Mi Duole Cycling Podcast

"Pain Is Temporary" with Adam O'Farrell

Adam was born in 1973 and grew up in a modest home in Sandy Utah. He is the second child of 5 children and the first son. He grew up playing baseball until high school when he switched over to playing golf.  He attended Alta High School in Sandy and then BYU where he received his BA, Masters of Accountancy and Law degree combining all three programs in order to graduate in 7 years. After his first year at BYU he served a two year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Seoul Korea. 

Adam met his wife Tracy while serving in the same mission and married around a year after returning home. They have 3 girls and twin boys. He had his first daughter his first year in law school and his second his last year of law school. He graduated second in his class. They moved to San Diego where he started his career at Latham and Watkins. He worked in Big Law for 12 years doing real estate private equity. He and his family moved back to Salt Lake in 2012 when Adam joined Bridge Investment Group, an alternative investment management firm with headquarters in Sandy.

In Episode 115 of the Mi Duole podcast, hosts Stuart and Andy Compas interview Adam O'Farrell. Adam, a seasoned cyclist, shares his journey from a demanding career in big law to becoming an avid cyclist post-retirement. He discusses his participation in various races, including the Breck Epic, Swiss Epic, and Cape Epic, and his experiences with nutrition and recovery. Adam emphasizes the importance of mental and physical recovery, the camaraderie within the cycling community, and the joy of riding with his family. He also highlights his favorite gear, such as a 10-battery charger, and his mantra for endurance: "pain is temporary."

"My Best Self" with Jon Dalton

Born and raised in Olympus Cove, Jon studied psychology at the University of Utah. He is an incredible athlete with a diverse background—from cross-country running in high school to playing rugby into his late 30’s. His  journey into cycling began thanks to the encouragement of his friend (and teammate); Eric Lavin whose support gave Jon the confidence to get back on the bike.

Jon’s passion for cycling is matched by his big heart, which he takes to a literal level—his resting heart rate of 44 often sets off alarms in the ER. And Jon is no stranger to the ER…some may say he is a little accident prone, others would say he’s adventurous. Either way, Jon is a tough guy who is constantly looking to push his limits of both mind and body.   

He’s a devoted father to three kids, two dogs, and husband to one lucky wife. Beyond his athleticism, Jon is passionate about mindset, consciousness, and the power of rewriting the limiting stories we tell ourselves. Jon is a deep thinker and loves to philosophize about, well, mostly everything.

"Driven" with Ventum CFO Barrett Brandon

Welcome to the Mi Duole podcast! Today, we’re thrilled to have Barrett Brandon, the CFO of Ventum, joining us. Barrett is not just a numbers guy; he’s a former professional triathlete who’s raced at the highest levels, bringing that competitive spirit and passion into his role at Ventum. His journey from the finish line to the boardroom is truly inspiring, and we’re excited to hear his insights on both racing and business. We’re incredibly grateful for the support Ventum provides to our team, and having Barrett here today is an honor. Let’s dive in and learn more about the man behind the brand!

Barrett Brandon, CFO of Ventum, discussed his transition from professional triathlete to business leader, emphasizing the importance of community and authenticity. He highlighted Ventum's new TT bike, The Tempest, and its marketing efforts at the Ironman in Kona. Brandon shared his journey from swimming to triathlon, his 11-year professional career, and his shift to gravel racing. He stressed the value of consistent effort and community engagement, noting Ventum's integration into Utah's cycling scene and its partnership with Lance Armstrong. Brandon also advised young athletes to enjoy the process and build lasting relationships.

"Hard Work Beats Talent" with Zach Calton

Zach Calton is a professional bike racer who recently transitioned to racing and coaching full-time after previously working at Specialized. He discussed his victory at the 2024 Point to Point race, where he set a new course record. Zach shared his strategic approach and how he was able to pull away for the win.

Zach was recently invited to represent the United States at the Marathon World Championships, but was disappointed by the lack of support and funding provided by USA Cycling for the event. He feels this is an ongoing issue beyond just Olympic years. The hosts and Zach compared the difficulty of major endurance races like Leadville, Crusher, and Point to Point, with Zach considering Leadville to be the most challenging due to the extreme altitude.

As a participant in the Lifetime Grand Prix race series, Zach shared his thoughts on the recent changes to the format, including the reduction in the number of participants. He would prefer to see the series expand rather than contract. Zach detailed his current sponsors and equipment, riding Ventum and Yeti bikes with Shimano components. He emphasized the importance of consistency and enjoyment in cycling as advice for the team members. Overall, this was an insightful conversation providing a glimpse into the life of a top professional cyclist.

"It Was Magical" with Greg Low

In Episode 111 of the Mi Duole Podcast, Stuart Anderson interviews Greg Lowe, a dedicated cyclist and team member. Greg shares his cycling journey, including his first major ride, the MS 150, and his experiences in the Loaded Gran Fondo, where he has placed first three times. He discusses his role as a VDC subject matter expert at Autodesk and his teaching position at BYU. Greg also reflects on the importance of mentors, particularly his late mother, and his passion for cycling with his family. He expresses his admiration for the team's camaraderie and his aspirations, including participating in the Tour Divide.

Greg Low is the VDC Subject Matter Expert at Autodeck, a design and construction company. Having gotten his Bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University, it is only fitting that he currently teaches in the Construction Management program there as an adjunct professor. 

Greg was born and raised in Riverton, UT. With dedicated parents, Greg and the late Jan Low, they made sure his needs were well met, which included a tiny red bicycle made available for him and his 3 other siblings. He first sat on that tiny red bicycle at age 3, and hasn’t stopped peddling since! Unlike so many kids then and now, Greg never made time to watch tv after school; he was too busy zooming around the neighborhood either by himself or with friends. 

Recreational biking led into the discovery of mountain biking then to the swift smooth world of road biking. He accomplished his first major bike ride, the MS 100, in Logan, UT on a rental bike. That experience guaranteed he would never do that again! He purchased his first bike soon after. With his own set of wheels, he’s ridden most, if not all of the local bike races. Some of which include: The Ultimate Challenge, Iron Lung, Salt to Saint, Rockwell Relay, and Tour de St. George. Over the span of eighteen years, he’s completed eleven full Lotoja races; taking second once, and first place three times. 

Greg spends some of his free time helping coach the local youth mountain bike team, which he loves, especially since two of his kids ride. When he’s not at home in the hustle and bustle of managing various schedules and activities for five amazing kids, you can also find him either watching Survivor with his fabulous wife or taking his two doodle dogs to the park. You’ll know he had a good ride when he says, “it was magical!”

"It's Going To Be Fine" with Scott Miles

Scott is one of a kind , hard working, adventure seeking super human. 

There’s nothing he won’t attempt and no Mountain he won’t climb. If there is an adventure to be had, Scott will figure out a way for it to happen. I joke that on his tombstone it will read “it’s going to be fine”. 

 

When we were first dating, we were hiking in lake Powell. We ended up on a ledge looking down at the houseboat below. Scott said it would be quicker to just work our way down from there than hike all the way back. Placing my trust in Scott I went along with it. The route ended with a bit of a drop we had to negotiate. Little did I know that was the beginning of our adventures in life. While I tend to lean towards the safe side of our adventures together, Scott is always telling me “it will be fine”. It always is. 

 

Scott likes to dream up and participate in long endurance mountain bike and gravel adventures. He has participated in P2P, Crusher, Lotoja, True Grit, and Dirty Dino. He likes to come up with his own choose your own adventure courses. I’m grateful to all the other crazy Mi Duole riders who are willing to indulge Scott in his antics on the bike. 

 

There’s some crazy wiring going on his head, but I truly love the passion, dedication and grit Scott puts into everything he commits to in his life. The way he approaches his training is the same dedication he gives to his work and family. You would think there were 36 hours in a day the way Scott operates. I don’t know how but he gets it done. When our 10 year old wants to go on a bike ride he is there even though he’s been up since 5am and has already ridden a 30+ mile ride that day. Our son is also on the Skyline and Maybird Team. Scott is a proud dad to see 2 of our kids loving mountain biking. Our older adult daughters are also into running. I guess you could say we have grown into an adventure family. 

 

Scott is a true athlete who dedicates his energy and time into his passion for adventure. We all love Scott at the Miles household and are So proud of him.

"Guaranteed Performance" with Ard Kessels (owner & founder) of Kogel Bearings

Kogel Bearings was established in 2013 in a 5x10 foot storage unit in Ard Kessels' adopted hometown of El Paso, TX. 

The goals were clear from the beginning:

Make the high end bearings that fit a premium bike.
Develop specific seals for road and off road use, since they have different requirements.
Design a line of bottom brackets that will eliminate the use of adapters.
As a bike shop owner in Belgium, Ard had one big frustration: sending expensive bicycles out with the stock bearings that came with the frames or complete bikes.

We all understand that ball bearings are at the bottom of every spec sheet when product managers assemble bikes for the catalog and new model year, so it's almost a given that they are the cheapest available.

These Low-quality steel products tend to not gel well with the Belgian climate, where riding on wet roads is a given.

Following the motto "Just because it fits, doesn't make it right" has sent Kogel on a mission to develop a native solution for (almost) every combination of crank and frame.

Today, we are still fighting that battle. It seems that frame manufacturers have not grown tired of reinventing a hole in a frame.

"Gravel Worlds Champion" with John Borstelmann

In episode 108 of the Mi Duole cycling podcast, we're thrilled to welcome professional bike racer John Borstelmann. Hailing from Lincoln, Nebraska, John is a three-time Gravel Worlds Champion, having claimed the title in 2019, 2021, and 2023. His impressive resume includes podium finishes at some of the most grueling gravel races in the United States, such as the Dirty Kanza 200-mile (Unbound) and the Mid-South Gravel 100-mile. Off the bike, John is a multifaceted individual being an avid saxophonist and amateur bike mechanic. Join us as we delve into John's journey, his training strategies, recent Unbound performance and his passion for cycling on this exciting episode​…

"Live Deliberately" with Ryan Wells

Meet the most interesting man in the Peloton, Ryan Wells.   Ryan is one of the most outgoing, friendly, and genuine guys you’ll meet.  Ryan grew up in the Olympus Cove neighborhood skating, playing the guitar, and working on his tan at his parent’s swimming pool.  He went to high school at Skyline and later got both a degree and postgraduate degree from the University of Utah.

Ryan is living the life that many of us think about living when we are daydreaming on the bike.  Ryan teaches during the school year and travels around the world cycling during the summer.  As an example, in the past year, Ryan has biked in Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, France, Spain, Mallorca, and the Canary Islands.  Additionally, he has biked and attended several stages of the Giro, Tour de France, and Vuelta all within the last year.  Ryan has been living in Spain during the 23/24 school year teaching English.  

Ryan has followed his passions to the extreme. Ryan is passionate about learning, teaching, cycling, oh and the grateful dead.  Ryan has leveraged his passion for learning and teaching to become one of the state of Utah’s best teachers.  Ryan teaches Spanish at Taylorsville High School.  He was awarded Teacher of the Year in Granite School District and nominated as Teacher of the Year by the State of Utah Board of Education.  He’s followed his passion for cycling to become one of the most consistent and strongest cyclists on the team.  Don’t let his 27-minute Emigration time fool you.  Ryan is a freight train that will get his power to about 280 watts and just park it there for hours. He finished on the podium for Lotoja last year and he’s charging for the top spot this year.  

If you are lucky enough to ride next to Ryan, be sure to chat with him about his favorite dead show or his favorite podcast.  He’ll chat your ear off.  He’s a great dude and I’m stoked he is part of the team. 

"More Adventure" with Jesse Loper

In episode 106 of the Mi Duole Cycling Podcast, we are thrilled to introduce team member Jesse Loper. Jesse is an experienced adventurer with an impressive resume, having completed the grueling Leadville Mountain Bike Race three times. His passion for cycling extends across gravel, road, and mountain biking. Beyond his biking prowess, Jesse is also an accomplished outdoor photographer and a dedicated triathlete. Since joining the Mi Duole team in 2019, he has become an invaluable part of our cycling community. Tune in to hear Jesse's inspiring stories and insights from his diverse and adventurous life on two wheels.

"Old School Tough" with Zac West

Zac will be the first to deflect any attention or focus on him; however, we’re going to ignore his advice and let the team learn more about a man who I consider one of my best friends and an amazing human being.

Zac will introduce himself more in the podcast, but there are six things I really want the audience to know about him. 

1. Anyone who interacts with Zac comes to love him. He has had an extremely successful career because he can relate and build relationships with such a diverse group of people. Doesn’t matter if it’s a bunch of dudes who like to wear lycra or camo, they all love him. 
2. Zac has the nastiest feet on planet earth. I don’t know how he got so many girls in high school and college with those things. Imagine having a continuous callous on the bottom of your foot. That’s exactly what the bottom of his feet are.
3. Zac is old school tough. I can’t think of time Zac didn’t finish something he started; whether its running Rim to Rim to Rim, Ironman, P2P, Leadville, LOTOJA or a marathon, he finishes.
4. Zac is an amazing Father. Being the Father of 5 kids requires a lot of sacrifice, patience, selflessness, and love. He embodies all of these. I still remember when Zac found out his 4th and 5th were twins. He manned up, took responsibility, and is giving those kids an amazing life.
5. Zac is hilarious. I often play this game with Zac where I ask for his opinion on a random event or subject. He ends up taking it somewhere unexpected and makes me laugh every single time.
6. Zac is faithful and loyal. Zac is faithful to his family, friends, and God. If I were stuck or in trouble somewhere, I know Zac would drop everything to come and get me. There are certain dudes who you would want to be in a fox hole with. Zac is that guy. 

I won’t embarrass Zac any further out of concern that he will literally end this podcast prematurely; however, I’ve spent literally thousands of miles with Zac in Glacier, Whistler, the Grand Canyon Kauai, Carmel, Leadville, Moab, Jackson, St George and more. Those are some of my most cherished memories. He’s a tremendous example for me and somebody I consider a dear friend. (Taylor Cannon) 

"Checkmate" with Aaron Jordin

AJ has been riding & racing bikes since before most of the podcast audience was born. But he’s so much more than a talented cyclist. He’s one of the most driven, goal-oriented people you’ll meet and he’s a natural leader, both on and off the bike. He’s raced hundreds of races, (some years more than 50 races!) & he truly enjoys racing but he loves to mentor young cyclists even more. He ran a junior development team for Hangar 15 & it was one of the most fun & rewarding things he’s done. When he’s not out putting in the hours & watts on the bike, he’s leading huge teams & projects for CHG Healthcare or he’s busy being the most supportive dad & husband. AJ is an excellent listener and is always willing to advise on matters of career, life and his favorite, bike race strategy!

"One Foot In Front of the Other" with Jon Love

When Jon decides to do something he doesn’t quit before it’s done. Jon’s journey into distance running commenced in 2005. He has since completed numerous races, both road and trail, with some detours for cycling along the way. His love for trail running grew as he got older (easier on his body) and met others that enjoyed exploring the nearby mountain trails. He likes to see how far he can push his body. When people ask him how he does it, how he runs so far and so fast he replies with a frustrating answer of, “you, just put one foot in front of the other.”  This could be a motto for Jon’s life, reflecting his unwavering dedication and refusal to succumb to adversity. He has worked hard consistently from a very young age and doesn’t give up easily. He’s dedicated to what he does, and is loyal to his family, friends, and beliefs. 

In preparation for running the 2023 Wasatch 100, Jon completed a solid block of training that included numerous long runs and a couple races. He sacrificed a lot of time and a lot of energy to training and strengthening his body to peak performance level. For race day, Jon set ambitious goals for each aid station, meticulously orchestrating every detail, from drop bags to crew supplies, in an effort to minimize the inevitable uncertainty. Jon had a goal of finishing the Wasatch 100 in under 24 hours and he crushed that goal, with the help of running angels (including his crew), finishing in 21 hours and 30ish minutes. He took third place overall. His friends and family are so very proud and are continuously in awe of his efforts and ability. His determination and strength are attributes that his three daughters learn from daily. His wonderful wife, Alison, can be seen at every aid station during whichever race, but may be quiet because she’s trying to hold back happy/proud tears every time she sees her runner. 

"Improve The Process" with Jack Boren

If you know Jack, you know that anything he’s willing to invest time in is something he really cares about. Jack has an unwavering ability to set goals for himself and completely focus in and dedicate himself to achieving them. This stands true in his personal life  as a husband and father to our two children, his professional life where he has to be one of the youngest people to be made partner at a reputable/legitimate venture capital fund- certainly in our region- and in his cycling career where 5 years into owning a bike he finished LoToJa as the 24th fastest rider ever. 

I’m proud to say I got Jack into his cardio fitness era. When we met in 2014 I convinced him to start running with me in the mornings as it was something we could do together before work. Much to his chagrin, I even convinced him to run a couple of half marathons and wasatch steeple chase but in 2018 we decided to try out cycling together. We bought matching Pinarellos and spent the summer as two of the slowest people on the mountain. That position would clearly not cut it for Jack and his interest in cycling quickly spiraled. 

Fast forward to 2024 - Our kitchen is now a science lab for his various nutritional supplements and the concoctions he mixes on a nightly basis. Our garage houses so many bikes, I’m fairly certain he’ll be parking on the street this summer to make room for more. And I’ve recently learned we’ll be spending our retirement driving a sag wagon around France for our competitive cyclist children. 

But in all honesty, cycling has brought a lot of joy to our family and I love that he loves it as much as he does.

"Never Peak" with Shawn Montmeny

Shawn was born in Sheridan Wyoming. His love of bikes started early, he even won trophies racing BMX in elementary school. 

When he was 12 they moved to Holladay where Shawn went to Oly Jr & graduated from Olympus High. Shawn has always been active, playing many sports like football and basketball. Believe it or not, he had to be an X when he played tackle football in junior high. 

He went to Univ of Wyoming for a semester, and realized the sheltered Sheridan boy was not prepared for all that Laramie had to offer. He then went to the U for a quarter, spent two years in North Carolina, and then graduated from the U. 

Shawn currently lives in Cottonwood Heights with his wife Emily; who is amazing, glorious, kind, thoughtful, and patient, along with their 3 boys. 

Em’s family ran the Deseret News 10k one summer, then the Provo River half marathon, and Shawn’s love for endurance was born, as well as a dive into nutrition. He ran 13 marathons before switching to cycling. He has always had a method to his madness, whether it be getting faster or stronger, what he does has a purpose. 

At certain times of the year, Shawn could have up to 6 jobs going on at one time. He’s currently working on a masters in Sport Analytics from Ole Miss, and looking to make a career transition to data analytics. So make sure you have your brown rice and beatles, and prepare to be enlightened by Shawn’s crazy mind. 

From Kirby, “Shawn has been in the finance industry for 10 plus years, but has a love for statistics.  When Shawn isn’t crunching numbers for FIS, he is running the statistics reporting for University of Utah sports programs as well as for the NFL Las Vegas Raiders.  Fun facts, Shawn is a vegetarian and loves eating cactus.  Because Shawn eats mostly plants, producing more gas, which you'll get to enjoy on group rides.  There is little to no draft riding behind Shawn, perfect air foil.  Shawn's mom, Jane, favorite friend is David Kirby.  She loves a man with a mustache.  True story.”

"Be Like Sturm!" with Sarah Sturm

We're honored to have the indomitable Sarah Sturm gracing our podcast. From conquering challenging terrains to shattering records, Sarah's cycling journey is a testament to grit, determination, and an unwavering love for the sport. In this episode, we explore the highs and lows of her remarkable career, the challenges overcome, and the victories that have solidified her status as a cycling icon. Join us for an inspiring ride as we delve into the stories behind the victories, the resilience that defines her, and the lessons learned on the winding roads of life. Get ready for insights, laughter, and a dose of inspiration that will leave you reaching for your bike helmet and hitting the trails with newfound vigor!

”Enjoy the Journey” with Dr. Dean Walker

Dean “the machine’ Walker is one of the greatest humans on Planet Earth! Although Dean may not be a Mi Duole OG, he is a cycling OG and fits right in with the Mi Duole tribe.  Dean is a cycling legend in his own right and has notched his place in the annals of Mi Duole with putting the “O” in Stoopid, like many of us, with great cycling feats and concomitant cycling injuries.  Dean has done Leadville at least 2 times.  He cracked his pelvis when he crashed doing the Leadville warmup ride and then on a subsequent year’s Leadville training ride, broke several ribs when he decided to take a nap in a loamy patch of bushes in a hairpin on Armstrong, only to find a hidden tree stump underneath!  

While Dean favors the mountain bike, with the Local Legend up the Rattlesnake hairpins, he is no stranger to the road.  He has competed in several LOTOJA’s and is a regular up the summer Thursday Big Cottonwood/PC loop sufferfest.  Dean has a penchant for sweet bikes, which include a custom hand-painted Open gravel whip from Italy.  All of Dean’s cycling feats are inconsequential relative to the real man that he is.  

Dean is a man of God and the most generous, loving, humble, kind person you will ever meet.  And oh, by the way, did I mention that he’s an amazing surgeon? Dean is your go-go guys for shoulder, hip and knee replacements.  I can now do head-shoulder-knees-and toes with the best of the 6 year olds!  More importantly, Dean is a man of honor and integrity.  He is a loyal friend and will offer you the jersey off his back whenever you need it. 

I’m humbled so see how Dean is currently making a very sweet concoction of lemonade with the lemons he’s recently been given.  Dean is a rock.  Dean is your Wingman.  He is a genuine friend and it is my honor to consider him one of my best friends.  I present to you, Dean Walker; the man, they myth, and the OG of true Italian backyard brick oven pizza

Announcing: Utah Crit League

"We are dedicated to creating an inclusive and innovative environment. UCL aims to provide Utah with a crit racing experience never seen before. Whether you are in your first year or a crit connoisseur UCL is the place for you."

Registration: https://www.bikereg.com/utah-crit-league

Hot Take: Zone 2 Training with Coach Sarah Kaufman

Sarah raced at the UCI Elite level from 2007-2021 and has been coaching since 2012. She uses her experience as a racer to combine a holistic, personal approach with science-based design. She works with athletes from all backgrounds and levels of experience, from new riders to pros and juniors to masters racers. She works with XC, endurance XC, ultra-endurance, enduro, road, gravel, touring, and cyclocross athletes. Sarah is a member of the Utah High School MTB League, board of directors.

Sarah is a USA Cycling and TrainingPeaks Level 2 Certified Coach. She began riding bikes when a torn ACL sidelined her from Nordic ski racing. Initially racing on the road, Sarah then transitioned off-road, racing in events from XC to endurance and ultra endurance, enduro, stage racing, cyclocross, and gravel from 2007-2021. She has raced around the world and as high as the World Cup Elite level.

Sarah uses her vast racing experience to inform her coaching, alongside cutting edge technology and analytics to dig into training data and customize coaching plans. She has coached riders to podiums at UCI elite and junior MTB and road events, NICA, Pro XCT, and State and National Championships. She has guided riders along the journey from amateur to contracted pros. She lives in Salt Lake City where the trails are abundant and the roads climb quiet mountain canyons.

https://kcyclingcoaching.com
https://www.strava.com/pros/9354487
https://www.dnacyclingteam.com
sarah@kcyclingcoaching.com

”The Mayor of Millcreek” with Joel Zenger

Joel Zenger is a man of many talents. He is a freak athlete who has trouble squeezing in rest days because he loves playing outside. Almost every day he is up at the crack of dawn to ski deep pow, bike, or trail run with his dog Milo. By 9:00 AM he’s traded his ski boots for Birkenstocks and works as an attorney. He’s got the brains and brawn! Joel is an incredible father to two kids who often join him on adventures. If you see Joel out on the trail, say hi! He’s a great adventure buddy if you can keep up with him.

”Maybird Cycling” with Dan Draper #TBY

Dan Draper founded Maybird in 2017 with his sons to provide an accessible youth development experience. Since then he has coached hundreds of young riders towards the ultimate goal of lifetime cycling participation. There’s never been a better time to start cycling. As high school mountain biking programs bring thousands of young people to the sport, we see an opportunity to take the next step; to elevate cycling from a hobby to a lifestyle. Maybird is more than a team, a riding group, or a tag on an Instagram post. Maybird is a community of passionate, healthy, and responsible humans. We see cycling as a conduit to better physical and mental health, community cohesion, and lifelong fulfillment. Because at the end of the day, the real magic of cycling has nothing to do with bikes, races, trails, or roads; it about making people’s lives better.

www.maybirdcycling.com

All the Bikes. All the Time

Meet Esma Taylor! Her journey in the cycling includes being a Specialized Ambassador Marketing Specialist and a professional racer for the Automatic Abus team - which leads her to live by the mantra: All the Bikes. All the Time! With a belief in the transformative power of sports, Esma recognizes the impact and lessons that the bike can have on shaping one's character and life. Her passions in the sport include: lowering barriers of entry, fostering inclusivity, and uniting her community through shared sporting experiences. As a seasoned advocate for athletes and riders nationwide, Esma brings a wealth of expertise to the table. Her skills in developing partnerships, multitasking, and executing diverse responsibilities with impeccable time management make her an invaluable asset to the cycling community, including Mi Duole. We love working with Esma! She embodies someone who loves. 

Fall In Love With the Process with Truman Glasgow

Meet professional cyclist (and fellow Utahn), Truman Glasgow. We have admired Truman from afar the past few years as he moves up the ranks in every mountain bike and gravel races he races across the country. In 2023 Truman took home the victory at both Point 2 Point and The Wasatch All-Road. The dude knows how to win and in this podcast shares a bit of his story and motivation. Truman is wise and we are excited to see what's next for him in 2024!

The Eras of Justin

Conceived on steeps of Marsac, Justin Spangler came into the world with a bang.

He was a BIG surprise to his parents and has been described as a “walking miracle” by his father in law. His favorite fact to share about his life is that he was the second fattest kid in his middle school, ask him to see the picture. A true rag to riches story, Justin rose from disparity as he started pursuing his dreams. He was very lucky to always be surrounded by good friends. These friends encouraged him to attend the University of Utah where he went on to become the Student Body President and a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. That’s where he met his college sweetheart and now wife, Sarah Paul. Justin and Sarah have been married for 8 years and have two beautiful children, Ford and Adeline. Throughout their marriage, Justin has an epiphany every few years that he wants to get into a new hobby. That hobby quickly turns into an obsession. Justin is currently in his “Cycling Era”. His wife is hoping his next one will be his “handy man era” or “yard work era”.

Let’s quickly go through the Eras of Justin’s Life to help you understand how he got to where he is now:

The Eras of Justin: 1) Fat Kid Justin, aka “Juggin Nubs” as his childhood friends so lovingly nicknamed him.

2) Football Justin, where he lost the weight and had a massive growth spurt to 6’6”

3) Frat Boy Justin, where he sported a Zac Efron hairdo and everyone called him “Nubs” because of the missing fingers he wasn’t born with on his left hand.

4) Missionary Justin, where he served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Jackson Mississippi.

5) Student Body President Justin, perhaps the peak of his life. Marathon Justin, where he sustained many injuries and broken bones as a runner and was miraculously fast and quite often podiumed in the ever-too-fitting “Clydesdale” weight group.

6) Google Justin, where working for Google became his entire identity and favorite bragging right. And that takes us to his current era…

7) Cycling Justin, where sweet sweet Justin realized his ultimate life dream and calling in life of becoming a pro cyclist just a little too late but has decided to make it his top priority anyways.

All joking aside, Justin is a wonderful husband, father, and son. His family is so blessed to have him and love cheering him on!

Work Hard. Play Hard.

Jameson was born in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is number two of five kids.

He spent his earlier childhood “way out south in the sticks” which is now called Sandy, Utah. It was there that he learned how to swim in his backyard pool, dressed up as underwear man, and learned that multiple small Dixie cups of lemonade can extinguish an accidental brush fire. He told admirers in the grocery store that he got his long eyelashes from Heavenly Father, “because he wanted me to look good,” and realized that a bucket thrown in anger can accidentally break your girlfriends nose. Sandy is also where little boy Jamey became Jameson.

Halfway through elementary school, Jameson’s family moved to the heart of Holladay, Utah to be closer to cousins. This is where his true love for sports was born. He got involved in Little League soccer, baseball, and football. He played for many coaches that deeply influenced his life. He still talks about these coaches and occasionally recites their most famous lines. This is also where he learned the art of nicknaming, as he became Rizzo Rice early on in little league football. Then a few years later Jammer was born. 

Jammer attended Olympus high school, where he was involved in football, baseball, rugby, concert choir, graphic design, and pottery. He graduated high school in 1998, served a two-year LDS mission in Fortaleza, Brazil, and then attended the University of Utah where he earned his doctorate degree in pharmacy. So Jammer is now also known as your friendly neighborhood drug dealer, managing the Harmons Pharmacy, in the heart of Holladay. 

This local drug dealer now lives in East Millcreek, Utah with his family. He loves being a dad, taking on projects, learning new skills, playing pickle ball, water and snow skiing, and going on mountaineering and canyoneering adventure’s with friends. His latest passion is coaching his son, Gordon’s mountain biking group. He loves living in Utah with the four seasons, and takes full advantage of the various activities that each season brings.

Anyone who knows him would know that Jameson has an intense passion for University of Utah football that has been ingrained in him since birth. 

Jameson lives by the motto, work hard and play hard.

2023 LOTOJA Recap with Cat 3/4

Spend an hour rehashing the 2023 Cat 3/4 race from the viewpoint of Jason Lang, Justin Spangler, Todd Racker, Ryan Welch and Jack Bourne. Lots of fun good stuff about the race and how the sub 9:00 hour effort unfolded. 

”A Face That Needs A Fist” with Matt Dalton

Matt was born and raised in Utah, living in Salt Lake City his entire life.  Spent a couple of years in Cleveland Ohio, and an internship in New York City, but mostly spending time in Olympus Cove, jumping trash cans on his BMX, and hiking the nearby mountains in Millcreek and Neff’s Canyons, looking for his dog Oly, and trying to find what other dogs Oly had impregnated.  

Matt currently lives in East Millcreek with his wife Sheri, son Isaac, and daughters Sarah and Rachel.  As a family they love to ski in the winters, hike in the summers, and travel to Hawaii, Costa Rica, and anywhere with a beach and tropical weather.  Matt’s kids are athletes, and all played high school sports, primarily swimming and water polo.  Matt is a Skyline High School alum and a University of Utah alum.   Matt has been involved and participating in endurance sports, primarily running and cycling for over 35 years, focusing on cycling for the last 10 years.   

Matt owns and works at Design Team, a commercial flooring and window covering company, which has been in business for over 40 years, and was started by Matt’s father and mother, Steve and Elaine Dalton. Currently Matt and his brother Zach are the owners of Design Team, and current Mi Duole Team sponsors.  

 Things most people don’t know about Matt: 

•       Matt has the ability to self-regulate extreme temperatures by sweating like a fill in the blank...  
•       Matt has run over 30 Marathons
•       Matt has perfected the art of crashing on dirt, with on one gravel ride crashing 3+ times.  
•       Matt does come from LDS Church royalty.  His mother Elaine Dalton was president of the Young Women’s association for the church, and liked to make “cinnamon rolls in the shape of temples” (Utah accent) 
•       Matt was a BYU fan for a short period of time, and has a secret man crush on Mitt Romney.  He has overcome his BYU affliction.
•       Matt is terrible at making TikTok videos, FACT.    

Humble Confidence with Andy Welch

Let me introduce Andy Welch.  He grew up in Sandy, Utah and is one of eight kids.  He is unique in the fact that he is a quadruplet, it is him and 3 sisters born at the same time.  He is still very close with his siblings, and they get together several times a month.  

Andy currently works for a local land development company overseeing their horizontal developments and managing projects and people.  Over the last couple of years, he has built custom houses on the side and has also done several house renovations.  He has an incredible eye for seeing the potential of any project.  He finds gratification in construction and being able to see your hard work come to reality.   

His free time is usually spent on adventures with his family.  He is a thrill seeker and a bit of an adrenaline junkie.  He has been known to do gainers off 75-foot cliffs, paddle board with grizzle bears, pull off all the tricks on a wake board (like a 20-year-old), race motorcycles, running, mountain and road biking.  He loves to travel and take his sprinter van to see all the beauty the world has to offer.  

Andy is like the energizer bunny, he just goes..goes...and goes.  He loves getting to know people and has a genuine talent for recognizing the value that every person has.  You typically can't take him anywhere without him knowing someone and going out of his way to say hi to them.  He has a been known to become "best friends" with most people over one conversation. He spends his time serving others, when he sees a need-he fills it, he hates wasting time and hates texting. 

If you have a flat tire...call Andy 

If you need to build something...call Andy 

Having a bad day...call Andy  

He's the guy that's always going to be there.

His moto in life has been: 1) serve others 2) be happy 3) LET'S GOOOOO!  

”Push Yourself” with Mike Broderick

Mike Broderick has won multiple state cycling championships across multiple disciplines. He is consistently a top finisher in road racing, cyclocross, and mountain bike races. He learned how to persevere during a career as a EMT and worked a large part of his career with the Unified Fire Department. His drive to help others extends beyond his profession as he is known to focus on helping others to achieve their goals. For those of you are interested, he’s the month of March in the 2023 United Fire Department’s “Hunk of Burnin’ Love” calendar.

”Eat Trash - Go Fast” with Zac Pape

Zac comes to us from the great plains of Texas. He was like a mountain goat out on the plains, somehow knew he belonged in higher elevations. Zac started cycling mid-way through 2019 and was hooked right away. When a “work-remote” job opportunity opened, he hit the road. He debated between the mile high city or Salt Lake, and the great and dreadful choice of Utah won out. I say great because Zac really is just a great dude. He’s super friendly and one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. I say dreadful because he can rip your legs off when a road turns uphill.
 
Don’t let the hairy legs, the pink floral kit, or a 38 min Emi time fool you, when someone attacks, you can bet Zac will be the first to jump on the wheel (if he wasn’t the one causing the chaos in the first place). So grab some fruit snacks and get ready to meet a great guy and teammate.

”Work In Silence, Success Is The Noise” with Jason Cook

When Jason and I started dating, my little brothers would tease me asking why I was dating a guy who felt ALL too comfortable in tight spandex biking shorts. I think they hoped this would be a short fling considering that spandex weren't exactly "cool" to two young teenage boys. Fast forward eight years and now they don't think twice about the spandex and have accepted this simply as a "personality trait" of their brother-in-law who they look up to and respect lots. I learned early on that Jason is unapologetically himself -- spandex and all!

Jason grew up in the Harvard Yale area of Salt Lake City. He is one of five children and has a special bond with each of his siblings. Having to keep up with an older brother (some of you may know him!) who was big, fast and athletic, he was pushed in ways he probably wouldn't have been pushed otherwise. He was small but mighty. The size of the fight in this small dog was huge! This ended up paying off as he excelled athletically at East High and beyond -- he was a varsity soccer captain two years in a row, football captain and played quarterback his senior year leading the team to the state finals. He truly could have played any sport and done well. Jason is a natural leader. There is a humble confidence in which Jason carries himself and it shows in how he interacts with people. He makes others feel important and comfortable, striking up conversations easily while genuinely interested in their lives. He leads quietly, without wanting the spotlight. Jason loves reading, snow skiing, water skiing, trail running and is a big adrenaline junkie at heart. He feels more comfortable doing some kind of complex flip off of any 60+ foot cliff rather than just jumping and used to spend hours in the terrain park perfecting crazy ski tricks. All these things come naturally to him.

Jason went on to graduate in Finance from the University of Utah and now works for a local Venture Capital firm, Epic Ventures. His passion for cycling began in his early college years. I think he would say the three things that helped him develop a deep love for the sport were: his LDS mission to the Netherlands (where there are more bikes than cars), "Creighton's Riders" and his brother Jake who introduced him to the Mi Duole crew. Combining the simple joy that being in the saddle brings with the pure physical grit, mental toughness, early mornings, dedication, challenging climbs, sunrise rides, and friendship that come with it, he really has fallen in love. Not just with the sport of cycling, but with Mi Duole and the people who make up Mi Duole. Jason has competed in countless races including Lotoja, Saints to Sinners, The Tour of St. George, Crusher in the Tushar, The Wasatch All-Road, and "his version" of The Ultimate Challenge. He loves competing, but he loves people and his relationships with those people even more. 

Of all the things that come naturally to Jason, his role of "father" has come the most natural. He was born to be the "girl dad" he is to our one-year-old, Louisa. Recently, his morning bike rides have started earlier with some fewer and farther between since stepping into this role. Yet somehow he still hits personal records and pushes himself to become his best self -- both on and off the bike. Jason is constant, resilient, happy, fun, passionate, loyal, kind, strong, genuine and just plain old GOOD. If you know him, you love him! His girls feel so lucky to be on this ride of life alongside him.

”Plant Based Athlete”with Caroline Lewis-Jones

Founded in 1970 by Chairman Jay Martin, The Juice Plus+ Company has grown from a small, direct-sales company into a highly successful, privately held health and wellness company operating in more than 20 countries today.

Our turning point toward a health and wellness focus occurred in 1993 when we introduced Juice Plus+ Fruit and Vegetable Blend capsules. Even at that time, a growing body of scientific evidence was demonstrating that eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables is essential to a healthy diet and lifestyle. Juice Plus+ responded to that need with a simple and convenient product to help people bridge the gap between what they should eat, and what they actually do eat, every day.

All Juice Plus+ products share a common nutritional philosophy that traces back to our beginnings in 1993 and helps us stand out from the tens of thousands of nutritional products on the market today: an emphasis on the whole food, plant-based nutrition that is so important in our diets.

Let Preparation Be Your Separation

Meet Mi Duole team member: Jason Lang 

One of the sayings I live by, “Let preparation by your separation.” I get crap from the team for being overly prepared for things, and writing out my diagrams and nutrition plans for races. I really think coming into something prepared is one of my superpowers. I would much rather be way over prepared for something then underprepared, and I feel like that gives me separation. 

There are no shortcuts in cycling…you can’t really cheat. The way to get better is to do the work. The equipment helps a little but at the end of the day watts are king and the way to get more watts is consistent work. There is also a lot to learn and you learn those things by time in the saddle and putting yourself in a position to learn and grow. No shortcuts.

It provides a way to stretch/push yourself mentally and physically. It allows you to explore your limits and then figure out a way to move past them. The endorphin high you get when overcoming something hard is so addicting. I love when your body is screaming at you to stop and you learn to push a little deeper. Your body is trying to resist change and stay comfortable but you can force it to change for the better and get stronger…and that's amazing.

You get better at cycling by performing consistently year over year. It's a long game. It's important to be able to zoom out and not measure week by week and month by month but more year over year.

 

Suited Up with Derek Bleazard

Derek is the owner and co-founder of Beckett and Robb, a made-to-measure custom men’s clothing business, sourcing materials and production from England and Italy.

He grew up in Boise Idaho playing every sport he could get his hands on. His basketball coach was very disappointed in the growth spurt he experienced after high school while on an LDS mission. “Where was that height 3 years ago??” . He served a mission to Caracas, Venezuela, and met his wife Tara afterwards while they were teaching Spanish at the Missionary Training Center. They have 4 amazing kids. They love to travel and camp together. 

Derek is incredibly coordinated and picked up cycling when his wife signed them up for the Spudman triathlon after they moved back to Utah from the Bay Area. Less than 3 years later he was doing half Ironmans and on the podium at Lotoja. Like most of us, he likes gear (especially bike gear, ski gear, and modifications to his RAM truck).

His business is world class men’s clothing with the highest quality fabrics and tailoring found anywhere. Beyond that, he provides his clients direction on making sure they have the perfect look they are after. He is cognizant of every detail and can dress a 20 year old hipster, a newly returned missionary, a boardroom executive, a tech mogul, NBA or other professional athletes, a working professional, or boring church dads. 

His work after a degree from BYU included both business and clothing. Derek has always been interested in clothing but has a unique ability to do a deep dive once he gets passionate about something. (Ask him about how he perfected the Neapolitan pizza he makes from scratch.)

His low level OCD makes him the perfect suit guy and bike buddy. It’s likely that Derek has done the deep dive on nearly everything he rides, drives, or wears, which makes him a fountain of information. And maybe most importantly, he is one of the most loyal and considerate friends you could ever have.

”The Father of Crusher In The Tushar” with Burke Swindlehurst

Burke Swindlehurst started racing bikes in the late 1980s and built a successful career as any rider to ever emerge from Utah. After his retirement from the peloton in 2010, he founded the wildly popular Crusher in the Tushar race that takes place annually in the Tushar Mountain Range near Beaver.

Burke Swindlehurst, past race director and course designer of the 2022 Crusher In The Tushar presented by The Creamery thinks he has designed the hardest gravel race in the world. Crusher In The Tushar features a 60/40 split of gravel to pavement with 10K feet of climbing and a summit finish at 10K feet above sea level. Weather often can vary anywhere from 30 to 60 degrees from the start in Beaver, Utah to the finish in Eagle Point, Utah. We had over 20 members of the Mi Duole participate in Crusher last year with many finished on or near the podium. This race is a big part of our culutre!  We all sit at our computers ready to refresh and submit at the moment the race is taking registration. What you built is truly something that this team, who loves to suffer, wants to be a part of. 

“Mile for mile there is not a tougher race on the planet” Burke said of Crusher last year. 

Competitive & Compassionate with Zane Miller

Zane Miller was born February 15th and grew up in the Salt Lake valley. From a young age he grew up following in the footsteps of his dad. From car dealerships, to building an arena and a basketball team, to showing up and loving his community. He's always strived to make his life, and the lives of people around him better. His parents have played a huge role in his life and have shaped the person he is today. He loves Utah and has always made the most of everything it has to offer. 

He grew up loving snowboarding, playing basketball, working on cars, and in the last few years, developing a love & passion for cycling. He spends most of his time being an awesome partner and dad to a whopping 8 kids, ranging from ages 13 down to 2 months. He is great with chaos, a quick thinker, super loyal and selfless, in life and on the bike, and one of the most resilient people I know. He’s got an insane amount of grit. All things that make him an incredible cyclist. Anyone who has ever competed with, or against Zane, knows that he is determined and always wants to compete and win! At times that means he crosses the finish line first, but many times it comes in bringing out the best in his teammates. 

When his family took over the Tour of Utah, one of Zane's uncles started the LHM Cycling Team. The team would ride around the valley, and eventually start riding Lotoja. When Zane got involved, and started managing the team, it was a small group. The first couple years were pretty difficult to get the team where it is now. Zane worked tirelessly on coordinating group rides and fondos. The next couple years were focused on adding new teammates, securing sponsors, and getting the LHM Cycling Team name well known. The last two seasons have been a culmination of the heart and soul that Zane, and countless others have put into the team. The team is roughly at about 80 members. LHM CC has riders specializing in crit, gravel, fondo, and weekend warriors, with so many different levels of talent and focus. Zane's goal for LHM CC is to have a team for all types of riders and competition levels. He has built a team that is friendly on the road, helps others in need, and wants to tear the legs off of everyone at the races! With his recent role on the Utah Cycling Association board, the sport of cycling in Utah is in great hands!

 

”Lifelong Learning” with Andy Olson

Andy was born in Provo, UT but grew up mostly in Spokane, WA, where his dad was a pediatrician. He is the oldest of 8 children (the 8 children were born in 10 years, 3 while his dad was going through medical school… his mom is a saint!). When he was young, his parents got sick of their children watching too much TV so one day the TV “broke” and instruments appeared. They started a family band (Andy chose the guitar), playing bluegrass music, performing around outdoor gatherings, granges, nursing homes and shopping malls. He even attended a performance on prom night, bringing his date along. He loved playing wide receiver on his HS football team and he loved his HS Biology class, where his teacher brought the subject of molecular biology to life, inspiring his future career.

After a year of college at BYU, he went on an LDS mission to the Iowa, Des Moines Mission. We met the summer after his return and married a year later in SLC, UT. He got his MBA and has worked for various startup companies in the BioTech industry, in TX, CA, WA, MO and UT. Four years ago, he took the leap of starting his own company, where he uses DNA and epigenetics to help solve fertility issues, specifically male infertility. 

He loves reading, listening to live music with his brother and concerts with his kids, water skiing, snow skiing, road cycling, watching cycling and eating good food, especially anything chocolate. When we travel, he’s a major foodie, always scouting out the best places to eat. (We can always charm him out of a bad mood by going to get good food.) He’s a master sourdough bread maker and has 2 mean DuoLingo streaks - one in Italian and one in Spanish.

We have 4 children, 3 girls and 1 boy, ages 25-17 yrs old and have been married for 26 years. When he dies, we’re going to bury him with his bike. What a ride it's been!

Dream Bigger with Alex Wild

Alex is an accomplished pro mountain bike racer and now gravel as well! Can we say that after racing in the Life time series? He has likely been heard many times by our audience as a frequent guest on the Trainer Road podcast. Alex has competed at the highest level all around the country in national races and championships and even represented team USA at multiple world championships. Alex is also married and maintains a full time job with Specialized as a senior supply manager.

”By The Numbers” with Josh Bradley

"I have always prided myself on my ability to push through suffering with sports to accomplish something great. And that is what I feel Mi Duole is all about. Instead of turning from or avoiding hard things, we seek after it for the joy that comes from overcoming a hard task."

Meet Mi Duole team member, Josh Bradley. Dude knows how to crush you on climbs and has all the numbers dialed in before the ride even begins. Grateful for Josh and all he does to build the team.

From Josh: "I’ve always enjoyed bikes from an early age. Both my parents raced road bikes for a time and instilled in me a love for bikes. Also, the freedom of it. And the fact that it is so much faster than running. I am also really drawn to it from an engineering stand point. I do a lot with radar data analysis for my work, and that leads naturally into me being very analytical with my cycling data, and the idea of optimizing performance through technological and physiological means. I find it all to be very fascinating.

Link to Josh's music video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sG_reUkJtrA76mj_csZiot31G6uKY6da/view

Davis’s Do Hard Things

Clark likes to claim he's from California AND Utah, but we all know that he's really a Utah boy at heart. He grew up in the shadows of the Olympus Cove surrounded by family and friends. He was a frequent diner at Spring Garden, Arbys and MolcaSalsa and was the Tardy King of Skyline Highschool -- Class of 2001. While attending The University of Utah, he met and married an 'East Coast girl' and together we have a beautiful 14 year old daughter, Grace Ella. She is the light of our family. We lived in Maryland for seven years and in 2015 returned back to Zion and that's when Clark entered the Utah Tech arena. Thanks to his Dad's bribe, he took up cycling in 2016 and the rest is history! When he's not wearing bibs, he can be found in his work uniform -- Rhone joggers, a plaid button down and a vest. 

Anyone that truly knows Clark, knows that he loves cycling, but he loves Jesus more. He is an avid student of the scriptures and loves studying the life of Jesus Christ. Our family motto is 'Davis' Do Hard Things' and Clark is a great example of this. Whether it be waking up at 4:30am on Saturday mornings to get a long ride in before Donut Saturday, Everesting during Christmas break with our family as his support team, or spending hours planning routes to ride with friends and coming home with pictures and videos to tell the tale -- Clark does hard things and our family is so grateful for his example and all he does to love and support us. 

Queen of Zwift with Tiffany Larson

My hopes started in 1993, when I bought Tiffany a new—but dented—Specialized Allez lugged steel frameset from a Specialized rep in the avenues. She never rode it, and a neighbor still has that bike. Probably about 2009 Tiffany was given a decent carbon bike with a fit; that’s really when things started rolling. She had to get comfortable on the bike first. There were some “Hobble Creek moms” that would ride a few days a week in the summer. 

One thing you have to understand about Tiffany is that she can’t really do things halfway, and she’s more competitive than she can admit. Valedictorian, summa cum laude, basketball MVP…she can’t just show up. So quickly the women’s rides were unsatisfying. Soon I was suggesting intervals to try instead of her using hills as intervals. We had some failures riding together at first for sure…she could talk about going up Timber Trail the first time and how mad she could get when I would just suggest one more climb that she was not ready to do. Now, however, she doesn’t blink. She drops men all the time and takes criticism from the kids for checking her Strava. 

Now we’re a good decade into real riding for Tiffany, with race wins, Zwift notariety, successful lotoja races (some sacrificed to help friends old and new) and many unforgettable rides, bike tours, joys, pains, QOMs, and friendships experienced while exploring the land on a bike. Funny thing, too, is that she has completely forgotten about the lecture she gave me about riding too much. 

”I Don’t Want A Mediocre Life”

Chris was raised in the Holladay/Millcreek area. He is the oldest of 6 kids. Chris attended Skyline High school where he played football and graduated in 2004. 

Chris loves to ski, bike, go boating, play the piano, watch movies and eat a ton of popcorn. An interesting fact about Chris is he has broken his back twice. The first time was skiing in the park at Brighton and the second was during football practice his senior year. 

He served an LDS mission from 05-07 in the Little Rock, Arkansas mission, Spanish speaking. Shortly after returning we met and got married in 2009. Before we started a family Chris and I enjoyed doing everything together. We traveled a lot and even went to Europe twice. We skied together in the winter and biked together in the summer. Chris was a very supportive husband and helped me train for triathlons. Chris and I bought and sold 4 different houses in the first 8 years of our marriage, fixing each one up and selling after a few years. We now live in the Willow Creek area. Other than Chris wishing we lived closer to the stop sign in Holladay for ride meetups, we love it. We now have 3 kids. Jackson is 6, Gracie is 4 and Lettie is 2. 

Chris works in software sales in the healthcare space but is always trying to figure out how he could make a living doing his own thing. Something Chris is self conscious about and you can give him a hard time is he is color blind. If you're ever biking with him during the fall and looking at the beautiful fall colors, just know he can't see it and won't say anything about it. 

Growing up Chris loved to mountain bike in Sun Valley on family trips. After we got married he thought it would be fun for both of us to try road biking. We slowly started getting into cycling and did a few centuries around Salt Lake. It's crazy to think but there once was a time I could beat him up a mountain. I think he got sick of biking with me and started talking to Charles Smart about joining the team. 

One thing about Chris is he doesn't do anything little. When he decided to join Mi Duole he went in fully including buying everything possible. He was immediately impressed with how fast and how hard everyone worked. I definitely think he has found his people. He put his mind to getting better and faster and figuring out how to keep up with the Doules. This team has been the best thing for him socially, mentally and physically. I have been so impressed with how far he has come and how fast he has gotten. He has accomplished things and pushed himself harder than he or I thought he could. It would drive him crazy when he couldn't keep up and he has worked so hard to get where he is today. He has made the best of friends and long lasting relationships. Chris is a perfect example of putting in hard work to accomplish his goals. He works hard at everything he does. 

He was an incredible missionary, he is an amazing dad, he works super hard to be successful with work and I am proud of what he has accomplished cycling. Everyone loves Chris and we are lucky to have him.

”King of PC Loop” with Ryan Welch

If you ask Ryan’s oldest son, Oliver, what he is doing at any given time, he is probably racing toy cars yelling out “I am speed!” The apple must not fall very far from the tree there, as Ryan is usually doing the exact same thing- just trade the toy car for a bike! 

Affectionately called “the golden boy” by his family, Ryan is the epitome of kindness, joy, and positivity. He grew up in Salt Lake City and went to Olympus High School. After graduating he served a mission in Bolivia where he developed a healthy fear of needles and a deep love of Spanish music. He obtained his Bachelors Degree and Masters of Accounting from the University of Utah. During college he traveled all over the place, searching every corner of the world looking for something high to jump off of, a mountain to scale the side of, or giant party to attend. He is a CPA, and now works as a financial analyst at Lucid Software. 

He met his wife Ellen after seeing a picture of her online and insisting that her roommate set them up, despite the fact that she had a boyfriend at the time. Not long after that they were married in a small wedding ceremony in Paris. They have two boys, Oliver and Tommy, who absolutely adore Ryan. He is a die hard Utah Football fan, despite being married to a die hard BYU football fan. The perfect way to describe him is like a golden retriever- full of energy, a friend to every person he meets, easy to please, and always happy. 

Ryan has never met a canyon he didn’t want to climb, a mountain he didn’t want to ski, a truck he didn’t want to take off roading, or a race he didn’t want to win. 

After being introduced to cycling in college, he quickly developed a healthy obsession. His highly competitive nature mixed with his grit and determination have given him an impressive start to what will surely be a lifelong career in cycling. He was introduced to Mi Duole early in his cycling journey, and has found a community he absolutely loves being a part of! He’s been involved in many races, including 3 Lotojas. Most recently, he pulled off an insane Lotoja win, despite spending his entire summer training with a newborn at home. 

Most early mornings you can find Ryan in the saddle, climbing mountains and putting in the work, and still always being home in time to whip up his famous French Toast. 

LOTOJA Champion: 2019, 2020, 2021

Meet Ben Brooks! 

My first memories of Ben happened 3-4 years ago going up both Emigration and Mill Creek Canyon. Sometime Ben would just be there and go up with us. Quiet, but strong. He would stick with they group. Ride hard and then join us again. Like most teammate who gravitate to the Mi Duole team we frequent the same place at the same time. So, over time Ben started to become a regular in the group.  We made an invitation to make him part of the team and he “thankfully” excepted

Ben is an exceptional athlete. I’ll start with what I know, but will let him fill in the details. First, three time LOTOJA champion: 2019: Cat 5, 2020: Cat 4, 2021: Cat 3. If you follow him on Strava you will also notice he is an accomplish back country skier.  He will knock out a four canyons ride and then the next week compete in a crit. Ben can shred on the mountain bike and also bury you in the swimming pool. He loves to fish, trail run and maybe a triathlon or two…and with some Strava digging I’m also seeing that you have completed the Wasatch 100  (2017 taking 9th place) 

He has three beautiful kids and is a Senior Sales Executive for AdvancedMD - an all in one medical software company. I was listening to the MasterClass program recorded by Coach K this morning and he talked about the power of being with “values based” leaders. Ben is that guy! He is filled with integrity, loyalty, kindness…he leads well because he had everyone’s respect. Grateful to call you a friend and team mate. 

Friendships ＞ Finish Lines

Nate Allen Cazier (aka stinky to his family and Nate Dawg to everyone else) was born in the heartland of Costco (Kirkland, Washington) but grew up in Sandy, Utah. He graduated from Alta High where he served as a student body officer his senior year, helping elevate his coolness factor even higher than it previously was.  As a kid, Nate’s dad would take him and his younger brothers mountain biking throughout southern utah, instilling a love of bikes for him. His first kiss was at a stake dance under the basketball hoop when he was 14 years old instilling a love for the ladies in him … (Nate was a ladies man don’t let him tell you otherwise!)

After being a ski bum, serving a mission for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Brazil, becoming an interrogator for the United States Army, breaking his back and eventually settling on one girl, Nate finally ended up graduating from Utah State university with a degree in political science.  He then went on to attend law school at Pepperdine university. He currently is an attorney at Payne & Fears, aptly named for Nate’s style and attitude towards riding - no pain no gain and push through the fears. 

Nate loves spicy Doritos, sour candies, tootsie rolls, snickerdoodle cookies and taco flavored kisses. 

He’s blessed to have the most loving, kind, supportive, super hot friend group around (aka TBD) …. and wife too. He wouldn’t be the man he is today with out either of them. 

He’s a doting father to 4 crazies, a disciple of Jesus Christ, a fantastic orator and tenor.  But if you truly know Nate, you know his biggest competitor is himself. His mental strength and resilience is unlike any other. He’s the kind of guy you feel lucky to know, knowing he’ll always have your back.

 

Shayne Kennedy, born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, a true valley boy at heart. Shayne is the oldest of six kids. He grew up maintaining straight A’s all the while skipping classes to surf, and plan his high schools best parties. Shayne began college at CSUN later transferring his freshman year to BYU, where he also transferred his devotion to skipping classes from surfing to skiing. He then went on to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Puerto Rico. Returning to BYU after his mission, Shayne was the editor of the Journal of International and Area Studies. He graduated from BYU and headed straight to USC for law school. Shayne got a job with Latham and Watkins from USC, eventually becoming a partner at the firm. Shayne has built a career as a Capital Markets attorney, focusing on the niche of Life Sciences. He is ranked amongst the top Capital Markets attorneys on the west coast. He has been a leader in several positions, ranging from Office Managing Partner to Global Co-Chair of the Firms Capital Markets Practice.

Finding himself in a place of over work, over stress, and over weight after several years of grinding as a lawyer; Shayne decided something needed to change. In true to Shayne fashion, he signed himself up for “The Most Grueling” Ironman event in the country without even informing any of his family how extreme this was. He was just hoping to be motivated to workout and get healthy, he ended up losing 40 pounds and developing a love for performance and exercising that he couldn’t have imagined before. When a group of Avid bikers and friends in Irvine asked him to join their group and train for a race called LOTOJA, he had no idea what he was getting himself into; but has now competed for the last 12 years. He has made some of the best friends of his life, he has played out every scenario from not finishing to winning the race TWICE! He will tell you that he bikes to eat, but what he gains through biking in terms of friendship, camaraderie, and super-fitness; has been completely life changing. 

As I said, Shayne bikes to eat, which includes some of his his favorites Weinerschnitzel and Taco Bell; Sweet Tarts and Lemon Heads. His go to snack however, is Marshmellows which he eats all day long. One of the most astounding things about Shayne is that through some of the most demanding work hours, time away at church and pursuing ways to keep himself healthy; he manages always to walk in the door and have energy, attention and love for his wife and kids. Even when he has nothing left to give he always shows up with love and humor. Shayne’s the funny bone of the family. With all of his generosity of soul, it is not hard to figure out why he has such a loyal following of family and friends.

 

Fighting For A Kona Podium

I first met Skye Moench during COVID lockdown!  It was a church fireside devotional that our neighborhood put on and she was on it. She told her story and I was like, "Wait, this lady is in our neighborhood?" Turns out she wasn't just in our Holladay neighborhood, we are like neighbors. You've seen her in Emigration and Big Cottonwood training on her Trek. I have loved watching your journey on social media the past few years … so many insights into the difficult and rewarding world of a professional triathlete. 

She is ranked 9th overall triathlete in the world. In October 2022, Skye competed in Kona at the Ironman World Championships, finishing ninth. In 2021, Skye won Ironman Chattoonooga by 26 minutes, setting the course record as well as a new American record Ironman time of 8:34.

Skye Moench hails from Lethbridge, Alberta, a province in Canada. At 12 years old, she moved with her mother and sisters to Washington State, eventually landing in Utah, where she graduated from Lehi High School.

Being a pro athlete is a full-time job. Skye Moench trains three times a day, 25-30 hours a week. She swims first thing in the morning, followed by a bike session and a run session later in the day.

If you read anything online about Skye it is that she is mentally and physically tough. In one of the articles I read about she was quoted as saying, “Hard work is more important that raw talent, talent can be outworked. So I just know personally, if I’m willing to put that hard work output, I will do what I wanna do, accomplish what I want to accomplish.  I feel that everything that I’ve done in my life has been a result of hard work and it hasn’t been easy, and it hasn’t been handed to me at all. You can’t dwell on bad things, things you can’t control.”

We are so honored to have her on the show today and to dig in to her story and share with the team the things that make her who she is today. 

Do The Work with Adam Barker

Adam Barker is a man of many passions....whether it's family, road and mountain biking, skiing, fishing or taking amazing photographs...he gives everything he does 100%.  If you know Adam, you know that there is never a dull moment when in his company.  Making people laugh is his forte. He has a zest for life that is unmatched.

 

Adam grew up at the base of the Wasatch Mountains that he loves so much.  He graduated from Highland High School and went on to obtain a degree at the University of Utah in Communications.  He worked for years in the ski industry until 2008 when he made the leap to take his passion for photography and turn it into his career.  Since then, he has traveled the globe capturing images that leave many speechless.  He has a way of putting you in a place even if you are thousands of miles away.  He has been published all around the world and is an XGames gold medalist.

 

When he isn't holding a camera, you can find Adam on his bike, in the mountains or on the river teaching his boys to mountain bike, ski, fish and dirt bike. He has 3 boys that love to follow him on any adventure he'll take them on...and there are many!  He is an amazing father that is teaching his boys to work hard, to play hard, to be honest and to stand for what is right....and to grow a great mustache!

Cycling Checks All the Boxes with Chris Johnston (TBD Racing)

My first interaction with Chris (TBD Racing) actually came through Jake. It was the summer of 2020 and Jake had just returned from almost two full weeks of riding bikes in Newport Beach. We had connected with some of the other members of Chris’s Newport based cycle team: TBD during LOTOJA in previous years. So, when all of the Utah based families migrate to Newport we seek out the Local Legends to take us on morning rides. Jake couldn’t hold back all the compliments about Chris and what a great cyclist and man he was.

Chris is part of the TBD crew, that we love. We will chat for a bit about TBD with Chris today, but we are also planning on getting some of their other team leaders on in the future to share more of the nitty gritty… Chris is married and has two beautiful girls. Currently living in Costa Mesa, CA. Strava indicates that Chris will probably go over the 10,000 mile mark for 2022 with close to 350,000 vert. Multiple LOTOJA’s and podiums in his pocket. His life is filled with Sprinter Van adventures. A successful YouTube channel. Trips to his one great love multiple times a year: Yosemite. He is a skilled photographer and if you aren’t following the OutDoorbros IG account you are missing out.

I believe there are two types of dudes in the world - BBQ guys and non-BBQ guys. Chris is 100% a BBQ guy. You want him in at your BBQ. You want him by your side on a ride. He is personable. Fun. Wise and always takes BIG PULLS. Welcome to the show…

Outdoor Bros YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyI3kp2Mtmw4JoXrIoAuk1A/videos

Chris's IG: https://www.instagram.com/outdoorbros_/?hl=en

Article we mention: https://forge.medium.com/work-family-scene-you-can-only-pick-two-85c86dce8d4

Finding New Purpose with Brad Clifford

Years ago Brad and I use to walk the halls of Olympus High School and although we are years apart in school I am very close to the Clifford Family.  You remember a few episodes ago when Kristin mentioned the women she rode the Huntsman 140 in honor of…that was Brad’s mom - Mary.  Brad has always been an athlete. A formidable athlete. He played tight end at the University of Utah (and did so at the same time Jake played) so that is how they are connected.  

Brad is the first non-cyclist to join the podcast, both Jake and I have been watching Brad’s life (from the wings of social media) and felt his message fit with the culture of the team. Let me tell a bit of his story to get us started…

Clifford played for the Utes from 2004-2010 with an LDS church mission in the middle. During that time Utah sky-rocketed into the world of college football. In Clifford’s freshmen year, the Utes “busted” the “unbustable” Bowl Championship Series (BCS) for the first time under head coach Urban Meyer.

What most fans probably don’t know is Clifford was going through some massive life changes of his own in the middle of all the euphoria surrounding Utah’s football successes. The walk-on turned scholarship athlete from Olympus High School was set several times to have a massive season for the Utes, only to have it torn away in gut-wrenching fashion. One instant, in 2008, could have potentially cost Clifford his life.

Now, at 36 years old, Clifford is using those experiences to try and help other men, athletes or not to identify possible mental health crises before they get out of hand like they did for him.

“I would love if my story would impact someone to take action to show themselves a level of love that they deserve that won’t come from anything external that they think exists,” Clifford said. “The game of football is the greatest teacher of life. That game has evolved and the generations of men going through it from earlier generations to now is evolving as well. I hope my story along with hundreds of others like mine helps someone who is dragging their feet like I was in 2008 to get ahead of it.”

Voler Factory Racing with Brad Wiggs

Bradley Wiggs is the lesser known little brother of Bradley Wiggins. Lesser both in size and riding prowess. But nevertheless, is a force to be reckoned with on two wheels.

Coming from a running background down in the desert of Palmdale, Wiggs joined cycling later than most. Accrediting most of his growth in cycling to Colin Patterson and Blake Anton, Wiggs rode for the Cal Poly Cycling Team and started both the Collegiate National Road and Crit races but did not finish either.

Now racing for Voler Factory Racing and working at Voler, he dabbles in gravel and is pretty good at mountain bikes as well.

Some currently call him the angel of gravel, and he's been racing the international road scene, having raced across Latin and South America as well as in China in the past few years. This is Brad wiggs.