The Uphill Goat - Hosted By Andrew Conover

Most companies kill their best growth channels by scaling too fast. Nadia Ruiz reveals the counterintuitive timing strategy behind her record-breaking marathon runs and how the lessons she learned during the Everest Marathon can transform your own approach to success — whether you're chasing a fitness goal, a career milestone, or personal resilience.Follow her here: InstagramIn this gripping episode, Nadia shares the raw reality of running the Everest Marathon, navigating extreme altitude, brutal terrain, and her own physical and mental limits. She uncovers the hidden power of slow, deliberate progress and how your ability to show up, day after day, separates the champions from the quitters. You'll discover her unique approach to altitude adaptation, the importance of patience in peak achievement, and why embracing vulnerability can unlock true strength.We break down Nadia's inspiring journey from her earliest marathons at age 14, her obsession with collecting experience over results, and the mental toughness required to persist through loss, trauma, and doubt. She reveals the mindset tools that helped her beat the odds, including her daily gratitude practices, the significance of consistency over speed, and her fearless pursuit of longer, harder challenges. You'll learn how to reframe setbacks as stepping stones and why resilience is built one small step at a time.Why does knowing your limits matter? Because aging as an athlete doesn't mean slowing down — it means evolving and embracing new stages of possibility. Nadia's story is a powerful reminder that performance is as much about mindset as physical ability, and her lessons are essential for anyone feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or ready to give up. Regardless of your goals, her journey invites you to see setbacks as opportunities and to live with purpose beyond the finish line.By sharing her struggles with addiction, grief, and mental health, Nadia exemplifies vulnerability and authenticity — qualities that make her a true inspiration. She reminds us that no matter how dark life gets, there's always hope, and sometimes reaching out to a stranger can be the most crucial step toward healing. If you're seeking resilience, courage, and a fresh perspective on what it means to truly push your boundaries, this episode is your catalyst.Perfect for endurance athletes, high performers, or anyone looking for motivation to face life's steepest climbs — both on and off the trail. Nadia's story demonstrates that the real race is against your own fears and limitations, and the finish line is where your transformed self awaits. Hit play and discover how to turn life's toughest moments into your greatest victories.Why this works: The opening lines immediately present an intriguing insight into the episode's core—using Nadia's Everest Marathon experience as a metaphor for success and personal resilience. The body emphasizes specific lessons, challenges, and transformations, building curiosity while highlighting concrete tactics. The closing reinforces the emotional and practical value, encouraging listeners to take on their own "mountains" with a new mindset. The copy balances storytelling, technical insights, and emotional appeal to maximize engagement and curiosity.

Follow Hannah at: https://www.instagram.com/hannahgshell/Most gravel racers hit tough conditions — Hannah Shell reveals how she triumphed through relentless mud, soaring water crossings, and brutal weather at Unbound. Her gritty race story, captured during her sixth attempt, exposes what it really takes to push through adversity and finish strong, even when everything's against you.If you're a cyclist who longs to race at the edge, this episode will reshape your approach. Hannah shares her unconventional tactics for handling mud, water, and unpredictable weather, plus the key mental shifts that keep her committed when fatigue and doubt strike. Discover the behind-the-scenes decisions that fueled her 23rd place finish and second in wildcard standings, unlocking her shot at the Grand Prix.We also delve into her journey — from late start to professional gravel racer, navigating the challenges of racing as a privateer, and managing a demanding schedule with a supportive partner. Hannah's insights into equipment choices, training hacks like lactate clearance efforts, and fueling strategies provide a blueprint for race-day success. She tackles topics like overcoming imposter syndrome and how to keep passion alive in the sport when burnout tries to set in.Why does gravel appeal to women more than other disciplines? Hannah breaks down the accessible entry, community-driven vibe, and the evolution of racing formats that foster inclusivity and camaraderie. Whether you're considering your first gravel race or chasing your next podium, her story underscores that with grit, preparation, and a love for the ride, greatness is within reach.This isn't just a race report — it's an inspiring masterclass on resilience, technique, and mindset that will leave you motivated to attack your next challenge. Perfect for ambitious cyclists, privateers, and anyone seeking to elevate their gravel game. Tune in to harness the secrets behind racing through the mud, water, and mental hurdles — and come out on top.

Dirty Dan is an ultra-endurance cyclist, bikepacker, and adventurer who has completed a Triple Everest, raced the Tour Divide multiple times, ridden across Africa, and recently set a fastest-known-time riding from Canada to Mexico.In this conversation we explore the mindset behind pushing limits, embracing curiosity, dealing with suffering, and finding joy in difficult challenges.Some of my favorite takeaways from this episode:- It always gets better.- Your limits are personal.- Curiosity is more powerful than pressure.- Adventure doesn't have to be extreme to be meaningful.- The best challenges teach you who you are.This was one of my favorite conversations about endurance, growth, and living intentionally.

What does it take to push through pain, chase a big goal, and still be satisfied when you achieve it?In this episode, I sit down with Chad Ames to unpack his quest to break the 60-minute barrier on American Fork Canyon before leaving Utah. We dive into the physical challenge of the effort, the mental battle of suffering, and what it feels like to finally achieve a goal you've been chasing for years.But the conversation quickly goes deeper.Chad shares how moving to Utah changed his perspective on happiness, why living in the world of "what ifs" can keep you stuck, and the mindset shift that helped him find fulfillment right where he was. We talk about cycling, endurance, marriage, personal growth, goal setting, and the surprising connection between suffering and satisfaction.Whether you're chasing a KOM, building a business, pursuing a dream, or simply trying to enjoy the journey a little more, this conversation is packed with lessons on commitment, perspective, and becoming the person you're capable of being.Topics include:- Chad's sub-60-minute American Fork Canyon effort- Pain, suffering, and endurance performance- Why goals matter (and how to avoid tying your happiness to them)- Escaping the "I'll be happy when..." trap- Finding fulfillment wherever you are- The power of consistency over perfection- Cycling, Strava, and balancing ambition with enjoyment- Commitment, and choosing your direction in life

In this episode of The Uphill Goat, I sit down with professional cyclist, coach, and sports psychology expert Charlotte Backus to talk about the mental side of performance, elite cycling culture, burnout, nutrition, identity, and what actually helps athletes improve long-term. Charlotte shares her experience racing at a high level, the realities of chasing performance, and the lessons endurance sports can teach us far beyond the bike. This conversation goes much deeper than training zones and FTP numbers — it's about mindset, pressure, resilience, and learning who you are both in and outside of competition. We also dive into:- The psychological side of endurance sports- Burnout and identity in elite athletes- Common mistakes amateur cyclists make- Nutrition and fueling- What separates great athletes from good ones- Women's cycling and performance culture- Building a healthy relationship with ambitionThis episode is presented by 2% Performance — topical sodium bicarbonate cream designed to help athletes perform at their best without destroying their stomachs. Check out 2% Performance and use code UPHILLGOAT at checkout for a discount on your first order:2PercentPerformance.comFollow Charlotte:https://www.instagram.com/charlottebackus/Follow 2 Percent Performance:https://www.instagram.com/2percentperformance/

Most athletes rely on motivation—and that's exactly why they burn out.In this episode, I sit down with Erika Coleman to break down “even achieving,” a powerful approach to staying consistent, avoiding burnout, and performing at a high level for years—not just weeks.We dive into why motivation isn't enough, how to shift your mindset around training and performance, and what actually separates long-term high performers from everyone else.If you're an endurance athlete (or just someone who wants to perform at a high level without burning out), this will change how you approach your work.What you'll learn:- Why motivation is unreliable (and what to use instead)- The concept of “even achieving” and how to apply it- How to stay consistent without emotional highs and lows- A healthier way to think about goals and performanceFollow the show for more conversations on high performance in endurance sports.Connect with Erika Coleman: https://www.erikacolemanspeaks.comhttps://www.instagram.com/evenachieving/LinkedIn: Erika ColemanFollow me for more: https://www.instagram.com/aj_conover/Check out our high-performance product here:https://2percentperformance.com

What does it actually take to push the edge of your potential?Last year, I trained more than I ever have, raced at the highest level I've reached so far, and went sub-7 at Leadville. But the biggest lessons I learned had nothing to do with watts, training plans, or gear.In this episode, I break down 5 key lessons from a year of chasing high performance — from why durability matters more than peak fitness, to how small gains compound into massive results.This is the start of a new chapter of The Uphill Goat — a podcast about exploring the edge of human performance.If you're serious about getting better, this episode is for you.This episode is sponsored by 2% — a performance product built on the idea that small improvements, consistently applied, lead to breakthrough results.https://2percentperformance.com/Use code UPHILLGOAT for 20% off

In this episode, I interview Joe Goettl. Joe started his endurance career as a runner in college over 10 years ago and, since then, has been racing road bikes, gravel bikes, and mountain bikes. He's battled chronic pain since he was 20 and has gone through an impressive journey working through his pain and finding success on the bike. Joe continually repeated, "Don't let good be the enemy of perfect." This phrase shows his resilience and work that has helped him to become the person he is. Give this episode a listen to dive into what it takes to race gravel at the top.

Breanne Nalder-Harward is a registered Breanne Nalder Harward, MS, RDN, earned a BS in Biology and Sociology from Westminster College and went on to receive a Master of Science degree in Nutrition and Sports Dietetics from the University of Utah. She is licensed as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) and is the nutrition coach at PLAN7 Endurance Coaching and a dietician at Nirvana Medical. She raced for DNA cycling on the road professionally for 10 years, and then as a privateer in the gravel scene with big wins at the Crusher and at Rebecca's Privat Idaho. If you would like to receive nutrition guidance from Breanne, you can find more information on her at plan7coaching.com and/or follow her on social media @aycheezy/ In this episode, we discuss many things including: general nutrition race week nutrition race day nutrition On-the-bike nutrition nutrition for recovery post-rides nutrition for rest days please reach out via email to aj@uphillgoat if you have any questions.

In this episode, Art breaks down how to effectively strength train year-round and the correct way to approach it. As a cyclist, knowing how to incorporate strength training can be challenging, but Art shares his insights and techniques. If you're interested in training with Art, you can sign up here: [https://linktr.ee/wukarfit](https://linktr.ee/wukarfit?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAab01ZNvGqf59CXG7KDML0MAQhw07-v3-ssoktTfu2QpAz07XdfWRN-gmaw_aem_8PVvA_1Iz3f3LQDF8TZ1AQ).

Super great to sit down with local legend and KOM hunter Truman Glasgow. Truman and I have been friends/race competitors for almost 10 years, and it has been super fun to watch him take cycling to the next level with good results on the big stage! In this conversation, we do a deep dive into his three most recent races and talk about the rest of the season. Truman is a great racer and an even better dude. Make sure to give this one a listen!

Michaela Thompson is an incredible athlete and human being. With her 3rd place finish at Leadville a few weeks ago, she put herself on the map and is going to start marking her territory. And at only 22 years old, the cycling world better watch out, because she's got an exciting career ahead. In our conversation, we talk about Michaela's background in cycling and racing, her early success as a Jr., her experience at Leadville, and the importance of approaching racing and life with curiosity and appreciation for the opportunity. You can follow her cycling career on instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/michaelamthompson/ and on Strava here: https://www.strava.com/pros/24916063

Welcome everybody to the Uphill Goat! A high-performance podcast to help you be your best! Today's guest is Jess Clapier, a Utah road racer who has won East Canyon Cat 1 Road Race, Mirror Lake Cat 1 Road Race, shared the podium with Olympian Howard Grotts at the Iron Horse Stage Race, and much more. Jump into today's episode to hear all about his journey! Go give Jess a follow on Strava and Instagram. Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/11665028 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_clapier/ And if you enjoyed the episode, share it with a friend!

The Uphill Goat is back! I had this conversation with Danny back in January, and I'm super excited for all of you to be able to enjoy it now. Danny is a professional marathon mountain bike racer, racing the UCI marathon World Cup circuit in Europe along with other big one-day races. In this episode, we dive into his journey of racing from a teenager at the National Championships with Keegan Swenson to his current goals and hopes as he balances being a husband, and father, working full time, and racing professionally. Danny is super impressive on the bike and an even more impressive person. I loved chatting with him and learned a lot about discipline, grit, and following your dreams from our conversation. I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did.

A few weeks ago a friend told me the Spry gang was going to ride the White Rim and he wanted to do it as fast as he could. It sounded intriguing and so I went with him. My stretch goal was 6 hours, but I would be stoked to be anywhere under sub 6:30. Top 10 is 6:26, so that was something I thought could potentially be in the cards if everything went perfectly.

In this episode we talk about Keegan Swenson, and potential reasons to his constant and consistent victories this year. We talk about Alabama football and Coach Sabin's ability to recognize swings in sport, any how that can be applied to racing and being on the edge of change rather than late to it.

How my season came together for a 6th place finish at collegiate mtb Nationals.

In this episode I dive into where I'm at with my racing and training, and the importance of trusting the process and being patient with yourself as you're waiting for good results.

Have you found the starts of your XC races to be wild and crazy. It's because people haven't settled in yet. Listen to this episode to find out what I call the 5 minute rule.

In this episode we introduce Spencer Stevenson the new co-host of the Uphill Goat. We also talk about the best way to train with only 30 minutes a day and what that looks like long term.

This is a good time in the season to take a break to reset, refocus, and increase your motivation for upcoming races. What is your place?

As I've been reflecting on some recent races the purpose of training and racing has come to mind, and I haven't been having enough fun lately. So don't get too serious, and keep it fun.

The Transformation Process of Changing Athletes for the Better.

The full picture of my race. A little piece of humble pie, and ready to get ready for the next races.

Several techniques for getting faster at riding downhill.

We talk about: - unbound nutrition - pacing - what it was like to be at the front - Carters goals and upcoming races - training going into unbound - what recovery has been like - advice for anyone wanting to be fast.

Timo has led the AF Cavemen to win 10 state titles since 2009, two second place finishes at nationals, and several other top 10 finishes. He is one of the smartest coaches out there after over 40 years of racing, and coaching. We dive into: - the best way to get the best bang for your buck in training. - Visualization - negative splits - racing how you train - Strength and core work - recovery runs every day

Find out how I have my athletes track their performance when you take heart rate monitors and power meters out of the equation. Many athletes, including the developer of the system: Craig Manning, have found this to be fundamental for high performance.

The value and importance of riding at Zone 2

We talk through Jules story and how he came to be where he is, and his goals with skimo and mountain bike racing. We discuss what it means to be a professional cyclist/athlete, and what racing on a pro team in Asia was like. We discuss the risks/rewards of going for backcountry skiing FKT's and his hopes to make the first USA olympic Skimo team in 2026.

What do you think? What is your definition of Sport?

Cadence drills are one of the most overlooked aspects of training. Pedaling efficiency is one of the three pillars of being fast while pedaling a bike, and cadence drills are fundamental to building good pedaling efficiency.

A conversation with professional cyclist Brayden Johnson. He's a 2x US National Champion and is currently in Europe racing the World Cups. We talk about: - Fueling during training, and racing. - Goal setting - Race Plans - The importance of having fun. - What to do if you're feeling unmotivated.

The Best Is Yet To Come.

Why you should go fast the day before a race.

Race #2 this year, and why I'm confident this season is going to shape out really well.

Find what works for you.

Why you should make things you don't like as easy as possible.

Find out why fasted training is the way go go!

Want the most beautiful peak in the Wasatch? This is it.

Our first time on the beautiful face of Mount Superior.

The two most fundamental skills.

Knowing the purpose of each workout is key for maximum benefit of the training.

There is power in being genuinely interested in other people. I think it'll make you race faster. Here's why

How we skied Cold Fusion and what it was like.

Spring of Freshman year and Sophomore NICA year of racing.

Skiing the front side of the South Summit of Mount Timpanogos.

My approach for exploring new areas!

Buying new skis Huge avalanches Hard skinning Fun skiing

Exciting day on the mountain with a snapped ski and fun snow!

Fun to shock the system with the first race in 6 months. How do you pass without losing time while racing?