Mind Matters Athlete Coaching Podcast

The Nankervis name is synonymous with the mountain bike XC scene in Australia. Tasman along with his brother Russ, have long featured among the best mountain bike racers in the country. 2023 would take Tas however on a slightly different adventure, the former U23 XCO national champion was selected among 35 of the best cyclists in the world to partake in the USA's 'Lifetime GP' invitation only series.We also get to hear from Tas' partner Mon Holmes whom was fresh off finishing her first ever full Ironman in Madison, Wisconsin, USA.Tas' development to this level has not followed a traditional trajectory, listen to what has motivated Tas on an already extensive cycling career, and the amazing community that has fostered cycling in his hometown of Bendigo.

2023 Australian XCO mountain bike champion Sam Fox has a self admitted love for training. His dedication and professionalism has not gone unnoticed with the Australian road and MTB cycling outfit 'Team Bridgelane' supporting him through his 2022 and 2023 seasons where he represented Australia at the Birmingham Commonwealth games. With a freshly signed pro contract now under his arm Sam is ready to continue his impressive trajectory for the 2023 and 2024 elite world cup series and could a berth at the Paris Olympics be on the cards? We chat about what is involved to get selected and what keeps the young Tasmanian motivated even when things are not going so well. From catching trains and camping in muddy fields at European UCI races to now having the full support of a professional world cup team, Sam is quick to attribute the success of his journey so far to those around him.  Although seemingly an individual sport from the outside Fox ascertains how much goes on behind the scenes to make the discipline very much team oriented. Tune in for an engaging chat with one of Australian cycling's most exciting prospects.

American world tour professional Larry Warbasse grew up in northern Michigan, an area more renown for its brutal winters than its road cycling. Warbasse however developed such a passion for his sport than nothing was going to stand in his way of enjoying his sport of cycling not even inclement weather. Coming from an academic family and with an opportunity awaiting at the University of Michigan Larry had to make a decision on where to put his grit and determination. Cycling won that choice as Larry attributes the power of the smile that cycling gave him.After 10 years as a top tier professional, a US national road title and 8 grand tours Larry still gets that smile from his sport. On a mid ride coffee park up with Justin Morris, hear his journey from an enthusiastic Northern Michigan junior to the roller coaster ride that is the modern world tour. 

There are some stories in cycling that really stand out as a symbol of commitment to the dream. The story of Australian cyclist Harrison Bailey is one of those. From humble beginnings in the Sydney club racing scene, Harrison did not possess the child prodigy like talents of some of his peers. What he did possess however was an undeniable passion and work ethic for road cycling. Realising that pursuing a future in the sport meant a move to Europe and that he had to make his own rain as far as making such an opportunity a reality Harrison packed his bags to pursue a campaign in the French amateur ranks. Five years later his cycling journey is still evolving now at the UCI continental level with the same passion and drive of 14year old 'Gazz'.Hear the story of how Harrison 'Gazz' Bailey blazed a trail to his cycling dream.

The small desert town of Alice Springs in central Australia on paper does not appear a place conducive to producing champion cyclists. But Ryan Standish is among a few motivated trail blazers in this town that have made it a mountain biking mecca. Super early morning starts to avoid the dangerously hot conditions as a high school student to working 3 jobs in the town to help make his global cycling dreams a reality Ryan Standish knows what it takes to knuckle down and go against the grain for the sake of pursuing a dream.However, it was not until a family member received a life changing diagnosis did this pursuit take on real meaning. Now a full time professional MTB and gravel racer in the USA Ryan Standish knows how to stand out from the crowd and garner a following all for a good cause.Hear about his remarkable journey and his devotion to the MS society in his hour long chat with fellow Aussie/ American Justin Morris. 

Joseph (aka ‘Joe') Eldridge was brought up among some of the most virulent supporters of American Football and NASCAR racing in the US state of Alabama. However, cycling became the sport that inspired this strong man from the south. It was an unlikely match for the tall and broad athlete, in spite of his size cycling became an integral part of Joe's life for a multitude of reasons. One of these stemming from the misfortune of a diagnosis with the autoimmune condition: Type1 Diabetes. Exercise and specifically cycling he found assisted in the management of his condition. Thus, setting the scene for the subsequent direction of his life. Joe teamed up with fellow T1 Diabetic cyclist Phil Southerland in founding what is now the worlds first professional sports team consisting entirely of athletes with T1 Diabetes: Team Novo Nordisk (formerly Team Type1).  As a founder and rider in this groundbreaking team each pedal stroke had a special purpose for this humble champion. Hear about his amazing story including all the ups and downs as a pro athlete dealing with an auto immune condition.

Karl Menzies grew up in a small town named Ulverstone on the North Coast of the island state of Tasmania in Australia. A swimmer turned triathlete turned cyclist it became clear that Cycling was the sport he loved most and suited his unique physiology. After achieving success in the strong local cycling scene in Tasmania, it was not long until some of Australia's high performance cycling programs took note. Karl credits much of the opportunities that arose in his early career to the strong cycling community in Tasmania & Australia. This is what helped shape his physical development and his solid work ethic which he would later become renown and respected for."I grew up with some absolute weapons that helped shape me as a bike rider!"A professional career spanning nearly 2 decades followed. Mainly focussed on the USA domestic circuit where his name on a start list would cast fear into those lining up alongside him. His nickname 'TEN' Menzies became an apt description of what he could do to a bunch. His name atop many of the results lists of some of the USA's biggest races, an undoubted winner. However, as Karl explains he was equally devoted to a role as lead out man and team rider later in his career."Everyone does it tough at some point, so be good to people and don't burn any bridges!".A great insight into one of the sports hardest yet most modest  competitors!  

Mike Blewitt of marathonMTB.com and Justin Morris of Mind Matters Athlete Coaching run through how a MTB stage race plays out day to day. With pointers specifically on equipment choice for the Dragon Trail stage race in Tasmania.

Sometimes the greatest success comes to those who keep their feet firmly on the ground. This is certainly true of 5 time Australian mountain bike champion, olympian and world championship medallist Sid Taberlay. We spoke with the man who was once the undisputed king of Australian mountain biking from his home south of Hobart, Tasmania. We cover the highs and lows of a tremendous career that began with an intense passion for turning pedals and riding cool trails in his neighbourhood and evolved into travelling the world and vying for Olympic selection. Not one to wave his achievements about for attention, the down to earth Tasmanian has some sage advice for those wanting to pursue the cycling life as he did for so many years. Tune in for a yarn with one of the greats of Australian mountain biking. 

"I don't really chase any thoughts out, I  just let them drift by and you don't put any effort into trying to direct your mind. It's just, whatever it is is there is there! I think of it as like an ocean sometimes. It starts as these giant waves of big thoughts but eventually it just calms down!"Cory Wallace has 3x World 24hour championship and two Canadian national MTB championship titles to his name..But no amount of physical training prepared him for one of the more obscure 2020 experiences. Becoming marooned at 3000m above sea level in a buddhist monastery Cory developed an insight and perspective to his cycling life that has left him an admittedly more balanced athlete.Renown for completing cycling adventures and races in some of the most remote parts of the world Cory Wallace has over his 3 decades in cycling accrued a bank of incredibly interesting stories. From planting trees as a teenager to  cutting them down in frozen winderness for months on end in his early 20's to leading the life of a professional MTB racer. This former Ice Hockey player shares his amazing continuing journey with us from his Canadian base on the West Coast town of Victoria. Gain some insight and inspiration from this stunning story of passion, perspective, patience and hard work!

From a youth in a ski resort in the Argentinian Andes to junior rugby player in the Australian capital Canberra to an insatiable passion for the sport of mountain biking to a racing career spanning 4 continents to one of the worlds most respected bike skills coaches. Dylan Cooper's cycling life has taken him to some amazing places and taught him some of the most important life skills that have shaped much of his life. A tale of dealing with debilitating illness as a young racer, dealing with tragedy as an elite racer and now thriving as an instructor and role model for many of the Australia's emerging cycling talents. Having lived the life of a professional elite MTB racer and now seeing the challenges of the current generation of riders Dylan's advice comes from a place of experience and respect. We chatted with the current owner of rideTECHNICS skills coaching about his journey in the cycling world and some of the tips that he has seen conjure up the best results in riders of all ability levels."I seriously just got on a start line on my bike and worried about myself, try not to have mechanicals and just smash it to the end!"

Growing up as a talented athlete in high school Michael Cupitt had always been drawn to life as an athlete. Drawn to swimming and then triathlon the combination of amazing talent and a determined work ethic made for a quick rise up the ranks of sport for Michael. Taking 3rd at the junior world triathlon championship in 2001 suggested big things lay ahead for him as a triathlete. However, as with most champions his path was not straightforward. A series of dramatic injuries forced him to reevaluate his sporting pathway.Cycling was where his real passion lay and utilising the good support around him Michael learnt and appreciated very quickly the team aspect of this sport converse to his triathlon days.Michael as a 39 year old still racing among the best in Australia and runs 'MC Body Worx' a bike fitting and massage service in Sydney. Mick chats us through his journey and some of the big changes he has noticed in the cycling game over the past 2 decades.

Craig Gordon grew up in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney. An apprentice fitter & turner whom whilst working night shifts in a beer factory noticed a guy with a flash mountain bike sitting in the carriage. An impromptu conversation with this mountain biker would change the trajectory of Craig's life significantly. 1 Commonwealth Games, countless world championship representations, 5  national championships and a world title in 24hour MTB racing, Craig Gordon has an incredibly wide ranging and inspiring story of what it took for him to get to such a level in the sport. Even more importantly, the powerful mental strategies that would keep him going when the going got tough.A character who does not seek the limelight, his story is worth sharing and we feel incredibly privileged to have heard and now shared just a small part of it. Passion, power and drive; tune in for a yarn with one of Australia's most down-to-earth sports stars. 

Mind Matters Athlete Coaching coach Justin Morris is interviewed by Joel Rheinberger on ABC radio Hobart. Justin was diagnosed with Type1 Diabetes at age 10 which meant his childhood dream to one day be a pilot was crushed. Life progresses and dreams evolve, Justin found a new passion and subsequent dream in life through riding his bike to school. The journey from here to being a professional road racer was somewhat complicated by living with Type1 Diabetes but this proved to be an extra challenge rather than a barrier to this dream. 

A self admitted not very 'talented' bike rider, Trent Wilson had to rely upon his work ethic to make his dream of being a professional cyclist a reality. His racing career spanned 15 years, 2 grand tours, 4 continents and countless countries. We had the time to touch the tip of the iceberg of 'Willo's' stories and advice from a lifetime in the cycling world. Generous with his insights, Willo speaks of the lessons being an athlete taught him early on and how they have carried over to his more recent roles including being a resource for aspiring Aussie pro's through his team of 10years (GPM/Wilson Racing). 

Nicole Frain upon recording this is competing at Australia's premier cycling series- the National Road Series (NRS). Given the upheaval of 2020 the NRS has taken on an intense block of races with 10 races in 9 days.Currently after 4 stages Nicole is in 2nd overall in the NRS. She chats about her experiences at this level of competition and her training has fared through a year lacking of the normal amount of race days.

The Australian Mountain Bike community will be well aware of the success' of this country's most accomplished female XC racer in history Rebecca McConnell. Standing on an elite world championship podium twice and attending two Olympic games is an outstanding palmares in itself. But, the story that has lead to this success and continues to sustain it is where much of the inspiration from Bec the athlete comes. Bec shares with us insights as to how she approaches high profile events physically and mentally and how she summons that laser sharp focus in the midst of such pressure and immense physical pain. From the suburbs of Canberra to life as a professional in Europe and many many stops in between Bec's continuing story has something to draw upon for everyone. 

Marcus Enno aka Beardy McBeardy has established himself as one of the most professional and highly regarded cycling photographers in the world! Shooting races such as the Tour de France, Giro D'Italia and Paris Roubaix as official press photographer Beardy has seen the absolute pinnacle of his craft. However it was no easy path to attain the respect & notoriety he holds today. Before venturing out as his own brand Beardy had a life changing health situation that fostered a different outlook on his career trajectory and life. Tune in for the story behind the great pictures!

One of the great things about all sports and pursuits in life is the stories of the people we come across. In our 2nd Mind Matters Podcast interview we chatted with 2018 Australian MTB champion Cameron Ivory and explored his story in the sport from humble beginnings to dealing with the roller coaster ride of elite sport. A story worth sharing. Cameron had just competed at the 2019 MTB World Championship in Canada and was wrapping up his international season with the World Cup Final n the USA.

Mr Nathan Earle has traversed the Australian and global cycling landscape from local mountain bike races in his home state of Tasmania to the absolute pinnacle of performance in the sport; the world tour with the world's biggest and richest team. Belying this journey however, is an incredibly intriguing and wise story involving hard work, injury, support, belief, confidence and tragedy.We sat down with ‘Nearle' for a chat about what keeps him going when the times are tough, the life experiences that have played a part in developing his racing style and attitude to life as well his career and what he still can achieve in this sport.NB. Language warning