Zone2Speak Podcast

Some stories are told in words. Others live in the quiet space between movement, effort, and stillness. In this episode of Zone2Speak, I sit down with Elias Ejderhamn, a photographer based between Annecy and Chamonix whose work captures the raw emotion of endurance, sport, and the human experience. Elias is the PX3 Sports Photographer of the Year and has represented Sweden at the World Photographi...

Confidence isn’t something you’re born with, it’s something you build. And few people understand that better than Mérida Miller. In this episode of Zone2Speak, I sit down with Mérida, professional hype girl, TEDx speaker, and founder of Project Fearless, to talk about confidence, courage, and what it really means to take up space in sport and in life. From her work supporting women and non- binary...

Kara Folkerts lives life on the edge of the map. She’s a trail-running guide, bikepacking adventurer, yoga teacher, and full-time nomad, someone who has spent the last nine+ years following dirt paths, quiet roads, and wild horizons with a mix of curiosity, courage, and intention. In this episode, Kara shares what it truly looks like to build a life rooted in movement and meaning. We talk about ho...

Some people go outside to escape. Others go outside to feel alive. And then there’s Patrícia Malhão, someone who has built her entire existence around the wild, the raw, and the beautifully untamed. In this episode, I sit down with Patrícia, the explorer and outdoor photographer behind missroofless, whose images carry the force of the ocean, the mood of the mountains, and the honesty of real adven...

Friendship, freedom, and the open road, this is how Women’s Bikepacking Portugal was born. In this episode, I sit down with Diana and Lia, the two inspiring cyclists behind Women’s Bikepacking Portugal, a community that’s helping women discover adventure, connection, and confidence on two wheels. From their first rides together to building a growing movement, we talk about the adventures that shap...

Josh Brandwene is back for his third appearance on Zone2Speak, and this time, we are taking on one of the most complex and controversial topics in cycling: doping. From the pro peloton to the weekend warrior scene, doping has evolved far beyond elite sport, and Josh brings his trademark insight to unpack how we got here, why it happens, and what it means for the integrity of endurance athletics. W...

Host Juliana sits down with Roanna Warren, founder of Girls That Ride Bikes (GTRB) and creator of The Wild Weekender, a growing women’s cycling festival that brings together over 150 riders for a weekend of adventure, connection, and joy on two wheels. They talk about how Roanna turned a simple idea “let’s get more women riding together” into a thriving community, the magic behind organizing inclu...

This week on Zone2Speak, Juliana chats with Alex Dyson, adventure cyclist, storyteller, and Brand & Marketing Lead at Restrap. From crossing the Alps and racing ultra events to shaping one of the most recognized names in bikepacking gear, Alex shares his journey through two intertwined worlds: adventure and craftsmanship. We talk about what it means to live a life built around bikes, the art a...

This week on Zone2Speak, host Juliana talks with Saoirse Pottie, an adventure cyclist whose journeys redefine what it means to connect through riding. From her solo crossing of Africa, where every pedal stroke brought lessons in resilience and self-trust, to a collective ride through South America that turned strangers into lifelong friends, Saoirse shares how cycling has become her language for e...

In this episode of Zone2Speak, Juliana chats with ultra-endurance cyclist Justyna Jarczok (@justine_bike) about her path into ultra racing, the beauty and struggle of pushing limits, and the creative side of documenting life on two wheels. Justyna shares stories from her recent ultra races across Europe, lessons learned from sleep deprivation, mental resilience, and solo travel. She also talks abo...

Before we dive in, a quick shout-out to the amazing brands that I use and love. All the links, discounts, and codes are below, so check them out, grab some great deals, and know you're helping keep Zone2Speak rolling. Now, let's get into the episode. Today on Zone2Speak, Pete Alfano of Alfano Frameworks returns to discuss his journey from archaeology and academia to bespoke frame building, the des...

Host Juliana talks with creator and ultra-endurance cyclist Leona Kringe about her two-decade struggle with anorexia, the difficult but necessary journey to gain weight and heal, and how lifting, nutrition, and expert support reshaped her body image and performance. They also discuss Leona’s VIA race experience: facing illness, fatigue, and doubt yet finishing the 4,000 km challenge, plus lessons...

This episode of Zone to Speak is supported by Peloton, the ultimate sunscreen for athletes. And because they are supporting the podcast, you get 20% off your order. Just head to the link in the show notes below and use the code ZONE2SPEAK at checkout. Protect your skin, feel your adventures, and support the pod while you do it. In this episode, host Juliana chats with coach Josh Brandwene about hi...

Host Juliana speaks with James Benson King, the Biking Viking, about leaving a corporate career to cycle 32,000km from Alaska to Argentina, surviving brutal storms, riding 900km on one leg, and finding resilience, purpose, and human connection on the road. They talk goal-setting, mental shifts, memorable encounters, and James’s bold plan to attempt the first bike crossing of Antarctica. --- Follow...

In this episode of Zone2Speak, Juliana sits down with Waleed Mohammed, a cyclist and advocate using the bike as a tool for visibility, empowerment, and change. From navigating questions of identity and representation to finding resilience on and off the bike, Waleed shares a powerful perspective on what it means to create space in cycling for those who’ve historically been left out. We talk about...

In this episode of Zone2Speak, I sit down with Max Riese, ultra cyclist, triple Everesting world record holder, content creator, and passionate storyteller. We talk about GravGrav.cc, the community he’s building through gravel rides that shine a light on real-world problems: from sustainability to social issues, showing how cycling can be a tool for both connection and education. Whether you are a...

Founder Luca Kuhn shares how she turned frustration with ill-fitting, male-focused cycling gear into Ride Luca, a women-led brand focused on comfort, style, and thoughtful design. She discusses signature pieces like the easy front-overlap bib, true-to-size fittings, and the design process from idea to final product. The episode also covers the challenges of launching a brand, factory delays, sampl...

Georgena Terry, a mechanical engineer who built her first bike frame in her basement, shares the story of founding the world’s first women-specific bike and inventing women-focused saddles and handlebars. The episode explores her continued craft of custom steel frames, the Wild Goose Chase charity ride for conservation, and her advice for women riders and entrepreneurs to trust their instincts and...

Filmmaker and cyclist Ryan Le Garrec returns to Zone2Speak for a wide-ranging conversation that drifts from surf breaks to bikepacking trails, and into the heart of creative work. We talk about his upcoming Rwanda feature, the parallels between racing and filmmaking, and how exhaustion and vulnerability can crack us open to new perspectives. From surf sessions and ultra-cycling stories to artistic...

Welcome to another inspiring episode of Zone2Speak. In this episode, we have an engaging conversation with Ayesha McGowan , the first African-American woman to become a professional road cyclist. Ayesha shares her remarkable journey from a college bike commuter in Boston to making history in 2021 as a pioneering cyclist, breaking down barriers and advocating for more diversity in the sport. We exp...

In this episode of Zone2Speak, I’m joined by Charlotte Backus Turner, former pro cyclist, endurance adventurer, and advocate for finding joy and balance on (and off) the bike. Charlotte shares her journey from the intense world of elite racing to rediscovering the freedom of riding without a race number. We dive into navigating identity after stepping away from competition, lessons from global cyc...

Welcome to this captivating episode of Zone2Speak, where I delve into the remarkable journey of Amy Palmiero-Winters, a world-class adaptive athlete who redefined limits. Despite losing her left leg below the knee in a devastating motorcycle accident, Amy emerged resilient, becoming the first amputee to conquer some of the globe's most grueling endurance challenges, including the Marathon des Sabl...

In this episode of Zone2Speak, I sit down with Ian Morgan, ultra runner, coach, and proof that it’s never too late to rewrite your story. Ian didn’t lace up for his first run until his early 40s. Now, he’s racing across Patagonia, the Alps, the Atacama Desert, and beyond, while sharing an honest, unfiltered look at aging, performance, and purpose. We talk about his transformation from burnout to e...

Two weeks. 4,000 km. One unforgettable journey. In this final chapter of our VIA Race coverage, we celebrate the riders who conquered the road from the south of Italy to the Netherlands, and the community that made it more than just a race. From marriage proposals at the finish line to last-minute sprints, from medieval trade routes to modern-day friendships, this is where it all comes together. Y...

It’s the penultimate day of VIA, and Amerongen is buzzing. Gosia Warelich storms into town with a dramatic chase that sees her leapfrog three riders in the final kilometres, this after starting the race with a destroyed rim, battling routing errors, and even fighting off a stomach bug. We relive the finish-line magic: velomobiles, marriage proposals, and surprise reunions. From the De Proloog café...