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Jake Johnstone from The Mind Mountain delves deep into the inner psyche, tools, and tactics of Mountain Bikers from all walks of life to uncover what it takes to push personal boundaries in the sport we love - through a mental performance lens. Whether it’s pro racers, ambassadors, or coaches, this podcast breaks down stigmas and normalizes conversations around mindset, emotions, and the mental side of riding. The goal? To help you ride stronger, more confidently, and have more fun on the trails, more often.
*Formerly known as the Grit With Wisdom Podcast
52 Episodes
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In this wrap-up episode, we celebrate the challenging and enlightening journey of the Facing Fear: Zero to Backflip project. Reflecting on the progress from Episode 8, we discuss the highs and lows, including a significant injury that turned into a valuable learning experience. Join me and coach Mike Sousa as we delve into the importance of seeing the broader perspective, the courage to face big goals, and the gratitude for community support and expert guidance. Despite setbacks, the jo...
In this episode of the Mind Mountain Podcast, we chat with the tallented Emmy Lan. Emmy, a national titleholder with impressive elite race results, shares her journey in mountain biking. We explore how she maintains fun and light-heartedness during back-to-back races, the importance of internal focus over external comparisons, and balancing life with racing. This episode uncovers Emmy’s mental strategies, her approach to training on and off the bike, and the significance of small goals and pa...
In this episode of the Mind Mountain Podcast, I sit down once again with my good friend Michael Sousa - a seasoned coach, guide, and freeride mentor from Whistler, BC. With nearly two decades of experience on the steeps and jumps of the Sea to Sky, Mike shares what it’s like coaching everything from first-time riders to up-and-coming mtb professionals. We dive deep into the psychology of progression, fear management, and how to truly build lasting confidence on the bike. We also reveal ...
In this episode, we sit down with Alex Cairns, a former Paralympian sit-skier who’s now carving his own path in adaptive mountain biking. From technical climbs to Squamish’s iconic slabs, Alex shares how his approach to sport is rooted in calculation and control rather than reckless abandon. We explore his journey from ski racing to MTB, the nuances of adaptive trail design, and how mindset plays a critical role in both performance and progression. This one’s packed with insight, grit, and a ...
In Episode 48 of Grit with Wisdom, we’re diving headfirst into the mental and practical side of managing risk in mountain bike racing. Jake is joined by two special guests: Dylan Smith, organizer of the iconic Squamish Enduro, and Matthew Smith, a medical risk expert from Canadian Outdoor Medical Consulting. We cover everything from choosing the right course for your skill level to situational awareness, the concept of 'risk creep,' and why blue flow trails see a surprising number of incident...
Today on the podcast, I got to hang out with Dr. Ryan Darcy to dive into the intersection where neuroscience meets mountain biking. Ryan’s a neuroscientist, president of NeuroCatch, and—like the rest of us—a stoked mountain biker. We chatted about everything from the science behind flow states, personal anecdotes from Ryan's riding experiences, and actionable advice on concussion protocols and brain health. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a pro rider, tune in to learn how to ride safer ...
In this episode of Grit With Wisdom, I sit down with Alex Chapellier, a mountain biker, mechanic, photographer, and videographer. Alex shares his journey from growing up in France, where he was captivated by any two wheels, to living his mountain biking dreams in British Columbia, Canada. He talks extensively about his passion for mountain biking, the importance of mental performance, and how he transitioned from behind the camera to being an influential rider in his own right. Alex dives in...
We had the incredible opportunity to spend the week at the 2024 Crankworx Mountain Bike Festival in Whistler, where we mingled with some of the world’s top riders! Tune in for an insider's view into the lives of MTB athletes, pushing their limits at the highest level. In episode 2, we caught up with an insightful bunch of riders in the village and on the course during the Adaptive DH, Garbanzo DH, and Red Bull Joyride events. A big shout out to @vinceh03_ and @grooverinvancouver for f...
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 e...
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 crea...
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,...
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 biki...
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...
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...
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 angerRebuil...
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 tha...
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 impressi...
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...
On today's episode, we have Michael Sousa. Mike is a passionate Mountain Biker, Instructor, Guide, and Filmmaker based in Whistler, BC. After almost 20 years of honing his skills on the steep and technical trails of BC he has dedicated the summer to learning air tricks on his mountain bike. As well as this personal exploration, Michael recently gained his Level 3 PMBIA coaching qualification which for those that aren’t aware, is the gold standard of Instructor training and no ea...
On this episode, I got to interview Squamish local, Blake Rowsell. Blake is a professor at Capilano University who teaches a variety of outdoor recreation programs. He also has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to Mountain Bike Tourism in BC having completed his master's degree on the topic. We dive straight into Blake's personal journey with Mountain Biking, discussing some of the tools he has picked up along the way that help him manage his own Mental Health and thrive as an Educator, D...
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