The Changing Gears Podcast: Recent Episodes
SRAM
On the Changing Gears Podcast powered by SRAM, you'll hear from amazing athletes from around the world who are inspiring others, challenging themselves, and making change that counts.
We’re coming at you with our last episode of this season of the Changing Gears Podcast. The first 49 episodes included some incredible people like Justin Williams, Brandon Semenuk, Blake Hansen, Jolanda Neff, Rebecca Rusch, and much more.
In honor of our 50th episode, we wanted to do something special. And that’s exactly what we did. For our 50th episode of the Changing Gears Podcast, we host the co-founders of SRAM, Stan and F.K. Day.
Stan Day is the Chairman of the Board and Co-Founder of SRAM. F.K. Day is the EVP and Director of SRAM, as well as a long time Chicago businessman, entrepreneur, and humanitarian. Together, Stan and F.K. revolutionized biking forever.
In this episode, Stan, F.K., and DZ talk about:
- Their first products
- The three keys to their success
- How World Bicycle Relief was started
- The difficulty and importance of innovation
- What’s next for SRAM and World Bicycle Relief
Learn more about SRAM here. Learn more about the World Bicycle Relief here.
Other popular episodes: Nino Schurter, Rebecca Rusch, Brandon Semenuk, Kate Courtney, Vali Höll, Kyle Strait, Kelli Samuelson, Blake Hansen, and Payson McElveen.
“In the quest of becoming the best version of me, nothing has made a bigger difference than biking.” Juan Pablo Raba may just be saying what we’re all thinking. Our guest today has found that biking helps him learn about respect, trying hard things, finding his zen, and ultimately, improving his health overall.
On this episode of the podcast, we have our first actor, Juan Pablo Raba, who has become a bike aficionado, primarily downhill. He is a Colombian/Argentinian actor and producer with a broad international trajectory living in Los Angeles, California. You may recognize him from a little show called Narcos.
In this episode, Juan Pablo Raba and DZ talk about:
- Growing up skateboarding and watching Tony Hawk
- His journey to finding acting
- How biking has been an almost spiritual practice for him
- Men’s mental health
You can follow along with Juan Pablo on Instagram here.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Other popular episodes: Nino Schurter, Rebecca Rusch, Brandon Semenuk, Kate Courtney, Vali Höll, Kyle Strait, Kelli Samuelson, Blake Hansen, and Payson McElveen.
Most cyclists may never experience racing or winning at the elite levels. Our guest on this episode of Changing Gears breaks down why simply having access to a bike and being able to go out and ride is really the main point of all of it. To have that freedom, the ability to go far and fast, to feel childlike joy, that’s the real goal of cycling.
Ashton Lambie (he/him/his) is an American track and gravel cyclist who is best known for being the first person to complete an individual pursuit in under 4 minutes. He currently rides for the Jukebox cycling team and is also well-known for his mustache.
In this episode, Ashton and DZ talk about:
- Ashton’s musical background
- What track cycling is like
- How Ashton became the first person to ever break 4 minutes in the 4KM individual pursuit
- His effort to make bike commuting more accessible
Follow along with Ashton here. Learn more about bike commuting here.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Other popular episodes: Nino Schurter, Rebecca Rusch, Brandon Semenuk, Kate Courtney, Vali Höll, Kyle Strait, Kelli Samuelson, Blake Hansen, and Payson McElveen.
In the age of distraction, scrolling and swiping minimizes how present we are with any given moment. Our guest today believes that stories are one of the most important parts of life, and that magazines are the best way to tell them.
Zapata "Zap" Espinoza has been pedaling bikes since the late 60s and slinging words and opinions on all things cycling and moto-related since 1986. He was the editor of two of America's leading mountain bike magazines, Mountain Bike Action (1987-'93) and Mountain Bike (1993-2003), followed by a stint as brand manager at Trek Bicycles (2003-2007).
In 2007, he returned to the world of journalism as the editor of Road Bike Action and the Editorial Director for Mountain Bike Action and Electric Bike Action. Following the closure of both RBA and EBA, he has since taken up the role of freelance writer and brand content manager. Besides all things two-wheeled (especially racing), he is madly in love with his daughter, the great outdoors, and Mexican food.
In this episode, Zap and DZ talk about:
- Zap’s time racing motocross
- His education in politics and going to law school
- The start of his career and working for Mountain Bike Action Magazine
- The tension between website content and printed content
Learn more about Zap here. You can learn more about Doctors Without Borders here, the ACLU here, and PeopleForBikes here.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Other popular episodes: Nino Schurter, Rebecca Rusch, Brandon Semenuk, Kate Courtney, Vali Höll, Kyle Strait, Kelli Samuelson, Blake Hansen, and Payson McElveen.
Pushing up against the legacy of his father, our guest, Nico Roche, has always been striving to build his own path. From playing rugby to becoming a professional cyclist, he’s made a name for himself throughout his career.
Nico is an Irish professional cyclist with UCI World Tour team "Team Sunweb". He is a former Irish National Road Race and TT Champion and is the son of Stephen Roche, a former World Champion and winner of the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia. Nico is also an Olympian and even spent some time on Dancing with the Stars.
In this episode, Nico and DZ talk about:
- The influence of his father’s cycling career on his own career
- The four Olympics he participated in
- Nico’s experience on Dancing with the Stars
- The bike shops that Nico co-owns
You can follow along with Nico on Instagram here.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Other popular episodes: Nino Schurter, Rebecca Rusch, Brandon Semenuk, Kate Courtney, Vali Höll, Kyle Strait, Kelli Samuelson, Blake Hansen, and Payson McElveen.
Our guest on this episode of the Changing Gears Podcast is trying to fix bike racing in the United States, learning from other major sports like basketball, baseball, and football, and using those models in a new and novel way.
Paris Wallace (he/him/his) is the founder and CEO of the National Cycling League, the first majority-minority and female owned professional sports league in the United States. Paris has an incredible background in entrepreneurship and is currently the Entrepreneur in Residence at Harvard Business School. He is an avid cyclist and he and his wife split their time between Miami and New England to keep riding bikes year-round.
In this episode, Paris and DZ talk about:
- His first job as a kid working in a bike shop and how that stemmed into his entrepreneurial career
- How he started Good Start Genetics while in Business school
- The bold mission of the National Cycling League
- The race format of the National Cycling League
You can follow along with Paris on Instagram here, on LinkedIn here, and learn more about the National Cycling League here.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Other popular episodes: Nino Schurter, Rebecca Rusch, Brandon Semenuk, Kate Courtney, Vali Höll, Kyle Strait, Kelli Samuelson, Blake Hansen, and Payson McElveen.
What is the coolest job in the world? For Chas Christiansen, when he first found out about bike messengers, that was it. You’re going to pay me to ride my bike around fast and recklessly? Say no more. He was in.
Exploring the world in search of the stoke, Chas (he/him) is a bike racer, artist, and adventurer. Constantly on the move seeking new experiences and exploring new places, the journey has always taken precedence over the finish. From blue collar beginnings as a bike messenger to racing some of the longest ultra endurance races in the world, Chas has been inspiring us all along the way.
In this episode, Chas and DZ talk about:
- Some experiences he had after high school that changed the direction of his life
- What it’s like to be a bike messenger
- How he started TCB Courier
- How to become a sponsored athlete
You can follow along with Chas on Instagram or on his website here. You can also learn more about the orgnization Cycles for Change here.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Other popular episodes: Nino Schurter, Rebecca Rusch, Brandon Semenuk, Kate Courtney, Vali Höll, Kyle Strait, Kelli Samuelson, Blake Hansen, and Payson McElveen.
This week’s guest on the Changing Gears Podcast is Andrew Shandro, the legend himself. From racing in Italy, his first pro contract, and the Freeride Movement, this conversation is not to be missed.
Andrew (he/him/his) is an old-school mountain biker, a freeride pioneer. He is the Trek C3 Team Manager and the Trek Factory Racing Co. Team Manager. He owns and operates the Summer Gravity Camps based in Whistler which focuses on instruction in gravity, downhill, freeride, and slopestyle.
In this episode, Andrew and DZ talk about:
- Some of his favorite places to ride in the world
- What it was like to be involved in the early years of mountain bike films
- What it felt like to be on a cover on Bike Magazine
- His position with Trek Factory Racing
- The Summer Gravity Camp and how he started it
You can follow along with Andrew on Instagram here, and learn more about the Summer Gravity Camps here.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Other popular episodes: Nino Schurter, Rebecca Rusch, Brandon Semenuk, Kate Courtney, Vali Höll, Kyle Strait, Kelli Samuelson, Blake Hansen, and Payson McElveen.
Sports can teach us so much. They teach us how to work well with others, how to push our limits, how to stay humble, how to go after big goals. And on this episode of the Changing Gears Podcast, Paralympian Travis Gaertner shares his experiences in a few different sports and what he has learned along the way.
Travis was born without his lower limbs. He has adapted to what a fully active lifestyle looked like for him. He’s won two Paralympic gold medals and is now testing his limits in handcycling, while also managing a full-time corporate career and spending time with his family of five.
In this episode, Travis and DZ talk about:
- What it was like to participate in the Paralympics
- How he’s handled the pressure of competing on a world stage
- What the sport of paracycling is like
- His bike setup and how he trains for paracycling
You can follow along with Travis’ journey on Instagram.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Other popular episodes: Nino Schurter, Rebecca Rusch, Brandon Semenuk, Kate Courtney, Vali Höll, Kyle Strait, Kelli Samuelson, Blake Hansen, and Payson McElveen.
Thomas Frischknecht believes in simplicity and durability. Within this world of innovation, Thomas likes to keep things on the simple side as much as possible. This episode shares Thomas’ life philosophy and a deep exclusive look behind the scenes of the SCOTT-SRAM team.
Thomas is the Team Director for the SCOTT-SRAM Team with a full resume of Olympic and World Champion titles. He is often called the elder-statesmen of the European mountain biking world.
In this episode, Thomas and DZ talk about:
- Growing up admiring his father
- The fitness tests that were available during his race career
- Why Thomas doesn’t miss racing
- What it is like having his son on his own team
You can learn more about Team Africa Rising here, see the film Rising From The Ashes here, and follow along with Thomas here on Instagram.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Other popular episodes: Nino Schurter, Rebecca Rusch, Brandon Semenuk, Kate Courtney, Vali Höll, Kyle Strait, Kelli Samuelson, Blake Hansen, and Payson McElveen.
Mike Levy lives and breathes the biking world. Since he discovered mountain biking as a kid, he’s gotten at least 200 days per year every year. Now, that’s a passion.
Mike is a prominent Canadian bike industry journalist known for his work with Pinkbike. As a reviewer and content creator, he is well-regarded for his in-depth knowledge, expertise, and passion for all things cycling, particularly mountain biking. He calls Squamish home these days and you’re more likely to find him wearing lycra on his gravel rig than baggy shorts on an enduro bike.
In this episode, Mike and DZ talk about:
- Mike talks about looking up to Myles Rockwell growing up
- DZ and Mike discuss their philosophies on how to treat others
- Mike shares a story about following Danny Hart off a road gap
- Mikes opinion on current technology trends
Follow along with Mike on Instagram here.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Other popular episodes: Nino Schurter, Rebecca Rusch, Brandon Semenuk, Kate Courtney, Vali Höll, Kyle Strait, Kelli Samuelson, Blake Hansen, and Payson McElveen.
We all want to tap into our inner child, feeling the wind blow in our face, riding our bikes around our neighborhoods. Anthony Carter borrowed an old bike in his mom’s garage for a spin, felt the freedom of two wheels, and never looked back.
Anthony (he/him/his) is a grassroots community organizer based in the DMV area (District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia). His goal is to help his community and others through sharing his passion for cycling and fitness. Anthony has helped to build a local cycling club up to a national recognized organization of over 5,000 members. He also co-founded and developed the successful GII Race Team. He now mentors other cyclists on a larger scale through his Coach Carter Cares Clinic.
In this episode, Anthony and DZ talk about:
- Anthony explains how he got involved with Getting It In Cycling
- DZ and Anthony talk about getting more bike events on the East Coast
- Anthony talks about the challenge of getting more women into racing
- He shares what Coach Carter Cares is and what the clinics involve
Learn more about Anthony on Instagram.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Other popular episodes: Nino Schurter, Rebecca Rusch, Brandon Semenuk, Kate Courtney, Vali Höll, Kyle Strait, Kelli Samuelson, Blake Hansen, and Payson McElveen.
How do you network and create meaningful connections within the bike industry at large? Caitlin Bernstein shares her perspective on being a positive presence, showing up with grace and kindness, on this episode of the show.
Caitlin (she/her) grew up in a small town in Vermont and from a young age, pursued her dream of becoming a professional ski racer. After a series of knee injuries and some time ski racing in college, she found her way to the bike. First, for fitness, and eventually, for racing. She now works at SRAM as a contract recruiter and races gravel, XC mountain biked, and cyclocross for the Easton Overland team.
In this episode, Caitlin and DZ talk about:
- How she got married on a backcountry ski trip in a snowstorm
- Seeing more women get into mountain biking over the years
- How she has dealt with her challenging knee injuries
- Her work with Protect Our Winters and how she’s working to reduce her impact on the earth
Learn more about Caitlin on Instagram. You can also learn more about the Little Bellas here, the Eurocross Academy here, and Protect Our Winters here.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Other popular episodes: Nino Schurter, Rebecca Rusch, Brandon Semenuk, Kate Courtney, Vali Höll, Kyle Strait, Kelli Samuelson, Blake Hansen, Brandon Semenuk, and Payson McElveen.
In the last 10+ years, we’ve seen an evolution of sports psychology and our guest on the show for this episode is at the forefront of these changes, coaching athletes through them.
Robbie Ventura is the founder and owner of Vision Quest Coaching, providing expert training programs for endurance athletes of all levels from beginner to elite, including cyclists and triathletes ranging from 8 to 80 years old. After being a professional cyclist himself for 12 years, he decided to transfer all of his learnings into his own business, starting Vision Quest.
In this episode, Robbie and DZ talk about:
- How Robbie found out his Dad used to race bikes
- Robbie shares about his passion for hockey
- Robbie talks about what it was like to train with Lance Armstrong
- DZ and Robbie discuss training techniques and the importance of rest and recovery
- Why Robbie decided to retire from racing
Learn more about Vision Quest Coaching here.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Other popular episodes: Nino Schurter, Rebecca Rusch, Brandon Semenuk, Kate Courtney, Vali Höll, Kyle Strait, Kelli Samuelson, Blake Hansen, and Payson McElveen.
When you have an opportunity, one that feels big and maybe even scary, just go for it. That’s what Emily Horridge did when the opportunity came to move from the UK to start skills clinics in France. And she’s been helping open up skills and doors for people ever since.
Emily (she/her/hers) discovered mountain biking back in 1992 and was smitten from day one. Emily’s life revolves around bikes, from spending her 20s racing downhill to starting her own mountain bike guiding and coaching business in her late 30s. She is passionate about inspiring and helping other women to build their confidence, overcome their fears, and truly find the joy of riding bikes.
In this episode, Emily and DZ talk about:
- Growing up biking with the boys
- How she started her own coaching company
- How weight lifting has helped her on the bike
- The work Emily is doing to help with trail advocacy
Catch up with Emily on Instagram, her website, or YouTube. You can learn more about the Mountain Bikers Foundation here.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Other popular episodes: Nino Schurter, Rebecca Rusch, Brandon Semenuk, Kate Courtney, Vali Höll, Kyle Strait, Kelli Samuelson, Blake Hansen, and Payson McElveen.
What kind of athletes does a town like Whistler produce? From a culture of being out in the mountains and getting after what you love to do, it spits out tons of big mountain professional athletes. And our guest on this episode is certainly part of that crew.
Brandon Semenuk (he/him/his) got into mountain biking at a young age and transitioned to free-ride very early on. In his career, he’s won three Red Bull Rampages, three FMB World Tour gold medals, and four Red Bull Joyrides. While biking remains a consistent passion, he has now expanded into producing video and production projects.
In this episode, Brandon and DZ talk about:
- Growing up doing local races in Whistler
- How Brandon got into rally car racing
- His collaboration with MIIPs in an effort to improve helmet safety
- The production project that he’s excited about
- How Brandon is giving back to the community
Catch up with Brandon on Instagram, his Website, or Facebook. Learn more about the High Fives Foundation, Stevie Smith Legacy Foundation, or Jordie Lunn Bike Park by hitting those links.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Other popular episodes: Nino Schurter, Rebecca Rusch, Kate Courtney, Vali Höll, Kyle Strait, Kelli Samuelson, Blake Hansen, and Payson McElveen.
What is a life well lived? How do our experiences and trials and tribulations train us to be stronger and better equipped for life? Fabian Cancellara shares his perspective with us.
Fabian is a double Olympic champion and four-time world time trial champion from Bern, Switzerland. After leaving his professional career behind in the peloton in 2016, he looked at a new chapter. He now runs and owns the sports marketing agency and is the owner of the Tudor Pro Cycling Team.
David and Fabian talk about:
- What is means to win an Olympic gold medal
- How the freedom of cycling had him hooked at a young age
- Fabian’s role as the president of the Tudor Pro Cycling team
- How he’s using his role to give back to the bike community
Catch up with Fabian on Instagram. Follow along with Sette Sports, Chasing Cancellara, or Tudor Pro Cycling Team.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Other popular episodes: Nino Schurter, Rebecca Rusch, Kate Courtney, Vali Höll, Kyle Strait, Kelli Samuelson, Blake Hansen, and Payson McElveen.
Having and being able to use a bike is the ultimate freedom. Tim Johnson found that he was competing all over the world, bringing his expensive bikes along for the ride, but was struck by the inequity of biking right here at home. So he decided to help make a change.
Tim (he/him/his) is a former professional American cyclo-cross and road racing cyclist who competed rom 1999 to 2015. He is widely considered one of the most accomplished American cyclo-cross racers of all time and has represented the United States in multiple World Championships and World Cup events.
In this episode, Tim and David talka bout Tim’s time on the Cannondal-Cyclocrossworld.com team, his favorite memories while racing, how he rediscovered his love of cycling through his time racing on Jittery Joes team, and how he is working to improve bike infrastructure around the United States.
Catch up with Tim on Instagram here and Strava here.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Other popular episodes: Nino Schurter, Rebecca Rusch, Kate Courtney, Vali Höll, Kyle Strait, Kelli Samuelson, Blake Hansen, and Payson McElveen.
When it comes to the cycling world, the Merckx family name is infamous. On this episode of Changing Gears, Axel shares his experiences being part of the Merckx family cycling dynasty.
Axel Merckx (he/him/his) is a world-renowned retired Belgian cyclist who retired to British Columbia, Canada, in 2007. Born in 1972 in Uccle, Belgium, he is the son of five-time Tour de France champion Eddy Merckx. He began his professional cycling career in 1993 as a member of the Motorola Cycling Team. Most recently, Axel has become synonymous with the success of the Hagens Berman Axeon Cycling Team as the squad’s director and now, owner.
In this episode, Axel and DZ talk about what is means to be a stagiair for a cycling team, how he’s dealt with the pressure of having Eddy Merckx as his father, Axel’s decision to transition from racing to being a team manager, and the mental health aspect of racing.
Catch up with Axel here. Learn more about Athina’s Ride here.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Other popular episodes: Nino Schurter, Rebecca Rusch, Kate Courtney, Vali Höll, Kyle Strait, Kelli Samuelson, Blake Hansen, and Payson McElveen.
Lea Davison achieved her lifelong dream of becoming an Olympian, crossing the finish line not once but twice. She epitomizes the phrase, “never give up.”
Lea (she/her/hers) is a mountain bike racer with a past in competitive downhill ski racing from Sunderland, Vermont. She started mountain bike racing in 2001 and has since competed in World Cups, as well as the Olympics. Lea is passionate about getting the next generation of females riding mountain bikes, which is why she co-founded Little Bellas, a mentoring on mountain bikes program for girls.
In this episode, Lea and DZ talk about Lea’s educational background in environmental studies and her interest in sociology, her time growing up in Vermont and being a competitive ski racer, the moment she realized her Olympic dreams came true, and how Little Bellas creates opportunities for more girls to get on bikes.
Catch up with Lea on Instagram or her website.
Learn more about Little Bellas here.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Other popular episodes: Nino Schurter, Rebecca Rusch, Kate Courtney, Vali Höll, Kyle Strait, Kelli Samuelson, Blake Hansen, and Payson McElveen.
Justin Williams loves to be competitive on the bike but the thing he’s most proud of? Being able to turn that off outside of racing and be kind to others.
Born and raised in South Central Los Angeles, Justin (he/him/his) is a professional cyclist and co-founder of the L39ION of Los Angeles UCI Continental cycling team based in the United States. As both a professional athlete and entrepreneur, Justin is dedicated to increasing diversity and representation in the sport of cycling and growing the criterium racing scene.
In this episode, Justin and DZ chat about what it was like growing up in LA and playing every sport possible, how criterium racing helped Justin with road racing in Europe, his competitiveness, and why he wanted to start his own team.
Catch up with Justin on Instagram here. Learn more about L39ION of Los Angeles on their website or on their Instagram.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Other popular episodes: Nino Schurter, Rebecca Rusch, Kate Courtney, Vali Höll, Kyle Strait, Kelli Samuelson, Blake Hansen, and Payson McElveen.
When Eric Arce was told he had Thyroid Cancer in his early thirties, the whole world slowed down and he had to take some time to reevaluate his life. The journey through cancer led him to leave his Ph.D. program and follow his dream of becoming a photographer.
Eric (he/him/his) is now a photographer based out of Salt Lake City by way of Los Angeles. He loves narrative storytelling and focuses on people's passion for biking. He's freelanced for companies such as Patagonia, National Geographic, Bikepacking.com, The Radivist, and Outside Magazine.
In this episode, Eric talks with DZ about how he fell in love with biking on his very first ride, how a biking injury revealed he had cancer, how he incorporates his passion for social justice into his photography, and much more!
Read Eric’s full photo essay about Oaxaca, Mexico here. You can follow along on Eric’s journey on Instagram here.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Other popular episodes: Nino Schurter, Rebecca Rusch, Kate Courtney, Vali Höll, Kyle Strait, Kelli Samuelson, Blake Hansen, and Payson McElveen.
After a vote by her family to go for it, Deanna decided it was time to step into the racing arena. And she hasn’t looked back since.
Deanna Mayles (she/her/hers) is a Reliability Engineer at SRAM, elite endurance mountain bike athlete, and a wife. Only recently entering the race scene, Deanna is finding the balance between her full-time job and professional racing. The highlight of her 2023 race season will be the LifeTime Grand Prix and USAC Marathon Mountain Bike Nationals.
In this episode, Deanna and DZ discuss her grandfather’s influence on her education and career path, her first job with Caterpillar, how she met her husband at SRAM, and how she got into bike racing and her passion for it.
Catch up with Deanna on Instagram.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Other popular episodes: Nino Schurter, Rebecca Rusch, Kate Courtney, Vali Höll, Kyle Strait, Kelli Samuelson, Blake Hansen, and Payson McElveen.
Alex Howes (he/him/his) stepped into racing at a young age and found it the perfect challenge. Unlike more common sports, like soccer, or basketball, where there is a clear winner, bike racing felt more subjective and offered more areas to improve as an individual.
After a decade of World Tour racing though, Alex is changing gears and coming home. Born and raised in the Rockies, this mountain man is looking forward to a full calendar of mixed-terrain racing and the adventures of fatherhood.
In this episode, Alex shares his highs and lows in the professional cycling world and why he decided to go pro when he did. He also shares his decision to move over to gravel racing, and much more!
Catch up with Alex on his Instagram or Twitter.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Other popular episodes: Nino Schurter, Rebecca Rusch, Kate Courtney, Vali Höll, Kyle Strait, Kelli Samuelson, Blake Hansen, and Payson McElveen.
Allison Jones (she/her/hers) is one of the world’s greatest Paralympic athletes, winning 2 Gold medals, 3 Silver medals, and 3 Bronze medals in eight Paralymic Games, in summer AND winter.
Allison began her athletic life at the age of 5, when her mom took her and her sister up to ski for the day. After accomplishing a lot in skiing at an early age, she decided she needed a summer sport. Enter road biking. Allison fell in love with it immediately and became a multi-sport athlete.
In this episode, Allison and DZ talk about how she got into ski racing, how she didn’t let her mobility impairment hold her back while growing up, her engineering background and how she applies that to her role at SRAM, and much more.
Learn more about Mile High 360 here.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Other popular episodes: Nino Schurter, Rebecca Rusch, Kate Courtney, Vali Höll, Kyle Strait, Kelli Samuelson, Blake Hansen, and Payson McElveen.
Ash (she/her/they) and Andi (she/her) Zolton are the founders of Roam Events, the production company behind Roam Fest, the first and largest femme mountain biking festival.
Ash and Andi are passionate advocates for creating fun-first experiences for all riders, but are especially committed to creating safe and welcoming spaces for marginalized folks. When not planning bike parties, Ash is involved with The Roam Collective, a nonprofit org with a mission to celebrate and elevate representation in the mountain biking community. And Andi works as a professional bike mechanic and coach with USA Cycling's Athlete Development Pathway.
In this episode, Ash and Andi chat with DZ about starting the Roam Festival, Ash’s background as a tour guide, the story of Rebecca Rusch officiating their wedding, and how their nonprofit, Roam Collective, is dedicated to increasing the representation of marginalized riders.
Catch up with Andi here and Ash here on Instagram. You can learn more about Roam Events here, and more about Roam Collective here.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Alison Tetrick (she/her/hers) almost lost her life after a severe crash in a professional race. The bike almost took her life, but it also saved her time and time again; it gave her a platform to come back to the sport, love it again, and make a difference.
Born and raised on a ranch in California, Alison is a NCAA tennis player turned biochemist turned Team USA Professional Cyclist, storyteller, and free-range entrepreneur. She is a traumatic brain injury survivor after a crash in a professional bike race, and although the bike almost took her life, it also saved her life. She is passionate about creating opportunity, education, and access to athletes through scholarships and community engagement.
In this episode, Alison shares her experience growing up on a cattle ranch, she talks about how she learned to love racing bikes from her Grandpa, and explains her traumatic brain injuries and what it has been like recovering from them.
You can catch up with Alison on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or on her website.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Blake Hansen (she/her) is using her voice to honor herself and other folks in the trans community and advocating for safer, more inclusive spaces within the biking world.
Blake is a freeride mountain biker who lives for air time. Some say she’s more comfortable in the air than chilling in a chair. She’s got a passion for being an outgoing, kind advocate for equity & inclusion in mountain biking and she’s certainly not afraid to lay it all out there.
In this episode, you’ll hear about Blake’s background growing up racing in BMX and riding dirt bikes, the support she has received from her family while going through her transition, and her goals to be involved in Red Bull Formation and Proving Grounds. Blake and DZ also chat about what racing could look like for trans athletes.
You can catch up with Blake on Instagram.
Learn more about SRAM here.
After a life-altering car crash, Dr. Meg Fisher’s future changed. She survived a coma and lost the lower portion of her left leg. Meg worked hard to heal and move beyond her new physical limitations. Today she’s a decorated Paralympian dedicated to helping erase limits, change lives, and demonstrate the capacity of the human body and spirit.
In this episode of the show, Dr. Fisher and DZ chat about Meg’s background in different sports, how she found the strength to move forward after her accident, recovering from brain surgery, and her future goals on the bike.
You can catch up with Dr. Fisher on Instagram or on her website.
Learn more about SRAM here.
If you don't know Kelli Samuelson (she/her/hers), you probably know of her. She's covered in tattoos and has a haircut that screams attitude. But Kelli doesn't bite. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. You see, Kelli is not just the founder and owner of LA Sweat, a team of women on bikes going fast and having fun,, she's the wheels that keep LA Sweat going.
In this episode, Kelli and DZ talk about Kelli’s background in art and fashion, how bike commuting got her into racing, starting LA Sweat, and her efforts to help everyone have a positive race experience.
You can catch up with Kelli on her personal Instagram, and learn more about LA Sweat on their website or on Instagram.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Kyle Strait is the only rider to compete in every single Red Bull Rampage event. When not throwing signature 70’ no-handers, Kyle is a proud father, mountain biking coach, product designer, and course builder. He is a multi-discipline racer with top results in World Cup DH, dual-slalom, slopestyle, and speed & style.
In this episode, Kyle and DZ talk about Kyle growing up building jumps and riding in his backyard, how his training varies throughout the year, his accident at Red Bull Rampage 2022, and how Strait Acres got started.
You can catch up with Kyle on Instagram, and check out all things Strait Acres on Instagram or on their website.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Rahsaan Bahati founded the Bahati Foundation to improve access to opportunities for youth in Los Angeles and has been bringing the cycling community with him on his mission ever since. After becoming a 10-time U.S. Champion in professional cycling, Rahsaan implemented his vision for The Bahati Foundation in 2010. He started the foundation to give back by providing health and fitness gear, educational supplies, and musical instruments to inner-city youth while serving as a positive influence to local youth.
In this episode, Rahsaan and DZ talk about how he chose to go to Indiana University, the discrimination that Rahsaan has had to deal with and how he stayed positive, being a motivational speaker, and the various ways that the Bahati Foundation gives back to the community.
You can follow along with Rahsaan on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, or Facebook. Learn more about the Bahati Foundation and how to get involved here.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Vali Höll is an Austrian professional downhill mountain biker who has been World Champion three times over, as well as a three-time World Cup overall winner.
In this episode, Vali and DZ talk about growing up skiing at her parent’s chalet, her positive attitude while recovering from a broken ankle, overcoming mental challenges on race day, and how she came up with the Vali Höll Performance camps.
You can follow along with Vali on Instagram or YouTube.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Sam Boardman (he/him/his) discovered cycling in college when he moved across the country to attend UCLA. There, after joining the school's club team, he became obsessed with riding his bike, spending his free time during the week escaping from campus to explore the nearby canyons of Malibu and Hollywood. Since then, Sam has joined the trade team of L39ION of Los Angeles. Alongside his competitive efforts, he helps to organize cycling events in Montana, as well as Junior Day Camps, a program that aims to help offer aspiring riders opportunities for mentorship in the sport.
In this episode, Sam and DZ talk about his experience in Belgium at “the farm,” his win in the Joe Martin TT, Sam’s recovery routine, and how he would like to incorporate his educational background into cycling overall.
You can catch up with Sam on Instagram and learn more about the Last Best Ride in Montana here.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Isabeau Courdurier (she/her) is a passionate mountain biking athlete that has certainly made her mark on the Enduro World Series. She started racing at the age of 5 and riding has always been a major part of her life. Outside of racing, she loves to share her passion and get as many people as possible on bikes.
In this episode, Isabeau and DZ chat about what music Isabeau listens to to get pumped up for a race, how she was able to overcome the pain of an injury in order to race, her favorite candy bar on race day, and much more!
You can catch up with Isabeau on Instagram or Facebook. You can learn more about Association Fifty Fifty here.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Originally from Switzerland, Jolanda Neff (she/her) is an Olympic Champion in mountain biking, 3 x World Cup Champion, 4 x European Champion, and many more titles. She also finds time to work with organizations like Greenhope, Grow Cycling Foundation, and Unicef.
In this episode, Jolanda and DZ talk about growing up racing with her siblings, her decision to stop attending university to focus on racing, the differences between her two Olympic experiences, and her involvement in Greenhope and other organizations.
You can catch up with Jolanda on Twitter, Website, Instagram, or Facebook. You can learn more about Greenhope here, Unicef here, and Grow Cycling Foundation here.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Lindsey Richter (she/her) is the founder of the Ladies AllRide mountain bike skills camps. She is a former Survivor TV show participant, marketing dynamo, and all-around outdoor sports enthusiast. She loves inspiring women to face fears, gain skills, and have FUN on mountain bikes.
In this episode, Lindsey and DZ chat about her experience on Survivor, how biking has helped her mental health, getting more women into biking, and her new book: Mountain Biking Adventures with Izzy, Etiquette Is a Big Word.
You can learn more about Ladies AllRide and Lindsey on their website, Instagram, or Facebook. You can also buy her new book here.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Nino Schurter grew up in a small Romansh-speaking mountain village in the Val Lumnezia, Graubünden. He spent a great deal of time outdoors with his parents and two elder siblings. Mountain biking was particularly fascinating for them and they developed a great passion for such a fun style of riding. Since then, Nino has won so many titles, it’s almost hard to count them all. Some of them consist of winning Silver in the London Olympics, being World Champion ten times over, and being the World Cup Overall Champ eight times.
In this episode, Nino and DZ chat about growing up biking with his family, how Nino got into flying helicopters, how he uses other activities to fit into his training, and his involvement in SolidarMed.
You can learn more about SolidarMed and Nino’s work there here, and catch up with Nino here.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Originally from Australia and residing in Boulder, Colorado, Mirinda Carfrae (she/her) is one of the world’s most successful triathletes. Her 2007 70.3 World Championships win secured her ticket to the Ironman World Championships in Kona. In 2009, she set a course run record and finished second in her first Kona appearance. She has only continued her dominance on the triathlon scene since then.
In this episode, Mirinda and DZ discuss growing up on a small crop farm, the mental component of racing, her favorite leg of the triathlon, working with World Bicycle Relief, and much more!
You can catch up with Mirinda on her website, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Kiel Reijnen (he/him) is an American cyclist, who currently competes for American “all surface”, gravel team Trek Driftless. He previously competed in professional road racing between 2008 and 2021. Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Kiel is a father, sailor, and gravel bike adventurer and racer.
In this episode, Kiel and DZ dive into what it was like growing up on Bainbridge Island, raising his two daughters, his deep love for where he lives, and why he recently transitioned into gravel biking.
Follow along with Kiel here, learn more about the Bainbridge Mountain Biking scene here, and check out his epic bikepacking adventure with his 5-year-old daughter here.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Photo credit to Kevin Scott-Bachelor.
Alexis Ryan (she/her) is an American racing cyclist, who rides for American amateur team L39ION of Los Angeles. She is the sister of fellow racing cyclist Kendall Ryan and She’s been crushing it on 2 wheels since 2007.
In this episode, Alexis and DZ chat about overcoming injuries and crashes, learning to focus and compartmentalize, deciding what is important in life, and being teammates with her sister.
Learn more about Cycle Kids here.
Catch up with Alexis on Instagram.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Photo credit to Kit Karzen.
Claudio Caluori is a professional mountain biker who has won the Swiss National Championships 7 times, raced in the World Cup, founded and managed multiple World Cup race teams, and is the owner of the pump track company, Velosolutions.
In this episode, Claudio and DZ talk about Claudio transitioning from hockey to mountain biking, how he started to build pump tracks, the origin of Pump for Peace, and Claudio’s unique idea to create the first asphalt pump track.
Learn more:
- Pump for Peace: Website | Instagram
- Velosolutions: Website | Instagram
Catch up with Claudio on Instagram.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Christopher Blevins (he/his/him) started in BMX at five years old and raced around the country until he was 16. At 12 years old, he started racing mountain and road alongside BMX, which is only natural for a kid growing up in Durango to do. In 2019, he decided to focus on mountain biking with an eye on the Tokyo Olympics. He hopes the rest of his career is one of adventure and connecting with people through the sport he loves. The biggest win of his future career would be in helping kids discover the bike for all it can be.
In this episode, Christopher and DZ talk about Christopher’s early years racing BMX, his Olympic experience and future Olympic goals, Christopher’s new venture: Stilspoke, and his involvement in Outride, Silver Stallion Bike and Coffee, and Protect Our Winters.
Mentioned in this episode:
- Learn more about Stilspoke.
- Support Outride.
- Check out Protect Our Winters.
- Silver Stallion Bike and Coffee.
Catch up with Christopher on LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter.Learn more about SRAM here.
Sven Nys (he/his/him) is a former professional cyclist competing in cyclo-cross and mountain bike. With two world championships, seven world cups, and over 140 competitive victories, he is considered one of the best cyclo-cross racers and remains a prominent figure in cyclo-cross.
In this episode, Sven and DZ talk about how he got into biking, Sven’s transition from racing to coaching, his son’s racing success, and The Sven Nys Academy which aims to develop the next generation.
Catch up with Sven on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, or his website.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Braydon Bringhurst has been passionate about bike riding since his childhood, and now as a husband, father, and mountain bike rider, he finds great joy in sharing his love for two wheels with other people. As co-founder of the Boise Mountain Bike
Festival, he aims to break down walls between cycling groups and celebrate the common joy of riding bikes. In his most recent project, and biggest one to date, a film called ‘8600FT,’ Braydon attempts to climb the infamous “Whole Enchilada” trail. He hopes this film will show some of the processes of overcoming challenges in our lives.
In this episode, Braydon and DZ talk about Braydon’s background in pole vaulting, his introduction to filmmaking, the motivation that a great film can create for the audience, and much more!
Watch Braydon’s film, ‘8600FT’.
Catch up with Braydon online on Instagram or at the ‘8600FT’ website.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Rebecca Rusch (she/her) is the “Queen of Pain” with a heart of gold. She is a seven-time World Champion and well-known in the ultra adventure and endurance realms for nearly three decades, the first person inducted into both the prestigious international Mountain Bike Hall Of Fame as well as the inaugural class of the Gravel Cycling Hall of Fame, her status as a fierce competitor and inclusive influencer motivates millions during the Vietnam War.
In this episode, Rebecca and DZ talk about not being defined by gender roles, starting the Be Good Foundation, and pedaling the Ho Chi Minh trail to discover the crash site where her father was shot down 40 years earlier.
Learn more about and support the Be Good Foundation here.
Watch the film ‘Blood Road’.
Sign up for Rebecca’s Private Idaho Event.
Catch up with Rebecca online on YouTube, Instagram, or her website.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Alistair Brownlee is a lifelong athlete and professional sportsman, passionate about encouraging others to live healthily. He is the only triathlete ever to retain an Olympic title, winning in both London 2012 and Rio 2016. With Jonny Brownlee, Alistair started the Brownlee Foundation to help get more young people introduced to swimming, cycling, running, and triathlon.
In this episode, Alistair and DZ chat about starting the Brownlee Foundation, his scariest moment on the bike, bonking during Ironman Kona, and how to motivate and inspire a community.
Learn more about and support the Brownlee Foundation here.
Catch up with Alistair on Instagram or LinkedIn.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Sarah Swallow (she/her) is an adventure cyclist, organizer, route developer, and advocate. As a representative for the sport, she shares the knowledge she gains from her experiences and promotes cycling as a positive tool for well-being, community connection, and relating to the natural landscapes we travel through.
In this episode, Sarah and DZ chat about her introduction to gravel riding, starting the now-infamous Ruta Del Jefe, the Borderlands Humanitarian Crisis, and much more.
Learn more about the Ruta Del Jefe here. You can catch up with Sarah on her website or on her Instagram.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Originally from Texas, Payson McElveen (he/him) relocated to Durango, CO in 2012 to simultaneously pursue an undergraduate education at collegiate cycling powerhouse Fort Lewis College and his dream of being a professional mountain biker. After graduating, his career went in a bit of an unexpected direction, gravitating toward longer events like a 6-day Mongolia Bike Challenge instead of the traditional route of XC, World Cups, and Olympic trials.
In this episode, Payson and DZ talk about Payson’s podcast, Adventure Stache, riding across Iceland with Chris Burkard, and his upcoming trip across Tasmania.
Watch Payson’s ride across Iceland here and check out his podcast, The Adventure Stache, here.
Catch up with Payson on Instagram.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Kate Courtney (she/her) is a professional cross-country mountain bike racer from Marin County, California. Kate is an Olympian, World Champion, and World Cup Overall Winner who currently competes for the Scott-SRAM MTB Racing Team. Beyond racing, Kate is a Stanford Graduate, passionate writer and speaker, and dedicated advocate for getting more girls on bikes.
In this episode, Kate and DZ talk about when she realized she needed to give back, starting the Sparkle On Foundation, and some fun stories like how she rode her bike to her own wedding.
Learn more about Kate’s Sparkle On Scholarship here! Also, you can find out more about Little Bellas here.
Catch up with Kate on Instagram, Twitter, or her website.
Learn more about SRAM here.
Coming soon to wherever you listen to podcasts: The Changing Gears Podcast, Powered by SRAM.
Hosted by David Zimberoff, better known as DZ, who has led marketing at SRAM for 30 years, the Changing Gears Podcast will share conversations with SRAM’s athletes and ambassadors from around the world who are inspiring others, challenging themselves, and making change that counts.
Subscribe to this podcast and never miss a new episode. Learn more about SRAM here and follow along on Instagram.
We’ll also be releasing this podcast in video format over on the SRAM YouTube channel.
Stay tuned for our first episodes dropping on November 10th!