Spidcast - The Spid Werkz Podcast

Join us as we chat with Abi Snyder, a national champion cyclist, data scientist, and coach, about her journey in mountain biking, training strategies, and empowering women in the sport. Discover insights into race preparation, balancing disciplines, and overcoming mental barriers.Highlights!Abi Snyder’s background and achievementsDifferences between mountain bike disciplinesTraining strategies for endurance and skillsBalancing multiple roles and commitmentsOvercoming mental barriers and building confidenceThe importance of race recon and course familiarityEmpowering women in mountain bikingAbi Snyder’s upcoming races and projectsChapters00:00 Introduction and Guest Background02:00 Abi Snyder’s Race Achievements and Credentials04:12 Understanding Mountain Bike Disciplines09:08 Race Weekend and Course Details12:01 Ride Fierce Racing: Mission and Growth15:03 Managing Time and Training Volume20:01 Training for Mountain Bike Disciplines23:00 Balancing Fitness and Skills24:47 Risk Management and Safety in Training31:04 Mental Training and Confidence Building33:00 Racing on Home Trails and Course Strategy40:00 Winning on Home Turf and Course Familiarity48:56 Women in Mountain Biking and Community Building56:04 Upcoming Races and Future Plans58:10 Closing Remarks and Follow-up

What happens when you transition from the ultimate collegiate glory at the University of Texas to the raw, unfunded reality of the Olympic pipeline? In this episode of the Spidcast, hosts Peter Swiek and Stephen Schaefer sit down with 2x NCAA Champion and Spid Werkz Z6 athlete Sue Holderness. Sue opens up about her journey from high school soccer to rowing at Texas, her training at the Green Racing Project in Craftsbury, Vermont, and the hidden financial costs that elite self-funded athletes face. We dive into how she balances 3-hour daily cardio loads and heavy lifting with trading labor for housing, teaching adaptive fitness classes, and avoiding structural debt on her quest for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Plus, Stephen drops another signature "What in Tarnation?" segment.

Most athletes thrive on chaos—Paige Wheeler shares the wildest race story from Europe, flipping her boat after hitting weeds in Amsterdam and then hopping back in to finish strong. How do you perform under pressure when everything goes sideways? This episode reveals the mindset and tactics that turn setbacks into stunning comebacks, from elite rowing in Vermont to high-stakes international races.Discover the behind-the-scenes of Green Racing Project, a hub for multi-sport athletes training amidst Vermont’s wilderness. Paige breaks down her multi-year journey from high school ice hockey to racing in Europe, emphasizing how a holistic, environment-based training approach sharpens mental resilience and physical skills. We break down:How head races and course variables demand strategic adaptabilityThe unique challenges of weed-infested European courses and overcoming themThe subtle differences in training tools and resources between college programs and Vermont's elite environmentThe importance of staying fun-focused to perform at your best in high-pressure momentsYou’ll learn how these athletes balance intense competition, environmental challenges, and personal growth—plus why fun and flexibility can unlock peak performance in sports and life. Whether you're a seasoned athlete, a coach, or someone facing setbacks, this episode offers a fresh perspective on resilience, technique, and the pursuit of excellence.Paige Wheeler is a biochemistry graduate, a two-time SPIWorks athlete, and a rising star in international rowing with experience racing from the U.S. to Europe. Her journey exemplifies grit, curiosity, and a love for adventure—whether knitting socks in Vermont or flipping boats in Amsterdam.If you’re inspired by stories of overcoming odds, or looking for practical insights into training, mindset, and adaptability, this episode is for you. Tune in to see how embracing chaos fuels the pursuit of greatness.

High performance doesn't end when you leave the field. In this episode of the Spidcast, Peter Swiek and Stephen Schaefer sit down with Georgetown Lacrosse legend and athlete mentor Todd Cochran to trace the high-stakes pipeline running from Division I athletics straight to the executive boardroom.In this episode, we unpack:The Youth Foundation: Why early and collegiate sports involvement develops critical professional traits that a traditional classroom simply cannot replicate.The Executive Secret Sauce: The unique value proposition of hiring former athletes, from their elite team execution to their innate ability to handle high-stress environments.Navigating the Identity Shift: Todd’s tactical blueprint for helping student-athletes translate their athletic resume into corporate assets while avoiding common post-grad pitfalls.The Career Spectrum: How professionals 10 to 20 years into their careers can tap back into their "athlete mindset" to spark fresh growth.We wrap things up with a look at what’s keeping the hosts and guests dialed-in (and what's keeping them grounded) lately, followed by Stephen's signature "What in Tarnation?" segment. Tune in and keep it Spid!

Most entrepreneurs kill their growth by playing it safe — but Erin Ayala’s bold pivot from academia to building Skadi Sport Psychology reveals how embracing risk and authenticity catapulted her into national recognition. Discover the unfiltered journey of a former PhD who turned her passion for sports psychology into a mission-driven practice serving overlooked athletes.In this episode, Erin shares how her background in counseling psychology, combined with her love for endurance sports, inspired her to create a community-focused brand that champions inclusivity and authenticity. You'll uncover her strategic approach to branding through genuine relationships, data-driven marketing, and a deep understanding of her niche. Erin discusses how she identified underserved athletes and crafted a compelling message that resonates across diverse communities, from women and LGBTQ athletes to those with disabilities.We break down:How Erin’s experience in health psychology and her personal athletic journey led to the founding of Skadi, a practice that prioritizes community impact over traditional profit modelsThe unique client avatars she serves — from disgruntled athletes frustrated by toxic sport culture to those recovering from injury or navigating identity shiftsThe power of relationship-building, networking as a strategic growth tool, and the importance of authenticity in marketingHer challenges with licensing regulations and how she ingeniously built a national presence within those constraintsThe lessons learned from expensive marketing mistakes and how they transformed her approach in a competitive, bro-y industryThis episode highlights why understanding your true niche and staying aligned with your values can fuel sustainable growth — even in the chaos of rapid scaling. Erin’s story is a masterclass in intentional branding, community service, and resilience.Perfect for coaches, entrepreneurs, athletes, and mental health professionals eager to forge a meaningful impact without sacrificing authenticity. Whether you're starting a side hustle or scaling a mission-driven practice, Erin’s insights inspire you to craft a brand that’s rooted in genuine relationships and strategic courage.Guest Erin Ayala is founder of Skadi Sport Psychology, a practice dedicated to empowering overlooked athletes and promoting diversity in sports. Her background features a PhD in counseling psychology, experience in elite endurance sports, and a passion for mental health advocacy in marginalized communities.This episode is your blueprint for turning personal values into a powerful business model. Hit play — your growth story starts here.

Welcome to the Spidcast Season 1, Episode 2!In this episode, Stephen Schaefer and Peter Swiek from the Spid Werkz Foundation sit down with Todd Vogt and Gemma Wollenschlaeger and talk about their silver medal the the 2023 World Rowing World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia! In this action packed episode, you'll be treated to a full race recap, an overview of the sport of pararowing, background on Todd and Gemma, and more! Also, we introduce a new segment called "What in Tarnation!?", hosted by Stephen where we talk about something that happened recently worthy of the phrase "What in Tarnation?!".To learn more about our mission, check out our next crop of athletes, or find out how to help, visit us at spidwerkz.com.May the Spid be with you all!

Welcome to the Spidcast Season 1, Episode 1!In the inaugural episode of the Spidcast, host Peter Swiek sits down with Dr. Stephen Schaefer, a 2025 Spid Werkz sponsored athlete. Stephen, a semiconductor materials researcher and domestic elite cyclist, dives deep into his 2025 racing calendar, sharing the incredible highs and devastating lows of balancing life, loss, and elite competition.In this episode, we cover:- Stephen’s background, moving from running to cycling at age 27, and his packed 2025 season racing for the Landis Trek team.- The emotional weight of navigating his father’s terminal colon cancer diagnosis just a month before his biggest race of the year.- How sport and training provided a crucial anchor and sense of security during a deeply turbulent personal time.- A tactical breakdown of the 102-mile El Tour de Tucson, from surviving the early crosswinds to launching a massive 40-mile breakaway alongside teammate Nikos.- The poignant, storybook finish of winning the massive 11,000-participant race dedicated to his father, who passed away the very same morning.About Spid Werkz Foundation:The Spid Werkz Foundation supports Olympic, Paralympic, and other elite athletes in traditionally underfunded and underrepresented sports. We help these self-funded athletes bridge support and funding gaps so they can reach their ultimate goals.To learn more about our mission, check out our next crop of athletes, or find out how to help, visit us at spidwerkz.com.May the Spid be with you all!