enduro for the challenge. As the courses have been evolving, he believes he’ll be more challenged with what the 2026 US Hard Enduro Series pro courses have to offer. He’s also riding a beta, which means I had a lot of questions for him and his mustache. 

These King of the Motos preview interviews are to try and build hype around the 2026 King of the Motos and the US Hard Enduro Series. Share with your riding buddies so they can enjoy the good times while listening or watching. 

Sponsor Links:

• Motorcycles & Coffee

Seat Time exists to keep you stoked on two wheels! We create entertaining and educational content to get your prepared for the single track, and keep you riding longer once on the bike.🤘🏻🤙🏻⚡️

Support the show

Jack Williford is joining the Pro Class this year for the US Hard Enduro Series. To help make the transition smoother, he’s been taking lessons with IRC’s own Rich Larsen. He and his Beta are excited for the challenge of technical terrain and bitching hill climbs. 

These King of the Motos preview interviews are to try and build hype around the 2026 King of the Motos and the US Hard Enduro Series. Share with your riding buddies so they can enjoy the good times while listening or watching. 

Sponsor Links:

• Motorcycles & Coffee

Seat Time exists to keep you stoked on two wheels! We create entertaining and educational content to get your prepared for the single track, and keep you riding longer once on the bike.🤘🏻🤙🏻⚡️

Support the show

Justin Leineweber has been the man in charge of the King of the Motos for the past couple years. He works tirelessly to make sure KOM evolves, and that the hard enduro racers are being challenged. Though King of the Motos has always been a GPS based event, it sounds like it’s evolving to rely less on the GPS. We’re also excited to see what the course additions will bring for the 2026 edition.

These King of the Motos preview interviews are to try and build hype around the 2026 King of the Motos and the US Hard Enduro Series. Share with your riding buddies so they can enjoy the good times while listening or watching. 

Sponsor Links:

• Motorcycles & Coffee

Seat Time exists to keep you stoked on two wheels! We create entertaining and educational content to get your prepared for the single track, and keep you riding longer once on the bike.🤘🏻🤙🏻⚡️

Support the show

Braxton Hintze is currently riding for Fantic USA, but the road there was a wild one. He was one of the riders with the rug pulled out from underneath them when Factory 1 Sherco USA went under. We discuss how he’s evolving his Fantic 300 Two Stroke, and how he’s preparing for the 2026 King of the Motos.

These King of the Motos preview interviews are to try and build hype around the 2026 King of the Motos and the US Hard Enduro Series. Share with your riding buddies so they can enjoy the good times while listening or watching. 

Sponsor Links:

• Motorcycles & Coffee

Seat Time exists to keep you stoked on two wheels! We create entertaining and educational content to get your prepared for the single track, and keep you riding longer once on the bike.🤘🏻🤙🏻⚡️ 

Support the show

Devin Funaro is the creator of Crosslinked Components, and they make hard enduro parts for hard enduro riders! We caught up on riding with buddies, hard enduro tire testing, and the evolution of Crosslinked Components. He’ll be putting his parts to the test soon at the 2026 King of the Motos.

These King of the Motos preview interviews are to try and build hype around the 2026 King of the Motos and the US Hard Enduro Series. Share with your riding buddies so they can enjoy the good times while listening or watching. 

Sponsor Links:

• Motorcycles & Coffee

Seat Time exists to keep you stoked on two wheels! We create entertaining and educational content to get your prepared for the single track, and keep you riding longer once on the bike.🤘🏻🤙🏻⚡️ 

Support the show

Jean Derek Côté is a shop owner, JD Motorsports, and hard enduro racer out of Quebec, Canada. Even though his area of Canada is under snow this time of year, he’s been putting in the work to be prepared for the King of the Motos. His travel schedule to make it to all of the 2026 US Hard Enduro rounds is insane. It makes my 2025 National Enduro run look like child's play.

These King of the Motos preview interviews are to try and build hype around the 2026 King of the Motos and the US Hard Enduro Series. Share with your riding buddies so they can enjoy the good times while listening or watching. 

Sponsor Links:

• Motorcycles & Coffee

Seat Time exists to keep you stoked on two wheels! We create entertaining and educational content to get your prepared for the single track, and keep you riding longer once on the bike.🤘🏻🤙🏻⚡️ 

Support the show