Jessie Young isn’t just keeping up—she’s setting the pace. Fresh off an impressive performance at the SKIMO World Cup in Spain, Jessie joins Travis Macy to talk about making the A final alongside her racing partner, Cam Smith, proving that experience, strategy, and grit can go toe-to-toe with raw youth.

A mother of two balancing elite competition, family life, and work, Jessie shares how she ramped up training in October with coach Josiah Middaugh, focusing on VO2 max and threshold workouts to sharpen her speed. She breaks down the art of the mixed relay—why nailing transitions is everything—and how her recent sprint race win at the US National Championships solidified her focus on Olympic qualification.

Travis and Jessie dig into the mindset, resilience, and tactical preparation it takes to compete at the highest level, especially when most of the competition is nearly two decades younger. Jessie’s story is one of pure determination, and with more World Cup races ahead, she’s all in on helping Team USA lock down an Olympic quota.

If you need a dose of motivation, this episode delivers.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Thanks to our sponsor CAMP

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Learn more about Travis Macy and Cam Smith

Follow along with Skimo Gold and the Travis Macy Show

Skimo Gold is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.

From tearing it up on the World Cup circuit to juggling tennis balls on the start line, Max Drion brings a whole new level of skill, strategy, and fun to SKIMO racing. In this episode, hosts Travis Macy and Cam Smith sit down with the Belgian champ to talk about his journey from discovering ski mountaineering in Switzerland to becoming an 11-time World Cup medalist and Olympic hopeful.

Max shares what it takes to compete at the highest level—his first World Cup win in 2021, the mental coaching techniques that help him push past limits, and his fueling strategies. He also opens up about the balance between training and adventure, the unique camaraderie among World Cup athletes, and his vision for growing ski mountaineering in Belgium.

Plus, Travis and Cam dig into Max’s unconventional race prep, his YouTube channel packed with training insights, and—yes—the story behind his pre-race juggling routine.  This episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and a whole lot of stoke. Let’s go!

Max on Instagram | YouTube

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Thanks to our sponsor CAMP

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Learn more about Travis Macy and Cam Smith

Follow along with Skimo Gold and the Travis Macy Show

Skimo Gold is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.

Elite skimo racer, adventure athlete, and all-around mountain machine Rea Kolbl joins SKIMO Gold to talk about her journey from gymnastics to the high-altitude world of ski mountaineering. Co-hosts Travis Macy and Cam Smith dive into Rea’s diverse background in mountain running, OCR, and adventure racing, and how all of it has shaped her approach to SKIMO.

With her sights set on the 2026 Olympics, Rea breaks down the mixed relay event—what it takes to compete at the highest level, the precision of sprint racing, and how the right fueling and gear choices make all the difference. She also shares a candid look at her recent battle with mono, how it forced her to rethink training, and why rest and recovery have become key to her performance.

Beyond the racecourse, Rea discusses Slovenian sports culture, the balance of training with real life, and how she’s helping other athletes through her coaching business. If you’re looking for insights on endurance, resilience, and what it takes to reach the top, this episode is packed with it. Let’s go!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Thanks to our sponsor CAMP

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Learn more about Travis Macy and Cam Smith

Follow along with Skimo Gold and the Travis Macy Show

Skimo Gold is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.

Welcome to the premiere episode of SKIMO Gold! Hosts Travis Macy and Cam Smith kick things off with a deep dive into Cam’s 2025 season—one packed with high-altitude racing, Olympic aspirations, and, yes, a meticulous croissant tally (52 and counting).

Fresh off a standout performance at the World Cup in Andorra, Cam breaks down Team USA’s strategy in the mixed relay event, a crucial step in securing a quota spot for the 2026 Olympics. He shares insights into relay dynamics, the mental and physical demands of SKIMO racing, and how he balances elite-level training with his work at the Adaptive Sports Center.

Beyond the lung-burning ascents and lightning-fast transitions, Cam opens up about the mental side of competition, the role of a sports psychologist in his journey, and how he stays motivated through setbacks and injuries. Plus, hear about his plans for the World Cup relays and his big goal: the Mountain Trail World Championships in September.

Join us for this exciting first episode—Cam will be co-hosting SKIMO Gold regularly, bringing you insider knowledge, athlete stories, and plenty of stoke for the sport. Let’s go!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Thanks to our sponsor CAMP

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Learn more about Travis Macy and Cam Smith

Follow along with Skimo Gold and the Travis Macy Show

Skimo Gold is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.

The premier podcast for ski mountaineering competition and participation.  Explore the high-altitude, high-stakes world of ski mountaineering as elite athletes prepare for Olympic competition and beyond.  From the World Cup podium to the local skintrack, SKIMO GOLD is THE podcast for smooth-gliding, quick-transitioning, lung-burning, kick-turning beta on training, racing, gear, fueling, mindset, and–most importantly–FUN!  Join hosts Travis Macy and Cam Smith regularly for novel conversations with the world’s best athletes, coaches, organizers, and skimo aficionados.  

Episodes in production:

1. Cam Smith, USA National Champion and Team USA Olympic hopeful
2. Rea Kolbl, Team Slovenia Olympic hopeful
3. Jessie Young, USA National Champion, Team USA Olympic hopeful
4. Davide Giardini, Boulder Skimo
5. Sarah Cookler, Team USA Skimo Head of Sport
6. Pete Swenson, skimo legend and pioneer

Subscribe now and share with your friends!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Thanks to our sponsor CAMP

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Learn more about Travis Macy and Cam Smith

Follow along with Skimo Gold and the Travis Macy Show

Skimo Gold is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.