Uphill Athlete Podcast

The Uphill Athlete podcast returns with host Alyssa Clark and UA coach Alexa Hasman discussing reframing failure as a learning opportunity rather than a negative outcome. They emphasize the value of compassion and growth through their shared personal experiences with DNFs (Did Not Finish. They highlight factors like internal pressure, safety concerns, and lack of enjoyment. They stress the importa...

Voice of the Mountains host Steve House welcomes renowned climber Conrad Anker on to the podcast. They discuss Conrad's journey in mountaineering, his philosophy, and his leadership within the climbing community. They reflect on lessons learned in their own early climbing experiences, noting how climbing became a way to understand themselves and build resilience. Conrad emphasizes the motivations...

The Uphill Athlete podcast welcomes mountain athlete, ultra runner and Uphill Athlete ambassador Gabe Joyes for a discussion with host Alyssa Clark. Gabe and Alyssa discuss his journey from being a backpacker to transitioning into competitive trail and stage racing, including his recent third place finish in the Dragon's Back Race in Wales. They break down his training approach, gear choices, chal...

In this episode, host Alyssa Clark and RD Alyssa Leib discuss the role of fat oxidation, fasted training, and Low Carb High Fat (LCHF) diets in endurance training. They explain that fat oxidation, or the body’s use of fat as fuel, is crucial for ultra-endurance athletes. But, aerobic training will improve fat oxidation rather than strict low-carb diets or fasting. They also dive in to how fasted t...

Most of us will never reach the pinnacle of our most passionate pursuit, no matter how driven we are. Our guest today has, through dedication, creativity and ingenuity, reached the pinnacle of three of his passions. Beginning with a unique journey to discover climbing and skiing, then the discovery of an interest in photography, which finally led to becoming a premiere feature and documentary film...

In the latest episode of the Uphill Athlete podcast, Chantelle and Alyssa break down the ins and outs of coaching. They discuss how and why you might need a coach, what to expect, how to get the most out of your experience and much more. They talk about why coaching is the best way to learn about yourself and prepare in the most specific way for your objective. It also helps ensure your training l...

Cory Richards returns to the Uphill Athlete podcast for an in-depth conversation with Steve. The two discuss Cory’s book, The Color of Everything currently available by book or audiobook. The memoir delves into Cory's life from childhood to his career as a photographer, climber, mental health advocate among many other pieces of his identity. Steve and Cory discuss the book’s exploration of various...

On the latest episode of Voice of the Mountains, Steve is joined by one of the most accomplished young climbers on the planet, Sasha DiGiulian. Sasha fell in love with the sport at her older brother's birthday party at a climbing gym when she was six years old. Within a year, she was competing and by the time she graduated from high school, she was red, pointing 5.14. She continued climbing while...

In the latest Uphill Athlete episode, Alyssa and Chantelle discuss the most commonly asked questions from Uphill Athletes. The topic of their discussion revolves around training zones, what they are, how to use them, and how to set them up for your training. They break down the procedures of establishing aerobic and anaerobic thresholds and why you might need training zones. Lastly, they touch on...

Steve welcomes long time climbing partner, extremely accomplished mountain athlete, IFMGA guide, Piolet d‘Or winner, owner of Skyward mountaineering, dad, and husband, Vince Anderson, to the podcast. They discuss their groundbreaking ascent of the Rupal face on Nanga Parbat in 2005 and work to find meaning and understanding of the origin of thoughts, feelings, and motivations in the mountains. The...

On this episode of the Uphill Athlete podcast, book club edition, Steve dives into the minds of today's most inspiring authors and helps listeners to learn from the mountain world's most important thought leaders. In this book club episode, Steve welcomes Luis Benitez to the podcast to discuss his new book, Higher Ground. Luis is a mountain guide, government worker, executive leadership developmen...

The Uphill Athlete podcast returns with a special episode discussing the newest training plans release, the Uphill Athlete Skyrunning plan. Alyssa welcomes mountain athlete and influencer Lukas Mann to the podcast to discuss his experiences working with Alyssa as she developed the skyrunning plan around his training for the Minotaur Skyrace. The two discuss Lukas’ background in mountain sports and...

In the latest episode of Voice of the Mountains, Steve welcomes an icon of mountain sports and artistic genius. Cory Richards went from homeless kid to Nat Geo Adventurer of the Year. From depression and bi-polar diagnoses to one of the best spokesmen and advocates for mental health, particularly men’s mental health. Cory and Steve discuss difficult transitions, how certain beliefs, such as how a...

On the third episode of Voice of the Mountains, Steve welcomes the pioneering climber Lydia Brady, who created a life of climbing through windows when the doors were slammed. She became the first female climber to summit Everest without oxygen in 1988 along with many first ascents worldwide. From big walls, to alpine climbs, Lydia has made her mark on the climbing world as a leader in her own clim...

The Uphill Athlete podcast is back to answer your questions on all things altitude. Director of Coaching, Chantelle Robitaille and host Alyssa answer a range of questions from altitude and Vertical Kilometer races, coming from sea level to race at altitude, and the benefits and challenges of using a hypoxic tent vs mask. They also touch on the effects of altitude on men vs women as well as conside...

In the latest episode of the Uphill Athlete Podcast season on altitude, Alyssa welcomes IFMGA guide and Uphill Athlete coach, Jerome Sullivan, on to the podcast. Jerome has spent significant time climbing technical objectives in high to extreme altitudes and has found much success in being awarded a Piolets d’Or in 2016. Jerome and Alyssa discuss the risks and challenges of not only existing, but...

Voices of the Mountains welcomes all-round action hero Will Gadd who is legendary in the climbing world. Year after year, Will has continually pushed the boundaries of ice and mixed climbing. He leaned into competition climbing and with other visionaries like Jeff Lowe, pushed mixed climbing forward. Will is a veteran of mountain sports, and not only does he continue to seek new adventures but he...

In the second episode of our Acclimatization Strategies, Martin and Alyssa discuss high and extreme altitude acclimatization protocols. They break down different approaches for mountains like Denali and Everest and what it takes to prepare for the extreme altitudes. They discuss the various protocols from the traditional acclimatization of spending weeks to a month of moving up and down the mounta...

In the first episode of a two-part podcast, Alyssa and coach Martin Zhor, dive into an overview of acclimatization strategies, with particular focus on moderate to high altitudes. They break down how and why the body adjusts to altitude with specific responses and the short and long-term effects. They also discuss training and racing strategies to manage the effects of altitude within recreational...

We are thrilled to release the first episode of our new series, Voice of the Mountains. Hosted by legendary climber Steve House, the first episode welcomes Barry Blanchard. He hardly needs an introduction, but Barry is an Alpinist, a mountain guide, a father, a mentor and a dear friend to many. Barry and Steve explore the connection of Barry’s childhood and his foundation and desire to be a mounta...

In the latest episode of the Uphill Athlete podcast, Alyssa and Steve welcome AMGA guide Bill Allen, to discuss guiding practices and client preparation at altitude. They provide recommendations for clients concerned about altitude, how a guide assists and assess’ clients at high altitudes and how guides keep themselves safe on the mountain. They continue with common mistakes they see from clients...

In the newest episode of the Uphill Athlete podcast, Director of Coaching, Chantelle Robitaille and Director of Memberships Alexa Hasman, join Alyssa to discuss mental training tips in the preparation phase for big mountain expeditions or races in altitude. The three break down the unique mental challenges athletes face at altitude as well as sound principles of mental training recommended for saf...

In the second episode of the Uphill Athlete podcast altitude series, Alyssa welcomes Registered Dietician, Alyssa Leib, to discuss nutrition considerations at altitude. The two run through nutritional needs at different altitudes and recommended practices for training. They also discuss how to navigate eating on expeditions in foreign countries and the challenges athletes may face with travel and...

The Uphill Athlete podcast returns with a new educational series dedicated to altitude and endurance athletes. In this multi-episode season, they begin with an introduction to altitude with guests Chantelle Robitaille and Martin Zhor who have extensive background in altitude education and application. Alyssa, Chantelle and Martin define the different altitude zones as well as give a general overvi...

Steve House welcomes guest Guy Cotter to the Uphill Athlete podcast in the latest episode. Guy is a New Zealand based IMGA guide, the owner of Adventure Consultants guiding company and has multiple Everest and other 8000m peak summits. Steve and Guy begin the conversation around Guy’s foundations as a mountain athlete and his newly released book, Everest Mountain Guide . The two continue with a di...