Girls Gone Gravel podcast

A Different Kind of Fun with Maddy Nutt (Episode 256) 09.06.2026 1j 16min

This week on the show we have a special two-part episode with professional cyclist Maddy Nutt. We first hear from Maddy live from Emporia in the days leading into her Unbound XL race. Maddy talks about her win at the Traka 560, and why she was drawn to gravel to begin with. She also goes through a few pre-race details for Unbound, including her bike setup and the recipe for her favorite race day breakfast. Kathryn then catches up with Maddy after she is back home in London following her second place finish at the Unbound XL. Maddy goes over some of the highlights, and lowlights, of her race including dodging lightning strikes and hiking through mud. Listen in to find out if Maddy actually had fun during the Unbound XL, and if she will go for the cast iron frying pan.Follow Maddy on Instagram @maddynutty and check out her YouTube channel @maddynuttRegister for Feisty Fest at https://feisty.co/events/Follow us on Instagram:@feistycycling@feisty_mediaGirls Gone Gravel Website:https://www.girlsgonegravel.com/Support our Partners:SILCA: Use the code FeistyUnbound2026 for 15% off at https://silca.cc/en-ca Wahoo: Learn about the ELEMNT ROAM 3 at https://bit.ly/4tk2j23Momentous: Use code GIRLSGONEGRAVEL for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.comTifosi: Use the code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at tifosioptics.comRegister for Feisty Fest at https://feisty.co/events/

BONUS: Take the Leap: Kate Veronneau on Adventure and Trying Something New at FeistyFest 07.06.2026 19min

In this bonus episode, Selene welcomes longtime friend, cyclist, and women’s sports powerhouse Kate Veronneau to the show for a preview of the first-ever FeistyFest in the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania.For Kate, the location is personal. The Valley Preferred Cycling Center is where she first fell in love with bike racing, found her cycling community, and eventually launched a career in the sport. She shares how a casual Friday night trip to watch track racing turned into an entry-level “try the track” class, a relocation to the Lehigh Valley, and years immersed in one of the most magical cycling communities around.Selene and Kate talk about what makes the Lehigh Valley so special: quiet roads, covered bridges, gravel before gravel was “gravel,” beautiful trails, and a deep community of people who love to ride, run, explore, and support one another.They also dig into what attendees can expect at FeistyFest: track riding, gravel, trail running, lifting, swimming, pickleball, community, laughter, and the kind of grown-up summer camp energy that reminds women how good it feels to try new things.Kate also shares why women-only spaces can be so powerful, especially when women feel safe, supported, and encouraged to step outside their comfort zones. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or brand new to an activity, there is something magical that happens when women come together, lift each other up, and give each other permission to live a little bigger.Learn more and register for FeistyFest

Unbound 2026 Post Race Show LIVE from Emporia (Episode 255) 02.06.2026 42min

Wow, what an incredible week being immersed in the gravel community in Emporia, KS! Unbound 2026 sure was a memorable one, from mud to heat to hail storms, this race had it all. On our episode this week Kristi and Kathryn caught up with a few of the female pros before and after the race to hear how they were preparing, as well as how their race day unfolded. Tune in to get all of the nitty gritty details love from Unbound Gravel 2026.Register for Feisty Fest at https://feisty.co/events/Follow us on Instagram:@feistycycling@feisty_mediaGirls Gone Gravel Website:https://www.girlsgonegravel.com/Support our Partners:SILCA: Use the code FeistyUnbound2026 for 15% off at https://silca.cc/en-ca Wahoo: Learn about the ELEMNT ROAM 3 at https://bit.ly/4tk2j23Momentous: Use code GIRLSGONEGRAVEL for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.comTifosi: Use the code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at tifosioptics.comRegister for Feisty Fest at https://feisty.co/events/

Unbound 2026 Preview Show with Lauren Hall & Sarah Sturm (Episode 254) 26.05.2026 1j 33min

Unbound Gravel 2026 is almost here! Kathryn and Kristi are joined this week by Lauren Hall and Sarah Sturm who will both be part of the Life Time media team at Unbound this year covering the 200 mile race. First up, Kristi gives a quick course preview and talks through some of the changes for 2026. Then they take a deep dive into race tactics, possible team dynamics, and how the European women are shaking up the gravel scene in North America. We also hear everyone’s podium picks. With such a stacked women’s field, this is sure to be an electric race!Follow the race live on the Life Time Grand Prix Youtube Channel at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSI5XfzxJk0

Growing in Gravel with Lauren Stephens (Episode 253) 19.05.2026 58min

On this week’s episode Kathryn and Kristi are joined by 3-time gravel national champion Lauren Stephens. Lauren has been lighting up the road and gravel scene for years, and we are thrilled to welcome her to the show. She tells us about how a second-hand bike from her sister got her started in cycling, and how she went from bike commuter to racing on the women’s world tour. Last year, Lauren and her husband started a women’s cycling team called Next Step Racing. Lauren explains what went into their decision to start the team, and how she hopes it will continue to spur growth in the women’s peloton both in road and gravel racing. Follow the team on Instagram @aegisnextstepracingFollow Lauren on Instagram @lollyis_lauren

Always Improving with Hannah Otto (Episode 252) 12.05.2026 59min

This week on the show Kathryn welcomes back professional cyclist and coach Hannah Otto. Last fall after finishing in a tie for 7th p[lace overall in the Life Time Grand Prix, Hannah went to the Big Island of Hawai’i to attempt a Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the Mauna Kea climb. This was not Hannah’s first time attempting an FKT, and she talks about what drives her to take on these epic endurance events as well as what she loves most about racing no one but herself. While riding 55 miles straight up hill wouldn’t necessarily be everyone’s idea of fun, Hannah details how she finds joy in these attempts, and how she adapts when things start to get difficult. Hannah is competing in the Life Time Grand Prix again in 2026. She talks through a few of her best tips leading into the last few weeks before Unbound, and how to get the most out of your day there.Watch Hannah recap of her FKT attempt on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZ7SrrqEUXM&t=316sFollow Hannah on Instagram @thehannahotto

Navigating Pregnancy and Post-Partum with Iz King (Episode 251) 05.05.2026 1j 11min

If you follow gravel racing, you probably have seen Iz King with her infectious smile and bright orange kit around gravel events. In the last year, Iz’s life has looked a little different; in August 2025 she gave birth to a baby girl and this week she joins us to discuss what that transition has been like for her and her family. She opens up about the challenges and rewards of getting back to training and racing after pregnancy, and how it feels to be coming back to such a competitive field in the women’s gravel pro peloton. Iz speaks candidly about how having a daughter has changed her perspective on risk, in an inherently risky sport, and what is motivating her to continue pursuing cycling as a career.Follow Iz on Instagram @king_izRegister for Feisty Fest at https://feisty.co/events/Follow us on Instagram:@feistycycling@feisty_mediaGirls Gone Gravel Website:https://www.girlsgonegravel.com/Support our Partners:SILCA: Use the code FeistyUnbound2026 for 15% off at https://silca.cc/en-ca Wahoo: Learn about the ELEMNT ROAM 3 at https://bit.ly/4tk2j23Momentous: Use code GIRLSGONEGRAVEL for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.comTifosi: Use the code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at tifosioptics.comRegister for Feisty Fest at https://feisty.co/events/

Lessons on 200 Miles with Meredith Root (Episode 250) 28.04.2026 1j

This week Kathryn and Kristi welcome back our friend Meredith Root. Meredith is the co-founder of Team Tactic, a nutrition and training coaching company, with her wife Alex Parker. Meredith will be racing the Unbound 200 this year for the second time. She is here to talk about the lessons she learned last year during the race, and how she has changed her training this year compared to last year. Meredith also explains some of the lessons she took away from racing the 200 mile last year, like how she hit her nutrition and hydration goals, controlling the controllables, and getting the most out of your fueling on the days leading into the race. She also explains how she has adapted her strength training over the last few months, as well as how she has benefitted from hiring a coach.Follow Meredith on Instagram @meredith_root and at @heyteamtacticWatch the chaotic Crossfit crit at https://www.youtube.com/live/kfnjMFd5q4M?si=D5UKeOT6UpbvixRO&t=3273Register for Feisty Fest at https://feisty.co/events/Follow us on Instagram:@feistycycling@feisty_mediaGirls Gone Gravel Website:https://www.girlsgonegravel.com/Support our Partners:SILCA: Use the code FeistyUnbound2026 for 15% off at https://silca.cc/en-ca Wahoo: Learn about the ELEMNT ROAM 3 at https://bit.ly/4tk2j23Momentous: Use code GIRLSGONEGRAVEL for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.comTifosi: Use the code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at tifosioptics.comRegister for Feisty Fest at https://feisty.co/events/

How To Race 100 Miles with Alison Tetrick (Episode 249) 21.04.2026 1j 20min

On this episode Kathryn and Kristi are joined by our friend, and frequent flier on the podcast, Alison Tetrick. Ali will be leading our More Women More Miles 100 mile group at Unbound 2026, and she is here this week to give us all of her best tips on how to make the most of your race day - whether it is Unbound or any other gravel adventure you might be taking on. She covers everything from wind management, to aid station stops, to how to make friends and be a good wheel. As a rider with a deep well of experience at Unbound, Ali also shares her advice on what to pre-ride, how to “flatten out” the race, and how to manage the chaos of race morning. If you are planning on being at any gravel events this year, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!For more tips and insight from Ali, you can sign up for the Girls Gone Gravel newsletter at https://feisty.co/more-women-more-miles/Follow Ali on Instagram @amtetrick.Register for Feisty Fest at https://feisty.co/events/Follow us on Instagram:@feistycycling@feisty_mediaGirls Gone Gravel Website:https://www.girlsgonegravel.com/Support our Partners:SILCA: Use the code FeistyUnbound2026 for 15% off at https://silca.cc/en-ca Wahoo: Learn about the ELEMNT ROAM 3 at https://bit.ly/4tk2j23Momentous: Use code GIRLSGONEGRAVEL for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.comTifosi: Use the code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at tifosioptics.comRegister for Feisty Fest at https://feisty.co/events/

A Gathering of Friends with Crystal Wintle (Episode 248) 14.04.2026 46min

On this week’s episode Kathryn and Kristi are joined by co-founder of the Mid South Gravel Crystal Wintle. After getting a taste of gravel while attending Emporia State University, Crystal moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma and started a bike shop with her husband. That same year they started the Mid South Gravel race, and what began as a gathering of a few of their friends has grown into one of the best-known gravel races in the US. Crystal talks about the factors that drove their decision to start the event, and how leading with love has kept the feeling of belonging alive for participants as the race continues to grow.Follow The Mid South on Instagram @midsouthgravel.Register for Feisty Fest at https://feisty.co/events/Follow us on Instagram:@feistycycling@feisty_mediaGirls Gone Gravel Website:https://www.girlsgonegravel.com/Support our Partners:SILCA: Use the code FeistyUnbound2026 for 15% off at https://silca.cc/en-ca Wahoo: Learn about the ELEMNT ROAM 3 at https://bit.ly/4tk2j23Momentous: Use code GIRLSGONEGRAVEL for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.comTifosi: Use the code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at tifosioptics.comRegister for Feisty Fest at https://feisty.co/events/

For the Joy Of It with Kristen Owenreay (Episode 247) 07.04.2026 57min

This week, we welcome guest Kristen Owenreay, a participant at fall gravel camp and recent DFL from Mid South 2026. Kristen shares her experience at MidSouth, where she decided to take on her first century ride. She opens up about losing her mom at age 23, and how that motivates her to ride her bike purely for the joy of it. Kristen also discusses her involvement with All Bodies on Bikes, which started in 2024, and shares her plans for the year, including the Tour de France Femme avec Zwift!Follow Kristen on instagram @makingmorelRegister for Feisty Fest at https://feisty.co/events/Follow us on Instagram:@feistycycling@feisty_mediaGirls Gone Gravel Website:https://www.girlsgonegravel.com/Support our Partners:SILCA: Use the code FeistyUnbound2026 for 15% off at https://silca.cc/en-ca Wahoo: Learn about the ELEMNT ROAM 3 at https://bit.ly/4tk2j23Momentous: Use code GIRLSGONEGRAVEL for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.comTifosi: Use the code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at tifosioptics.comRegister for Feisty Fest at https://feisty.co/events/

Dealing with Saddle Pain with Chloe Murdock (Episode 246) 31.03.2026 1j

We’ve all been there; you are 90 minutes into your long ride and you just cannot get comfortable on your saddle no matter what you do. There’s nothing that kills the fun of a ride quite like saddle pain. Lucky for us, we are joined this week by Chloe Murdock, a physical therapist, pelvic health specialist and bike fitter to help solve your saddle pain. Chloe’s extensive background in these three areas makes her the perfect expert to help us address common saddle issues for women. She explains when and why you should seek a bike fit, and how this can be your first step to eliminating saddle pain. Chloe also goes over some common causes of saddle pain, how to tell if your saddle is the wrong one for you, a few common solutions to soft tissue pain, and how to deal with the dreaded saddle sore.Chloe will be opening her very own bike fit studio in May 2026 in Minneapolis, MN. You can contact her at info@chloemurdockpt.com.

Live From Mid South with Sarah Sturm (Episode 245) 24.03.2026 32min

On our episode this week Kristi catches up with our friend Sarah Sturm at the finish line of Mid South Gravel where she raced the 50 Mile event. Sarah recently announced her pregnancy, and she and Kristi dive into Sarah’s pregnancy journey so far and how she is learning to find her own path through it. At Mid South this year Sarah raced with the masses, and she talks about what that experience was like, as well as why it’s important to continue to support the amateur races, not just the pros.Register for Feisty Fest at https://feisty.co/events/Follow us on Instagram:@feistycycling@feisty_mediaGirls Gone Gravel Website:https://www.girlsgonegravel.com/Support our Partners:SILCA: Use the code FeistyUnbound2026 for 15% off at https://silca.cc/en-ca Wahoo: Learn about the ELEMNT ROAM 3 at https://bit.ly/4tk2j23Momentous: Use code GIRLSGONEGRAVEL for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.comTifosi: Use the code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at tifosioptics.comRegister for Feisty Fest at https://feisty.co/events/

Creating Epic Gravel Experiences with Jill Nazeer of Salsa Cycles (Episode 244) 10.03.2026 46min

Jill Nazeer is the Brand Manager for Salsa Cycles, and this week she joins Kathryn and Kristi to talk about the brand’s mission to build communities in the world of cycling. Salsa is out to remind folks that every rider at every event is valued, and deserves to be celebrated as such. As a beacon of this mission, you can find the famous Salsa Chaise at many gravel events across the country. Jill fills us in on what exactly The Chaise is, what it represents, and at which events you’ll be able to find it this year. A cyclist and gravel racer herself, Jill also talks about balancing training with life on the road.Follow Salsa Cycles on all the socials to stay caught up on all the fun things they have on the go. Follow Jill on Instagram @jille.nazeer

Your Training Questions Answered with Coach Serena Bishop Gordon (Episode 243) 03.03.2026 1j 5min

This week Kathryn catches up with cycling coach Serena Bishop Gordon. Serena has been coaching for many years, and this year she is the head coach for the Feisty Winter Cycling program. She first dives into explaining the difference between training vs exercising, and the importance of building progressive load into a training program, and reminds us that rest and recovery are key parts of the training process. With all of the options for training plans out there, it can be hard to determine which plan is right for you. Serena gives us some tips on how to determine if a plan is the right fit for your training needs. She also describes how to measure progress both within one workout, and over time. Serena and Kathryn also tackle some other common questions, like what does FTP stand for, and how do you test it? Serena’s reminder to us is that if you are thinking about getting into a cycling training plan, today is the best day to start!Follow Serena on Instagram @specialblendgravel and learn more about her coaching and camps at www.specialblendgravelcamp.com/

Cake, Contracts, and Concussion Recovery with Paige Onweller & Cécile Lejeune (Episode 242) 24.02.2026 1j 19min

On this week’s show, Kathryn caught up with Paige Onweller and Cécile Lejeune from Cécile’s home in Tucson. The pair are teammates on the Trek Driftless team this year. Paige has been with the team for a few years, but this is a new setup for Cécile, so they chat about how this came about, what pro contracts on a team typically look like, and the benefits of being part of a team. Paige is in Tucson to train with her teammate, and test herself out on some fast group rides as she is coming back from a concussion after being hit by a car in August of 2025. She and Cécile fill us in on how their winter training has been going, and what they are looking forward to this year. Both women have struggled with RED-S in the past, and they talk with Kathryn about how this shapes their view on fuelling now, as well as the importance of fuelling for both performance and health.Follow Cécile on Instagram @cecilejeuneFollow Paige on Instagram @paigepowered

Epic Sends with Kate Courtney & Melisa Rollins (Episode 241) 17.02.2026 56min

On this episode, Kathryn and Kristi catch up with Melisa Rollins and Kate Courtney from Kate’s house in California where they were based for a training camp. This cycling power duo has teamed up to race Cape Epic this year, an eight-day stage race in South Africa. Kate and Melisa battled it out last year in Leadville at both the three day stage race, which Melisa won by less than 30 seconds over Kate, and the Leadville Trail 100 where Kate took the win and Melisa was second, both finishing in record-breaking time. They discuss how the respect they gained for each other as competitors helped bring them together to create a team for Cape Epic. The team will race under the banner of the She Sends Foundation, Kate’s not-for-profit organization that works to get more girls on bikes. They discuss why it is important as women to be visible on bikes to help inspire the next generation, and how the changes to the women’s race this year may help bring better visibility to the elite women's field.Learn more about the She Sends Foundation at shesendsfoundation.orgFollow Kate on Instagram @kateplusfateFollow Melisa on Instagram @melisa_rollinsRegister for Feisty Fest at https://feisty.co/events/Follow us on Instagram:@feistycycling@feisty_mediaGirls Gone Gravel Website:https://www.girlsgonegravel.com/Support our Partners:SILCA: Use the code FeistyUnbound2026 for 15% off at https://silca.cc/en-ca Wahoo: Learn about the ELEMNT ROAM 3 at https://bit.ly/4tk2j23Momentous: Use code GIRLSGONEGRAVEL for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.comTifosi: Use the code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at tifosioptics.comRegister for Feisty Fest at https://feisty.co/events/

The State of Women’s Road Cycling in 2026 with Lauren Hall & Kate Veronneau (Episode 240) 10.02.2026 56min

On our live episode this week, Kathryn and Kristi get to talk with USA Cycling’s Lauren Hall, and Kate Veronneau who is the Director of Women’s Strategy at Zwift. Lauren and Kate give their take on the state of women’s road cycling leading into the 2026 season and also looking ahead to the 2028 Olympic Games in LA. In this temperature check they chat about the landscape of women’s cycling in the US, how we can grow numbers at start lines, and also how gravel can play a role in that growth. In the last few years we have seen a shift in how women at all levels of cycling are supporting each other, and this starts from the top with the pro women bringing others up with them as well as from the bottom with grass roots support and events. We also get everyone’s take on what and who they are keeping their eye on in women’s cycling this year.Follow Lauren & Kate on Instagram @laurentuckerhall and @kateveronneauRegister for Feisty Fest at https://feisty.co/events/Follow us on Instagram:@feistycycling@feisty_mediaGirls Gone Gravel Website:https://www.girlsgonegravel.com/Support our Partners:SILCA: Use the code FeistyUnbound2026 for 15% off at https://silca.cc/en-ca Wahoo: Learn about the ELEMNT ROAM 3 at https://bit.ly/4tk2j23Momentous: Use code GIRLSGONEGRAVEL for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.comTifosi: Use the code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at tifosioptics.comRegister for Feisty Fest at https://feisty.co/events/

Meme-ing Gravel with Holy Spirit of Gravel (Episode 239) 03.02.2026 1j 5min

On this episode, Kathryn and Kristi get to chat with the “most famous memer in gravel” who is known widely for her Instagram account Holy Spirit of Gravel. They chat about her perspective of cycling as an “online space” and how she is helping to remind cyclists that the spirit of gravel is still very much alive. We hear how she decided to start up the Instagram account, and also how it has helped her build connections with other women in the gravel space and find a common language to communicate with like-minded people.Follow the account on Instagram and YouTube @holyspiritofgravelRegister for Feisty Fest at https://feisty.co/events/Follow us on Instagram:@feistycycling@feisty_mediaGirls Gone Gravel Website:https://www.girlsgonegravel.com/Support our Partners:SILCA: Use the code FeistyUnbound2026 for 15% off at https://silca.cc/en-ca Wahoo: Learn about the ELEMNT ROAM 3 at https://bit.ly/4tk2j23Momentous: Use code GIRLSGONEGRAVEL for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.comTifosi: Use the code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at tifosioptics.comRegister for Feisty Fest at https://feisty.co/events/

The Science of Your Nervous System and How to Respond to Stress, Trauma, and the State of the World - The Feist 28.01.2026 1j 12min

In this special episode, your Feisty Women's Performance podcast host Dr. Erin Ayala brings together a group of experts on mental health to talk about the science and psychology of stress and collective trauma.Along with being a sports psychologist & therapist in her own right, Erin also lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota — which has been at the center of the news over the last month since it became the target of the largest immigration enforcement action to date in the U.S. Thousands of federal agents have patrolled the streets and detained residents, and, over this past weekend, shot and killed a second bystander — leading to hundreds of thousands of people protesting in Minneapolis and around the country.In this tense environment, how do we show up as athletes, as members of our community, as our best and healthiest selves?Join Dr. Tess Kilwein, Dr. Quincy Guinadi, and Christine Bright as they discuss how these experiences shape mental health and performance, and how you can respond to stress and trauma — whether you're going through it right now with the news or you're dealing with your challenges.Key Takeaways: • What is collective trauma? Learn how collective trauma impacts communities and individuals, and why this understanding is crucial for athletes and coaches.• Recognize that intentional rest in times of stress can be essential for long-term sustainability.• Know that movement and sport can be powerful tools in community healing.• Get tips on how to navigate the complexities of wanting to help without feeling performative or overwhelmed, and how to effectively engage in difficult conversations without shame or guilt.Don't be perfect. Be brave.Guest Introductions: • Dr. Tess Kilwein: A board-certified clinical, health, and sport psychologist with expertise in mental performance and athlete wellness.• Dr. Quincy Guinadi: A postdoctoral resident specializing in identity, mental health, and the experiences of marginalized communities.• Christine Bright: Lead consultant at the Center for Healing and Justice through Sport, focusing on trauma-informed coaching and community support.Resources Mentioned:• Center for Healing and Justice through Sport• Nothing Heals like Sport Playbook• "What Happened to You" by Dr. Bruce Perry and Oprah• Beyond Ally by Dr. Maysa Akbar• Find ways to help at standwithminnesota.com