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In this episode of My Back 40, I sit down with Graham Mann of Mannmade Cycles. Graham's story starts with a titanium hammer. From there, he turned an obsession with building things out of titanium into a life spent creating thoughtfully designed, high-performance bicycles for people who care about how their bike fits, rides, and is put together. RollingDale Cycles was founded in 2016 by Dale Marchand with a pretty simple idea: custom bikes should be about more than just having something unique. The rider should be part of the process. The fit, the details, the decisions that go into the build—all of it matters. Now Graham is carrying that philosophy forward under his own name with Mannmade Cycles. It's a new chapter, but the commitment to thoughtful design, craftsmanship, and building bikes around the rider remains. And there's some interesting stuff coming with that new chapter. Graham gives us a glimpse into something he's working on that could make truly custom bikes considerably more accessible to riders who might not have thought a custom frame was within reach. I'm not going to give it all away here, but I'm pretty excited to see where he takes it. Graham is one of those people who clearly loves what he does, and that comes through in this conversation. We talk titanium, custom bikes, the process of building something specifically for one rider, and what happens when you decide to take everything you've learned and build something of your own. Thanks for sticking around while I've been figuring some shit out. My Back 40 isn't going anywhere. I love you all. Mannmade Cycles – Proud sponsor of the My Back 40 Podcast. Level Ground Coffee Roasters – Save 15% on orders of $50 or more with promo code MB40. Dynamic Cyclist – Save 25% with promo code MB40. Redshift Sports – Save 15% with promo code MB40. Supporting these companies helps support the podcast. Thanks for listening!

Nic Darwin (Darwin on the Trail) returns to My Back 40 for an honest conversation about about adventure filmmaking, backpacking, bikepacking, and what happened during his 2026 Tour Divide attempt. We unpack the lessons that come from scratching one of the world's toughest ultra-endurance races, the role failure plays in growth, and how creativity shapes both adventure and storytelling. Nic also shares the story behind Evolved Supply Co., his new outdoor gear company, and what it takes to build products for people who live for the trail. If you're into bikepacking, backpacking, endurance cycling, thru-hiking, the Tour Divide, and meaningful conversations about resilience, this episode is for you. It's always a pleasure speaking with Nic. Lots of laughs in this one so I hope you enjoy. Remember to send voice notes: Whip out your device, record me something, and send it to [email protected]. A huge thank you to the sponsors who help make My Back 40 possible. Mannmade Cycles – Proud sponsor of the My Back 40 Podcast. Level Ground Coffee Roasters – Save 15% on orders of $50 or more with promo code MB40. Dynamic Cyclist – Save 25% with promo code MB40. Redshift Sports – Save 15% with promo code MB40. Supporting these companies helps support the podcast. Thanks for listening!

In 2024, Meaghan Hackinen became the first woman to complete the Grand Départ of the Tour Divide in under 16 days. Two years later, she returned with unfinished business. In this episode of My Back 40, Meaghan and I talk about her record breaking ride from Banff, Alberta, to Antelope Wells, New Mexico. She claimed the overall women's victory in a provisional time of 14 days, 10 hours, and 12 minutes, setting a new women's record with her well known smile on her face. Her ride eclipsed her own 2024 Grand Départ record by more than a day and surpassed the previous women's fastest time by over 12 hours. It’s always a pleasure to chat with Meg and I hope you enjoy this one. Huge thanks to Mannmade Cycles for sponsoring the My Back 40 Podcast Save 25% at Dynamic Cyclist when you use the promo code MB40 at checkout. Save 15% at Redshift Sports when you use the code MB40

Andy Ward is an accomplished endurance cyclist and bikepacker whose riding spans every season and some of North America’s toughest backcountry routes. He has crossed four provinces on the Great Northern Bikepacking Route, completed both indoor and outdoor Everesting challenges, and is a two-time sub-three-day finisher of the BC Epic 1000 Grand Depart. Andy also holds the current westbound Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the BC Epic 1000 and set the event record at the Lost Elephant, a benchmark that has stood despite the course becoming increasingly difficult each year. When winter arrives, Andy continues to excel, earning victories at the 2025 and 2026 Cranbrook Cold Ride Big Chill, the 2025 Drift in Wyoming, and the 2024 Actif Epic in Manitoba. Of all his accomplishments, however, the ride he treasures most wasn’t a race. Last summer, Andy and his son Leo spent three days riding 150 kilometres from Cranbrook to Fernie on backroads; A reminder that the most meaningful adventures are often the ones shared with the people we love. Huge thanks to Mannmade Cycles for sponsoring the My Back 40 Podcast Save 25% at Dynamic Cyclist when you use the promo code MB40 at checkout. Save 15% at Redshift Sports when you use the code MB40

In this episode I connect with a listener to chat about all things Tour Divide. Mat reached out to me wondering if I'd be open to answering some questions about the Divide. I finished the Divide in 2022 and it was one of the most impactful things I have ever done. To say I came back changed would be an understatement. My caveat to Matt was that even though I am considered a TD vet, I certainly wasn't the fastest and could only speak subjectively about my experience; gear, planning (or lack thereof), favourite sections, etc. Matt is a math tutor and you can learn more about that at his website. merschmathtutoring.com I enjoyed meeting and chatting all things Divide with Matt and I hope you dig it. Huge thanks to Mannmade Cycles for sponsoring the My Back 40 Podcast Save 25% at Dynamic Cyclist when you use the promo code MB40 at checkout. Save 15% at Redshift Sports when you use the code MB40 Save 50% off your first month of coaching at Cycling 101 when you use the code MB40 at checkout. Thanks to Spandex Panda for their support. Thanks to Lakeside Bikes in Invermere for keeping me rolling!

In this episode of the podcast I reconnect with Mikey Coulter of Yeti Adventure Films. His latest video, FOOL'S GOLD: 4 Days of Winter Bikepacking the Gold Rush Snowmobile Trail, is a recount of a winter adventure along the longest off-road trail in BC, The Gold Rush Snowmobile Trail which stretches 463km through BC’s Cariboo, tracing the same route that once carried fortune-seekers north more than a century ago. Mike’s work captures both the grit and unpredictability of these cycling adventures, while highlighting the strong sense of community and camaraderie within this tight-knit world of adventure seekers. We chat about his film making ethos, the logistics and challenges of making such films, as well as a number of other topics. I hope you enjoy this chat as much as I did and I hope to work with Mike again in the future. Huge thanks to Mannmade Cycles for sponsoring the My Back 40 Podcast Save 25% at Dynamic Cyclist when you use the promo code MB40 at checkout. Save 15% at Redshift Sports when you use the code MB40 Save 50% off your first month of coaching at Cycling 101 when you use the code MB40 at checkout. Thanks to Spandex Panda for their support. Thanks to Lakeside Bikes in Invermere for keeping me rolling!

Not much to write here. This long overdue episode fills you in in what I have been up to this past summer. A new hip, travel, adventure, bikes and boards, school and major life changing considerations. I hope you enjoy this podcast as much as I enjoyed making it. It’s been too long. Huge thanks to Mannmade Cycles for sponsoring the My Back 40 Podcast Save 25% at Dynamic Cyclist when you use the promo code MB40 at checkout. Save 15% at Redshift Sports when you use the code MB40 Save 50% off your first month of coaching at Cycling 101 when you use the code MB40 at checkout. Thanks to Spandex Panda for their support. Thanks to Lakeside Bikes in Invermere for keeping me rolling!

Today’s guest is Nathalie Baillon, a French ultra-distance cyclist with an inspiring story of passion and perseverance. After spending a few years working as an engineer in Munich, she took a leap—packing up her bike and heading off on a solo cycling trip through New Zealand. That journey sparked something big. Back in Europe, she bought a new bike, strapped on some panniers, and knocked out her first 1,000-kilometre ride in under 60 hours. That was just the beginning. Soon after, Nathalie moved to Isère, picked up her engineering work again—but also signed up for her first official ultra race: the Race Across France, a grueling 2,600-kilometre ride. And she crushed it. From there, things took off. She entered international ultra-distance races, landed multiple women’s wins, and regularly placed in the top 10 overall—competing with the best in the field. Eventually, she left her day job to go all-in, building a life around the sport she loves. To learn more about Nathalie, chek out her website. https://www.nathaliebaillon.com/home/en Huge thanks to Mannmade Cycles for sponsoring the My Back 40 Podcast Save 25% at Dynamic Cyclist when you use the promo code MB40 at checkout. Save 15% at Redshift Sports when you use the code MB40 Save 50% off your first month of coaching at Cycling 101 when you use the code MB40 at checkout. Thanks to Spandex Panda for their support. Thanks to Lakeside Bikes in Invermere for keeping me rolling!

Listen in as I speak with Stephan Kesting—martial artist, author, and serious outdoor adventurer. In this episode, we’re diving into highlights from his incredible solo 1,000-mile canoe journey from Missinipe, Saskatchewan to Arviat, Nunavut. He paddled and portaged through some of Canada’s most remote wilderness, following the Churchill, Reindeer, Cochrane, and Thlewiaza Rivers, crossing massive lakes like Reindeer and Nueltin, and making his way down through the Barren Lands all the way to the shores of Hudson Bay. It’s a wild story of grit, solitude, and survival. If you want the full trip report, check it out at grapplearts.com/solo, and if this kind of adventure speaks to you, Stephan’s book Perseverance: Life and Death in the Subarctic is a must-read. https://www.amazon.ca/Perseverance-Death-Subarctic-Stephan-Kesting/dp/1639368612 Huge thanks to Mannmade Cycles for sponsoring the My Back 40 Podcast Save 25% at Dynamic Cyclist when you use the promo code MB40 at checkout. Save 15% at Redshift Sports when you use the code MB40 Save 50% off your first month of coaching at Cycling 101 when you use the code MB40 at checkout. Thanks to Spandex Panda for their support. Thanks to Lakeside Bikes in Invermere for keeping me rolling!

In this episode I bring you a conversation with British Columbia's Mike Martin. There Were a number of riders from British Columbia this year and Mike Martin stood out. Although Mike hasn't been in the ultra endurance scene for that long he might just be a rider to watch as he continues to push his limits in the sport. In this episode I get to know Mike a little bit. We talk about Fatherhood, his work life, Tariffs (sorry), his previous adventures, as well as some stories from the trail. It was great to get to know Mike. Huge thanks to Mannmade Cycles for sponsoring the My Back 40 Podcast Save 25% at Dynamic Cyclist when you use the promo code MB40 at checkout. Save 15% at Redshift Sports when you use the code MB40 Save 50% off your first month of coaching at Cycling 101 when you use the code MB40 at checkout. Thanks to Spandex Panda for their support. Thanks to Lakeside Bikes in Invermere for keeping me rolling!

I have been exchanging asynchronous text and voice messages with my coach Sebastien Rolland since October 2021. During that time, he has been a vital support person, mentor, and friend as I work on my own personal growth. As I work toward my own career in coaching and counselling, Sebastien has challenged my thinking in many life aspects allowing me to reframe my experience. To say that I have all these lessons nailed down would be a gross overstatement; We are all works in progress. In this conversation, we get things rolling with the question "What do you want to create?" This question can be a catalyst for any life decision you want to make, whether that's starting school or a new career. It can be the impetus of how you navigate your relationships and open up possibilities as you create the palette with which you want to colour your world. From a mental health perspective, I hope this chat will help people feel less trapped in their day to day lives and shed some light on the amount of control we actually have with the choices we make. So, what do you want to create? Huge thanks to Mannmade Cycles for sponsoring the My Back 40 Podcast Save 25% at Dynamic Cyclist when you use the promo code MB40 at checkout. Save 15% at Redshift Sports when you use the code MB40 Save 50% off your first month of coaching at Cycling 101 when you use the code MB40 at checkout. Thanks to Spandex Panda for their support. Thanks to Lakeside Bikes in Invermere for keeping me rolling!

This is a repost of a conversation I had with Svein Tuft last year after he crushed the BCEPIC 1000 in 2 days and 2 hours. Svein is currently in second place on the 2025 Tour Divide and is in solid contention to setting a new record. My buddy Michael brought it to my attention that many might not know who this unassuming athlete is or his background and this podcast covers that. I hope you enjoy this repost. --------- In this episode I have a chat with Svein Tuft, winner of the BC Epic 1000. Svein shattered the record riding 1,044 km with almost 12,000 m of ascent in a time of 2 days and 2 hours. Svein is a retired Canadian road cyclist who competed professionally from 2005 to 2019. He rode for several teams, including Symmetrics, Garmin–Transitions, SpiderTech–C10, Mitchelton–Scott, and Rally UHC Cycling. Tuft won the 2006–07 UCI America Tour and claimed thirteen titles at the Canadian Road Cycling Championships: twice in the road race and eleven times in the time trial. We chat about his childhood, his draw to doing hard things, what is was like riding as a professional cyclist and what drew him to unsupported bikepack racing, which is quite a departure from the pro tour but something that he has fallen in love with. Huge thanks to Mannmade Cycles for sponsoring the My Back 40 Podcast Save 25% at Dynamic Cyclist when you use the promo code MB40 at checkout. Save 15% at Redshift Sports when you use the code MB40 Save 50% off your first month of coaching at Cycling 101 when you use the code MB40 at checkout. Thanks to Spandex Panda for their support. Thanks to Lakeside Bikes in Invermere for keeping me rolling!

It’s been a long time coming, but I’m so happy to finally be bringing you a conversation with my dad, Darrel O’Shaughnessy. If you want to get to know someone, often meeting the parents is the best way to do that. Let’s just say, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. You can also listen to a chat I had with my mom back in Episode 14. Born in Bancroft, Ontario in 1946, Darrel O’Shaughnessy grew up in the post war era of opportunity, which he didn’t take for granted. He has worn many hats, from being a chef, to being an officer with the Ontario Provincial Police. He was the Director of Security at Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. where something like 80% of the worlds isotopes were derived, and later, branched out on his own to share his security expertise as a consultant. My Dad was always a hard working dude, travelling often to seek out new challenges and opportunities to make a better life for our family. Darrel never fully retired. Later in life, he and my mom built a Dragon Boating community in Kelowna, B.C. Later, when they moved back to Arnprior, Ontario, they founded the Arnprior Dragon Boating Club, dedicated to inspiring health and fitness, for all ages through the sport of dragon boat racing. Dad became an active board member with the Senior’s Active Living Center in Arnprior, which led to him developing “Men’s Sheds”, non profit entities that support senior men by providing a place of camaraderie, purpose and meaning. Members of Men’s Sheds are active in the community and work hard on projects such as building toys for fairs and markets, picnic tables and benches for parks and were active in building screens for various public facing services during the Pandemic. Being in service to others has been an extremely meaningful path for my dad and he has been recognized for his efforts. He was recently named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International “in appreciation of tangible and significant assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world.” Humbly, he accepts this award on behalf of the team of hard working people he surrounds himself with. Dad was always an active guy and considered being active and staying fit very important. He played and coached hockey and was an avid tennis player, classic cross country and downhill skier and, if I’m not mistaken, did pretty well in the Silver Spoon Ski Fest that the Deep River Cross Country Club has been hosting for the last 50 years. I couldn’t be more proud of my dad and am so happy to be sharing this conversation with you. Despite it not being cycling centric, this chat still reverberates with the importance of being in service to others, finding meaning and purpose in one’s life and the importance of living an active and stimulating life. Envoy. Driving Home for ChristmasK-LiteLight & Motion Save 25% off a consultation at Cycling 101 when you use the code VIP50 at checkout. Save 25% at Dynamic Cyclist when you use the promo code MB40 at checkout. Visit Rollingdale Cycle Thanks to Lakeside Bikes in Invermere for supporting me!

In this episode, by popular demand, I connect with Alex Burk. This was one of those cold call episodes where we connect and just shoot the shit about... well, about a ton of things! Topics include; Cycling, bikepacking, her journey to becoming a Veterinarian, the "why" of doing hard things, the inclusiveness and safety of bikepacking events, her Lost Elephant experience as well as her recent ride of Caves and Coves. I had a blast connecting with Alex and I hope you enjoy getting to know her as much as I did. Save 25% at Dynamic Cyclist when you use the promo code MB40 at checkout. Save 15% at Redshift Sports when you use the code MB40 Save 50% off your first month of coaching at Cycling 101 when you use the code MB40 at checkout. Thanks to Spandex Panda for their support. Thanks to Lakeside Bikes in Invermere for keeping me rolling!

In this episode I bring you another great conversation with  Dr. John Ogrodniczuk. This is the third time he’s been on the podcast and it’s always an honour to speak with him. John is a Professor of Psychiatry and Director of the UBC Psychotherapy Program, one of North America’s largest medically based psychotherapy training programs.  His research program focuses on a variety of psychotherapies and patient populations, with a particular focus on personality disorders and men’s mental health. Dr. Ogrodniczuk has held several grants to support his research, which has led to over 300 scientific publications. John is also the Founder of HeadsUpGuys, a leading global resource for supporting men with depression. This episode marks a special occasion as his organization, HeadsUpGuys, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. In addition to his research, Dr. Ogrodniczuk is involved with teaching medical students and psychiatry residents, serves as a mental health consultant for various organizations, and maintains a psychotherapy practice. We had a lot to talk about in this episode, including a Heads Up Guys campaign called Step up for Him a campaign taking action in support of the millions of men across the globe – our brothers, fathers, partners, sons, friends, colleagues – who struggle with their mental health, often in silence. Clink the link to learn more about how you can get involved. HeadsUpGuys is the world’s leading online resource for men’s mental health. Over 10,000 people use it every week—but they have so many more men that we need to reach. STEP UP FOR HIM Hey there! Want a simple way to support men’s mental health while also taking care of your own? Heads Up Guys has something for you — it’s called Step Up For Him, and it’s all about moving with purpose. Here’s how it works: First — get moving. Walk, run, hike, bike — whatever feels good. You can join in anytime between June 1st and 15th. Do it once, every day, or just when you can. Totally your call. This two-week stretch includes Men’s Health Week and wraps up on Father’s Day, so it’s a meaningful way to show up — for yourself, and for the men in your life. Next — bring a buddy. Grab a friend, coworker, partner, whoever. Movement is always better with someone else, and sharing the experience does wonders for mental health. It’s a simple way to build connection and have some fun along the way. Then — share it. Take a photo or video of your movement, add some of our custom “HeadsUpGuys” stickers (just search us up), and post it using the hashtag #StepUpForHim. Tag some friends to join in, and help spread the word. Head’s up guys will be on the lookout for your posts to share on our socials — so yeah, you might get a shoutout! And finally — if you’re able, consider donating. Every dollar goes directly toward programs that help men heal, cope, and thrive. Just $1 helps us get self-check tools to 8 guys. $5? That can help one man connect with a qualified therapist. That’s a real impact. So, however you choose to Step Up — by moving, sharing, donating, or just talking about it — you’re helping change the conversation around men’s mental health. Let’s do this together. Let’s Step Up For Him. Huge thanks to Mannmade Cycles for sponsoring the My Back 40 Podcast Save 25% at Dynamic Cyclist when you use the promo code MB40 at checkout. Save 15% at Redshift Sports when you use the code MB40 Save 50% off your first month of coaching at Cycling 101 when you use the code MB40 at checkout. Thanks to Spandex Panda for their support. Thanks to Lakeside Bikes in Invermere for keeping me rolling!