The Mind Mountain Podcast

We were lucky enough to spend the week in Whistler at the 2024 Crankworx Mountain Bike Festival, where we connected with some of the best riders in the world!

Take a listen to get a peak into the world of mtb athletes, performing at the highest level.

In this episode, we caught up with as many riders as we could in the pits of the RockShox Canadian Open DH, on the Stevie Smith Memorial, 1199 DH track.

Keep an eye out for episode 2 dropping next week, with interviews spanning riders and events from across the board.



A big shout out to @vinceh03_ for filming the action! 

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𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗴𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 Full Circle MTB Mentorship 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗵👇
themindmountain.com/squamish-coaching-package

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THE MIND MOUNTAIN
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Instagram @the_mind_mountain
Facebook @themindmountain
YouTube @the_mind_mountian



DISCLAIMER: The opinions, thoughts, and views in the content created by The Mind Mountain, the Grit With Wisdom Podcast, and Jake Johnstone, including the guests they interview, are solely their own and do not reflect the official policy or position of any other organization, person, or company mentioned or featured in the podcast. ...

Join us today for an insightful episode featuring Ian Lowe, the Executive Director of the Squamish Off Road Cycling Association (SORCA), which recently celebrated its 32nd year. For over 20 years, Ian has personally been a driving force in the mountain biking community, bringing his extensive background in leadership, management, and community volunteering to the forefront.

Ian's passion for mountain biking and his vibrant community spirit have made him a well-known figure, known for his creative race costumes and commitment to making racing inclusive and fun. In this episode, we delve into Ian's journey into mountain biking, exploring some of his challenges and triumphs along the way.

We also discuss:

• Navigating the challenges and injuries associated with mountain biking
• Mental tricks for big days in the saddle
• The development of SORCA and its impact on the local mountain biking community over the past 32 years
• Advocacy and collaboration efforts with the Squamish Nation
• The importance of respecting land ownership and sustainable trail building
• The economic impact of mountain biking and its future prospects
• How SORCA membership dollars are utilized to support the community

Tune in to gain insights into Ian's mindset and the incredible work he's doing to promote and enhance Mountain Biking in Squamish.


Ian's book recommendation (which I now second), 21 Things You May Not Know About The Indian Act can be found via this link.

You can buy a SORCA Membership or support the trails via a donation at Sorca.ca

___________________________

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themindmountain.com/mental-about-mtb-application

Want to work with me?

Join us on a Global MTB Expedition👇
themindmountain.com/globalmountainbikecoaching

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗴𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 Full Circle MTB Mentorship 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗵👇
themindmountain.com/squamish-coaching-package

___________________________

THE MIND MOUNTAIN
themindmountain.com
Instagram @the_mind_mountain
Facebook @themindmountain
YouTube @the_mind_mountian



DISCLAIMER: The opinions, thoughts, and views in the content created by The Mind Mountain, the Grit With Wisdom Podcast, and Jake Johnstone, including the guests they interview, are solely their own and do not reflect the official policy or position of any other organization, person, or company mentioned or featured in the podcast. ...

We're back for a brand new season of the podcast, and to celebrate our 3rd year, we have an extra special guest. Today, I sit down with Squamish local legend, Greg Day.

Greg has a rich history in mountain biking, starting with racing XC and going on to compete in hundreds of races, becoming the Overall Champion of the BC Bike Race three times.

As a former school teacher and competitive skier, Greg has a diverse perspective across education and competition. These days, he runs Daytime Cycling, offering unique spin classes, full-service bike maintenance, and a retail shop.

Known locally for his inspiring race-day stories and his ability to bring out the best in people, Greg has launched a new Marathon XC Mountain Bike race in Squamish called the Haulback. At ~ 34 km and ~ 1,269 m, with a mix of classic trails and a few hidden gems it's sure to be a brilliant test of determination and skill.  The race is happening on June 22nd and rumour has it, there are a couple of spots left!

The Sports Psychology For Cyclists book by Peg Hill that Greg references can be found here. And you can check out @thehaulback and @day.time.cycling on Instagram via these links.

Photo Credit: Andrew Hughes

___________________________

FREE Mental About MTB Community with direct access to me 👇
themindmountain.com/mental-about-mtb-application

Want to work with me?

Join us on a Global MTB Expedition👇
themindmountain.com/globalmountainbikecoaching

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗴𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 Full Circle MTB Mentorship 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗵👇
themindmountain.com/squamish-coaching-package

___________________________

THE MIND MOUNTAIN
themindmountain.com
Instagram @the_mind_mountain
Facebook @themindmountain
YouTube @the_mind_mountian



DISCLAIMER: The opinions, thoughts, and views in the content created by The Mind Mountain, the Grit With Wisdom Podcast, and Jake Johnstone, including the guests they interview, are solely their own and do not reflect the official policy or position of any other organization, person, or company mentioned or featured in the podcast. ...

On today's episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Ciaran King, an elite Downhill Mountain Biker turned Certified High-Performance coach.

Ciaran's journey has been marked by challenges, including significant injuries and confidence battles. Yet, he's transformed these obstacles into sources of motivation.

Now, he's committed to passing on his hard-earned insights to the next generation of riders. With a keen focus on promoting positive mental health and performance in mountain biking, Ciaran not only shares his experiences but also offers actionable tools and guidance to help you reach your peak performance.

During the conversation, we touch on:

• How to get clear and intentional with your riding
• How to set and keep track of goals
• Managing focus and strategies for re-focusing
• Building self-belief and confidence
• Strategies for mental performance on race day

Join us as we delve into Ciaran's inspiring story and learn practical strategies we can all adopt to enhance our mindset for riding.


You can follow along with Ciaran's racing journey @ciaranking12 on Instagram, and check out his coaching @peakin_high_performance.

___________________________

FREE Mental About MTB Community with direct access to me 👇
themindmountain.com/mental-about-mtb-application

Want to work with me?

Join us on a Global MTB Expedition👇
themindmountain.com/globalmountainbikecoaching

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗴𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 Full Circle MTB Mentorship 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗵👇
themindmountain.com/squamish-coaching-package

___________________________

THE MIND MOUNTAIN
themindmountain.com
Instagram @the_mind_mountain
Facebook @themindmountain
YouTube @the_mind_mountian



DISCLAIMER: The opinions, thoughts, and views in the content created by The Mind Mountain, the Grit With Wisdom Podcast, and Jake Johnstone, including the guests they interview, are solely their own and do not reflect the official policy or position of any other organization, person, or company mentioned or featured in the podcast. ...

In this episode, I catch up with Louise-Anna Ferguson, better known as Lou, 

Originally from Fort William, Scotland, Lou now calls Queenstown, New Zealand, her home, where she's immersed in the thriving mountain biking scene.

Lou's approach to the sport is all about letting her riding skills do the talking. Her passion for uplifting everyone in the community shines through, whether she's leading Women's progression camps or participating in freeride events.

Fresh from her debut season on the global racing circuit, which included stops at the DH World Cup, Crankworx, and the Red Bull Formation, Lou joins me for a chat about her journey thus far.

We cover a range of topics including: 

• The challenges of competing at the World Cup level 
• Managing race day nerves and fear 
• What you can and can't control in racing
• The importance of being honest yet kind to yourself.
• The Art of Track Walks and Visualization

So tune in as we explore the world of professional mountain biking through Lou's eyes, and discover the insights she's gained along the way.

You can follow along with Lou's journey on Instagram @loufergmtb and follow her new team @intensefactoryracing.

___________________________

FREE Mental About MTB Community with direct access to me 👇
themindmountain.com/mental-about-mtb-application

Want to work with me?

Join us on a Global MTB Expedition👇
themindmountain.com/globalmountainbikecoaching

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗴𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 Full Circle MTB Mentorship 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗵👇
themindmountain.com/squamish-coaching-package

___________________________

THE MIND MOUNTAIN
themindmountain.com
Instagram @the_mind_mountain
Facebook @themindmountain
YouTube @the_mind_mountian



DISCLAIMER: The opinions, thoughts, and views in the content created by The Mind Mountain, the Grit With Wisdom Podcast, and Jake Johnstone, including the guests they interview, are solely their own and do not reflect the official policy or position of any other organization, person, or company mentioned or featured in the podcast. ...

In this episode, we caught up with Natasha Bradley, an English rider making waves in Queenstown, New Zealand. 

Natasha is a standout multidisciplinary rider known for her infectious enthusiasm and versatility across BMX, Enduro, Freeride, and DH racing.

A true force to be reckoned with, she secured the 'true blue' award at the Dark Horse Women’s freeride event last year, and more recently won the annual McGazza Fest crainless race - as well as putting on an impressive show at the Dream Line freeride jam.

In this episode, we delve into:

• Harnessing nervous energy for peak performance.
• Natasha's distinct mental approach across various riding disciplines.
• Coping techniques for those inevitable off-feeling days.
• Valuable insights from running her coaching business in the UK at just 22 years old.
• The power of visualization in her riding progression.
• Strategies for keeping the joy alive and focusing on your strengths.

Tune in for a conversation packed with wisdom, shared experiences, and the lively spirit that Natasha brings to the mountain biking community.

You can find Natasha on Instagram @natasha_bradleyy.

___________________________

FREE Mental About MTB Community with direct access to me 👇
themindmountain.com/mental-about-mtb-application

Want to work with me?

Join us on a Global MTB Expedition👇
themindmountain.com/globalmountainbikecoaching

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗴𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 Full Circle MTB Mentorship 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗵👇
themindmountain.com/squamish-coaching-package

___________________________

THE MIND MOUNTAIN
themindmountain.com
Instagram @the_mind_mountain
Facebook @themindmountain
YouTube @the_mind_mountian



DISCLAIMER: The opinions, thoughts, and views in the content created by The Mind Mountain, the Grit With Wisdom Podcast, and Jake Johnstone, including the guests they interview, are solely their own and do not reflect the official policy or position of any other organization, person, or company mentioned or featured in the podcast. ...

This episode of the podcast brings you an engaging conversation with my friend and fellow coach, Piyush Chavan. 

Hailing from India, Piyush started his mountain biking journey as part of a tight-knit group of riders. After cutting his teeth in downhill races in Nepal, he found inspiration to embrace a biking lifestyle in New Zealand, drawn by the allure of the mountain playground that is Queenstown. 

During the conversation, we touch on:

• Managing emotions like fear and anger
• Rebuilding confidence post-crash
• Body Dynamics & Building Muscle Memory
• The connection between off-bike mindfulness practice and building composure on the bike.
• Managing attention and focus

Listen in to discover Piyush's fascinating journey, from studying tourism business management to establishing his coaching business in Queenstown in 2021, serving hundreds of clients. Beyond being a weapon on the bike, Piyush shares his profound insights gained from off-bike pursuits like meditation retreats, yoga, and mindfulness practices, which he seamlessly integrates into his riding and coaching.


You can follow Piyush and Treadmark on Instagram @treadmarknz and check out their website here: https://www.treadmark.co.nz/

We rode the super fun trail, Squid Run at Skyline Bike Park before recording this chat and it was epic to see Piyush in action, composed and playful - I highly recommend watching that video over on my YouTube channel @jakejohnstone.

___________________________

FREE Mental About MTB Community with direct access to me 👇
themindmountain.com/mental-about-mtb-application

Want to work with me?

Join us on a Global MTB Expedition👇
themindmountain.com/globalmountainbikecoaching

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗴𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 Full Circle MTB Mentorship 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗵👇
themindmountain.com/squamish-coaching-package

___________________________

THE MIND MOUNTAIN
themindmountain.com
Instagram @the_mind_mountain
Facebook @themindmountain
YouTube @the_mind_mountian



DISCLAIMER: The opinions, thoughts, and views in the content created by The Mind Mountain, the Grit With Wisdom Podcast, and Jake Johnstone, including the guests they interview, are solely their own and do not reflect the official policy or position of any other organization, person, or company mentioned or featured in the podcast. ...

On this episode, I sit down with Steve Vanderhoek. Steve is a North Shore-born and bread mountain biker, trailbuilder and a professional firefighter/paramedic.

He is known for building and riding some of the most precise, exposed, and high-consequence lines in the area, and along with his long-time partner Kelsey Toevs, makes some of the most creative and jaw-dropping mtb films around. (Hear from Kelsey in the previous episode). 

After recovering from a year-long string of injuries that occurred while riding his own North Shore feature, the pair went on the win the 2023 Crankworx Dirt Diaries filmmaking contest in which Steve returned and rode the safe death-defying line.

During this wide ranging conversation we chat about:

• His background and influences in the early North Shore Freeride scene.
• His 2022 'into the gnar' injury and the lead up to that.
• The journey of recovery and what he has learned.
• Managing concussion and life stressors.
• How to re-build skills ands confidence post injury.
• How he know's when to send it.

And much, much more!


You can follow along for the ride with Steve @svanderhoek on Instagram, and @stevevanderhoek1304 on YouTube.

All images were taken and supplied by Kelsey Toevs.

___________________________

FREE Mental About MTB Community with direct access to me 👇
themindmountain.com/mental-about-mtb-application

Want to work with me?

Join us on a Global MTB Expedition👇
themindmountain.com/globalmountainbikecoaching

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗴𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 Full Circle MTB Mentorship 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗵👇
themindmountain.com/squamish-coaching-package

___________________________

THE MIND MOUNTAIN
themindmountain.com
Instagram @the_mind_mountain
Facebook @themindmountain
YouTube @the_mind_mountian



DISCLAIMER: The opinions, thoughts, and views in the content created by The Mind Mountain, the Grit With Wisdom Podcast, and Jake Johnstone, including the guests they interview, are solely their own and do not reflect the official policy or position of any other organization, person, or company mentioned or featured in the podcast. ...

Today on the podcast I got to chat with Kelsey Toevs. Kelsey is a professional filmmaker and photographer based out of North Vancouver. 

Growing up in Lynn Valley, Kelsey has been combining her passion for Mountain Biking, Snowboarding, and filmmaking since a young age. 

When she met her longtime partner in crime, local free-rider Steve Vanderhoek, they combined forces and set out to help each other push their creative boundaries in the Mountain Biking scene. 

With an impressive portfolio of work too large to list here, Kelsey has gone from filming Steve's stunts purely for fun, to working with Red Bull and Anthill Films - two of the biggest producers in the industry.

On top of this, her film ‘Ready or Not’ which features none other than Steve, Wade Simmons, and Brett Tippie won the 2023 Crankworx Dirt Diaries competition and inspired many with its creative storyline, humor, and jaw-dropping slow-motion sends.

Durning the conversation we touch on:

• What it is like to watch her husband risk everything from behind the lens.
• How she comes up with creative concepts for films.
• Her own journey on the bike.
• How following her passion has led to some epic career opportunities.
• And how riding without expectations or ego allows her to have more fun!

You can check out Kelsey's amazing photography work on her website, kelseytoevs.com and follow her adventures on Instagram @toevs and YouTube @ktoevs

A lot of her filmmaking projects featuring Steve Vanderhoek are posted on his YouTube channel, including the Dirt Diaries Ready or Not film - you can watch that here @stevevanderhoek1304

___________________________

FREE Mental About MTB Community with direct access to me 👇
themindmountain.com/mental-about-mtb-application

Want to work with me?

Join us on a Global MTB Expedition👇
themindmountain.com/globalmountainbikecoaching

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗴𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 Full Circle MTB Mentorship 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗵👇
themindmountain.com/squamish-coaching-package

___________________________

THE MIND MOUNTAIN
themindmountain.com
Instagram @the_mind_mountain
Facebook @themindmountain
YouTube @the_mind_mountian



DISCLAIMER: The opinions, thoughts, and views in the content created by The Mind Mountain, the Grit With Wisdom Podcast, and Jake Johnstone, including the guests they interview, are solely their own and do not reflect the official policy or position of any other organization, person, or company mentioned or featured in the podcast. ...

In this episode, I catch up with Nate Spitz. Nate is one of the most creative and talented mountain bikers in the Sea to Sky and has a lot of wisdom to share.

Originally from New Hampshire on the east coast of the USA, Nate grew up skiing, and when he wasn’t doing that he was riding bikes and learning an impressive bag of tricks.

He now lives and works here in Squamish, sharing his skills and passion through Yoann Barelli’s Into The Gnar coaching company, and also through a multitude of free-ride, filming, and building projects.

We chat about:

• What it is like to build and ride some of the gnarliest features in town.
• How he motivates himself to keep working towards a challenging goal.
• How to get into a flow state more often.
• The importance of play on your bike.
• His latest edit in collaboration with Alistair Spriggs.
• The Hellevator feature build and first ride.

You can join the wild ride by following Nate @ztipsetan on Instagram, @natespitz6583 on YouTube or book in for a coaching session with him at intothegnar.com

Nate would like to offer a special thanks Yoann Barelli for his ongoing support.

___________________________

FREE Mental About MTB Community with direct access to me 👇
themindmountain.com/mental-about-mtb-application

Want to work with me?

Join us on a Global MTB Expedition👇
themindmountain.com/globalmountainbikecoaching

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗴𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 Full Circle MTB Mentorship 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗵👇
themindmountain.com/squamish-coaching-package

___________________________

THE MIND MOUNTAIN
themindmountain.com
Instagram @the_mind_mountain
Facebook @themindmountain
YouTube @the_mind_mountian



DISCLAIMER: The opinions, thoughts, and views in the content created by The Mind Mountain, the Grit With Wisdom Podcast, and Jake Johnstone, including the guests they interview, are solely their own and do not reflect the official policy or position of any other organization, person, or company mentioned or featured in the podcast. ...