Advertise on podcast: Dynamic Life Cycles

A concussion, a broken nose and a cold, all on the same day. That’s how Steve Vanderhoek came out of Red Bull Hardline BC. When we sat down for this episode, Steve was still dealing with brain fog and recovering from the crash, but his overall experience at Hardline was anything but negative. Steve arrived as an alternate with no real racing background, suddenly surrounded by some of the fastest riders in the world. He talks openly about imposter syndrome, hitting an 80-plus-foot jump, completing a top-to-bottom run, and why he was there for the experience rather than the result. But the conversation quickly becomes about much more than bikes. Steve explains how Ride to Resilience originally started as a behind-the-scenes mountain bike film before life completely changed its direction. His own struggles with depression, loss and difficult experiences as a firefighter eventually became part of a much bigger conversation around mental health and connection. One of the biggest lessons Steve has taken from the project is simple: Listen without the intent to fix. When a friend tells you they’re struggling, you don’t always need the answer. Sometimes the most important thing you can do is listen, keep checking in and make sure they know somebody has their back. The film has now grown into the Ride to Resilience Association, with Steve hoping to create more community events, support future films and help other people share their own stories. You can watch Ride to Resilience and learn more about the project at RideToResilience.com. If you’d like to directly support the Ride to Resilience Association and help fund what comes next, you can also donate through Charitable Impact. Whose back do you have? Reach out and get in contact with me here. Share it with your riding crew, hit follow, and tell us where you want to ride, the next chapter starts right now. Get in touch via my Instagram Hosted and Produced by Jarrad Connolly

He’s the kind of rider who sees a mountain range, a race calendar, or a line on a map and immediately starts wondering what’s possible. Matthew Fairbrother joins us to talk about the mindset that’s taken him from a young racer in New Zealand to one of mountain biking’s most unique endurance adventurers. Whether it’s riding between Enduro World Series rounds across Europe, climbing over 10,000 vertical metres in a day, taking on the Tour du Mont Blanc, or creating self-supported challenges that seem impossible on paper, Matthew has built a reputation for choosing the harder path simply because he’s curious where it leads. This conversation isn’t really about distance, elevation, or race results. It’s about chasing progress, learning through discomfort, and finding satisfaction in working toward something that genuinely excites you. We dive into the highs and lows of ultra-endurance riding, the mental strategies Matthew uses when things get tough, and why breaking a massive challenge into smaller goals can make the impossible feel achievable. We also explore his evolution from a shy teenager travelling Europe alone to someone actively seeking out new cultures, experiences, and adventures. Along the way, we discuss self-supported racing, bikepacking, content creation, and why, at the core of it all, Matthew still sees every bike as simply a tool for the next adventure. Reach out and get in contact with me here. Share it with your riding crew, hit follow, and tell us where you want to ride, the next chapter starts right now. Get in touch via my Instagram Hosted and Produced by Jarrad Connolly

Freeride looks effortless in a video edit, but the real story is everything behind the scenes. This week, I sit down with British Columbia freerider Lucy Van Eesteren to talk about the people, experiences, and mindset that shaped her riding. From growing up in the Sea to Sky riding scene to finding her place in freeride through mentors like Casey Brown, Lucy shares why creativity, community, and having fun on a bike matter more to her than chasing results. We dive into DarkFest, Formation, trail building, filming video projects, bike setup, social media, and the lessons that come from pushing your comfort zone. Lucy also shares her approach to fear, progression, and knowing when to trust your instincts. This conversation is a reminder that, at the end of the day, the best riders are often the ones who never forget why they started. Reach out and get in contact with me here. Share it with your riding crew, hit follow, and tell us where you want to ride, the next chapter starts right now. Get in touch via my Instagram Hosted and Produced by Jarrad Connolly

It's a side of the sport most fans never see. Between race runs, podiums, and highlight clips, many athletes are dealing with injuries, recovery plans, and the constant challenge of staying healthy enough to perform at the highest level. Today's guest is Aaron Dobie, physiotherapist, strength coach, bike fitter, elite racer, and one of the people working behind the scenes with athletes when things don't go according to plan. From the UCI World Cup circuit working across downhill, enduro, to skiing, and endurance sports, Aaron has built a career around performance, recovery, and helping athletes stay competitive when the margins are razor thin. In this episode, we dive into the reality of injuries in mountain biking, the difference between working with elite athletes and everyday riders, what actually separates the pros, and how athletes manage performance and recovery throughout a season. We also discuss concussion protocols, building the rehab team for Hardline Cypress, bike fitting, body maintenance, injury prevention, and some of the wild stories that come from life behind the scenes at World Cups and major events. Whether you're chasing podiums or just trying to ride pain-free, there's plenty to take away from this one. Reach out and get in contact with me here. Share it with your riding crew, hit follow, and tell us where you want to ride, the next chapter starts right now. Get in touch via my Instagram Hosted and Produced by Jarrad Connolly

Enduro doesn’t reward the loudest rider, it rewards the one who can repeat speed without breaking. Greg Callaghan has one of the deepest records in modern enduro mountain bike racing, with an almost unmatched run of starts and a 100 percent finish rate, and he’s built that career by making calm decisions when everyone else is hunting hero moments. We start with riding in British Columbia and how Squamish terrain changes the way you think about risk, line choice, and progression compared with Ireland and Europe. He shares why Enduro World Series racing clicked immediately, what it felt like when the first EWS start lists were packed with downhill and cross-country stars, and why he never felt the need to chase downhill glory. We also dive into running a lean race program, bike setup and suspension evolution, and using tools like electronic suspension and training metrics without overcomplicating things. Reach out and get in contact with me here. Share it with your riding crew, hit follow, and tell us where you want to ride, the next chapter starts right now. Get in touch via my Instagram Hosted and Produced by Jarrad Connolly

A hurricane, a borrowed hardtail, and a one-way shot to Whistler, this week’s episode is with Christina Chappetta, a former Enduro World Series racer who’s built her path in mountain biking the hard way. From growing up in Louisiana to discovering the mountains in Colorado, Christina shares how a mix of curiosity, injuries, and obsession led her into the sport. What started with no gear and no real plan quickly turned into full immersion, chasing seasons, living out of a tent in Whistler, and saying yes to every opportunity that came her way. We get into the realities of building a career in the bike world, from shop life to racing Enduro at a high level, and eventually stepping into media with Pinkbike before moving into storytelling with Anthill Films. There’s a lot in here about progression, setbacks, and figuring things out as you go. We also talk about creativity, coaching, and what it actually takes to make content that connects, not just with experienced riders, but with people just getting into the sport. This one’s raw, honest, and a reminder that there’s no straight line into this industry, just a willingness to commit, adapt, and keep showing up. If you’re into mountain biking, racing, or carving out your own path in the outdoor world, this one’s worth a listen. Reach out and get in contact with me here. Share it with your riding crew, hit follow, and tell us where you want to ride, the next chapter starts right now. Get in touch via my Instagram Hosted and Produced by Jarrad Connolly

As the old saying goes, a photo can tell a thousand words, but getting it to tell the story you want is what turns it into a memory. The right shot can make you feel the size of a feature, the risk behind it, and everything happening just outside the frame. In this episode, I sit down with Joe Wakefield, a Squamish-based mountain bike photographer who moved from England to fully immerse himself in the Sea to Sky riding scene. Joe has built his career by focusing on storytelling over trends, capturing not just the riding, but the people, the atmosphere, and the moments that often go unnoticed. We get into how he got started, why he loves passion projects, and how those have opened doors over time. Joe also talks about stepping away from social media to reset creativity, and how some of his best ideas come from doing exactly that. We also dive into what it’s like being behind the lens when things get properly gnarly, the importance of trust and safety when shooting high-risk riding, and the difference between working one-on-one with riders versus shooting major events. To wrap it up, we talk about social media, printed photos vs digital, dream shoots, and why some of the most inspiring riding right now might actually be coming from places people aren’t paying enough attention to, like adaptive mountain biking. If you’re into mountain biking, photography, or just creating something meaningful without getting lost in the algorithm, this one’s worth a listen. Reach out and get in contact with me here. Share it with your riding crew, hit follow, and tell us where you want to ride, the next chapter starts right now. Get in touch via my Instagram Hosted and Produced by Jarrad Connolly

What does it look like to raise five kids, support big dreams, and still keep the house calm? This week I sit down with JJ, Elliot, and Nash Jamieson for a conversation that’s less about podiums and more about parenting, perspective, and protecting the joy in sport. JJ and Trish raised five kids in a home where bikes were always around, but pressure wasn’t. The philosophy was simple: support fully, manage lightly, and let the kids steer. Elliot shares what it was like walking away from a serious junior hockey path to chase bikes, dealing with expectations at the highest level of downhill, and finding his way back to loving the ride again. Nash talks about growing up in that same house, winter miles in Squamish rain, learning to handle the mental side of racing, and figuring out who he is beyond the family name. This episode is about more than racing. It’s about calm leadership, honest conversations after hard days, and choosing people over pressure. It’s about what happens when parents stay steady, kids are allowed to fail, and performance becomes a byproduct of joy. If you’re raising athletes, chasing your own goals, or just trying to keep sport healthy inside your family, this one will resonate. Reach out and get in contact with me here. Share it with your riding crew, hit follow, and tell us where you want to ride, the next chapter starts right now. Get in touch via my Instagram Hosted and Produced by Jarrad Connolly

Andrew Pinfold didn’t arrive in cycling through a grand plan to turn pro. He was a kid from outside Toronto who got hooked on mountain bikes in the early 90s, racing Canada Cups, earning a Worlds invite, and slowly realizing that his engine wasn’t built for two-hour marathons. It was built for timing, positioning, and speed. Road racing became the outlet. Criteriums became the classroom. From provincial dominance in Ontario to learning hard lessons in the U.S. peloton, Andrew’s career wasn’t built on raw watts alone. It was built on race IQ. The craft of moving through a field without burning matches, understanding respect and hierarchy inside the bunch, and knowing when to commit. Those skills took years to develop, and they shaped him far more than any power number ever did. He raced through cycling’s most complicated era. The Armstrong years. The Landis fallout. He witnessed firsthand how infrastructure, money, and attention flooded into North American cycling, and how quickly the cracks showed beneath it. He competed into his 30s, evolving with nutrition science, training philosophy, and a changing sport. Now, as a coach and mentor, he’s focused on something deeper than output. Teaching young riders what doesn’t show up on a spreadsheet. Positioning, instinct, and character. This conversation isn’t just about results. It’s about racecraft, responsibility, and what lasts long after the finish line. Reach out and get in contact with me here. Share it with your riding crew, hit follow, and tell us where you want to ride, the next chapter starts right now. Get in touch via my Instagram Hosted and Produced by Jarrad Connolly

The Canadian Enduro League is back, leaner, smarter, and rebuilt by someone who knows racing from the inside. Ryder Knoll joins us to unpack how buying the series during a layover turned into a full-scale rebuild focused on doing fewer rounds better, fixing rider pain points, and bringing back the vibe that made enduro weekends special. We break down the 2026 calendar: Kelowna with Fire in the Mountains, Vedder’s classic challenge, the wildcard Cypress Hills, bucket-list Toby Creek, and a Sun Peaks finale,  plus how DH weekends and EDR windows shaped the schedule. Ryder walks us through the nuts and bolts too: tighter course marking, live timing, volunteer incentives baked into registration, and a push for reliability across every round. We also dig into categories and pathways, from U19 Elite and adaptive racing to youth pre-rides with fast mentors and a developing grant to help a standout junior chase European EDR experience. Beyond logistics, this one’s about culture,  side events like bunny hops and grass slalom, rebuilding industry trust, and why grassroots enduro is still powered by parents, groms, privateers, and friends checking splits on the climbs. If you love Canadian mountain biking, this one’s a must-listen. The rebuild is on, the calendar’s stacked, and enduro is finding its groove again.  Reach out and get in contact with me here. Share it with your riding crew, hit follow, and tell us where you want to ride, the next chapter starts right now. Get in touch via my Instagram Hosted and Produced by Jarrad Connolly

What if success in mountain biking isn’t about doing more but about being more? In this episode, Emmy Lan joins us to unpack how she balances elite racing with law studies, restaurant shifts, and a life that actually fuels performance instead of burning her out. We trace Emmy’s journey from cross-country roots to back-to-back U21 Enduro World titles, World Cup experience, and her decision to lean into Crankworx for its variety, creativity, and community. She breaks down her “free-flow” training approach, and explains why flexibility beats rigid plans when you’re juggling midterms, travel, and racing. The conversation goes deeper into fear management, why enduro feels exciting rather than terrifying. Emmy also opens up about identity, pressure, serving tables to stay grounded, mentorship through programs like Ride Like A Girl, and the surge of Canadian women riders pushing the sport forward. We talk gear and setup for smaller riders, and lessons learned from teammates, from track walks to dialing race craft to fit your brain, not someone else’s. If you’re chasing speed without burnout, this episode delivers the playbook: build a life you love, train what matters, and ride with people who lift you up. Reach out and get in contact with me here. Share it with your riding crew, hit follow, and tell us where you want to ride, the next chapter starts right now. Get in touch via my Instagram Hosted and Produced by Jarrad Connolly

We sit down with Jason Lucas to trace a path from flat-city dirt jumps and sketch comedy to IFHT Films, Pinkbike, and a freelance chapter powered by curiosity, craft, and a lot of pedaling. Jason reflects on the early IFHT days, handycams, MSN links, forum comments and how comedy helped make mountain biking feel accessible to riders who’ll never chase a World Cup podium.  From there, we dive into Pinkbike’s evolution into a full-scale media engine: blending credible tech with entertainment, taking creative risks like the Grim Donut, and building formats such as Hot Lap and Field Tests that capture chaos while still delivering real conclusions. Jason shares the full behind-the-scenes story of Pinkbike Academy, from conception and casting to COVID pivots, hosting, and what it really takes to give semi-pro riders a genuine shot at the world stage.  In the final act, Jason opens up about leaving Mahalo My Dude, navigating a tight bike market, and designing projects worth doing even without sponsors, like a Vancouver Island bikepacking series built alongside local tourism partners. If you’re a creator, marketer, or rider dreaming of a media path in cycling, this episode is packed with practical insight on pitching ideas, protecting your voice, learning the business side, and knowing when to say no. Reach out and get in contact with me here. Share it with your riding crew, hit follow, and tell us where you want to ride, the next chapter starts right now. Get in touch via my Instagram Hosted and Produced by Jarrad Connolly

The margins in downhill are razor thin, and Norco Race Division lives in that space. We sat down with Gracey Hemstreet, her mechanic Brett Ward, and data lead Jeff Hunter to unpack how a modern DH race program actually works, from early mule frames to a bike chasing its final few percent. We get into the craft behind setup decisions: pushing aluminum stays to the edge before landing on carbon flex targets, testing geometry and idler positions at extremes to find the centre, and what changes when development shifts from “find big answers” to “chase small wins.” Gracey explains how her feedback evolved from “it’s good” to precise sensations the team can translate into measurable changes. Psychology is woven through every lap. The crew talks about when to speak and when to stay quiet in the finish corral, how confidence compounds after a result, and why hovering just outside qualification can mess with your head. Leadership plays a huge role eliminating variables so race day starts with clarity, not noise. With limited practice laps, the team builds an edge through preparation: track-walk footage, GPS overlays, and arriving at first laps with a plan. Add in team banter, travel stories, and the unsung roles behind the scenes, and this episode shows what it really takes to turn chaos into speed. Reach out and get in contact with me here. Share it with your riding crew, hit follow, and tell us where you want to ride, the next chapter starts right now. Get in touch via my Instagram Hosted and Produced by Jarrad Connolly

A wall of noise, a missing setup rock, and a bike landing on her head, Elly Hoskin turns a chaotic Squamish Enduro crash into a lesson in composure.  From there, we dive straight into the engine room of Enduro performance: why a cross-country base still pays dividends, how controlled stress tests make race day feel familiar, and the art of checking just enough data to stay lethal without losing focus. Elly opens up about moving from U21 to Elite and the mindset shift that came with it, including when she refuses to look at results and when a tiny time gap is exactly the nudge she needs. We talk training blocks, zone two battles, headphones on transfers, and listening to the bike on descents. She shares how coaching sharpened her language and self-awareness, made her a better athlete to coach, and helped her invite newer riders into the sport without the pressure of pace. Identity and expectations show up in surprising ways: the world champion label on a bike that won’t let you hide, the relief of riding flats to relearn feel, and the choice to value longevity over spectacle. Elly spotlights the surge of women in Enduro, mentors like ALN, best-friend brain trusts with Tori Wood, and a COVID-era cohort that found freedom on bikes when team sports shut down. Then we step into Worlds: weather chaos, schedule shuffles, a calculated caffeine gamble, and a ruthless late push that moved her from fourth to the rainbow jersey on stages that favored power and precision. If you care about Enduro strategy, sports psychology, and building speed that lasts all day, this is a rare, inside look at how control beats chaos.  Reach out and get in contact with me here. Share it with your riding crew, hit follow, and tell us where you want to ride, the next chapter starts right now. Get in touch via my Instagram Hosted and Produced by Jarrad Connolly

Curious about the evolution of cycling and the industry’s key players? I sit down with Pete Stace-Smith, a legendary figure in the cycling world, for a deep dive into his 40-year journey in the industry. From starting out in a local bike shop to becoming a driving force at Norco, Pete’s seen it all. His stories give us a front-row seat to the massive shifts in cycling culture, the industry’s defining moments, and the unexpected turns that shaped his career. We get into the groundbreaking innovations that transformed mountain biking—from the early days of BMX to the game-changing introduction of disc brakes and suspension. As Norco’s bike division product manager, Pete had a firsthand look at the experimental nature of bike design in the ‘70s and ‘80s. We also explore the evolution of riding styles, from the rise of cross-country racing to the birth of freeride, and how different landscapes and tech advancements pushed the sport forward. To wrap things up, we look ahead at where cycling is headed. Pete shares his take on the future of bike tech, the role of e-bikes in urban mobility, and how bikes are shaping the way we move in cities. His lifelong passion for two wheels and his commitment to the industry make this conversation a must-listen for anyone who loves cycling. Reach out and get in contact with me here. Share it with your riding crew, hit follow, and tell us where you want to ride, the next chapter starts right now. Get in touch via my Instagram Hosted and Produced by Jarrad Connolly