Girls Moving Mountains

In Episode 8, we talk with Nevada North rider Zoey Oster. Zoey Oster, who is graduating high school this week, rode for Reno-Sparks Composite in Reno, Nevada. Zoey is also a part of Reno Devo, a non-profit junior cycling club that takes place in the spring and summer. Her uncle, Lane Swall, is the Team Director for the NICA team while her dad, Dan Oster, is a coach, and three of her cousins went through the Reno-Sparks team as well. In the fall, Zoey will be attending University of Nevada - Reno and plans to coach for Reno-Sparks Composite to help pass on her love for mountain biking to future student-athletes. Zoey will also be helping lead the Nevada North League's GRiT program. Zoey talks about how much NICA and mountain biking has enhanced her life. She has made some of her best friends, spent meaningful time with her family on event weekends and at practice, and learned how to challenge herself, both mentally and physically. Zoey also opens up about her struggles with anxiety and depression, something she learned more about from a crash that caused a concussion. Zoey has a wonderful support network, but she still sees a lot of value in being open about her struggles since she feels there are others in her position that might not know they aren't alone. Coming from someone who is just graduating high school, Zoey is wise beyond her years.  GMM is funded by NICA National with support from Rapha Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, and Continental Tires. Also, the folks at The Gravel Lot, another wonderful podcast, have spent countless hours helping us! Learn more about NICA, GRiT, and getting #morekidsonbikes and #moregirlsonbikes here: https://www.nationalmtb.org Jen Malik is the League Director for the Ohio League. Learn more about the Ohio League here: https://www.ohiomtb.orgNikki Peterson is the League Director for the Nevada North League. Learn more about the Nevada North League here: www.nevadamtb.org

In episode 7, we have a meaningful conversation with Jess Cerra, who lives in Whitefish, CA. Years ago, Jess moved to San Diego to complete her Master's Degree in Exercise Physiology. While working in the lab on her thesis, she accidentally discovered that she had an “Olympic level” Vo2 max. Her professor introduced her to mountain biking and Xterra Triathlons, where she won an Ametuer National Championship. After surgery for iliac artery endofibrosis, Jess found herself on a road bike to gain back fitness. She stuck with the road bike, competed in  road races as a Cat 2 athlete, before getting her first Pro contract. To support her racing, she was also a personal chef and owned her own catering company called “Fit Food by Jess.” Eventually, Jess founded JoJé Bar, a certified gluten-free energy bar made with wholesome real-food ingredients. After years of building the company, she reached a point where she sold JoJé Bar to Alete Active Nutrition, where she is currently the Vice President of Product & Community Development. During this time, Jess started transitioning from Pro roadie to Pro gravel racer, with more focus on enjoyment than results. She and her partner, Sam, also moved back to her hometown in Whitefish, Montana. In 2021, she and Sam also created The Last Best Ride (TLBR), a community-driven gravel event that showcases their home in Whitefish. An important component of the TLBR is the scholarship program Jess has created, which awarded $21,000 to high school girls in her hometown. This year, the program has grown and expanded! This episode is inspiring as we learn one woman's story about how hard work, self-belief, and a positive village can help meaningful projects, companies, and events come to life and flourish. GMM is funded by NICA National with support from Rapha Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, and Continental Tires. Also, the folks at The Gravel Lot, another wonderful podcast, have spent countless hours helping us! Follow Jess Cerra on Instagram: @​jesscerra Check out the Last Best Ride: https://www.thelastbestridemt.com/  Follow the Last Best Ride on Instagram: @thelastbestride Buy JoJé Bars (our favorite is the Lemon Blueberry Quinoa): https://jojebar.com/collections/joje-bar Learn more about NICA, GRiT, and getting #morekidsonbikes and #moregirlsonbikes here: https://www.nationalmtb.org Jen Malik is the League Director for the Ohio League. Learn more about the Ohio League here: https://www.ohiomtb.org Nikki Peterson is the League Director for the Nevada League. Learn more about the Nevada League here: www.nevadamtb.org

In episode 6, we talk with Amy Morrison, who lives in Carson City, NV. Growing up in the midwest and with two brothers, Amy has an interesting athletic background that ranges from barefoot skiing to collegiate pole vaulting. After graduating from Clemson University, she took a job in pharmaceutical sales that involved a lot of travel. Eventually she ended up in the NorCal and Northern Nevada Territory, bought a bike, and traveled to work meetings with a bike on the back of her vehicle. After her workday, she would get out on her bike and explore the area.  In a roundabout way, this led to Enduro racing. Amy discovered she had a talent right away and found herself on the podium in her very first races. She started racing more seriously while also making a career change to become a high school teacher. Amy has now won two National Championships in the Women's Pro Enduro and raced at the highest level for Enduro, the Enduro World Series. In addition to teaching and racing, Amy started a NICA team at Dayton High School, a small high school in the Nevada League. She has worked to give kids the opportunity to discover the joy of mountain bikes while finding balance for herself in the teams laid back, lets-have-fun approach.  GMM is funded by NICA National with support from Rapha Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, and Continental Tires. Also, the folks at The Gravel Lot, another wonderful podcast, have spent countless hours helping us! Follow Amy Morrison on Instagram here: @amymo_11 Learn more about NICA, GRiT, and getting #morekidsonbikes and #moregirlsonbikes here: https://www.nationalmtb.org Jen Malik is the League Director for the Ohio League. Learn more about the Ohio League here: https://www.ohiomtb.org Nikki Peterson is the League Director for the Nevada League. Learn more about the Nevada League here: www.nevadamtb.org  

In episode 5, we talk with Melany Lowe, who lives in Columbus, Ohio. Melany has infectious energy! She enjoys riding mountain bikes, is a board member for the Central Ohio Mountain Bike Organization (COMBO),  and is a member of the Lady Gnar Shredders. While the team has historically had a large group of road bikers, Melany has helped build the mountain bike side of the program. She is also known for riding her hardtail down super gnarly enduro trails! Through COMBO, Melany has created something called “Women Crush Weekends.” WCW is meant to create community and friendships within the state of Ohio and beyond. Since the episode was recorded, the first event at Mike's Bike Park has taken place and was a huge success! In fact, Jen attended and had a great time. Talking with Melany was really inspiring and this episode shows how much of an impact a leader can have on a group. Jen and Melany are already making plans for the Lady Gnar Shredders and COMBO to get involved with the Ohio NICA League GRiT program! GMM is funded by NICA National with support from Rapha Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, and Continental Tires. Also, the folks at The Gravel Lot, another wonderful podcast, have spent countless hours helping us! Learn more about COMBO here: https://www.combomtb.com Learn more about NICA, GRiT, and getting #morekidsonbikes and #moregirlsonbikes here: https://www.nationalmtb.org Jen Malik is the League Director for the Ohio League. Learn more about the Ohio League here: https://www.ohiomtb.org Nikki Peterson is the League Director for the Nevada League. Learn more about the Nevada League here: www.nevadamtb.org

In episode 4 of season 2, we chat with Meagan Gehrke, who lives in Columbus, Ohio. Meagan is an ultra endurance cyclist who loves challenging herself with long rides that often include staying awake for many hours. Meagan currently holds the Cross Ohio W-E record, where she rode from the western end of the state to the eastern end. Meagan picked up the bug for long solo endurance efforts like this during the pandemic. We also talk with Meagan about how she found cycling in the first place and her positive experience with the Lady Gnar Shredders, an all-women's cycling team that is based out of Columbus.  For work, Meagan is a manager for Rogue Fitness, a company that produces and sells strength and conditioning equipment. Meagan started on the operations line and quickly worked her way up to a management position. We talk with her about what it's like to hold a leadership role in an industry that is traditionally male-dominated and why she feels so much pride in being the type of leader who treats everyone with respect. Lastly, we get to talk with Meagan about how she balances it all - work, workouts, record attempts, and time with her husband. This episode is very positive and its a conversation that we think listeners will really enjoy! GMM is funded by NICA National with support from Rapha Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, and Continental Tires. Also, the folks at The Gravel Lot, another wonderful podcast, have spent countless hours helping us! Learn more about NICA, GRiT, and getting #morekidsonbikes and #moregirlsonbikes here: https://www.nationalmtb.org Jen Malik is the League Director for the Ohio League. Learn more about the Ohio League here: https://www.ohiomtb.org Nikki Peterson is the League Director for the Nevada League. Learn more about the Nevada League here: www.nevadamtb.org

In Episode 3, we talk to Hailey Childress, the NICA NorCal League Program Manager. She began as a part-time employee while simultaneously working as a bike mechanic. Now, she has been hired on as a full-time employee with the league as they launch middle school racing in NorCal! Hailey is very passionate about helping girls and women find mountain biking by creating an inviting and inclusive environment. She has helped found the GRiT program in NorCal and is the GRiT Coordinator. She is also on a local all-women's team called Hello Mello Racing. Besides bikes, Hailey has a lot of other interests! One of her other passions is art. Hailey creates really rad paintings using the acrylic dutch pour method. Don't know what that is? Don't worry! She gives us a play-by-play as to how she creates these cool paintings. We also talk with Hailey about what it's like to be a female in the bike industry. While her experiences have generally been positive, there is good conversation around what it feels like to be a female mechanic in a male-dominated profession. This episode is awesome as it shows how Hailey is a well-rounded person with a spark for helping get #moregirlsonbikes! GMM is funded by NICA National with support from Rapha Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, and Continental Tires. Also, the folks at The Gravel Lot, another wonderful podcast, have spent countless hours helping us! Learn more about NICA, GRiT, and getting #morekidsonbikes and #moregirlsonbikes here: https://www.nationalmtb.org Jen Malik is the League Director for the Ohio League. Learn more about the Ohio League here: https://www.ohiomtb.org Nikki Peterson is the League Director for the Nevada League. Learn more about the Nevada League here: www.nevadamtb.org

In Episode 2, we catch up with Gilly and Lucy Millar. Gilly (10th grade), and Lucy (8th grade) are sisters who ride with the Missoula Mammoths in the Montana MTB NICA League. Their mother, Sarah, also happens to work on the NICA National staff so it's truly a family affair! While both girls love being a part of NICA and racing cross country, they have also found other disciplines that they are passionate about, which is what this episode dives into. Gilly found herself on the podium of every Montana League NICA race this year and even won a race! She battled with a teammate and had to learn the balance of friendship and competition. She gives valuable advice on how she has been able to do this. Gilly also has found a passion for cyclocross. In fact, Jen and Nikki got to cheer her on at Cyclocross Nationals in Wheaton, Illinois in the junior girls race! Lucy won her first Montana NICA race of the season and found herself on the podium at her other races. In the Montana league, the 8th grade girls is one of the larger fields. This year, Lucy has joined the Ride Montana Racing, a youth enduro development team based out of Missoula. She is the only girl on the squad, but she feels highly supported by her teammates and coaches. This episode highlights the commonality of NICA between two sisters who have also found their own passions in other disciplines. GMM is funded by NICA National with support from Rapha Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, and Continental Tires. Also, the folks at The Gravel Lot, another wonderful podcast, have spent countless hours helping us! Learn more about NICA, GRiT, and getting #morekidsonbikes and #moregirlsonbikes here: https://www.nationalmtb.org Jen Malik is the League Director for the Ohio League. Learn more about the Ohio League here: https://www.ohiomtb.orgNikki Peterson is the Program Coordinator for the SoCal League. Learn more about the SoCal League here: http://www.socaldirt.org

In Episode 1, we talk with Liv Cycling racer Kaysee Armstrong. The conversation starts with Kaysee telling us about running and hiking the Rim2Rim2Rim in the Grand Canyon on Winter Solstice, an adventure she had finished the day before the recording alongside her fiancé. The conversation is the perfect starter as it embodies Kaysee: a lover of all things endurance and adventure! We also talk about Kaysee's racing in 2021 as well as her goals for 2022, which includes the Lifetime Grand Prix series. Kaysee has been on the Liv Factory team for years and has seen a lot of success with many podiums at high level races. What she enjoys most about the Liv team, however, is that they value her beyond racing and that they work endlessly to help get more girls and women on bikes. Cycling has impacted Kaysee's life in such a positive way and she works hard to help spread the joy so that others can have a similar experience. Lastly, we talk about the youth cycling team she helped found and is still involved with in Knoxville, Tennessee. This episode is fun, cheerful, energetic, and really positive! GMM is funded by NICA National with support from Rapha Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, and Continental Tires. Also, the folks at The Gravel Lot, another wonderful podcast, have spent countless hours helping us! Learn more about NICA, GRiT, and getting #morekidsonbikes and #moregirlsonbikes here: https://www.nationalmtb.org Follow Kaysee on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaysodip/ Jen Malik is the League Director for the Ohio League. Learn more about the Ohio League here: https://www.ohiomtb.org Nikki Peterson is the Program Coordinator for the SoCal League. Learn more about the SoCal League here: http://www.socaldirt.org

In Episode 22, we have a fun and insightful conversation with newly-retired NICA Arkansas League Director, Kyla Templeton, and NICA Montana League Director and Olympian, Sam Schultz. The NICA League Directors from around the country met at the Trek Headquarters in Waterloo, Wisconsin in the beginning of November to inspire, collaborate, and connect with one another. During that time, Kyla's curiosity led to some fun conversations with Sam about the Olympics, starting the Montana League, paragliding, and more. We decided to follow those conversations up with a podcast so our listeners could enjoy the fun energy and stories! Kyla Templeton co-founded the NICA Arkansas League in 2016. She was the league director until recently, when she stepped down to pursue a new business with Nat Ross called Bike School Bentonville. Kyla is a passionate woman who lights up the room with her lightheartedness and funny jokes. Through incredible leadership, Kyla has built an amazing team of volunteers in Arkansas, which has seen incredible growth in recent years. The league also has a thriving GRiT program. Kyla has a husband, two sons, and an elderly dish-cleaning dog named Pilgrim.  Sam Schultz is an Olympian and the co-founder of the NICA Montana League, which was founded in 2019. Montana's first season saw them as the largest first-year NICA league to date and the league continues to grow, even through the pandemic. Montana's GRiT program is also strong with a group of women, including Sam's mom, who have nurtured the program into something special. Sam is humble about his racing accomplishments, including the Olympics, where he finished 15th in the XCO race. While we don't talk much about his racing, we do get a post-race story out of him thanks to a tip from the Maryland League. Sam has a pup that he rescued from a burning dump in Mexico named Pancho, who is also an avid mountain biker! This episode shows the power of connecting positive, passionate people and how impactful it can be. It also shows that while NICA certainly changes kid's lives, it can be equally as life-changing for adults. This is our season finale and we could not be more proud to end it on such a high note! GMM is funded by NICA National with support from Rapha Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, and Continental Tires. Also, the folks at The Gravel Lot, another wonderful podcast, have spent countless hours helping us! Learn more about NICA, GRiT, and getting #morekidsonbikes and #moregirlsonbikes here: https://www.nationalmtb.org Watch Jeff Kendall-Weed's video called, “The Incredible Story of How Sam Schultz is Building Montana's MTB Future” here: https://www.pinkbike.com/news/video-and-photo-story-jeff-kendall-weed-on-how-olympian-sam-schultz-built-montanas-nica-league.html Learn more about Bike School Bentonville here: https://bikeschoolbentonville.com Jen Malik (@jenemal) is the League Director for the Ohio League. Learn more about the Ohio League here: https://www.ohiomtb.org Nikki Peterson (@nikki_jo_peterson) is the Program Coordinator for the SoCal League. Learn more about the SoCal League here: http://www.socaldirt.org COPYRIGHT © NICA 2021

In Episode 21, we talk with MacKenzie Steiner, who goes by Mac. Mac has been racing since she was 12 years old. She joined the SoCal League when she was in seventh grade and also raced on a women's road team. MacKenzie is now a junior at the Air Force Academy. Recently, MacKenzie became a National Champion by winning the USA Cycling Collegiate Club Mountain Bike race in Durango, CO. The conditions were epic with snow, mud, and ice throughout the entire course! Mac found herself in 12th place early in the race. With persistence, a little luck, and a never-give-up mindset, she ended up making her way to the front of the race. This was her first National Championship win!  Mac has a great outlook about balancing school, cycling, rugby, and having a social life. She also gives advice to student-athletes returning to in-class school after the uncertainty of the pandemic. She also talks to us about how she chose the Air Force Academy and why it is such a good fit for her. GMM is funded by NICA National with support from Rapha Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, and Continental Tires. Also, the folks at The Gravel Lot, another wonderful podcast, have spent countless hours helping us! Learn more about NICA, GRiT, and getting #morekidsonbikes and #moregirlsonbikes here: https://www.nationalmtb.org Jen Malik is the League Director for the Ohio League. Learn more about the Ohio League here: https://www.ohiomtb.org Nikki Peterson is the Program Coordinator for the SoCal League. Learn more about the SoCal League here: http://www.socaldirt.org

In Episode 20, we talk with Stephanie Chall. Stephanie has been a spin instructor for the last decade, started cycling outdoors with her husband, and dove into the Maryland League as the Director of Stoke. Essentially, this means she helps share the stories of student-athletes, coaches, and families throughout the league. Stephanie does not coach so she can focus fully on capturing photos, videos, and memories at the events. Something else that is unique about Stephanie is that she and her husband do not have kids in the league yet they passionately dedicate their time and energy to help get #morekidsonbikes. In August, Stephanie did something completely out of her comfort zone - she traveled to Whitefish, Montana to ride in her first ever race at the Last Best Ride! While Montana's beauty was certainly a draw, she was also inspired to attend the event because the Race Director, Jess Cerra, is a female and she was stoked to support a female-led race. We talk about what the event was like and how she overcame feelings of uncertainty to ultimately have a wonderful experience. This episode is full of important conversation, laughter, and inspiring stories. GMM is funded by NICA National with support from Rapha Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, and Continental Tires. Also, the folks at The Gravel Lot, another wonderful podcast, have spent countless hours helping us! Learn more about NICA, GRiT, and getting #morekidsonbikes and #moregirlsonbikes here: https://www.nationalmtb.org Follow the Maryland League on Instagram HERE. Jen Malik is the League Director for the Ohio League. Learn more about the Ohio League here: https://www.ohiomtb.org Nikki Peterson is the Program Coordinator for the SoCal League. Learn more about the SoCal League here: http://www.socaldirt.org

In Episode 19, we catch up with Em Meier. Em began coaching her local Wisconsin team, Driftless MTB, in the spring of 2020. She quickly moved into a leadership role and is now the Team Director and one of the Head Coaches. For her work, Em is a middle school teacher at the school she went to when she was a kid. Both in the classroom and on the trails, she aims to give kids a space where they can be themselves and feel safe in doing so. Em is very passionate about cycling, too. She has only been cycling for a couple of years and has only been mountain biking since 2020. Recently, she rode a century and used it as a fundraiser, which we talk about. In this episode, we also discuss how youth sports can teach lifelong lessons, why it's important to create an inclusive team culture, and ways we can recruit more female coaches and student-athletes. This episode is filled with a lot of important conversation and it's sure to leave the listener motivated and inspired! GMM is funded by NICA National with support from Rapha Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, and Continental Tires. Also, the folks at The Gravel Lot, another wonderful podcast, have spent countless hours helping us! Learn more about NICA, GRiT, and getting #morekidsonbikes and #moregirlsonbikes here: https://www.nationalmtb.org Follow Em's team here: Driftless MTB Jen Malik is the League Director for the Ohio League. Learn more about the Ohio League here: https://www.ohiomtb.org Nikki Peterson is the Program Coordinator for the SoCal League. Learn more about the SoCal League here: http://www.socaldirt.org

In Episode 18, we have a unique show! Jen and Nikki sit down and talk about a milestone: the NICA Ohio Mountain Bike League (OMBL) have now officially held two races! The first race, which had 164 kids registered, was held at John Bryan State Park in Yellow Springs, Ohio. The second race was held at Bailey's Trail System in Millfield, Ohio.  Jen Malik and the OMBL Leadership team have worked countless hours in preparation for the first race. In this episode we get to talk about what it felt like to finally see it come together! A GRiT tent with a pre-ride, smiling kids, and excited families and stoked coaches are some of the highlights that Jen shares about the races. This race will be the first of many and we are so excited to share the experience with listeners! GMM is funded by NICA National with support from Rapha Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, and Continental Tires. Also, the folks at The Gravel Lot, another wonderful podcast, have spent countless hours helping us! Learn more about NICA, GRiT, and getting #morekidsonbikes and #moregirlsonbikes here: https://www.nationalmtb.org Jen Malik is the League Director for the Ohio League. Learn more about the Ohio League here: https://www.ohiomtb.org Nikki Peterson is the Program Coordinator for the SoCal League. Learn more about the SoCal League here: http://www.socaldirt.org

In Episode 17, we catch up with SoCal League GRiT Ambassador, Makena Kellerman. Makena joined the SoCal League in 8th grade because her 6th grade brother joined the team. Now, it's a family affair! Her dad is the head coach, she has two siblings on the team, and her cousins and uncles are also in the SoCal League. Besides having family members in NICA, Makena uses her outgoing personality as a GRiT ambassador to help grow the number of girls in the SoCal League. After two years of no racing in the SoCal League, Makena will finally be lining up as a Varsity racer! In addition to being a Varsity athlete, Makena was recently selected to represent the USA in Val di Sole, Italy for the UCI World Championships Junior XCO race. This will be her first time leaving the country to race and her goals are to have fun, soak in the experience, and ride a race that she is proud of. In this episode we talk about how NICA races help her in UCI races, and vice versa. This episode is a great reminder that while racing fast and winning races is great, having fun on the bike is the most important objective! GMM is funded by NICA National with support from Rapha Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, and Continental Tires. Also, the folks at The Gravel Lot, another wonderful podcast, have spent countless hours helping us! Learn more about NICA, GRiT, and getting #morekidsonbikes and #moregirlsonbikes here: https://www.nationalmtb.org Jen Malik is the League Director for the Ohio League. Learn more about the Ohio League here: https://www.ohiomtb.org Nikki Peterson is the Program Coordinator for the SoCal League. Learn more about the SoCal League here: http://www.socaldirt.org

In Episode 16, we catch up with Evie Heflin. Evie is the PRIDE Coordinator for the Ohio Mountain Bike League and a coach with her local NICA team. Evie has enjoyed mountain biking for years and has found a community that is inclusive and welcoming. In fact, much of this podcast talks about how to create an environment where everyone feels included! Off the bike, Evie is a social worker for a clinic that focuses on supporting trans children and their families. As a trans woman herself, Evie is very passionate about her job and even switched careers to follow this passion. Evie helped start the Ohio Mountain Bike League's PRIDE Program and runs social media. She focuses on maintaining a positive vibe with the social media page and plans to do the same for in-person events!  GMM is funded by NICA National with support from Rapha Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, and Continental Tires. Also, the folks at The Gravel Lot, another wonderful podcast, have spent countless hours helping us! Learn more about NICA, GRiT, and getting #morekidsonbikes and #moregirlsonbikes here: https://www.nationalmtb.org Jen Malik is the League Director for the Ohio League. Learn more about the Ohio League here: https://www.ohiomtb.org Nikki Peterson is the Program Coordinator for the SoCal League. Learn more about the SoCal League here: http://www.socaldirt.org

In Episode 15, we catch up with Professional Mountain Biker Alexis Skarda. While Alexis races professionally, she also has other interests like music. In fact, Alexis wrote and produced the music for the Girls Moving Mountains intro and outro! We delve into how the two interests compliment each other so well and why she feels balance is important. Alexis is a very motivated person and she has worked hard to learn the importance of recovery. For her, having side projects like music help her to relax when she is not out training. Alexis has supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), a heart condition. While it's taken years to get  a diagnosis, she knows the triggers that cause it to go off. She has learned to compete with SVT and certainly hasn't let her affect her results. In fact, Alexis recently finished in second place at the USAC National Championships in the Cross Country Olympic discipline that was held at altitude in Winter Park, Colorado. She gives us a summary of her race, including some of the highlights!  GMM is funded by NICA National with support from Rapha Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, and Continental Tires. Also, the folks at The Gravel Lot, another wonderful podcast, have spent countless hours helping us! Learn more about NICA, GRiT, and getting #morekidsonbikes and #moregirlsonbikes here: https://www.nationalmtb.org Jen Malik is the League Director for the Ohio League. Learn more about the Ohio League here: https://www.ohiomtb.org Nikki Peterson is the Program Coordinator for the SoCal League. Learn more about the SoCal League here: http://www.socaldirt.org

In Episode 14, we have a wonderful conversation with Kathy Wayman. Kathy is a mother, wife, physical therapist, coach, and a triathlete. She has been competing in triathlons for 16 years and prefers the longer Ironman distance. Kathy gave it everything she had in training, and missed qualifying for Kona by one position. While some would be disappointed, Kathy's mindset on the result is inspiring! Now that she is a mom of two young children, her time is more precious and she has turned to competition for another reason - for her girls to see their mother give it her all in an athletic pursuit!  In the office, Kathy is a very knowledgeable physical therapist with a passion for treating endurance athletes. She has been practicing for 11 years and loves her job! She gives listeners some tips on bike fits, muscle assessments, and more. Besides physical therapy tips, she also gives insight on how she balances it all: being a mother, working full-time, and pursuing her athletic goals. This episode gives a lot of valuable information for anyone looking to maximize their life with a positive mindset! GMM is funded by NICA National with support from Rapha Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, and Continental Tires. Also, the folks at The Gravel Lot, another wonderful podcast, have spent countless hours helping us! Learn more about NICA, GRiT, and getting #morekidsonbikes and #moregirlsonbikes here: https://www.nationalmtb.org Jen Malik is the League Director for the Ohio League. Learn more about the Ohio League here: https://www.ohiomtb.org Nikki Peterson is the Program Coordinator for the SoCal League. Learn more about the SoCal League here: http://www.socaldirt.org

In Episode 13, we talk with Kate Courtney! Kate's journey with cycling began on the back of a tandem riding with her dad to blueberry pancakes. Later, her race career started as a freshman on the NorCal League Branson High School MTB Team. In 2018, Kate became the first American in 17 years to win an Elite XCO World Championship, only the fourth American woman to do so. Though her career has evolved from pancakes to rainbow stripes, her love for mountain biking has stayed close to its roots. Kate was officially announced as a USA Olympian for the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games. We talk about her journey to reach this point. From mindset to nutrition to realizing why she wanted to make the Olympic team, we dive into what makes Kate such a phenomenal athlete and role model, especially for younger riders. We also talk about how NICA is helping create high caliber athletes, not by being a development program, but by instilling a lifelong passion for mountain biking with a focus on character development and the importance of community. This episode is inspiring for everyone who listens in! GMM is funded by NICA National with support from Rapha Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, and Continental Tires. Also, the folks at The Gravel Lot, another wonderful podcast, have spent countless hours helping us! Follow Kate on Instagram @kateplusfate and her website: katecourtney.com. Learn more about NICA, GRiT, and getting #morekidsonbikes and #moregirlsonbikes here: https://www.nationalmtb.org Jen Malik is the League Director for the Ohio League. Learn more about the Ohio League here: https://www.ohiomtb.org Nikki Peterson is the Program Coordinator for the SoCal League. Learn more about the SoCal League here: http://www.socaldirt.org

In Episode 12, we catch up with Sofia Gomez Villafane! Sofia was born and raised in the Argentine Patagonia and moved to the United States when she was 12. She discovered mountain biking through the NorCal League and then went on to compete at the collegiate level for Fort Lewis College, where she received a Bachelor's in Exercise Science and a minor in Business Administration. Sofia currently lives in Heber City, UT training for the Tokyo 2021 Olympics and working part time for a bean-to-bar chocolate company called Ritual. While Sofia enjoys riding and racing her bike, she has many aspirations off the bike and sees the importance of balance in her life. This episode talks about Sofia's family support, some of her decisions off the bike (like paying off her college debt with prize money), and her journey to becoming an Olympian! GMM is funded by NICA National with support from Rapha Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, and Continental Tires. Also, the folks at The Gravel Lot, another wonderful podcast, have spent countless hours helping us! Follow Sofia on Instagram: @sofithevilla Learn more about NICA, GRiT, and getting #morekidsonbikes and #moregirlsonbikes here: https://www.nationalmtb.org Jen Malik is the League Director for the Ohio League. Learn more about the Ohio League here: https://www.ohiomtb.org Nikki Peterson is the Program Coordinator for the SoCal League. Learn more about the SoCal League here: http://www.socaldirt.org

For Episode 11, Vice President of Programs at NICA, Amanda Carey, joins us for a wonderful conversation. Amanda discovered the power of #morekidsonbikes when she started her local Teton Region Composite team with seven riders in 2015. While Amanda was the Team Director and head coach, she grew the team to over 60 riders and 20 coaches. Amanda is still a very involved Level 3 coach and enjoys being involved at the ground level. She has a deep passion and commitment to coaching and making mountain biking accessible to riders of all ages and abilities. Prior to being named VP of Programs, Amanda worked as the NICA Coach Licensing Manager and GRiT Program manager. In fact, Amanda was one of the main contributors in bringing the GRiT program to life!  Amanda brings a depth of experience to the table. She was a Professional cyclist for many years before transitioning into her current roles. While she enjoyed her time racing, Amanda is very passionate about helping others fall in love with the bike! This episode touches on many important topics and it is a conversation that we are very excited to share with our listeners! GMM is funded by NICA National with support from Rapha Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, and Continental Tires. Also, the folks at The Gravel Lot, another wonderful podcast, have spent countless hours helping us! Learn more about NICA, GRiT, and getting #morekidsonbikes and #moregirlsonbikes here: https://www.nationalmtb.org Jen Malik is the League Director for the Ohio League. Learn more about the Ohio League here: https://www.ohiomtb.orgNikki Peterson is the Program Coordinator for the SoCal League. Learn more about the SoCal League here: http://www.socaldirt.org

In Episode 10, we get to talk with Rebecca Rusch, the “Queen of Pain.” Whether she is on a cycling expedition in a remote part of the world or teaching others at her namesake gravel bike academy in Idaho, she inspires people to be their best with energy, positivity, and passion. On the bike, she is a seven time World Champion, she is the only female competitor to win the Leadville 100 four times, and she has won the renowned Unbound gravel grinder in 6 of 7 attempts, including the notoriously demanding 350-mile XL. She is also a two time, first female finisher at the Iditarod Trail Invitational. Most recently she completed a previously unattempted North to South route traversing Iceland in winter by fatback alongside Chris Burkard and Angus Morton.   Equally impressive, Rebecca has found a calling to the adventure side of cycling and has gone on expeditions throughout the entire world. She has paired this with a desire to “be good” by entering the world of philanthropy. Specifically, we get to talk with Rebecca about the Giddy Up Challenge, which is free for all NICA teams to enter. Rebecca has become very involved with NICA and her home Idaho League as she works to help get #morekidsonbikes while also inspiring them to be their best self. This episode dives into Rebecca's accomplishments while also reminding us to always go back to our “why” for cycling and seek adventure. GMM is funded by NICA National with support from Rapha Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, and Continental Tires. Also, the folks at The Gravel Lot, another wonderful podcast, have spent countless hours helping us! NICA Teams can sign up for  the Giddy Up Challenge for free! Learn more and register here: https://www.giddyup.rebeccasprivateidaho.com Learn more about NICA, GRiT, and getting #morekidsonbikes and #moregirlsonbikes here: https://www.nationalmtb.org Jen Malik is the League Director for the Ohio League. Learn more about the Ohio League here: https://www.ohiomtb.org Nikki Peterson is the Program Coordinator for the SoCal League. Learn more about the SoCal League here: http://www.socaldirt.org

In Episode 9, we have an amazing and inspiring talk with Vida Lopez de San Roman! Vida is 15 years old, loves to ride all types of bikes, and already has two National Championship titles under her belt. Her work ethic and drive comes naturally alongside the support of her parents, brother, coaches, and teammates. Vida is the niece of two-time Olympian Mary McConneloug, and while that is inspiring, she is determined to create her own story through bike riding and racing. For starters, Vida plans to use other female riders as support and motivation to lift each other up. Vida is a very mature student athlete and we are excited to follow along with all of her bike adventures as she rides and races with her local NICA Norcal team as well as the Bear Development team! GMM is funded by NICA National with support from Rapha Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, and Continental Tires. Also, the folks at The Gravel Lot, another wonderful podcast, have spent countless hours helping us! Learn more about NICA, GRiT, and getting #morekidsonbikes and #moregirlsonbikes here: https://www.nationalmtb.org Jen Malik is the League Director for the Ohio League. Learn more about the Ohio League here: https://www.ohiomtb.org Nikki Peterson is the Program Coordinator for the SoCal League. Learn more about the SoCal League here: http://www.socaldirt.org

In Episode 8, we get to talk to a phenomenal person and mountain biker, Larissa Connors! Larissa is full of energy and has a long list of mountain bike accolades. She has won the ProXCT series, made the Olympic Long Team in 2016, won the Leadville 100 and Belgian Waffle Ride two times each, and won every NUE race she has entered. Larissa is also a wife as well as a mother to an adorable 16 month old, Addie. She teaches high school math and just signed up to be a NICA NorCal coach after moving back to her hometown from SoCal, where she started a team and coached. This episode talks about all that Larissa has accomplished, how she thinks we can recruit more girls and women into mountain biking, and what some of her hopes are for her daughter as she grows up! GMM is funded by NICA National with support from Rapha Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, and Continental Tires. Also, the folks at The Gravel Lot, another wonderful podcast, have spent countless hours helping us! Follow Larissa on Instagram: @larissaconnors Learn more about NICA, GRiT, and getting #morekidsonbikes and #moregirlsonbikes here: https://www.nationalmtb.org Jen Malik is the League Director for the Ohio League. Learn more about the Ohio League here: https://www.ohiomtb.org Nikki Peterson is the Program Coordinator for the SoCal League. Learn more about the SoCal League here: http://www.socaldirt.org

Episode 7 features a NICA SoCal alumna, Hannah Rae Finchamp. Hannah started competing in XTERRA competitions at the young age of nine and has multiple world championship titles in the discipline. She went on to run, swim, and cycle at Lindenwood University in St. Louis, Missouri while earning a double major in Athletic Training and Exercise Science. She is now a Professional athlete for the Orange Seal Off-Road Team, a USA Cycling-certified coach, and a writer for publications, such as Velonews. She has been named to the Olympic Long Team for the Tokyo 2021 team. While attending Lindenwood, she began working with now-Missouri League Director Chris Mileski, who joins us for the conversation. This is a dynamic duo and we learned a lot about Hannah's work ethic, her outlook on keeping riding fun, and their teamwork to work towards some big goals, like the Olympics! GMM is funded by NICA National with support from Rapha Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, and Continental Tires. Also, the folks at The Gravel Lot, another wonderful podcast, have spent countless hours helping us! Learn more about Hannah at https://hannahfinchamp.com and follow her on Instagram at @hannah_finchamp. Learn more about NICA, GRiT, and getting #morekidsonbikes and #moregirlsonbikes here: https://www.nationalmtb.org Jen Malik is the League Director for the Ohio League. Learn more about the Ohio League here: https://www.ohiomtb.org Nikki Peterson is the Program Coordinator for the SoCal League. Learn more about the SoCal League here: http://www.socaldirt.org

In Episode 6, we get to talk to a NICA legend, Vanessa Hauswald!. Vanessa is full of positive energy and she has helped get more kids on bikes for many years. Vanessa has directed the NorCal League since 2010 and has also served as a volunteer, board member, and coach for the organization. A native Californian, she spent many years as a high school teacher before taking over as League Director, when the NorCal model burgeoned into a national movement. Vanessa is a proud cancer survivor, a Juliana Bicycles ambassador, and uses her role and life experience to eagerly support the growth and development of the sport. This episode dives into some of the history of NICA and it is an episode that is very inspiring to listen to!

In Episode 5, we have an inspiring discussion with Erin Garvin. Erin has loved the outdoors since she was a young girl and has followed her heart and passion throughout her life. She has a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, a Master of Science in Exercise Science, and currently is a yoga and pilates instructor. Erin was also the first woman to complete the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route. The route follows the Continental Divide from north to south starting in Banff, Alberta, Canada and finishing at the US/Mexico border in Antelope Wells, New Mexico. This episode truly embodies GRiT adventure and we are so stoked to have had the opportunity to talk with Erin! GMM is funded by NICA National with support from Rapha Foundation, the Walton Family Foundation, and Continental Tires. Also, the folks at The Gravel Lot, another wonderful podcast, have spent countless hours helping us! Learn more about NICA, GRiT, and getting #morekidsonbikes and #moregirlsonbikes here: https://www.nationalmtb.org Jen Malik is the League Director for the Ohio League. Learn more about the Ohio League here: https://www.ohiomtb.org Nikki Peterson is the Program Coordinator for the SoCal League. Learn more about the SoCal League here: http://www.socaldirt.org Follow Erin Garvin's EmPower Pilates and Yoga on YouTube: EmPower Pilates and Yoga

In Episode 4, we had a fun talk with Idaho NICA student-athletes Zoe and Payette. Joining them is their superstar mom, Yadi. Zoe and Payette have been mountain biking from a very young age but they also have a lot of other interests, mostly involving the outdoors. They have also started their own upcycled jewelry business with the encouragement of their mother, Yadi. Yadi joins us for the show to talk about her motivation for raising four children to love adventure and being outside, her start with mountain biking, and even describes how wonderful their hometown of McCall, Idaho is. She also talks about how she went from mother to coach, NICA Coach Supporter, and NICA GRiT Coordinator for the Idaho NICA League. This episode truly is a family affair! For more information on the upcycled jewelry event taking place on Saturday, February 20th at 4p PST/7p EST, materials needed, and registration, visit the New York League's Information Email. You can also register HERE. This podcast is made possible by the generosity of the Rapha Foundation. Also, the folks at The Gravel Lot, another wonderful podcast, have spent countless hours helping us! Learn more about NICA and getting #morekidsonbikes here: https://www.nationalmtb.org Watch the CBS News clip here: CBS NICA News Clip Jen Malik is the League Director for the Ohio League. Learn more about the Ohio League here: https://www.ohiomtb.org Nikki Peterson is the Program Coordinator for the SoCal League. Learn more about the SoCal League here: http://www.socaldirt.org

In Episode 3, we had an inspiring talk with Carmen Luna. Carmen is a SoCal GRiT ambassador and was recently appointed to the SoCal League Board of Directors. She is also the Team Director for Southbay Composite and Eastlake HS. The team has grown significantly since she has been at the helm and she continues to bring on more female student athletes and coaches. She has created a team culture that is inspiring to learn about and was even featured in a CBS National News piece on youth mountain biking booming during the pandemic!  This podcast is made possible by the generosity of the Rapha Foundation. Also, the folks at The Gravel Lot, another wonderful podcast, have spent countless hours helping us! Learn more about NICA and getting #morekidsonbikes here: https://www.nationalmtb.org Watch the CBS News clip here: CBS NICA News Clip Jen Malik is the League Director for the Ohio League. Learn more about the Ohio League here: https://www.ohiomtb.org Nikki Peterson is the Program Coordinator for the SoCal League. Learn more about the SoCal League here: http://www.socaldirt.org

In Episode 2, we have a great conversation with Ella Kearney and Izzy Lawhorn. Ella is an 8th grader on the Big Bear Composite team in Big Bear Lake, CA. She is also a SoCal GRiT Ambassador for the 2021 season, though we haven't been able to have any in-person gatherings yet. Izzy Lawhorn is a 6th grader who lives in Chillicothe, Ohio. She will be a part of the Ohio NICA League when it launches in the fall of 2021. During this episode, we learn more about why these girls love mountain biking, tips for new riders, their favorite hometown trails, and more! This podcast is made possible by the generosity of the Rapha Foundation. Also, the guys at The Gravel Lot, another wonderful podcast, have spent countless hours helping us! Learn more about NICA and getting #morekidsonbikes here: https://www.nationalmtb.org Jen Malik is the League Director for the Ohio NICA League. Learn more about the Ohio League here: https://www.ohiomtb.org Nikki Peterson is the Program Coordinator for the SoCal NICA League. Learn more about the SoCal League here: http://www.socaldirt.org Original song by Alexis Skarda.

In Episode 1, we have the opportunity to chat with Libba Moore. Libba is the National Manager for the NICA GRiT (Girls Riding Together) program, a position that is funded by the Rapha Foundation. She went from math teacher to PE teacher to leading GRiT nationwide in a short amount of time. During this episode we learn more about the journey that led her to where she is as well as her “why.” This podcast is made possible by the generosity of the Rapha Foundation. Also, the guys at The Gravel Lot, another wonderful podcast, have spent countless hours helping us! Learn more about NICA and getting #morekidsonbikes here: https://www.nationalmtb.org Jen Malik is the League Director for the Ohio NICA League. Learn more about the Ohio League here: https://www.ohiomtb.org Nikki Peterson is the Program Coordinator for the SoCal NICA League. Learn more about the SoCal League here: http://www.socaldirt.org Original song by Alexis Skarda.

In this trailer, Nikki and Jen talk about the inspiration behind wanting to start Girls Moving Mountains and the rad topics that will be covered throughout the year! This podcast is made possible by the generosity of the Rapha Foundation. Also, the guys at The Gravel Lot, another wonderful podcast, have spent countless hours helping us! Learn more about NICA and getting #morekidsonbikes here: https://www.nationalmtb.org Jen Malik is the League Director for the Ohio Interscholastic Cycling League. Learn more about the Ohio League here: https://www.ohiomtb.org Nikki Peterson is the Program Coordinator for the SoCal Interscholastic Cycling League. Learn more about the SoCal League here: http://www.socaldirt.org Original song by Alexis Skarda.