The Art of Mountain Biking

A listener's beautiful take on the changing nature of flow. Happy Friday, y'all! The weather is finally cooperating this weekend in Utah. So I hope you all are going to get out and ride, I know I am. I completed an interview yesterday with Dr. Eric Brymer. This interview will air on Tuesday, May 21st, but we got to talking about the existential or mystical facet—the spiritual facet—of adventure, and adventure in nature, in particular. And it was interesting that I conducted this interview right after I had received the most beautiful message from one of our listeners, Scott (Scott, if you’re here, say hi in the comments so people can respond to you directly!), who lives in Utah. He responded to the form I put out this week asking for feedback about the podcast, (thank you to everybody who filled out that form, btw. I really appreciate it.), and he suggested we talk about some of the differences in how flow feels between cross country and downhill. So I reached out to him saying that I loved his point about cross country flow vs. downhill flow, and I asked him which one he tended to prefer. And Scott had the most beautiful response that spoke directly to what Dr. Eric Brymer was speaking of in that interview. It was so beautiful that I asked him if I could share his message with you all. I get these messages from time to time from riders that just blow me away at who is listening to the show. If you see yourself in Scotts message, just know that there are so many of us out in nature, on a bike, finding these deep, meaningful, impactful life changing experiences out there. And I wanted to share this one. If you have a message you’d like to share with the AOMTB audience, message me directly on Substack or send it to theartofmountainbikingpodcast@gmail.com.

Rebroadcasting our intimate conversation with backcountry skier Melissa Gill about loss, grief, nature, and the beauty of life. May marks Mental Health Awareness Month, a time that calls for reflecting, learning, and engaging in meaningful dialogues about the complex world of mental health. To honor this month, we're reaching into our podcast archives to bring back a conversation that beautifully intertwines grief, mental wellbeing, and the healing power of outdoor pursuits. This is an older conversation that’s worth a re-listen. Since we last published this episode last May, the Patagonia film The Meaningless Pursuit of Snow, which Mel references in this conversation, is now available. And it’s really beautiful, y’all. Worth a watch. Content notice: This episode contains real and honest depictions of grief and death. If you are reading this and you're grieving, know that your pain is valid, irrespective of what prompted it—be it the death of a loved one, a relationship at its end, or the loss of employment. It's a journey without a map, and what works for one person may prove futile for another. Einstein once said, "Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." That certainly has been the case for us. Melissa Gill is a woodworker, meditation teacher, Head of Operations for SimplyMTB and a lover of anything outdoors. She sees backcountry skiing as a playground for adventure and self development and in the summer months, can be found trail running or sleeping in a hammock in the middle of a forest. Of all things in life, she is most is passionate about mental health and creating safe spaces for healing for both her and her community. As a mindfulness meditation teacher, she believes most things in life can be solved, healed and made more beautiful with a heavy dose of self compassion. Like this episode? Share it with someone who needs it! Share Like the podcast and want to do your part? Send us a tip here or consider a recurring paid subscription. Your support helps us cover the time and resources it takes to create free long-form content. Resources mentioned in this episode: Meditation teachers Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. Danielle has written about the loss she describes in this episode for the Medium publication Age of Empathy. Let’s connect! Please don’t forget to rate, subscribe, and share this if it resonates, and you can DM Danielle now directly on Substack! If you’ve found value in the podcast, consider sending us a tip, here.

MTB Fitness' Matt Mooney joins to discuss how fitness, nutrition, and mindset combine to create a positive upward spiral of health and performance. A singular focus on peak bike performance makes sense for the pros—but most riders must fit their biking practice into demanding lives. Matt Mooney of MTB Fitness provides advice on incorporating training into daily routines and harnessing the transformative power of discipline. This guidance is beneficial for riders seeking to enhance their experience on the bike as well as their mental and physical health. Matt Mooney is a personal trainer and founder of MTB Fitness. MTB Fitness social accounts have hundreds of thousands of followers, and the MTB Fit app helps riders in over 60 countries climb easier, descend stronger, and ride further. Like this episode? Share it with someone who needs it! Share Like the podcast and want to do your part? Send us a tip here or consider a recurring paid subscription. Your support helps us cover the time and resources it takes to create free long-form content. Referenced in this episode: MTB Fitness EMDR Therapy (the one where you move your eyes a certain way) The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*CK: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson Let’s connect! Please don’t forget to rate, subscribe, and share this if it resonates, and you can DM Danielle now directly on Substack! If you’ve found value in the podcast, consider sending us a tip, here.

Episode 2 on positioning was our most popular of all time. In this episode, we're digging deeper into all the nitty gritty details of proper body positioning on the bike, as well as some philosophical musings on positioning for success both on the trails and off. Like this episode? Share it with someone who needs it! Share Like the podcast and want to do your part? Send us a tip here or consider a recurring paid subscription. Your support helps us cover the time and resources it takes to create free long-form content. Referenced in this episode: Episode 2 on Positioning Episode 4 on Holding Center Episode 44 with Lennard Zinn The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel Let’s connect! Please don’t forget to rate, subscribe, and share this if it resonates, and you can DM Danielle now directly on Substack! If you’ve found value in the podcast, consider sending us a tip, here.

Because how many of us are truly industry standard, you know? Six-foot-six former national team cyclist Lennard Zinn joins the podcast to discuss how different bodies interact differently with different bikes and give some recommendations for those looking to start customizing their bikes to their own bodies, styles, and experiences. LENNARD ZINN is a bike racer, frame builder, and technical writer. After receiving his physics degree from Colorado College, he became a member of the U.S. Olympic Development (road) Cycling Team.He has been producing Zinn custom road, gravel, mountain, cyclocross triathlon, and e-bike frames and complete bicycles, as well as custom forks, cranks and stems, at Zinn Cycles since 1982. Books by Zinn include: Zinn & the Art of Road Bike Maintenance, Zinn & the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance, The Haywire Heart, Zinn & the Art of Triathlon Bikes, Zinn’s Cycling Primer, Mountain Bike Performance Handbook, and Mountain Bike Owner’s Manual. Like this episode? Share it with someone who needs it! Share Like the podcast and want to do your part? Send us a tip here or consider a recurring paid subscription. Your support helps us cover the time and resources it takes to create free long-form content. Referenced in this episode: Chasing Venus: The Race to Measure the Heavens by Andrea Wulf Kokopelli Trail Leadville 100 race The Haywire Heart: How Too Much Exercise Can Kill You, and What You Can Do to Protect Your Heart by Lennard Zinn Fraser Island Let’s connect! Please don’t forget to rate, subscribe, and share this if it resonates, and you can DM Danielle now directly on Substack! If you’ve found value in the podcast, consider sending us a tip, here.

Don't let your defaults go unexamined—the affects of our holding patterns compound over time. Holding patterns, the unconscious positions in the body (and the mind) can develop from stress, injury, or repetitive actions over time. They can also surface as a default response to our own individual structure. Identifying and addressing these holding patterns through mindfulness, play, and feedback can help improve alignment, stability, flexibility, and performance. Like this episode? Share it with someone who needs it! Like the podcast and want to do your part? Send us a tip here or consider a recurring paid subscription. Your support helps us cover the time and resources it takes to create free long-form content. Referenced in this episode: Our Fall Better episode Antelope Island (which emerges out of the Great Salt Lake) Holding pattern definition in aviation Kyphotic curve, which is an exaggerated, forward rounding of the upper back (so when you slouch, your spine is in this position) Knees over toes guy Rocksteady Bodyworks (whom we love and recommend to everyone—tell them we sent you!) If you’re wondering what Jamie’s “ums” look like in my editing software, they look like this: You’re welcome. Let’s connect! Please don’t forget to rate, subscribe, and share this if it resonates, and you can DM Danielle now directly on Substack! If you’ve found value in the podcast, consider sending us a tip, here.

How we approach the trail matters, especially when climbing and turning. Sometimes, you gotta come in sideways, you know? Considering the angle of approach is important in technical climbing. It can also be applied to communication and relationships. Danielle and Jamie talk about how considering different angles of approach, both physically and verbally, can make difficult situations and obstacles easier to navigate. Like the podcast? Send us a tip here or consider a recurring paid subscription. Your support helps us cover the time and resources it takes to create free long-form content. Also, if you’re in the market for a new bike, consider an Ari (formerly Fezzari) bike, and tell them we sent you. Referenced in this episode: Moab’s Klonzo network. Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection by Charles Duhigg “No” energy, as discussed in our Fall Better episode A note on happiness research: These weren’t mentioned explicitly in the episode, but when Danielle talks about approaching happiness at an angle, she’s drawing on research about some indirect things that bring about wellbeing, like nurturing good relationships and experiencing other people’s joy, and other research that is leery of what they (yes, the royal “they’) call toxic positivity—when people take the goal of happiness a little too far. Let’s connect! Please don’t forget to rate, subscribe, and share this if it resonates, and you can DM Danielle now directly on Substack! If you’ve found value in the podcast, consider sending us a tip, here.

Many of us know that feedback is good for us (if you don't, it is). Here we break down the mechanics of how it works and what often gets in the way. Feedback, flow, performance, growth… they all go hand in hand. Also, hiiii! We’re back, and we missed you all! Like the podcast? Send us a tip, here or consider a recurring paid subscription. Your support helps us cover the time and resources it takes to create free long-form content. Also, if you’re in the market for a new bike, consider an Ari (formerly Fezzari) bike, and tell them we sent you. Referenced in this episode: Moab trail Bull Run and Navajo Rocks and Klondike Bluffs areas. Let’s connect! Please don’t forget to rate, subscribe, and share this if it resonates, and you can DM Danielle now directly on Substack! If you’ve found value in the podcast, consider sending us a tip, here.

If you would like to lend your support and help us navigate this next chapter as this amazing year comes to a close, we’d love it if you’d consider a: One-time Donation: This would go a long way in sustaining our podcast and allowing us to continue producing valuable content. Name your price. You can send a direct donation via Paypal. Paid Subscription: By signing up for a paid membership, not only will you be supporting us in a more sustainable manner, but you'll also gain access to ad-free listening. Additionally, if you’re in it with your year-end holiday shopping, we've got a few ways you can support us indirectly: Check out Xero Shoes: If you're in the market for new footwear, consider using our link when purchasing Xero Shoes. I wear almost only these. Your purchase through this link will help us earn a commission, without costing you anything extra. Get a Fezzari Bike: If you're considering a new bike for yourself or someone special, check out Utah’s own Fezzari Bikes. Jamie rides them exclusively, and has for years. They’re awesome. Let them know that The Art of Mountain Biking Podcast sent you. Once again, our deepest gratitude goes out to you for your continued support throughout the year. With your assistance, we can ensure the longevity of The Art of Mountain Biking Podcast and its ability to positively impact the lives of fellow (and future) enthusiasts. Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a fantastic year ahead!

Go deeper in the winter to go wider in the summer. Like the podcast? Send us a tip, here! Paid subscribers enjoy ad-free listening! Subscribe to our Substack here. Want some awesome shoes? Try Xero Shoes—they’re rad and Danielle’s new favorites are the Denvers (she still loves the Taris tho), and they have several cold-weather options too. Plus, they’re having a mega sale right now, so… If you're considering a new bike for yourself or someone special (maybe as a holiday gift?), check out Fezzari Bikes. Jamie rides them exclusively, and has for years. They’re awesome. They offer financing options. Let them know that The Art of Mountain Biking Podcast sent you. Referenced in this episode: Liam Johnston, who did our cover art and is also doing the art for Danielle’s forthcoming newsletter, It’s Nuanced. He’s great. The King’s Peak, Fezzari’s fat bike Seasonality of human sleep: Polysomnographic data of a neuropsychiatric sleep clinic, published in the journal Frontiers of Neuroscience “The Year of No Grudges” by poet Andrea Gibson AOMTB Episode 38: Adventure and Mental Health with Cary Judd The Gaia yoga app, which Jamie uses. Danielle uses Alo Moves. Also, if you live in Salt Lake County, our in-person studios are Rocksteady Bodyworks and Mountain Yoga Sandy. None of these businesses pay us—we just genuinely like them. If you see us there, say hi. Sender Ramps Lastly, Jamie recently had a birthday. Let’s send her some love! Let’s connect! Please don’t forget to rate, subscribe, and share this if it resonates! If you’ve found value in the podcast, consider sending us a donation or becoming a paid subscriber to help keep the lights on!

Traction is an underlying factor to many experiences on the mountain bike. Understanding this concept will help keep you safe and make you fast. Like the podcast? Send us a tip, here! Want some awesome shoes? Try Xero Shoes—they’re rad and Danielle wears the Taris every day of her life. Also, Fezzari Bicycles is offering special financing during their huge Black Friday sale, happening now! You can get the Delano Peak for up to $1100 off and the La Sal Peak for up to $1500 off, and there’s deals on others as well. Make sure to tell them we sent you! Paid subscribers enjoy ad-free listening! Subscribe at theartofmountainbiking.com. Referenced in this episode: Lake Blanche hiking trail Canyon Hollow - Rush - Limelight route in Corner Canyon, UT 9k trail Our Fast is Fun episode with Rhianon Gelsomino Let’s connect! Please don’t forget to rate, subscribe, and share this if it resonates! If you’ve found value in the podcast, consider sending us a tip, here!

Sometimes, the risk of NOT going is higher than the risk of going. CONTENT NOTICE: This conversation includes depictions of suicide and suicidal ideation. If you or someone you know is struggling, you can find help at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Visit their website or call/text 988. Please keep going. Cary Judd is a documentarian, photographer, and adventurist. The film 828, directed by Drew Garcia, follows Cary as he attempts to ride the Iceland Ring Road on an e-skateboard. Like the podcast? Send us a tip, here! Want some awesome shoes? Try Xero Shoes—they’re rad and Danielle wears the Taris every day of her life. Paid subscribers enjoy ad-free listening! Subscribe at https://www.theartofmountainbiking.com/. Referenced in this episode: The film 828. You can find it on Instagram (@828documentary), Facebook, and Amazon Prime. Dr. Gabor Mate Let’s connect! Book a lesson with SimplyMTB or work with Danielle’s project-based growth model at You Need a Thing. Please don’t forget to rate, subscribe, and share this if it resonates! If you’ve found value in the podcast, consider sending us a tip, here!

If you've ever been on a mountain bike in nature, you get it. Like the podcast? Send us a tip, here! Want some awesome shoes? Try Xero Shoes—they’re rad and Danielle wears the Taris every day of her life. Ad-free listening available to paid Substack subscribers. Referenced in this episode: Danielle’s essay “On Hummingbirds” (which is NOT the title that made it to press) The Science of Awe white paper Transcend: The New Science of Self-Actualization by Scott Barry Kaufman The poet Andrea Gibson (this one is a fav) Danielle’s forthcoming newsletter It’s Nuanced Let’s connect! Book a lesson with SimplyMTB or work with Danielle’s project-based growth model at You Need a Thing. Please don’t forget to rate, subscribe, and share this if it resonates! If you’ve found value in the podcast, consider sending us a tip, here!

Speed isn't found, it's built. Rhianon Gelsomino is a professional Rally Co-Driver who has co-driven full time with Travis Pastrana and currently co-drives for Lia Block. Simply put, she knows a thing or two about speed and talks all about it in this episode. Referenced in this episode: Rhianon’s documentary on YouTube Check out Rhianon’s instagram and Facebook Brandon Semenuk Red Bull Rampage Travis Pastrana Ken and Lia Block Let’s connect! Book a lesson with SimplyMTB or work with Danielle’s project-based growth model at You Need a Thing. Please don’t forget to rate, subscribe, and share this if it resonates! If you’ve found value in the podcast, consider sending us a tip, here!

Jamie's working title was "What If It Were Easy?" Tomayto tomahto. In case you missed it, we’ve moved to Tuesdays! Like the podcast? Send us a tip, here! Want some awesome shoes? Try Xero Shoes—they’re rad and Danielle wears the Taris every day of her life. Referenced in this episode: The National Parks Service’s instagram account (it’s a good follow) The trails Mormon Pioneer, Green Pond, and Brim Trail The book Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Peter Attia talks about Zone 2 cardio. Our Fall Better and Active and Passive Pressure episodes Harvard SHINE research on caring work environments Research from Harvard’s Human Flourishing Program on religious communities Study linking life expectancy and marriage The Harvard Study of Adult Development - this one wasn’t referenced directly, but it informed some of what Danielle mentioned. It’s fascinating and has been running since 1938! Let’s connect! Book a lesson with SimplyMTB or work with Danielle’s project-based growth model at You Need a Thing. Please don’t forget to rate, subscribe, and share this if it resonates! If you’ve found value in the podcast, consider sending us a tip, here!

We're naturally inclined to search for clues with our vision while riding through dynamic environments. Some clues need less of your attention. Also, we're on Tuesdays now, folks! Mondays were (are) a whole thing. Like the podcast? Send us a tip, here! Want some awesome shoes? Try Xero Shoes—they’re rad and Danielle wears the Taris every day of her life. We’re still calling for calling for questions for our first AMA (Ask Me Anything) from paid subscribers, so make sure you get those in by today, October 10th! Referenced in this episode: Our Vision episode. Jacob's Ladder and Rush, Corner Canyon, UT Let’s connect! Book a lesson with SimplyMTB or work with Danielle at You Need a Thing. Please don’t forget to rate, subscribe, and share this if it resonates! If you’ve found value in the podcast, consider sending us a tip, here!

Any project, hobby, or avocation carries the opportunity for growth and transformation... if you let it. We chat about what that looks like and how to engage with this process in 33. Like the podcast? Send us a tip, here! Want some awesome shoes? Try Xero Shoes—they’re rad and Danielle wears the Taris every day of her life. We’re still calling for calling for questions for our first AMA (Ask Me Anything) from paid subscribers, so make sure you get those in by October 10th! Referenced in this episode: You Need a Thing, Danielle’s project-based personal growth model Being Well podcast with Rick and Forrest Hanson We Can Do Hard Things podcast with Glennon Doyle Our transfer episode When Danielle mentions Albert at the end of the episode, she’s referring to Albert Flynn DeSilver from episode 24 Let’s connect! Book a lesson with SimplyMTB or work with Danielle’s project-based growth model at You Need a Thing. Please don’t forget to rate, subscribe, and share this if it resonates! If you’ve found value in the podcast, consider sending us a tip, here!

Your core, your center, holds your power. Learning how to generate movement and action from this place keeps you grounded and unlocks your freedom. Like the podcast? Send us a tip, here! This episode is a repost. If you listened back then, listen again to focus on or notice something new. If you haven’t listened yet, this one will really help you elevate your experience on the bike. In the meantime, we’re taking a little fall break from recording and are going to be working on some new perks for paid subscribers, calling for questions for our first AMA (Ask Me Anything), and reaching out to the community more. We want to know you, so watch out for more correspondence! Let’s connect! Book a lesson with SimplyMTB or work with Danielle’s project-based growth model at You Need a Thing. Please don’t forget to rate, subscribe, and share this if it resonates! If you’ve found value in the podcast, consider sending us a tip, here! P.S. Sorry for the delay on this one, folks.

So many skills on the bike are built on a foundation of knowing how to stop well. Braking skills buy you stability, safety, and speed. Like the podcast? Send us a tip, here! This episode is a repost. If you listened back then, listen again to refocus and take away something new. If you haven’t listened yet, this one will really help you elevate your experience on the bike. In the meantime, we’re taking a little fall break from recording and are going to be working on some new perks for paid subscribers, calling for questions for our first AMA, and reaching out to the community more. We want to know you, so watch out for more correspondence these next two weeks! Let’s connect! Book a lesson with SimplyMTB or work with Danielle’s project-based growth model at You Need a Thing. Please don’t forget to rate, subscribe, and share this if it resonates! If you’ve found value in the podcast, consider sending us a tip, here!

Good bike/body separation is key to leveling up as a beginner or even an intermediate rider. When each element of your body, the bike, and the trail work in concert, you achieve dexterity on the bike. Like the podcast? Send us a tip, here! Referenced in this episode: Our Braking and Ride Beautifully episodes Pepe Romero talks about finger independence at about 5:22 of this video. It’s just beautiful. 2023 UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Rider Brandon Semenuk (check this out) Centrifugal force is an outward force that pushes away from an axis of rotation on a revolving object. This is why it would be the force that pushes you into a berm, for example, because your force is moving outward away from the direction you’re turning. Barrel roll trail in St. George, Utah Paid subscribers will receive a copy of Jamie’s Bike Anatomy doc! Let’s connect! Book a lesson with SimplyMTB or work with Danielle’s project-based growth model at You Need a Thing. Please don’t forget to rate, subscribe, and share this if it resonates! If you’ve found value in the podcast, consider sending us a tip, here!