Hill Climbers

Send us Fan MailThis show needs little introduction because of the sheer magnitude of what Carlos Rogers and his team at the Philly Classic are achieving - to be clear, that is bringing the greatest single day race in America back from the grave. This discussion hits home because I’m from Philly and spent 30 years of my life there, so the return of this road race to the calendar is a huge source of pride, especially because it is THE contemporary model for other American race promoters.Tune in for the story behind the modern day Philadelphia Cycling Classic, including how Carlos and his team signed on Amerigas, the flagship sponsor, and how he convinced no fewer than 8 world tour teams to sign on year one. This one is close to my heart, enjoy.Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.comInstagramLinkedinTheme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik

Send us Fan MailIt's so gratifying to see a plan come together! Last year I began chatting with Bay Area VC Nate Williams about doing a SXSW event together around “Innovation,” the perfect panel buzzword.We asked the Hill Climbers network to produce a product company and an athlete that could speak with expertise on the subject along with Nate. If we’re being honest, we had Lucas Bourgoyne, local celebrity and 2025 Crit National Champ, on a short list of 1 and thanks to the intro from Elliott at People’s Endurance, he quickly agreed to join us in between race weekends. Chris Anderson from investment bank pH Partners recommended Devon Price, cofounder of Kenetik, a ketone brand that sponsors Lifetime Grand Prix.There was a last minute curveball from Nate Williams, who could not join us, but he had already invited Karl Pelletier, Chief of Staff at USAC Cycling who sits on their Tech & Innovation council, and Karl graciously stepped in for Nate. Big shout out to Nate for adding USA Cycling in to the mix.There are so many high notes in this show: Karl sharing how USAC chose Kristen Faulkner as the most likely candidate to medal in track pursuit using their data sets, Devon surprising the audience with Kenetik’s life saving qualities, and Lucas…being Lucas by showing the room that a 24 year old with talent, passion, work ethic, strategy, and the right team can prove the haters wrong on the crit circuit and in business. Enjoy!Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.comInstagramLinkedinTheme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik

Send us Fan MailIn January I texted Charlie Tames, an Austin businessman with ties to Rapha, asking if he could put me in touch with someone at corporate ahead of my London visit. His response read, “Fran will be in Austin in February.” He’s referring to Fran Millar, Rapha CEO. A few days later Charlie texted, “If I can get you an interview with Fran Millar, would you be interested?” Does a fat baby sweat?Charlie wouldn’t have vouched for us if he didn’t think we were ready. This was a defining moment. In a short time, the Hill Climbers team had created an events brand and operation suitable for Fran, founding member of Team Sky, INEOS 1:59 Challenge Captain, and now CEO of Rapha, one of the most impactful lifestyle brands of our time. We hosted a live audience podcast at the Trek store in Austin with 50+ attendees that spilled into dinner/drinks after the show.What struck me about Fran was her vulnerability coupled with a magnificent executive presence. She shared personal details that shaped her career path as easily as she rattled off her five keys to full employee engagement. Fran proudly shared with the group that this brand of servant leadership and communication is authentically female, in contrast with the more classic "hero" version.This is not to mention the wide range of topics and stories we covered from the state of Rapha, the Kate Courtney She Sends partnership and of course the TeamUSA deal leading into LA28.So if this piques your interest, and you want to witness a true devotee to excellence share her thoughs on servant leadership, our interview with Fran is just the thing for you. Tune in!Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.comInstagramLinkedinTheme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik

Send us Fan MailAt this point Kate Veronneau, Director of Women’s Strategy at Zwift, needs little introduction because she’s omnipresent in cycling media around the world including the Tour de France  Femmes Avec Zwift, a partnership which has been the culmination of her career on bikes. I met Kate and her husband Mike on the NOW ride when we lived in LA, and we hit it off pretty quickly because they had lived right outside of Philly by the T-Town velodrome. It doesn’t take long for Kate’s warmth and east coast honesty to make a lasting impression on anyone - especially cyclists - and I am proud to call her a friend. Watching Kate’s influence on cycling from Instagram and Linkedin have been mind blowing and incredibly gratifying and I hoped that one day we’d cross paths again, especially for an interview. Last year the opportunity presented itself in the form of the Hill Climbers Summit. Zwift graciously came on board as sponsors, and Kate flew in to rep the company and lead a group ride on our favorite Lost Creek segment. I got some quality time with Kate, and something she shared with me really stuck. The ascendance of women’s sports is a driving force in her life, and so of course she has reflected on the topic deeply. Kate is tall, and was a competitive basketball player so she could always “hang with the guys.” She could hack it in a man’s world which has helped her climb to the sport’s highest echelons. More recently she’s realized that her strengths, what she brings to the boardroom and the peloton, are her feminine attributes. Please enjoy the interview.Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.comInstagramLinkedinTheme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik

Send us Fan MailWe’ve been excited about expanding the Hill Climbers audience beyond Austin, TX and one day back in October a juicy opportunity presented itself. Doug Zell from the Meteor texted me about hosting a group ride in honor of Max Davis, cofounder of Rubber N Road, the NYC kit maker. Doug was excited to add Rubber N' Road product to his retail mix, and the partnership was going to launch with a proper bike ride complete with breakfast tacos and a support vehicle. I secured an interview with Max while he was in town, so we got to the studio soon after he touched down, but not after he rode in Texas hill country for the first time.This brand is an outlier for the simple reason that it’s a legit road bike apparel company born in New York City with a bricks and mortar retail location on 51st st. With that distinction comes unique character, innovation, grit and diversity - all of which we cover in this discussion. Tune in to hear more about how Max is living a dream - a dream that comes with a lot of adversity. Enjoy.https://rubbernroad.com/Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.comInstagramLinkedinTheme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik

Send us Fan MailA couple of months ago Michelle Kopplow, a new friend and triathlon devotee, reached out to me and suggested an introduction with Mathias Ihlendfeld, the previous CEO of Woom bikes. I was immediately fired up for a couple of reasons - A Woom is the authority on children’s bikes as far as I’m concerned and B here was an example of the Hill Climbers community showing up and adding a ton of value. Anyway, Mathias and I sat down for lunch and what transpired was a REAL conversation about topics way more substantive than just business or bikes. Mathias has quite a story to tell - from rural Germany to the collegiate tennis courts of Louisiana to international board rooms and of course, a massive children’s bike brand to cap it off. This is a story of immigrant success coming from very modest beginnings, the American dream. However, that’s just one side of the story. Mathias opens up about the toll taken as a COVID era multinational CEO and how that’s helped him arrive at his present calling - which is to support men in their post-divorce paths AND help founders grow their companies Mathias is a real one - as you’ll find out and we are so proud to count him as a member of the Hill Climbers community. EnjoyMathias Ihlenfeld LinkedinHill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.comInstagramLinkedinTheme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik

Send us Fan MailHaving three Hill Climbers team members do a show without Sam is a statement in and of itself. That's to say the squad is growing quickly.Stephen Cunningham is a data team lead at EF Education so he gets away with rocking their kit. He’s bored of conventional cycling content and wants to make a mark on the media landscape. Mark Duroy is the friendliest cyclist among a group of VERY friendly cyclists. He organizes and hosts our rides while promoting his coaching business, Velo Savvy. Zach Aldrich moonlights as a pro triathlete with a corporate resume that seems impossible when lined up with his age. Just a heads up, when you get a flat and he volunteers to hang back with you, he may ride you off his wheel. It’s hard to put into words how valuable this team is when executing our mission, which is to encourage networking among cyclists through events, rides and the podcast. These guys bring additional perspective, a TON of diverse business building experience, integrity and their own brand of passion for cycling. Introducing Stephen, Mark and Zach! Enjoy.Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.comInstagramLinkedinTheme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik

Send us Fan MailNoah Kagan was one of the first people I met when I moved to Austin, TX 5 years ago. He immediately invited me to his annual AppSumo ride and also put me in touch with Jeffrey Nolte, who became one of my closest friends in Austin. This is the kind of guy Noah is - he loves Austin and knows that newcomers will get the most out of it by meeting great people.We reconnected meaningfully when I launched the Hill Climbers group rides - he was one of the first to suffer with us at 645am so his support was extra appreciated. He also put me in touch with Stephen Cunningham, who has become another close friend and partner on Hill Climbers. This time my connection with Noah was a bit tighter because my son had just arrived and his daughter was on the way - we shared the incredible experience. Anyway, Noah has had quite a journey and accomplished a lot along the way. This is why I knew he was the guy to approach about being the featured guest at our First Annual Hill Climbers summit. Noah was flattered when I asked and on board right away. The evening came together perfectly, and frankly, Noah blew the crowd away with his honesty and audience engagement skillz.Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.comInstagramLinkedinTheme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik

Send us Fan MailOne year ago, Franco Martins, a friend and collaborator, told me that the CTO at his place of work, Icon, is a cyclist and was going to ride bikes with us. Here’s why this is a big deal: Icon is one of Austin’s more buzzy unicorns because they 3D print housing communities using massive robots that lay down concrete walls in the same way you squeeze toothpaste from the tube. If that wasn’t crazy enough, they have government contracts to build roads on the moon using the moon’s surface material. Yah.Alex Le Roux didn’t turn up on a Hill Climbers ride until recently, and it took me until his second ride to chat him up to learn that he’s the guy. This is what it’s all about! It turns out Alex is no slouch on a bike and throughout the day we participated in a bit of a slugfest (he got me on Mt Bonnell and I returned the favor on Jester). Also, that thing when you’re putting out 320+ watts while talking shop and trying to make it seem like your breathing isn’t so labored…You can probably guess that I asked Alex to come on the show and he was super generous with his time, as he recently stepped away from Icon after investing 10 years of his career. We talk a lot about how he’s experiencing and thinking about that transition, on top of the more obvious topics like contrasting 3D printing houses with traditional construction.Honestly, Alex’s path and Icon are so innovative that I tried to frame questions that would help me understand how he experiences the world. Spoiler alert: this guy loves solving big societal problems, and somehow wasn’t afraid to get started at a young age. Another tantalizing nugget…he’s winning bike races! Watch the show and draw your own conclusions about what makes Alex tick.Alex Le Roux Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexanderleroux/Icon:https://www.iconbuild.com/Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.comInstagramLinkedinTheme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik

Send us Fan MailJason Codianne from Chasing Watts was put on my radar by Scott Barger, a Zwift cofounder I used to ride with in LA. Scott has been super supportive of Hill Climbers by keeping me posted on interesting cycling and tech happenings in his world, and Chasing Watts fits the bill.Jason has been a career software engineer in Houston’s energy sector and he’s also an avid bike racer. Like many, many engineers before him, Jason identified pain points in an inefficient system and needed to do something about it. And we’re talking about group ride organization. Strava, text, email, facebook event page etc, etc. Nothing really seemed to support a ride leaders main needs which are to easily post a ride with key details, track RSVPs, and importantly, share it within an ecosystem where it’s easily searchable. In other words, help new people find your ride. As you may suspect we cover how Chasing Watts stacks up with Strava’s group ride features. What Jason has built out of Houston is nothing short of remarkable. Chasing Watts hosts on average 50 rides per week and counts thousands of Houston cyclists as active members. On the show we’ll explore Jason’t plans for expansion and much more. Enjoy.https://chasingwatts.com/Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.comInstagramLinkedinTheme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik

Send us Fan MailA couple of years ago I witnessed Amos Schwartzfarb in action with his Techstars ATX cohort at my coworking space in east Austin. He led the program with an electric energy that was both intense but also genial and fun. This guy was a leader with style, and it was to my DELIGHT that I discovered he’s a cyclist before I had actually met him.Fast forward to Techstars Demo Day 2023 and Amos, dressed in a signature vest, announced that the program was leaving Austin, and he would also be ending his 8 year run as Managing Director. Not only did he have a fantastic stage presence, I could feel the love in the room for this dude who clearly gave his all to the community. It was special - not something I’ll soon forget.Our friendship began when I told Amos I was starting a group ride to facilitate networking among Austin cyclists, and he encouraged the initiative from the jump. Here was a respected community builder, a guy I barely knew, giving me a vote of confidence. This was a small but really significant push that brought Hill Climbers into real life. Fast forward again to May 6th, when I interviewed Amos in front of a live audience, covering topics like adventure racing, his book, “Levers” and the difficulty of creating boundaries when you have so much to give, in reference to his time as Techstars MD. Amos encompasses a lot of characteristics we revere in this community including: out of the ordinary, generous, empathic and wicked smart, so we think you’ll enjoy the show.Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/in/amosschwartzfarb/Levers:https://www.leversbook.com/Techstars:https://www.techstars.com/Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.comInstagramLinkedinTheme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik

Send us Fan MailLet's cut to the chase - this panel features a story in which Tolley harasses and attacks World Champion, Peter Sagan at Unbound...and hilarity ensues.Anyway, this show was a culmination of two years worth of Hill Climbers work. We featured not one but three guests, and the panel kicked off the SXSW celebration at the Meteor bike shop, our second home. What’s more, we supported a local entrepreneur with insight from two seasoned experts.The panelists had a blast riffing on topics like controversy in influencer marketing, and the audience got an unfiltered perspective on how the creator economy actually functions. Organic connections between each panelist have been established, which furthers our goal of making cycling communities stronger. So yeah, this sums up what we’re trying to do. Now enjoy the show!Driveway Series https://drivewayseries.com/Chris Tolley:https://www.youtube.com/user/EloquentBmxerPeople's Endurance:https://peoplesendurance.com/Elliott Teller:https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliott-teller-b0a23193/Chas Lacaillade:https://www.linkedin.com/in/chas-lacaillade-a763a232/Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.comInstagramLinkedinTheme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik

Send us Fan MailElliott Teller introduced himself at our first live event, and told me he was about to launch his Austin-based cycling and running apparel brand, People’s Endurance. I liked Elliott’s understated and laid back vibe, and we quickly made plans to exchange more info about our respective worlds. What unfolded was a three hour hang in my backyard which covered way more than bikes and business - we both have baby boys, and this certainly broke the ice. It turns out Elliott has a background in film, and immediately encouraged me to step up our content game. What’s more - he said he’d lend a hand.Here’s the thing - Elliott actually delivered. And why am I dwelling on Hill Climber’s content during Elliott’s intro? Because he has conviction in what he does and how he goes about it that’s grounded in purpose. What’s more, if you sit down and talk to Elliott, which we did, you’ll quickly understand that there are layers of preconceived strategy that support his actions. A lot of Elliott’s MO can be tied back to his single parent upbringing, excellence in soccer, and ability to tap into his passions. I think you’ll enjoy the discussion.Elliott Teller: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliott-teller-b0a23193/People's Endurance: https://peoplesendurance.com/ChaptersThe Impact of Role Models and CoachingNavigating Early Career Choices in FilmLessons from the Pandemic: Finding Opportunity in ChaosThe Journey into Cycling: Rediscovering FitnessThe Entrepreneurial Spirit: From Childhood Ventures to Cycling ApparelCreating a Unique Brand Identity, Aesthetic Choices and Market PositioningBuilding Community: Word of Mouth and EngagementThe Cycling Market: Supply, Demand, and GrowthCycling Barriers to Entry: Price, Dorkiness, and DangerFunding the Dream: Capital and Manufacturing RelationshipsNavigating Tariffs: Business Agility and AdaptationEndurance: Lessons from Cycling Applied to BusinessHill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.comInstagramLinkedinTheme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik

Send us Fan MailThis episode is part two of our show with Mark Farmery, founder of Biotech Bikers and Chief Development Officer at Swedish biotech firm, Anocca. In part II Mark tells us about how his urge to apply scientific education led him from academia into pharma and biotech business development. Mark also explains biotech venture basics, as well as the T cell therapies his employer, Anocca, is pioneering to address pancreatic cancer, which is usually fatal. Stay tuned to learn quite a bit, as the subject matter ranges far from our well worn topics, and check out part I to hear about how Mark founded an international network of Biotech Bikers.Mark Farmery:https://www.linkedin.com/in/markfarmeryAnocca:https://www.anocca.com/ChaptersMark's Journey: From England to SwedenUnderstanding Microbiology and BiochemistryTransitioning from Academia to IndustryThe Role of Pharmaceuticals in HealthcareAstraZeneca: Navigating the Patent CliffThe Power of Collaboration in BiotechTransitioning to Business DevelopmentUnderstanding Pharmaceutical R&D ChallengesThe Biotech Venture Model ExplainedInnovations in T Cell TherapiesAnocca's Clinical Trial MilestoneRole of Chief Development Officer at AnoccaHill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.comInstagramLinkedinTheme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik

Send us Fan MailThe key metric for measuring Hill Climbers success is engagement - but I’m not talking about likes, comments and shares. The show with Eric Min from Zwift was a big milestone for us because Eric’s a known quantity in our world, and deep down I was hoping for recognition in the form of connecting with NEW folks over a shared passion for bikes and business. On January 9th I received a message from Mark Farmery that read “Hey Sam, it's fantastic what you're doing with Hill Climb. It would be great to connect, tell you more about BiotechBikers, the cycling-centric bioscience community I founded, and explore synergies.” I didn't even notice the typo, because here was someone who has been cultivating a cycling business community for years, and he managed to find me through the show! Honestly I didn’t know any other like minded communities existed and I couldn’t have asked for a more satisfying response to my #1 KPI.It turns out, Mark is Chief Development Officer at Anocca, a cutting edge Swedish T Cell therapy biotech that’s focused on treatments for pancreatic cancer, which is wildly fatal and therefore on the list of more menacing cancers…more on that in a future episode. It also turns out that Mark is a huge believer in the power of networking to bring the right people together to solve extremely complicated challenges like altering the body’s immune system response to cancerous cells. It was this urge AND his lifelong love of cycling that compelled him to bring his bike to big biotech conferences, and encourage others to join him. What started in 2018 with just three people has grown into an international biotech and pharma networking community with chapters all over the world! Stay tuned to meet Mark and learn how Biotech Bikers became a thriving community online and IRL.Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.comInstagramLinkedinTheme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik

Send us Fan MailTo help spread the word about the show, my friend Rey Madolora put me on an email with a bunch of Austin cyclists that are also notable in the business community. One by one I was able to meet most of them, but Rob Taylor was elusive. When I followed his Strava I noticed that he was regularly climbing mountains in Europe…like really frequently and his trips had names like, “Epic Three Nations.” Needless to say this piqued my interest but he’s not on the group ride scene here so I wasn’t going to just run into him. I did run into his brother, Chris, at The Red Fridge Society, which he opened as a membership club and event space for founders. When I told Chris that we had started promoting live events, he said, “you should interview my brother, here.” And that’s how you stalk a podcast guest.Rob’s ride through the dot com bubble and bust got him started in triathlon as an outlet to channel frustration - not exactly a joyful pursuit. Gradually, during his high flying career taking companies public, reaching a 9 figure exit and becoming a VC, Rob discovered a passion for European bike trips HEAVY on the climbing because the experience distills his complicated life down to basic pleasures: fitness, suffering, outdoors, local cuisine and companionship. We had a blast at the Red Fridge exploring Rob’s leadership insights as far as team building, communicating, and relishing the adventure as opposed to coveting the outcome. No topic was off limits for the audience Q&A, including Rob’s glorious hair. Now, enjoy the show.Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.comInstagramLinkedinTheme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik

Send us Fan MailWe could have interviewed Allison Morrison fresh off her World’s debut in Olympic distance triathlon as a UT MBA student and full time Meta employee. However this podcast has a strong entrepreneurial theme (you, reader, are about to feel inadequate), and sure enough, Allison made room for her startup, Ralli, on top of 15hr weekly training blocks, coursework and the day job. Ralli launched in 2022 as a web app to help athletes match with training buddies, and is expanding to include club messaging features with an imminent native app release. The special sauce in this episode is the LIVE AUDIENCE! We hosted Allison at the Meteor in Austin with 40 other guests, our first public event, and the authentic laugh track takes this podcast energy to the next level. Do not miss the second half which covers the audience Q&A, because the questions about righteous selfishness, scaling the app for critical mass and fundraising were WAY better than ours! Enjoy.Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.comInstagramLinkedinTheme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik

Send us Fan MailZwift cofounder Eric Min was a tantalizing and wildly obvious guest candidate for a number of reasons that we'll enumerate, however, we did not think he'd join us so soon! Last year Eric turned up in the Breakfast Club slack, to our delight, and agreed to hop on a call to discuss an interview. We scheduled the interview for the fall, after the Zwift Ride bike launch, and Eric stayed true to his word. This is a milestone for us because of Eric's prominence in the cycling industry, his role in bringing virtual riding and racing to the masses, the unicorn status achieved after the last funding round, and selfishly, our joy using the product. The interview covers a range of topics from challenges Zwift faced after making bets on a pandemic spike that did not last, to the origin story of the Tour De France Femmes Avec Zwift, to Eric's recommendations for folks that are just getting started on the platform, so there's something for everyone. RIDE ON.Topics Covered: • Eric Min's background and the founding of Zwift • The evolution of virtual cycling and the remarkably efficient training it delivers• Zwift's initiatives to promote women's cycling and Zwift Academy's success• New Zwift features like steering and the cycling community Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.comInstagramLinkedinTheme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik

Send us Fan MailThe legend of Masters World Champion Joe Wentzell loomed large because Joe was a Temple University lineman and my brother in law has been coached by him on the bike for some time. Various versions of, "Joe will tear your legs off" were bandied about for the last decade, and I only briefly met him in person once, with few words exchanged.Joe has been a person of interest for Hill Climbers since we launched because he owned Philly's premier bike shop, Breakaway Bikes, while pioneering power meter based group training sessions, and has gone on to various executive revenue roles (currently Talaria) within the bike and cannabis industries. So when Joe agreed to come on the show - to a bit of a surprise - his imposing stature belied a gentle power and wisdom that comes with decades of coaching and entrepreneurial experience.Look no further than this interview for insights into what made Joe a Masters World Champion, all while running a business and raising children, and what methods he translates from training to his executive roles.Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.comInstagramLinkedinTheme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik

Send us Fan MailEarlier in the spring my buddy, Chas, told me that he trained with a guy named Scott Baldwin who was building a social media platform dedicated to endurance athletes. On top of that, Scott hails from the Philadelphia area, so I had to meet him. On the Meteor patio, Scott shared his vision for Front Pack Sports, a social hub where athletes can gather and do what they do - seek friendly competition and training buddies, pontificate on gear and get exposure to physical therapists, trainers and new products. As I racked my brain, I realized that a purely social experience like this does not exist and there could be blue sky for an entrepreneur like Scott to nail the value proposition. This is way easier said than done, so admittedly I was a bit dismissive with Scott’s pitch taking into account his lack of experience building consumer web businesses. However, I did subscribe to his newsletter…and I was immediately hooked. Scott boldly covers ALL notable endurance stories each week and he does so in his authentic voice, which is goofy and earnest at the very same time. So when Scott shared some impressive newsletter growth numbers, I was super impressed and instantly regretted my dismissive first impression. In fact Scott’s spirit and his business development growth initiatives are so complementary with what Hill Climbers supports, that we conceived a live audience podcast event for him on the spot. What ensued was a podcast taping with a small but mighty studio audience, which asked fantastic questions during the Q&A at the end of the show. In the spirit of our first live event, we’re front loading the Q&A portion of the interview to put you in the studio with us. Now enjoy the show.Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.comInstagramLinkedinTheme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik

Send us Fan MailA few months ago I introduced a Hill Climbers ride in Austin for folks to connect with each other over some soft pedaling, in addition to some hard pedaling. All of a sudden, our little Hill Climbers brand that had a digital presence, had a REAL WORLD presence! Crazy, I know. This brand extension is just as thrilling to me as shipping new episodes and he best part is providing an IRL platform for new friendships and business connections. I dive into how this IRL initiative dictated a new path for Hill Climbers, one that includes live audience podcast tapings, happy hours and of course, continued weekly Thursday morning group rides.But that's not all. My buddy and guest on this bonus episode, Franco Martins, has come on board to co-produce the show, a THRILLING development for this humble brand. Franco is wildly overqualified for the job, coming off three years 3D printing housing communities (you read correctly) with ICON, Austin's buzziest unicorn. Tune in to meet the new guy, and survey blueprints of what the future holds for Hill Climbers.Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.comInstagramLinkedinTheme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik

Send us Fan MailStarting an American kit company in a sea of established competitors may seem like a daunting undertaking to some. Ryan Cady, however, became a bike shop owner at nineteen years old during college, raced bikes full time and then ran a sock company before he stepped up to the plate. Cady gravitates toward detail-oriented challenges and he met his match after launching Eliel Cycling in 2014. This episode contains an abbreviated master class in Eliel’s craft - from ordering a spectrum of italian fabrics, to panel choices, sublimation dying, laser cutting, and masterful hand sewing. Cady also shares both his pride in establishing an American heritage brand as well as the challenges of Southern California manufacturing. At the heart of Eliel is a founder and CEO who started a cycling brand because he loves the sport and knows he can improve the experience. Keep listening and judge for yourself.Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.comInstagramLinkedinTheme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik

Send us Fan MailOne of my lasting impressions of Will Bryant, the Austin-based artist and brand collaborator, is from a photo shoot in which he’s modeling his own endo customs collab with a few other models. The colors and patterns are true to Will’s artwork - colorful, outrageous and fun - think PeeWee’s Playhouse (more on that in the show). The other models mostly conjure the blase, indifferent blue steel even though they’re rocking the VERY playful outfits and kits. Will, on the other hand, has a big smile in almost every photo like he couldn’t possibly contain the fun he was having. This was an observation I made without knowing much about Will and I am pleased to say that his spirit similarly shines through our interview. Although Will's creative process is not all fun and games, his mission is to make the work make YOU feel good. There are some gems in here including the story behind Will’s Breakfast Club collab and how cycling impacts his work - so stay with us and enjoy the first artist interview on Hill Climbers.Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.comInstagramLinkedinTheme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik

Send us Fan MailThe Better Lab addresses a fascinating topic that is on the minds of most everyone on a weekly basis in this stressful world: sleep. In a sea of gadgets that track various bio metrics there are few products that have gained notoriety guiding users in incremental improvements on the key to life: sleep. Ex Strava executive Andrew Vontz and his cofounders have dug deep into research on not just sleep but also human behavior and more specifically the average person’s ability to affect change in their life when they want to change and when they know what they need to do to make it happen. For most of us, intention and execution do not always play nicely together. At the core of this interview is a theme of developing conscious awareness, which is also a throughline in both Andrew’s buddhist practice, his podcast "Choose The Hard Way," and guess what, his cycling habit. The Better Lab has a hot take on how you can change your life to improve your sleep, but you’ll have to keep listening to learn more.Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.comInstagramLinkedinTheme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik

Send us Fan MailThe Austin meetup that started 4 years ago with 4 friends who mostly wanted to eat breakfast, has uncovered a need in this sport to encourage newcomers with a warm welcome and a bit of structure. The proof is in the monthly attendance, which has reached 800 riders of all skill levels, as well as the thriving online community and expansion to other cities. What outwardly appears to be lightning in a bottle is actually attributed to bottomless dedication, strong leadership and vision. From the early days, Breakfast Club prioritized programming for women with the weekly “Babes Ride” which boasts a remarkable turnout, and sure enough female ridership over-indexes at all sponsored events. Another essential ingredient is the club’s network of volunteer ride leaders who proudly organize, fix flats and encourage newcomers up Austin’s unforgiving hills. The secret is in the good vibes and leadership’s ability to create an incredible brand with a lot of sacrifice and limited resources. If you haven’t heard Breakfast Club’s origin story, tune into Hill Climbers episode number one. Now enjoy a discussion of what has unfolded since our first interview, and the impressive developments for 2024.Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.comInstagramLinkedinTheme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik

Send us Fan MailEric Schlange is one of the most well known Zwift riders on the platform, and he comes to the notoriety honestly. When Eric started Zwifting in 2015, the engineer and web master immediately identified a need for a Zwift knowledge base to address the nuances of riding in the brave new virtual world. Exponential traffic growth led to an official Zwift sponsorship, cementing Zwift Insider's credibility. This story does not entail scale-at-all-costs entrepreneurship. Instead it is one of a self-professed community builder who understands the need, power and commercial value of niche online hubs. In fact, Zwift Insider was not Eric’s first rodeo - that was www.banjohangout.com - THE banjo enthusiast destination for more than 20 years!Sure enough, Eric is exactly the kind of guy you’d hope to be riding and racing with on the platform: friendly, witty, competitive and resourceful. He demonstrates the core values and class of a true esport ambassador and this interview reflects his passion and ability to articulate both soft and hard reasons that Zwift earns precious hours of devotee training. This interview covers Zwift Insider’s adolescence before organized platform racing, broad usership data, and a taste of the product roadmap, with Eric’s insider insight and stories sprinkled throughout.  You would be so lucky to race alongside Eric in Watopia, Richmond or Glasgow. RIDE ON! Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.comInstagramLinkedinTheme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik

Send us Fan MailMikey Thompson is hard to miss in Austin’s endurance community because he’s everywhere at once as a core member of the Breakfast Club cycling group and longtime High Five events associate, which organizes Austin’s major endurance events. You’ll immediately notice Mikey’s bubbly personality and the sparkle in his eye, which is partially due to his battle with pediatric cancer and then with addiction to his “pain management” regimen. In short, Mikey is happy to be here because so many of his fellow cancer patients have fallen, and guess what, he wants you to maximize the good in your life too. Mikey’s story is one of a young man finding his career calling, which took him to a masters program in communication theory and has culminated in the imminent publication of his memoir and ethos, "Finding Good." His MO is based firmly in three tenets of self love, good company and a motivation to leave the world better than how you found it. Mikey crafted this ideology after a remarkable career that started in the Costco checkout aisle, moved to fundraising for LIVESTRONG and other cancer related foundations, and recently landed at senate hearings to make a case for legalizing medicinal use of cannabis. And let's not forget, Mikey is an accomplished triathlete who competes without his left fibula, which was used to reconstruct his mandible after chemo caused a tumor on his jaw. There's a lot in here and plenty more in his new book! Please enjoy.Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.comInstagramLinkedinTheme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik

Send us Fan MailOur branding was borrowed from Sub Zero, THE preeminent Philadelphia skate shop of the 90s, where I spent a lot of time and a little money when I was a kid. The shop’s owner, and one of my childhood heroes, was kind enough to give me his blessing for the logo AND to share his incredible story.Schane Von Hartleben started Sub Zero as a response to his passion for skateboarding, a knack for pre-internet guerrilla marketing AND an innate urge for extended family. Schane’s family history is unconventional, and what he lacked in structure, he made up for in motivation to build his own. At 17 years of age. This isn’t an episode about cycling per se, but I guarantee you’ll appreciate Schane’s thoughtful messages and clear perspective on living life with purpose. Along the way we have a great time discussing some of the similarities between the two sports and how Schane got his business going as a teenager. In the name of community and family, please enjoy,Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.comInstagramLinkedinTheme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik

Send us Fan MailIf you’re racing bikes in Austin, TX, welcome to Tolleywood. The timing of this episode could not be more opportune given the slate of projects Chris Tolley has planned for 2024, and what I love most about this race promoter, is that he understands the value of branding, not just for individual races but for the sport of cycling on the whole. Chris’s background is firmly entrenched in BMX riding, where style, technical ability and strength are all required. “Style” is the component that is frequently missing from road races and Tolley has vowed to take the extra steps to make his races look good by anyone’s standards. These branding and digital marketing skills have come through years of cultivating an egocentric online persona that both mocks influencer culture while it effectively influences culture. All of these qualities on top of elite crit racing accolades make Tolley a VERY effective hype man, and one that Austin is lucky to have. Tolley is the race director of Driveway Series, America’s most prolific race series, and he has a burning desire to deliver an exceptional experience to all parties that seems to be driven mostly by the challenge of making it as good as it can possibly be. This is not an episode about business so much as passion for culture, two wheel motion and community. Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.comInstagramLinkedinTheme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik

Send us Fan MailInterview Part 2/2 takes all the context that we collected in Part 1 - Doug's upbringing in a creative household, brief flirtation with a serious cycling career, and epic journey pioneering the craft coffee industry - and gets to the good part. That is, how Doug rediscovered bikes after a decades long hiatus and hatched a brand that blends his flare for hospitality into a cyclist's haunt. The Meteor's path to a delightful multifaceted space has been circuitous, but as Doug points out, every misstep has helped his team focus the mold. This model was always meant to be a repeatable one, and The Meteor has ambitious plans for new locations across the country over the next couple years. Don't miss the finale when Doug shares how hard bike racing mirrors the seemingly insurmountable challenges in entrepreneurship. Doug Zell is the cofounder of various businesses including Intelligentsia Coffee, Allied Cyle Works, and of course, The Meteor, where you can find him fastidiously attending to the smallest details of the cafe, bike shop and wine bar.Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.comInstagramLinkedinTheme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik

Send us Fan MailDoug Zell is the cofounder of various businesses including Intelligentsia Coffee, Allied Cyle Works, and of course, The Meteor, where you can find him fastidiously attending to the smallest details of the cafe, bike shop and wine bar. What unfolds in part 1 of our 2 part interview, is a story about racing bikes in the midwest in the 80s, pioneering the modern coffee industry in the 90’s and discovering an appreciation for design in the aughts. If you listen closely, you’ll notice that Doug was at the forefront of the "direct trade" movement, which nurtures relationships directly with native growers in order to enhance businesses on both sides of the transaction. This first installment, with its focus on establishing a consumer aesthetic, sets the stage for why Doug is an outsized contributor to Austin’s bike community. We’ll cover that in Part 2. Please enjoy this remarkable episode, as Doug’s experience and vibe make him a special addition to our guest list.Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.comInstagramLinkedinTheme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik

Send us Fan MailInstead of taking a well beaten path after attending UT Austin, Caitlin Cash taught English in France and Thailand, but her travels did not stop there. For the next 5 years she guided cycling tours all over the world and upon her return to Austin, she took up bike racing, but she also yearned for the sweet and refreshing Milk Tea she enjoyed in Thailand on hot days, so she set about making it herself and testing the results on friends. It wasn’t too long before she was bottling her milk tea and selling it in stores. Not only has Cash made remarkable strides with Kinship Milk Tea, she also understands the power of her business. And the potential it has. Cash focuses on empowering women and minorities with leadership, hiring, and sourcing and sharing her struggles so others can benefit. On the product side, Cash seems to be doing many things right because she was accepted into a very exclusive Whole Foods accelerator after the taping of this episode. Tune in to hear how the Kinship story started with bikes, and how Cash's entrepreneurial successes have not come without learning the hard way.Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.comInstagramLinkedinTheme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik

Send us Fan MailWhat started in 2017 with casual Sunday rides from a Philadelphia neighborhood barbershop has become an internationally recognized cycling club and brand called, KRT, short for Kings Rule Together. As co-founder, Curran J. Swint, emphasizes, the club makes waves because it chronicles the lifestyles of chronically under-represented riders. The fresh content and positive energy reflected by KRT/QRT on socials in infectious, which helps membership grow and reinforces the club motto, “Strength in Numbers.” It also helps cycling industry titans like Trek, who Curran represents as a brand ambassador, rethink what is possible through a full paradigm shift of what a club can offer. Curran’s story begins with a streetwear brand that fed his love for fashion and actually had nothing to do with cycling. Tune in to learn how KRT/QRT grew from the cofounders inclusive message of community, fun and multifaceted lifestyles. Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.comInstagramLinkedinTheme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik

Send us Fan MailNick Weber fell in love with Texas crit racing as a young man and his extraordinary commitment to training made him a contender in the competitive and dangerous arena. This dedication pushed Nick's heart over the limit while making a dig during a practice race—at 22 years old, Nick suffered Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD), which is a tear in the heart's arterial wall. This life-altering event compelled Nick to  reevaluate many aspects of his life, and the antiquated cardiac rehab options in front of him inspired him to develop a personalized rehab program influenced by budding cycling technologies like Zwift and Trainer Road. After dedicating years to education in public health and VC/PE, Nick founded his own virtual cardiac rehab company, Ucardia, with the financial backing of the Texas cycling community. Today, Ucardia is closing the gap between cardiac patients in need and available rehab solutions. Tune in for Nick's incredible story and how cycling has taken on new meaning for him throughout his journey.Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.comInstagramLinkedinTheme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik

Send us Fan MailFour friends at different stages of life bond over triathalon and bikes, and share a real passion for bringing people together. They’re NOT hardcore roadies and so identify a gap in the Austin cycling community—accessible rides that welcome veterans and newcomers equally. The point and message is not just to bury yourself in a workout then go home (the norm), but to enjoy being outside on two wheels and make friends over...breakfast, you guessed it. In just 2.5 year history, Breakfast Club's monthly group rides frequently  attract as many as 500 people,  they've grown an impressive brand and online following, sold through a number of merch drops and hosted two destination weekend trips (many attendees have tattoos to show for it). Maintaining a cycling brand built on group rides has its challenges so during the show we dive into those, as well as the clubs origins, the special sauce (Austin gets some credit) and what the future holds.Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.comInstagramLinkedinTheme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik