The Art of Mountain Biking – Details, episodes & analysis

Using your mind to break boundaries requires skills, and Braydon has so many of them.

Braydon Bringhurst joins the podcast to share his journey from competing in sports like BMX and pole vaulting in college to discovering mountain biking and, ultimately, climbing the Whole Enchilada. He discusses overcoming challenges with self-confidence and academics to graduate college, and how working with a sports psychologist helped develop important mental skills that supported his success in sport and life.

Braydon is a husband, father to 3 little girls, and a professional mountain bike rider. His goal is to share his passion for riding and pushing himself to hopefully inspire people to go after their goals.

CONTENT NOTICE: This conversation includes mentions of suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, you can find help at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Visit their website or call/text 988. Please keep going.

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Shoutout to Cary Judd for helping arrange this episode! Thanks for being such a supporter, Cary.

• Braydon's journey from competing in various sports as a youth to discovering mountain biking later in life.

• How working with a sports psychologist helped Braydon develop important mental skills to overcome challenges with self-confidence and academics.

• Braydon's climb of the iconic Whole Enchilada trail in Moab, Utah, which was documented in his film 8600’.

• The mental process and support system he relied on to complete the challenging climb and not give up.

• Using one's talents and skills to help and inspire others, which was Braydon's motivation for undertaking and filming his climb.

8600FT Film

4 intelligences—mental, physical, emotional, spiritual

Dr. Craig Manning at BYU

Corner Canyon trails

Whole Enchilada trail in Moab, UT

The writer Kim Cross

The Law of Occupied Space

Hick’s Law

Danielle mentioned a bunch of different types of research in this one, and paid subscribers will get a deeper dive into this research soon.

Let’s connect!

Please don’t forget to rate, subscribe, and share this if it resonates, and you can DM Danielle now directly on Substack! If you’ve found value in the podcast, consider sending us a tip, here.

Unpacking the transformative insights of adventure psychology. 

Adventure Psychologist Dr. Eric Brymer shares insights from his research on the impact of adventure and the human-nature relationship on health and well-being, as well as effective interventions to promote personal growth and development. As a leading expert on the subject, Dr. Brymer unpacks the transformative effects of adventure psychology and discusses how thrilling pursuits can help individuals find meaning in their lives.

Dr. Eric Brymer is an endorsed sport and exercise psychologist at Southern Cross University in Australia and a chartered psychologist with the British Psychological Society. Eric is interested in the psychology of performance, wellbeing and learning in adventure and nature-based contexts. His research is particularly focused on the impact of adventure and the human-nature relationship on health and wellbeing and the design of effective interventions.

• The impact of adventure and the human-nature relationship on health and well-being.

• Understanding how thrilling pursuits can lead to personal growth, development, and transformation.

• The connection between human nature, meaning, and the desire for adventure.

• Strategies and interventions that harness the benefits of adventure.

• The profound connections between individuals and the natural world.

• Insights on the process of conducting research in the field of adventure psychology.

• How. the findings from adventure psychology research can be applied to improve individuals' well-being and quality of life.

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Ecological psychology, which is a school of psychology that rejects cognitive psychology’s mainstream explanations of perception

Listener Scott’s beautiful message about the moment that was meant for him

Parkour

Why Do You Ride? A Characterization of Mountain Bikers, Their Engagement Methods, and Perceived Links to Mental Health and Well-Being research paper

(I’ve also summarized a few of the findings of that one here.)

Hämeenlinna, Finland

Phenomenology 

Phenomenology and the Extreme Sport Experience by Dr. Eric Brymer and Robert Schweitzer

David Abram’s The Spell of the Sensuous: Perception and Language in a More-Than-Human World

Max van Manen

Phenomenology and Nursing Research by Michael Crotty 

Let’s connect!

Please don’t forget to rate, subscribe, and share this if it resonates, and you can DM Danielle now directly on Substack! If you’ve found value in the podcast, consider sending us a tip, here.

Many of us know that feedback is good for us (if you don't, it is). Here we break down the mechanics of how it works and what often gets in the way. Feedback, flow, performance, growth… they all go hand in hand.

Also, hiiii! We’re back, and we missed you all!

Like the podcast? Send us a tip, here or consider a recurring paid subscription. Your support helps us cover the time and resources it takes to create free long-form content. Also, if you’re in the market for a new bike, consider an Ari (formerly Fezzari) bike, and tell them we sent you.

Moab trail Bull Run and Navajo Rocks and Klondike Bluffs areas.

Please don’t forget to rate, subscribe, and share this if it resonates, and you can DM Danielle now directly on Substack! If you’ve found value in the podcast, consider sending us a tip, here.

If you would like to lend your support and help us navigate this next chapter as this amazing year comes to a close, we’d love it if you’d consider a:

One-time Donation: This would go a long way in sustaining our podcast and allowing us to continue producing valuable content. Name your price. You can send a direct donation via Paypal.

Paid Subscription: By signing up for a paid membership, not only will you be supporting us in a more sustainable manner, but you'll also gain access to ad-free listening.

Additionally, if you’re in it with your year-end holiday shopping, we've got a few ways you can support us indirectly:

Check out Xero Shoes: If you're in the market for new footwear, consider using our link when purchasing Xero Shoes. I wear almost only these. Your purchase through this link will help us earn a commission, without costing you anything extra.

Get a Fezzari Bike: If you're considering a new bike for yourself or someone special, check out Utah’s own Fezzari Bikes. Jamie rides them exclusively, and has for years. They’re awesome. Let them know that The Art of Mountain Biking Podcast sent you.

Once again, our deepest gratitude goes out to you for your continued support throughout the year. With your assistance, we can ensure the longevity of The Art of Mountain Biking Podcast and its ability to positively impact the lives of fellow (and future) enthusiasts.

Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a fantastic year ahead!

Go deeper in the winter to go wider in the summer.

Like the podcast? Send us a tip, here! Paid subscribers enjoy ad-free listening! Subscribe to our Substack here. 

Want some awesome shoes? Try Xero Shoes—they’re rad and Danielle’s new favorites are the Denvers (she still loves the Taris tho), and they have several cold-weather options too. Plus, they’re having a mega sale right now, so…

If you're considering a new bike for yourself or someone special (maybe as a holiday gift?), check out Fezzari Bikes. Jamie rides them exclusively, and has for years. They’re awesome. They offer financing options. Let them know that The Art of Mountain Biking Podcast sent you.

Liam Johnston, who did our cover art and is also doing the art for Danielle’s forthcoming newsletter, It’s Nuanced. He’s great.

The King’s Peak, Fezzari’s fat bike

Seasonality of human sleep: Polysomnographic data of a neuropsychiatric sleep clinic, published in the journal Frontiers of Neuroscience

“The Year of No Grudges” by poet Andrea Gibson

AOMTB Episode 38: Adventure and Mental Health with Cary Judd

The Gaia yoga app, which Jamie uses. Danielle uses Alo Moves. Also, if you live in Salt Lake County, our in-person studios are Rocksteady Bodyworks and Mountain Yoga Sandy. None of these businesses pay us—we just genuinely like them. If you see us there, say hi.

Sender Ramps

Lastly, Jamie recently had a birthday. Let’s send her some love!

Please don’t forget to rate, subscribe, and share this if it resonates! If you’ve found value in the podcast, consider sending us a donation or becoming a paid subscriber to help keep the lights on!

Traction is an underlying factor to many experiences on the mountain bike. Understanding this concept will help keep you safe and make you fast. 

Like the podcast? Send us a tip, here! Want some awesome shoes? Try Xero Shoes—they’re rad and Danielle wears the Taris every day of her life.

Also, Fezzari Bicycles is offering special financing during their huge Black Friday sale, happening now! You can get the Delano Peak for up to $1100 off and the La Sal Peak for up to $1500 off, and there’s deals on others as well. Make sure to tell them we sent you!

Paid subscribers enjoy ad-free listening! Subscribe at theartofmountainbiking.com. 

Lake Blanche hiking trail

Canyon Hollow - Rush - Limelight route in Corner Canyon, UT

9k trail

Our Fast is Fun episode with Rhianon Gelsomino

Please don’t forget to rate, subscribe, and share this if it resonates! If you’ve found value in the podcast, consider sending us a tip, here!

Sometimes, the risk of NOT going is higher than the risk of going.

CONTENT NOTICE: This conversation includes depictions of suicide and suicidal ideation. If you or someone you know is struggling, you can find help at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Visit their website or call/text 988. Please keep going.

Cary Judd is a documentarian, photographer, and adventurist. The film 828, directed by Drew Garcia, follows Cary as he attempts to ride the Iceland Ring Road on an e-skateboard.

Like the podcast? Send us a tip, here! Want some awesome shoes? Try Xero Shoes—they’re rad and Danielle wears the Taris every day of her life.

Paid subscribers enjoy ad-free listening! Subscribe at https://www.theartofmountainbiking.com/.

The film 828. You can find it on Instagram (@828documentary), Facebook, and Amazon Prime.

Dr. Gabor Mate

Book a lesson with SimplyMTB or work with Danielle’s project-based growth model at You Need a Thing. Please don’t forget to rate, subscribe, and share this if it resonates! If you’ve found value in the podcast, consider sending us a tip, here!

If you've ever been on a mountain bike in nature, you get it.

Like the podcast? Send us a tip, here! Want some awesome shoes? Try Xero Shoes—they’re rad and Danielle wears the Taris every day of her life.

Ad-free listening available to paid Substack subscribers. 

Danielle’s essay “On Hummingbirds” (which is NOT the title that made it to press)

The Science of Awe white paper

Transcend: The New Science of Self-Actualization by Scott Barry Kaufman

The poet Andrea Gibson (this one is a fav)

Danielle’s forthcoming newsletter It’s Nuanced

Book a lesson with SimplyMTB or work with Danielle’s project-based growth model at You Need a Thing. Please don’t forget to rate, subscribe, and share this if it resonates! If you’ve found value in the podcast, consider sending us a tip, here!

Speed isn't found, it's built. 

Rhianon Gelsomino is a professional Rally Co-Driver who has co-driven full time with Travis Pastrana and currently co-drives for Lia Block. Simply put, she knows a thing or two about speed and talks all about it in this episode.

Rhianon’s documentary on YouTube

Check out Rhianon’s instagram and Facebook

Brandon Semenuk

Red Bull Rampage

Travis Pastrana

Ken and Lia Block

Let’s connect!

Book a lesson with SimplyMTB or work with Danielle’s project-based growth model at You Need a Thing. Please don’t forget to rate, subscribe, and share this if it resonates! If you’ve found value in the podcast, consider sending us a tip, here!

Jamie's working title was "What If It Were Easy?" Tomayto tomahto. 

In case you missed it, we’ve moved to Tuesdays!

Like the podcast? Send us a tip, here! Want some awesome shoes? Try Xero Shoes—they’re rad and Danielle wears the Taris every day of her life.

The National Parks Service’s instagram account (it’s a good follow)

The trails Mormon Pioneer, Green Pond, and Brim Trail

The book Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Peter Attia talks about Zone 2 cardio.

Our Fall Better and Active and Passive Pressure episodes

Harvard SHINE research on caring work environments

Research from Harvard’s Human Flourishing Program on religious communities

Study linking life expectancy and marriage

The Harvard Study of Adult Development - this one wasn’t referenced directly, but it informed some of what Danielle mentioned. It’s fascinating and has been running since 1938!

Book a lesson with SimplyMTB or work with Danielle’s project-based growth model at You Need a Thing. Please don’t forget to rate, subscribe, and share this if it resonates! If you’ve found value in the podcast, consider sending us a tip, here!