Racing Free: Mascha Wahlig on Confidence & Mental Strength

"I want to finish with a big smile on my face."That’s Mascha Wahlig’s goal for the 2025 Atlas Mountain Race. Last year, Mascha lined up at Atlas Mountain Race, her second-ever ultra-endurance bikepacking event. She was fast, pushing herself to the limit, but she was also overwhelmed. The intensity of the race, the sheer number of riders, and the pressure she put on herself—it all built up, culminating in a moment of panic and paralysis in the middle of the desert when her cleat broke.She eventually got it fixed (with a bit of super glue and grit), but mentally? The race left her drained. Even months later, she found herself experiencing panic on training rides in the dark, reliving the helplessness of that night in Morocco. Instead of pushing it down, she did the work. She sought help, developed strategies to manage fear and build mental strength, and slowly rebuilt her confidence. And it worked.Since Atlas, Mascha has gone on to win both the Hellenic Mountain Race and Sneak Peeks, proving to herself that mental performance is just as crucial as physical fitness in ultra-cycling and bikepacking. Now, she’s coming back to Atlas Mountain Race 2025, but this time, with a totally different mindset.She’s racing for herself—not for a number, not for a podium—but to ride with confidence, be present, and take in the experience.In this episode we talk about: The mental battles of ultra-cycling and bikepacking—panic, fear, and self-doubt. How Mascha built mental resilience and confidence after last year’s Atlas Mountain Race. What it takes to win ultra-endurance bikepacking races like Hellenic and Sneak Peeks. Strategies for handling stress and mental fatigue in long-distance racing.The power of self-compassion, managing expectations, and racing with a freer mind.How to prepare mentally and physically for events like Atlas Mountain Race.If you’ve ever doubted yourself, struggled with confidence in endurance sports, or felt overwhelmed by the sheer challenge of a long-distance race, this episode is for you.As always, thank you to Albion Cycling for supporting Detours this year. Links Follow Mascha on InstagramFollow Mel on Instagram Follow Detours on Instagram Dotwatch Atlas Mountain Race Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. Follow Mel on Instagram: @melwwebbFollow Detours on Instagram: @detourscyclingFollow Albion on Instagram: @albion.cyclingUse code DETOURS15 to get 15% off your next order from AlbionIf you enjoy listening please consider pledging your support to sustain producing this show: https://buymeacoffee.com/detourspodcast