The Mind Mountain Podcast

In this episode of The Mind Mountain Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Kath Bicknell, a cognitive researcher, mountain biker, and founder of Intelligent Action. Kath completed a PhD investigating the lived experience of mountain biking, combining academic research with decades of riding, racing, coaching, and working alongside world-class researchers and riders.  Together, we explore how our brains pro...

In this episode, I sit down with Lewis Brindley, founder of Adventure Fuel, a professional bike guide with Adventure South NZ, and a New Zealand mountain biking expert. Originally from the UK, Lewis shares how a rough first ride in Queenstown sparked a lifelong passion for mountain biking that would eventually take him around the world. From seasons in Whistler and Morzine to riding the length of...

In this episode, Jake sits down with Cait Leavitt, a registered clinical counsellor, certified mental performance consultant, mountain biker, and founder of Mind With Matter, for a deep conversation on the connection between mental health, performance, injury recovery, and self-awareness in mountain biking. Cait shares how a serious accident and years of persistent concussion symptoms reshaped her...

In this episode of the Mind Mountain Podcast, Jake sits down with John Casson. Director of Education at the Professional Mountain Bike Instructor Association (PMBIA), to explore how a more human-centered approach to coaching helps riders build confidence and keep progressing. John shares how he got into mountain biking in the late 1980s, reflects on how the sport has changed—especially access, cos...

In this episode, I sit down with Rich McLennan, one of the leaders behind the SportSense remote coaching app and host of the SportSense Podcast. We dive into the mental side of mountain biking - using cues, commitment, rhythm, and internalized feeling to perform in high-stakes gravity sports. Rich shares stories from a ski trip in Japan and reflects on lessons from his decade on Canada’s speed ska...

In this episode, I’m joined by Matt Lowell - mountain bike operations specialist, global guide with H+I Adventures, and a longtime friend from our days coaching together on Vancouver’s North Shore   Since leaving BC and intentionally “moving to” (not back to ) Scotland, Matt has stepped into a new chapter - helping shape world-class mountain bike experiences across the globe while building a life...

On today’s episode of podcast, I sit down with Joaquin Madrid - operations manager and lead guide at RideHub in Squamish, BC. Originally from Santiago, Chile, Joaquin’s journey into mountain biking started at 16 with sketchy city trails, downhill racing, and plenty of crashes. After stepping away from the sport, diving deep into rock climbing, and eventually rediscovering bikes through guiding and...

In this episode, I sit down with Ross Dunlop, a Scottish-born mountain bike and snowboard coach who’s spent the last 20 years in Whistler and co-founded the SportsSense app. We dive into the mental side of riding - hesitation, commitment, reading terrain, and staying strong when things get tough. Ross shares his journey from Scotland to Canada, from snowboarding instruction to year-round coaching,...

I switched seats recently and was interviewed by Rich from the Sportsense podcast. Enjoy!  ------ Jake Johnstone is the founder of The Mind Mountain and a premier MTB coach based in Squamish, BC.  Jake has carved out a unique niche by bridging the gap between technical skill and high-performance psychology. Having successfully transitioned from seasonal coaching to year-round programming, he serve...

Welcome back to a brand new season of The Mind Mountain Podcast! In this episode, we dive deep into the mental performance side of mountain biking with our guest, Ollie Hooper.  Ollie, originally from Bristol, UK, now lives in Canada, where he is a director, part-owner, mountain bike coach and guide at RideHub in Squamish.  He shares his journey of moving to Canada to chase his mountain biking dre...

In this special episode of The Mind Mountain Podcast, recorded at the Maydena Bike Park on the final days of our Tasmania Mountain Bike Expedition, Jake sits down with Mark and Brendan from Tailored Trails to dive into all things riding bikes in Tasmania. You’ll also hear from a few of our amazing expedition guests who share their favourite trails, key takeaways, and standout moments from the expe...

In this wrap-up episode, we celebrate the challenging and enlightening journey of the Facing Fear: Zero to Backflip project.  Reflecting on the progress from Episode 8, we discuss the highs and lows, including a significant injury that turned into a valuable learning experience. Join me and coach Mike Sousa as we delve into the importance of seeing the broader perspective, the courage to face big...

In this episode of the Mind Mountain Podcast, we chat with the tallented Emmy Lan. Emmy, a national titleholder with impressive elite race results, shares her journey in mountain biking. We explore how she maintains fun and light-heartedness during back-to-back races, the importance of internal focus over external comparisons, and balancing life with racing. This episode uncovers Emmy’s mental str...

In this episode of the Mind Mountain Podcast , I sit down once again with my good friend Michael Sousa  - a seasoned coach, guide, and freeride mentor from Whistler, BC. With nearly two decades of experience on the steeps and jumps of the Sea to Sky, Mike shares what it’s like coaching everything from first-time riders to up-and-coming mtb professionals. We dive deep into the psychology of progres...

In this episode, we sit down with Alex Cairns , a former Paralympian sit-skier who’s now carving his own path in adaptive mountain biking. From technical climbs to Squamish’s iconic slabs, Alex shares how his approach to sport is rooted in calculation and control rather than reckless abandon. We explore his journey from ski racing to MTB, the nuances of adaptive trail design, and how mindset plays...

In Episode 48 of Grit with Wisdom , we’re diving headfirst into the mental and practical side of managing risk in mountain bike racing. Jake is joined by two special guests: Dylan Smith, organizer of the iconic Squamish Enduro , and Matthew Smith, a medical risk expert from Canadian Outdoor Medical Consulting. We cover everything from choosing the right course for your skill level to situational a...

Today on the podcast, I got to hang out with Dr. Ryan Darcy to dive into the intersection where neuroscience meets mountain biking. Ryan’s a neuroscientist, president of NeuroCatch, and—like the rest of us—a stoked mountain biker. We chatted about everything from the science behind flow states, personal anecdotes from Ryan's riding experiences, and actionable advice on concussion protocols an...

In this episode of Grit With Wisdom, I sit down with Alex Chapellier , a mountain biker, mechanic, photographer, and videographer. Alex shares his journey from growing up in France, where he was captivated by any two wheels, to living his mountain biking dreams in British Columbia, Canada. He talks extensively about his passion for mountain biking, the importance of mental performance, and how he...

We had the incredible opportunity to spend the week at the 2024 Crankworx Mountain Bike Festival in Whistler, where we mingled with some of the world’s top riders! Tune in for an insider's view into the lives of MTB athletes, pushing their limits at the highest level. In episode 2, we caught up with an insightful bunch of riders in the village and on the course during the Adaptive DH, Garbanz...

We were lucky enough to spend the week in Whistler at the 2024 Crankworx Mountain Bike Festival, where we connected with some of the best riders in the world! Take a listen to get a peak into the world of mtb athletes, performing at the highest level. In this episode, we caught up with as many riders as we could in the pits of the RockShox Canadian Open DH, on the Stevie Smith Memorial, 1199 DH tr...

Join us today for an insightful episode featuring Ian Lowe, the Executive Director of the Squamish Off Road Cycling Association (SORCA), which recently celebrated its 32nd year. For over 20 years, Ian has personally been a driving force in the mountain biking community, bringing his extensive background in leadership, management, and community volunteering to the forefront. Ian's passion for...

We're back for a brand new season of the podcast, and to celebrate our 3rd year, we have an extra special guest. Today, I sit down with Squamish local legend, Greg Day. Greg has a rich history in mountain biking, starting with racing XC and going on to compete in hundreds of races, becoming the Overall Champion of the BC Bike Race three times. As a former school teacher and competitive skier,...

On today's episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Ciaran King, an elite Downhill Mountain Biker turned Certified High-Performance coach. Ciaran's journey has been marked by challenges, including significant injuries and confidence battles. Yet, he's transformed these obstacles into sources of motivation. Now, he's committed to passing on his hard-earned insights to th...

In this episode, I catch up with Louise-Anna Ferguson, better known as Lou,  Originally from Fort William, Scotland, Lou now calls Queenstown, New Zealand, her home, where she's immersed in the thriving mountain biking scene. Lou's approach to the sport is all about letting her riding skills do the talking. Her passion for uplifting everyone in the community shines through, whether she&a...

In this episode, we caught up with Natasha Bradley, an English rider making waves in Queenstown, New Zealand.  Natasha is a standout multidisciplinary rider known for her infectious enthusiasm and versatility across BMX, Enduro, Freeride, and DH racing. A true force to be reckoned with, she secured the 'true blue' award at the Dark Horse Women’s freeride event last year, and more recentl...