Roxy's Ride & Inspire RAWcast - Mountain Bike & Mindset Podcast

Do you ever finish a day feeling mentally exhausted... even though it doesn't feel like you've actually  done  that much? A few weeks ago, I disappeared for two weeks. No Instagram. No YouTube. No comments, emails, or analytics. Ironically, it wasn't the holiday we'd planned. Berni came down with COVID the day before we left, so instead of traveling, we spent most of our time at home. Looking back...

Starting with a simple mountain biking example ("I'm bad at left corners") the conversation expands into a much deeper discussion about ADHD, fear, confidence, labels, self-concept, and why what comes after the words "I am" may shape your future more than you realize. Sometimes the biggest breakthroughs begin when we stop saying "This is who I am" and start saying "This is what I'm learning." Beca...

What if the biggest thing holding you back is a belief you've never questioned? In this special interview (part 2 of 3) with bestselling author Nir Eyal (Hooked, Indistractable, Beyond Belief), we move from understanding beliefs to learning how to change them. Many of us can recognize limiting beliefs: "I'm too old." "I'm not good at this." "I don't have time." "I'll never get better." But once yo...

What if one of the strongest predictors of how long you live isn't your diet, fitness routine, or supplements... but your beliefs about aging? In this special interview (part 1 of 3) with bestselling author Nir Eyal (Hooked, Indistractable, Beyond Belief), we explore the surprising science behind beliefs and how they shape what we see, feel, and ultimately do. Many riders over 35 tell themselves:...

Which pedals actually improve your mountain biking skills faster: flat pedals or clipless (clip-in) pedals? In this episode we break down the science behind flat pedals vs. clipless pedals, not from a tribal “this is better” perspective, but through the lens of neuroscience, motor learning and coordination training. If you want to develop better long-term coordination, balance, timing, pressure co...

You want to improve your skills so you start to practice. You think about your body position, your braking or your timing… and suddenly everything falls apart. 😬 This is where many riders come to the same conclusion: “Thinking is the problem. I should just ride naturally.” But that’s exactly what keeps them stuck. In this episode, we break down what’s actually happening in your brain when you swi...

You're out on your MTB and mess up.  😣  Instantly your mind goes: “Why do I always do this?” OR “I should be better by now.” Do you recognise yourself here? Then this episode is for you!  Because THAT is a self-criticism loop that is NOT helping you improve - in fact, it's keeping you stuck. It's quietly training your brain to feel more fear, more tension, and less control every time you practice...

Most riders think skills training is about technique. But what if it’s actually one of the most powerful tools to reduce fear, improve focus, and build real confidence — on and off the bike? In this episode, I break down 5 mental benefits of mountain bike skills training that most riders completely overlook. We’re talking about: why fear on the bike is a prediction problem, not a personality flaw...

Most riders think skills training is about riding harder trails or going faster. But what if it’s actually one of the most powerful tools to improve your brain, reduce stress, and stay physically capable as you get older? In this episode, I break down 5 surprising benefits of mountain bike skills training, especially for riders over 35. If you’ve ever felt stuck, tense, or like your riding isn’t i...

Mountain biking can rewire your brain for deep confidence and self-trust. But if you’re not careful, it can also train self-doubt, fear, and destructive thought patterns. In this episode, I break down the neuroscience behind both. You’ll learn how real confidence is built through motor learning, awareness, and measurable progress — and why many riders unknowingly train the opposite of what they wa...

If you're fed up with men telling women that they're just making excuses, or you think “women just need to try harder”… you’re exactly why this episode exists. 🤓 It is based on physics, physiology, bike geometry and hormones : it's a clear explanation of why the same trail and the same skill can cost women more. If you'd like to see some great examples of mansplaining, then just check the comment...

Why do MTB skills feel amazing right after a clinic… and then “disappear”? In this episode, I break down what’s really happening inside your brain (neuroscience-based, no fluff, in simple terms) when you learn mountain bike skills: Why your brain deletes new MTB skills (unless you do this) The real reason skills fade: you’re stuck in Stage 1 of neuroplasticity  Why confidence isn’t magic, it’s act...

Riding alone can feel surprisingly hard, especially for MTB beginners, often more so for women, but sometimes even for experienced mountain bikers. Fear, lack of focus, and constant “what if” thoughts often have a lot to do with how the brain reacts when we lose external support. This episode is especially helpful if you want practical, science-based confidence strategies.  In this episode, we bre...

In today’s episode, we dig into one of the most powerful (and most misunderstood) features of the human brain: your built in negativity bias.  You'll learn: why your brain holds onto negative experiences why “reality” is filtered, not objective how the Reticular Activating System (RAS) decides what you notice and how mountain biking is a surprisingly effective tool for retraining your attention If...

We dive into what’s actually happening in peri- and postmenopause (hormonally, neurologically, and physically) and how those changes show up on the bike. From fear on technical trails, to fatigue, difficulties concentrating, to the “hit by a truck” recovery days… none of this is random. This episode is science-based and NOT only for women 🤓 You’ll learn: to understand women deeper and why the tra...

In today’s episode, we dive into something unexpectedly powerful: how a simple, honest video about positivity received 968 positive comments across 4 platforms and just A SINGLE negative comment, and what this reveals about human connection, the social media algorithm, and your brain’s built-in negativity bias. This episode is both personal and deeply science-based.  You’ll hear why authentic hone...

Why perfectionism slows progress, what’s really happening in your brain and body, and how to break the loop — on and off your mountain bike. In this episode, I dive into one of the biggest hidden blockers in adult MTB learning:  perfectionism . If you’ve ever caught yourself thinking, “I should be better by now,” or you get frustrated when a skill doesn’t click instantly — this episode is for you....

Struggling with fear on technical MTB trails? I certainly did! In this episode, I share my personal story of trying the “just ride scarier trails” method - whether it works for overcoming fear mountain biking, and how I finally built confidence on steeps, rocks and technical trails that once intimidated me.  You'll learn why fear doesn’t actually vanish through random exposure, how your adult brai...

Last week I had the honor of giving a keynote speech at the IMBA Europe Summit in Boltaña, in the heart of the Pyrenees in Spain (a GORGEOUS riding area). In this episode, I share my biggest takeaways, how new research shows E-MTBs change riding behavior and keep more people riding longer, and why mountain biking is much more than just “send-it” culture. From inspiring projects in Nepal, Bhutan, a...

In this episode, I’m sharing raw reflections from my current coaching tour across Italy, Germany, and Austria - where I've already worked with over 400 mountain bikers in just a few weeks. You’ll hear stories that fuel my passion: like Raymond, who started riding at 75 and now (at 77!!) navigates trails with more control than many half his age. Or Sarah, whose confidence on and off the bike has tr...

Are you a mountain biker (man or woman) over 40 who's interested in finding out how to adapt to your hormonal changes? In this episode, we dive into what really changes after 40 and how to adapt your training, recovery, and nutrition to ride stronger, and with more confidence. Whether you're dealing with slower recovery, declining energy, mood swings, or just want to future-proof your riding, this...

Don’t feed the trolls — let them FUEL you. 🔥 In this episode, I share my  5-step protocol for transforming verbal bullying into mental strength . You’ll learn how to: - Take hate less personally - Understand the psychology of bullies and “anger talk” - Respond with integrity and a growth mindset - Use neuroscience to understand why hate can hurt — and why it doesn't have to - Build resilience lik...

Whether you're struggling with steep trails, feeling stuck in your skills, or just want to train smarter, this episode offers fresh insights from the world of elite music performance — applied directly to mountain biking. In this powerful conversation, Roxy talks with Noa Kageyama, performance psychologist and creator of The Bulletproof Musician, about the fascinating overlap between music and mou...

Can mountain biking help you recover from burnout - or could it secretly be making overwhelm and exhaustion worse? In this episode, we touch on the neuroscience of burnout and boreout, proven ways to rebuild skills, inner stability, and joy on the bike and how burnout impacts your nervous system, decision-making, and overall well-being. As a full-time mountain bike coach and certified mental train...

Have you ever invested time and money into mountain biking skills clinics, only to find yourself facing the same challenges on the trails weeks later? I've certainly been there! In this episode, we delve into why a certain way of training falls short in delivering lasting improvements, the cause for overthinking on trails and we'll explore the principles of motor learning and what kind of skills t...