Women's MTB Network

Today I’m joined by Natasha Woodworth, founder and creative force behind Curious Creatures, the women-led outdoor apparel brand known for small-batch production, bold design, and a deep commitment to responsibility.

Natasha created Curious Creatures because she wanted bike gear that felt fun, expressive, and true to the weird, wonderful humans who ride. In this episode, we talk about how the brand started, the realities of small-batch production, why transparency matters, how tariffs impact independent outdoor companies, and what it means to build a creative business with intention.

We’re also featuring Natasha as part of our Women-Led Wednesday spotlight next week, highlighting women who are shaping the outdoor industry in powerful, thoughtful ways.

In this episode:
• How Curious Creatures began
• The inspiration behind the brand’s playful, creative identity
• What “responsibility” means to Natasha and how it guides production
• The real impact of tariffs and supply-chain challenges on small outdoor brands
• Staying true to small-batch values while growing
• The importance of transparency and thoughtful sourcing
• Building a women-led company in the outdoor space
• Natasha’s favorite sports, creative hobbies, and outdoor rituals
• Fun rapid-fire questions

Connect with Curious Creatures:
wearecuriouscreatures.com
Instagram: @wearecuriouscreatures

Connect with Women’s MTB Network:
Instagram: @womensmtbnetwork
womensmtbnetwork.com

In this episode, we sit down with freeride powerhouse Hannah Bergemann — a rider, builder, and event organizer who continues to shape the future of women’s freeride on and off the bike.

After breaking her ankle last year, Hannah spent months rebuilding her strength and confidence before returning to Red Bull Rampage, where she once again proved why she’s one of the sport’s most respected voices.
We talk about her recovery, her approach to line-building and risk, and how she’s turning freeride into a more inclusive space through her event, Hangtime — now a cornerstone of women’s freeride progression.

We also dig into the hidden work behind Hangtime, the emotional side of big-mountain riding, and what real support for women in freeride should look like.

🎧 Topics covered:

• The mental and physical process of coming back from injury

• Choosing lines and digging at Red Bull Rampage

• Building Hangtime and supporting progression without pressure

• Leadership and visibility for women in freeride

• What’s next for Hannah in 2026

Follow Hannah:

• Instagram: @hannahbergemann

• YouTube: Hannah Bergemann

Follow us:

• Instagram: @womensmtbnetwork

• YouTube: Women’s MTB Network

• Website: womensmtbnetwork.com

In this episode, Mia sits down with Eliot Jackson—World Cup downhill racer turned commentator, host, and changemaker.

We talk about:

• Eliot’s motocross roots and his path into elite downhill MTB racing

• Career highlights and lessons from years on the World Cup circuit

• The origins of the Grow Cycling Foundation and how it’s building access and opportunity in cycling

• His current work as a Red Bull TV commentator—including covering and interviewing athletes at Red Bull Rampage 2025

• What it means to elevate women’s freeride and create space for new voices in the sport

• The future of MTB media, storytelling, and representation

Eliot’s story reminds us that the biggest impact often happens off the bike—through action, access, and community.

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.

👉 Follow Eliot:

• Grow Cycling Foundation

• Just Ride Podcast

• You Inspire Us Podcast

👉 Follow Women’s MTB Network:

• Instagram

• YouTube

• Website

Today on the Women’s MTB Network Podcast, we sit down with Syd Schulz — professional mountain-bike athlete, writer, and all round bad ass, who made history this year alongside Kait Boyle and Krysti McBride at one of the toughest single-day MTB races in the U.S., the Marji Gesick 100.

Together, Syd, Kait, and Krysti became the first three women ever to finish under 12 hours — working together through 100 miles of rocky, rooty Michigan backcountry to shatter a long-standing barrier in endurance mountain biking.

We talk about:

• The teamwork and mental strength behind their sub-12 finish

• What it takes to push through 100 miles of unpredictable terrain

• The shift from racing to ultra endurance racing

• Building community through Syd and Macky on YouTube

Connect with Syd & Macky:

• YouTube: Syd and Macky

• Instagram: @sydandmacky

• Website: sydandmacky.com

Connect with Women’s MTB Network:

• Instagram: @womensmtbnetwork

• YouTube: Women’s MTB Network

• Website: womensmtbnetwork.com

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.

This week on the Women’s MTB Network Podcast, we talk with Annijke Wade — adaptive mountain biker, advocate, co-founder of DirtBound, and rider/filmmaker behind Mystic Rider.

In 2021, Annijke’s life changed when she suffered a spinal cord injury during a downhill ride in Angel Fire, NM. Since then, she’s been rewriting her story, reshaping what adaptive MTB looks like, and building real space for riders who often get excluded.

She launched Camp Dirt, a program for adaptive riders who are trans, non-binary, or cis women, to connect, learn, and ride. Her film Mystic Rider showcases her in flow trails in Santa Cruz — a visual statement on riding with intention and joy.

We dig deep into what it takes to build access, the creative process behind Mystic Rider, and what’s next for adaptive MTB.

Guest links
• Instagram: @geodesicdome Instagram
• DirtBound: dirtboundcycling.com (see Camp Dirt details) Your Site Title

Follow Women’s MTB Network
• Instagram: @womensmtbnetwork
• YouTube: Women’s MTB Network
• Web: womensmtbnetwork.com

🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple
📺 Watch the full conversation on YouTube

This week on the Women’s MTB Network Podcast, I’m joined by Aaron Lutze — content creator, strategist, and co-founder of Outdoor Brand Camp. From athlete marketing at Red Bull, to launching Super Rider TV on YouTube, co-hosting the Second Nature podcast, and helping creators and athletes grow their voice and vision through Outdoor Brand Camp, Aaron has built his career around authentic storytelling and representation.

🎙️ In this episode:

• How Red Bull shaped his approach to athlete storytelling

• Creating inclusive content that actually centers women

• Launching Outdoor Brand Camp — what it is and why it matters

• Opening up conversations around athlete health and visibility

• What's next for Aaron across content, community, and creativity

👇 Explore Aaron’s Work:

• 🎧 Second Nature Podcast – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/second-nature/id1737242598

• 📺 Super Rider TV (YouTube) – https://www.youtube.com/@SuperRiderTV

• 🌐 Outdoor Brand Camp – https://electriccablecar.com/outdoor-brand-camp-launches/

• 📬 Super Rider Substack – https://superrider.substack.com/p/the-worlds-best-bike-videos-96

👇 Stay connected with us:

• 🎧 Women’s MTB Network Podcast – https://open.spotify.com/show/5VzJeOvXAbgA2vUOVM9ET4

• 📺 YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/@WomensMTBNetwork

• 📸 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/womensmtbnetwork/

• 🌐 Website – https://www.womensmtbnetwork.com

Kelly Brush was a D1 ski racer with Olympic dreams—until a crash during a race left her with a spinal cord injury. What could have been the end of her story became the beginning of something far bigger.

Kelly co-founded the Kelly Brush Foundation to make sure people with spinal cord injuries could still access the joy and freedom of sport. From awarding over 1,900 adaptive equipment grants to hosting inclusive events like the Kelly Brush Ride, she’s helping build a more active, independent, and empowered future for the disability community.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Her injury and the early days of recovery

• Why sport was key to rebuilding her identity

• Starting a nonprofit from a personal mission

• Adaptive sports, inclusion, and accessibility

• Events like the Kelly Brush Ride and The Active Project

• Her work-life balance as a mom, nurse, athlete, and CEO

• What she wants newly injured people to know

This is a conversation about resilience, rewriting the rules, and showing up—for yourself and your community.

🔗 Learn more about the Foundation: kellybrushfoundation.org
📱 Follow us on IG: @womensmtbnetwork

In today’s episode, Mia sits down with Sam Ryan from Roam Fest, the beloved women's mountain biking festival known for bringing riders of all backgrounds together. Sam dives into what makes Roam Fest special, their impactful scholarship program, and how inclusivity shapes every part of the event. Learn how you can get involved, support the community, and discover what exciting adventures Roam Fest has planned next. Stick around for the rapid-fire round where Sam shares her favorite trails, snacks, and must-have MTB accessories. It’s all about celebrating women, bikes, and community—let’s dive in!

👉 Follow us on Instagram and YouTube @womensmtbnetwork, and check out our latest stories, news, reviews, and events at womensmtbnetwork.com.

Lindsey Richter, founder of Ladies AllRide, is back on the pod! In this episode, we catch up with Lindsey on everything happening now — from the expansion of her coaching camps to the launch of next-level retreats that go beyond technical skills and into real transformation.

We talk about how Ladies AllRide continues to scale while staying rooted in community, what it takes to grow a mission-driven brand, and why coaching is just as much about mindset as it is about mountain biking. Whether you’ve attended a clinic or are just MTB-curious, this one’s all about growth, leadership, and building a life on two wheels — with purpose.

👉 Follow us on Instagram: @womensmtbnetwork
📺 Subscribe on YouTube: Women’s MTB Network
📰 Stay up to date by subscribing on our website: www.womensmtbnetwork.com

For all things women on bikes — frominterviews to gear reviews to community events — head to womensmtbnetwork.com.

⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode includes discussions on mental health, depression, PTSD, and suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to a mental health professional or a trusted resource for support.

Can a bike ride change your mental health? Emily Greaves thinks so—and she’s proving it every day.

In this episode, we sit down with Emily, a Trail Therapy Practitioner at Comrie Croft in Scotland, where she uses mountain biking as a tool for mental health support, resilience, and healing. From helping individuals struggling with anxiety and PTSD to leading her ‘Rise and Grind’ sunrise rides, Emily isreshaping how we see MTB—not just as a sport, but as a form of therapy.

We discuss:
🔹 How MTB can be a powerful tool for mentalwell-being
🔹 The impact of trail therapy onanxiety, PTSD, and depression
🔹 The role of community and connectionin healing
🔹 Why more women need to experience the mental health benefits of MTB
🔹 How YOU can use biking as a tool for stressrelief and self-care

Whether you’re a seasoned rider or just getting started, this episode will inspire you to look at the mental health side of MTB in a whole new way.

🎧 Listen now onSpotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
📺Watch the full episode on YouTube!

🚵‍♀️ If mountain biking has helped you through tough times, we’d love to hear your story—DM us or leave a comment!

Need Support?
📞 U.S.: 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)
📞 UK: 116 123 (Samaritans)
📞 Canada: 988 (Talk Suicide Canada)
📞 Australia: 13 11 14 (Lifeline Australia)
📞 International: Find a Helpline

Follow Emily: https://www.instagram.com/emilyswildadventures/
Follow Women’s MTB Network: https://www.instagram.com/womensmtbnetwork/

#mtb #mentalhealth #trailtherapy #womensmtb #mtblife #ridebikesbehappy #bikesheal#mtbcommunity #mtbpodcast #riseandgrind