Girls Gone Gravel podcast

Epic Sends with Kate Courtney & Melisa Rollins (Episode 241)

On this episode, Kathryn and Kristi catch up with Melisa Rollins and Kate Courtney from Kate’s house in California where they were based for a training camp. This cycling power duo has teamed up to race Cape Epic this year, an eight-day stage race in South Africa. Kate and Melisa battled it out last year in Leadville at both the three day stage race, which Melisa won by less than 30 seconds over Kate, and the Leadville Trail 100 where Kate took the win and Melisa was second, both finishing in record-breaking time. They discuss how the respect they gained for each other as competitors helped bring them together to create a team for Cape Epic. The team will race under the banner of the She Sends Foundation, Kate’s not-for-profit organization that works to get more girls on bikes. They discuss why it is important as women to be visible on bikes to help inspire the next generation, and how the changes to the women’s race this year may help bring better visibility to the elite women's field. Learn more about the She Sends Foundation at shesendsfoundation.org [http://shesendsfoundation.org] Follow Kate on Instagram @kateplusfate Follow Melisa on Instagram @melisa_rollins Feisty Strength Retreat - Atlanta, April 17-19, 2026: https://feisty.co/events/feisty-strong-retreat-atlanta/ Follow us on Instagram: @feistycycling @feisty_media Girls Gone Gravel Website: https://www.girlsgonegravel.com/ Support our Partners: Get $25 off registration on Desert Gravel with the code GGGDESERT25 at www.desertgravel.com and $50 off registration on Rough Rider Gravel with the code GGGROUGH50 at www.roughridergravel.com Momentous: Use code GIRLSGONEGRAVEL for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com Wahoo: Get the KICKR CORE for $399.99 until March 1st at https://bit.ly/45PZgp4

The State of Women’s Road Cycling in 2026 with Lauren Hall & Kate Veronneau (Episode 240)

On our live episode this week, Kathryn and Kristi get to talk with USA Cycling’s Lauren Hall, and Kate Veronneau who is the Director of Women’s Strategy at Zwift. Lauren and Kate give their take on the state of women’s road cycling leading into the 2026 season and also looking ahead to the 2028 Olympic Games in LA. In this temperature check they chat about the landscape of women’s cycling in the US, how we can grow numbers at start lines, and also how gravel can play a role in that growth. In the last few years we have seen a shift in how women at all levels of cycling are supporting each other, and this starts from the top with the pro women bringing others up with them as well as from the bottom with grass roots support and events. We also get everyone’s take on what and who they are keeping their eye on in women’s cycling this year. Follow Lauren & Kate on Instagram @laurentuckerhall [https://www.instagram.com/laurentuckerhall/] and @kateveronneau [https://www.instagram.com/kateveronneau/] Feisty Strength Retreat - Atlanta, April 17-19, 2026: https://feisty.co/events/feisty-strong-retreat-atlanta/ Follow us on Instagram: @feistycycling @feisty_media Girls Gone Gravel Website: https://www.girlsgonegravel.com/ Support our Partners: Get $25 off registration on Desert Gravel with the code GGGDESERT25 at www.desertgravel.com and $50 off registration on Rough Rider Gravel with the code GGGROUGH50 at www.roughridergravel.com Momentous: Use code GIRLSGONEGRAVEL for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com Wahoo: Get the KICKR CORE for $399.99 until March 1st at https://bit.ly/45PZgp4

Meme-ing Gravel with Holy Spirit of Gravel (Episode 239)

On this episode, Kathryn and Kristi get to chat with the “most famous memer in gravel” who is known widely for her Instagram account Holy Spirit of Gravel. They chat about her perspective of cycling as an “online space” and how she is helping to remind cyclists that the spirit of gravel is still very much alive. We hear how she decided to start up the Instagram account, and also how it has helped her build connections with other women in the gravel space and find a common language to communicate with like-minded people. Follow the account on Instagram and YouTube @holyspiritofgravel [https://www.instagram.com/holyspiritofgravel/] Feisty Strength Retreat - Atlanta, April 17-19, 2026: https://feisty.co/events/feisty-strong-retreat-atlanta/ Follow us on Instagram: @feistycycling @feisty_media Girls Gone Gravel Website: https://www.girlsgonegravel.com/ Support our Partners: Get $25 off registration on Desert Gravel with the code GGGDESERT25 at www.desertgravel.com and $50 off registration on Rough Rider Gravel with the code GGGROUGH50 at www.roughridergravel.com Momentous: Use code GIRLSGONEGRAVEL for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com Wahoo: Get the KICKR CORE for $399.99 until March 1st at https://bit.ly/45PZgp4

The Science of Your Nervous System and How to Respond to Stress, Trauma, and the State of the World - The Feist

In this special episode, your Feisty Women's Performance podcast host Dr. Erin Ayala brings together a group of experts on mental health to talk about the science and psychology of stress and collective trauma. Along with being a sports psychologist & therapist in her own right, Erin also lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota — which has been at the center of the news over the last month since it became the target of the largest immigration enforcement action to date in the U.S. Thousands of federal agents have patrolled the streets and detained residents, and, over this past weekend, shot and killed a second bystander — leading to hundreds of thousands of people protesting in Minneapolis and around the country. In this tense environment, how do we show up as athletes, as members of our community, as our best and healthiest selves? Join Dr. Tess Kilwein, Dr. Quincy Guinadi, and Christine Bright as they discuss how these experiences shape mental health and performance, and how you can respond to stress and trauma — whether you're going through it right now with the news or you're dealing with your challenges. Key Takeaways: • What is collective trauma? Learn how collective trauma impacts communities and individuals, and why this understanding is crucial for athletes and coaches. • Recognize that intentional rest in times of stress can be essential for long-term sustainability. • Know that movement and sport can be powerful tools in community healing. • Get tips on how to navigate the complexities of wanting to help without feeling performative or overwhelmed, and how to effectively engage in difficult conversations without shame or guilt. Don't be perfect. Be brave. Guest Introductions: • Dr. Tess Kilwein: A board-certified clinical, health, and sport psychologist with expertise in mental performance and athlete wellness. • Dr. Quincy Guinadi: A postdoctoral resident specializing in identity, mental health, and the experiences of marginalized communities. • Christine Bright: Lead consultant at the Center for Healing and Justice through Sport, focusing on trauma-informed coaching and community support. Resources Mentioned: • Center for Healing and Justice through Sport [https://chjs.org/] • Nothing Heals like Sport Playbook [https://chjs.org/resources/read-nothing-heals-like-sport-a-new-playbook-for-coaches/] • "What Happened to You" by Dr. Bruce Perry and Oprah [https://www.bdperry.com/] • Beyond Ally by Dr. Maysa Akbar [https://maysaakbar.com/author/] • Find ways to help at standwithminnesota.com [https://www.standwithminnesota.com/]

Evolving Passions with Alison Tetrick (Episode 238)

This week we bring you another live episode with the one and only Alison Tetrick, who was our first podcast guest way back in 2020. Ali is a former world tour pro-turned gravel racer, and winner of events like Unbound 200 and Gravel Worlds. Recently, Ali has taken to the trails in a new form, taking up ultra running as well as ultra distance cycling. She talks about how her passions have evolved over time, and why it has been important to her to chase them in a way that feels true to herself. Ali has also been an integral figure in getting more women to start lines, especially at Unbound, and she describes how that work inspiring and motivating others has actually now become an inspiration to her; highlighting the importance of showing up for each other. Ali will be back at Unbound in 2026 at the start line of the 100 mile race in support of the More Women More Mile initiative. If you’ll be there too and want to ride with Ali listen in for all of the details, then head over to https://feisty.co/more-women-more-miles/ to learn more. Follow Ali on Instagram @amtetrick [https://www.instagram.com/amtetrick/] Sign up for the Girls Gone Gravel newsletter at https://feisty.co/cycling/ Feisty Strength Retreat - Atlanta, April 17-19, 2026: https://feisty.co/events/feisty-strong-retreat-atlanta/ Follow us on Instagram: @feistycycling @feisty_media Girls Gone Gravel Website: https://www.girlsgonegravel.com/ Support our Partners: Get $25 off registration on Desert Gravel with the code GGGDESERT25 at www.desertgravel.com and $50 off registration on Rough Rider Gravel with the code GGGROUGH50 at www.roughridergravel.com Momentous: Use code GIRLSGONEGRAVEL for up to 35% off your first order at livemomentous.com Wahoo: Get the KICKR CORE for $399.99 until March 1st at https://bit.ly/45PZgp4