Making Shift Happen

The holidays can feel like a minefield for athletes trying to balance fitness goals, family time, and food freedom. In this episode of Making Shift Happen, coach Jen Kates breaks down how to navigate holiday eating and training with confidence using the “memories over macros” mindset. Instead of tracking every bite or throwing structure out the window, you’ll learn how to practice mindful eating,...

Just finished a hard training block (like the Rapha Festive 500) and feel completely wrecked? In this episode, Coach Jen breaks down how cyclists should recover after intense training blocks so you can absorb your fitness gains instead of burning out. Whether you’re a gravel cyclist, mountain biker, or endurance athlete stacking big winter miles, this episode covers science-backed recovery strateg...

Struggling to stay motivated in the winter as daylight disappears and winter temperatures drop? You’re not alone. In this episode, Coach Jen dives into the REAL reasons winter zaps cyclist motivation – from circadian rhythm shifts to seasonal mood changes – AND gives you the tools to stay consistent, energized, and strong all winter long. Learn how to fight the winter training slump, build cozy tr...

In this episode, Coach Jen breaks down how to make indoor cycling more enjoyable, more efficient, and way less mentally painful this winter. If you struggle with motivation during indoor trainer rides – whether you’re a mountain biker, gravel cyclist, or roadie – this is your go-to guide for staying consistent without losing your sanity. Learn why indoor training feels harder, how to fix common co...

In this highly practical episode, Coach Jen is breaking down how to make indoor cycling trainer rides suck significantly less this winter. Learn how to reduce friction, create a motivating trainer setup, build smarter (and shorter!) workouts, use power-based intervals effectively, and understand why strength training makes indoor rides dramatically more comfortable. If you’re tired of dreading you...

In this episode of Making Shift Happen, Coach Jen breaks down the REAL off-season training formula that helps mountain bikers and gravel cyclists get fitter without burnout. Learn how to reduce training volume, maintain motivation, build strength, and avoid trainer fatigue, all while setting yourself up for a stronger spring season. What You’ll Learn: Why training less in winter can actually make...

In this interview, Jen shares the mic with her dear friend, Annijke Wade. They dig deep into Annijke’s mission to advocate for others in the mountain biking community. Annijke shares her evolution as a mountain biker over the years, how she’s embraced life as an adaptive cyclist through her strong mindset, and her plans to inspire and elevate others through her mission and work. Representation mat...

Winter is coming… and with it, the temptation to trade your saddle for a couch. In this episode, Coach Jen Kates shares how mountain bikers and gravel cyclists can maintain (and even build) bike fitness through the colder months – without burning-out or losing motivation. Learn how to balance smart strength training, targeted rides, and mindset shifts that help you stay consistent all season long....

Feeling knee pain on the bike (or in life)? You’re not alone, and it doesn’t have to be your norm. In this episode of Making Shift Happen, Jen breaks down why knees hurt (even when your bike fit is fine), why isometric strength training (like wall-sits) is a powerful tool, and how supporting hips and ankles will give your knees the backup they deserve. You’ll learn: Why knee pain shows up for cycl...

If you’ve ever felt that familiar low back pain mid-ride, you’re not alone… but it doesn’t have to be that way. In this episode of Making Shift Happen, Coach Jen breaks down the real reasons your low back hurts on the bike and the proven strength and mobility strategies to fix it, for good. You’ll learn:✅ The top causes of cycling-related low back pain✅ Simple strength moves to build a more resi...

Ever wonder why your legs suddenly feel like molten lava halfway through a long climb? ???? You can thank your lactate threshold for that. In this week’s episode, I’m breaking down lactate threshold training simply, with no science degree required. You’ll learn what it actually is, how to estimate it using simple field tests (even without fancy gear!), and how to use it to train smarter this off-s...

Join me in this episode as I dive into the inspiring journey of Hannah Reese, the visionary founder of Flow Formulas. Discover how Hannah transformed her personal challenges with food allergies into a thriving business that revolutionizes sports nutrition. In this episode, Hannah shares her passion for cycling, the pivotal moments that led to the creation of Flow Formulas, and her commitment to su...

Fall is here, the days are shorter, and your rides might be winding down – but your fitness doesn’t have to! In this episode, I’m talking about why the off-season is the perfect time to start strength training for mountain bikers and gravel cyclists. Here’s what you’ll learn:✨ Why Fall + Winter are prime time for gym gains✨ The biggest myths about strength training for cyclists (and the truth)✨...

Gravel and mountain bike riders – do you ever wonder why your rides may wreck you? This episode is for you. I’m unpacking what happens to your body when you leave smooth roads behind and enter the world of rocks, roots, vibration, and uneven terrain. I dive deep into: Why gravel/singletrack eats up more energy (vibration, rolling resistance, micro-muscle work) What strength & stability you nee...

Bonking isn’t just annoying – it limits your performance, enjoyment, and confidence. Get this right, and you’ll ride stronger, feel faster, and stay powerful late into the ride. Plus: fewer bonk stories, more race-day wins. Episode highlights: WHY bonking happens. Spoiler: it’s not just being tired, it’s literally running out of glycogen (your “gas tank”). The 4-step bonk-proof plan: Fuel Pre-Ride...

Life doesn’t always follow your training plan, and that’s okay. In this episode, I’ll teach you how to pivot your strength and cycling workouts when work, family, or stress throw curveballs. You’ll learn my “3 R Framework” (Reduce, Replace, Reschedule) so you can stay consistent, avoid burnout, and actually build resilience as a busy professional who loves to ride. We’ll cover: Why adaptable train...

You’ve seen HRV pop up on your stats screen. Now, meet your new secret weapon. In this episode, I break down what Heart Rate Variability (HRV) really means, why it’s the ultimate gauge of balance between “fight or flight” and “Netflix & chill,” and how it matters for mountain bikers and gravel cyclists. Learn how HRV trends can reveal overtraining, readiness, or even illness. Hear about a real...

Durability isn’t just about going the distance – it’s about how well you hold up during it. In this episode of Making Shift Happen, I share how cyclists (whether you’re a mountain biker, gravel grinder, or roadie) can build true, long-lasting durability, both mentally and physically. You’ll learn how strength training, proper fueling, sleep, and even mindset work together to keep you riding strong...

Many cyclists obsess over VO₂max, but what if that number isn’t telling the full story? In this episode, I break down what VO₂max actually measures, its limits as a performance predictor, and which metrics (like FTP, lactate threshold, and durability) can matter more for mountain bikers and gravel cyclists. You’ll learn how to structure your training to improve what really counts, and why strength...

What if strength training could actually make you a better—and more durable—mountain biker? In this episode, I chat with Jessie Duppler, a physical therapist and fellow rider from Chain Reaction Physical Therapy in Prescott, AZ. We talk about how strength training improves performance on the bike, how to make it work even if you hate the gym, and what to prioritize if you’re short on time. Whether...

Feeling stuck in the “intermediate” zone with your MTB skills on the trails? Do you want to ride more confidently, tackle tougher features, or maybe (finally!) try racing? This episode is your guide to making BIG gains in your mountain biking skills—without the overwhelm.

Today, I’m talking about protein supplements, amino acids, surgery, and recovering from injury.

Today, we’re diving into something everyone is talking about without even realizing it… but few actually understand: metabolic flexibility . Think of metabolic flexibility as your body’s ability to shift gears efficiently, burning fat when it makes sense, using carbs when it’s time to perform, and doing it all without crashing or constantly needing a snack. If you’ve ever hit a wall in your workou...

Knowing how to fuel for early morning training can help you maintain performance and power on and off the bike and in and out of the gym. It can also help you learn how to recover properly since you aren’t under-fueling before harder training efforts. Give this episode a listen to learn about the 3 things you can focus on when time is crunched in the morning before your bike rides and/or training....

We talk a lot about what to eat before, during, and after your bikes rides… but we don’t talk enough about what NOT to eat before bike rides.