The Mind Mountain Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

I switched seats recently and was interviewed by Rich from the Sportsense podcast. Enjoy! 

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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 serves as a best-in-class case study for the future of the coaching industry.

Expect to learn why facing your fears - like the journey from zero to backflip - is a non-negotiable for becoming a better coach, the strategic pivots Jake made to transform a seasonal business into a year-round high-performance program, and how cultural differences across the globe dictate the way we process risk. We dive into the "full-circle" philosophy of integrating technical skill with high-performance psychology, the mental performance tools required to manage anxiety on high-risk features, and his prediction on why the future of coaching must embrace a technological evolution to survive.

Check out the Sportsense Coaching App here.

___________________________

FREE Mental About MTB Community with direct access to me 👇
themindmountain.com/mental-about-mtb-application

Want to work with me?

Join us on a Global MTB Expedition👇
themindmountain.com/globalmountainbikecoaching

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗴𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 Full Circle MTB Mentorship 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗵👇
themindmountain.com/squamish-coaching-package

___________________________

THE MIND MOUNTAIN
themindmountain.com
Instagram @the_mind_mountain
Facebook @themindmountain
YouTube @the_mind_mountian



DISCLAIMER: The opinions, thoughts, and views in the content created by The Mind Mountain, the Grit With Wisdom Podcast, and Jake Johnstone, including the guests they interview, are solely their own and do not reflect the official policy or position of any other organization, person, or company mentioned or featured in the podcast. ...

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 dreams, his experience in racing, and how he transitioned into coaching. Ollie also discusses his mindset strategies for dealing with fear and doubt, the importance of community, and the process of running a bustling bike shop. 

We also introduce an exciting new collaboration - the BC Mountain Bike Expedition, which is aimed at providing riders with a comprehensive, guided, and coached experience through some of the best riding zones in BC.


00:00 Introduction to the Mind Mountain Podcast
00:16 Meet Ollie Hooper: From Bristol to Canada
02:19 Ollie's Early Days in Mountain Biking
06:02 Building a Community and Chasing Dreams
07:04 The Canadian Adventure Begins
12:17 Mental Strategies for Overcoming Fear
18:12 Balancing Risk and Progression
24:20 Racing Insights and Managing Nerves
31:28 Finding the Flow in Riding
33:05 The Joy of Coaching
36:54 Joining RideHub: A Journey
41:29 Day-to-Day at RideHub
45:27 Exciting New Expeditions
50:05 Memorable Rides and Adventures
57:09 Building a Riding Community
59:51 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

___________________________

FREE Mental About MTB Community with direct access to me 👇
themindmountain.com/mental-about-mtb-application

Want to work with me?

Join us on a Global MTB Expedition👇
themindmountain.com/globalmountainbikecoaching

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗴𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 Full Circle MTB Mentorship 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗵👇
themindmountain.com/squamish-coaching-package

___________________________

THE MIND MOUNTAIN
themindmountain.com
Instagram @the_mind_mountain
Facebook @themindmountain
YouTube @the_mind_mountian



DISCLAIMER: The opinions, thoughts, and views in the content created by The Mind Mountain, the Grit With Wisdom Podcast, and Jake Johnstone, including the guests they interview, are solely their own and do not reflect the official policy or position of any other organization, person, or company mentioned or featured in the podcast. ...

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, Garbanzo DH, and Red Bull Joyride events.

A big shout out to @vinceh03_ and @grooverinvancouver for filming the action! 


Riders Featured: 

• Jayden Glentworth
• Amanda Timm
• Alex Cairns
• Aaron Gwin
• Emmy Lan
• Casey Brown
• Brett Tippie
• Jack Pelland
• Georgia Astle

___________________________

FREE Mental About MTB Community with direct access to me 👇
themindmountain.com/mental-about-mtb-application

Want to work with me?

Join us on a Global MTB Expedition👇
themindmountain.com/globalmountainbikecoaching

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗴𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 Full Circle MTB Mentorship 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗵👇
themindmountain.com/squamish-coaching-package

___________________________

THE MIND MOUNTAIN
themindmountain.com
Instagram @the_mind_mountain
Facebook @themindmountain
YouTube @the_mind_mountian



DISCLAIMER: The opinions, thoughts, and views in the content created by The Mind Mountain, the Grit With Wisdom Podcast, and Jake Johnstone, including the guests they interview, are solely their own and do not reflect the official policy or position of any other organization, person, or company mentioned or featured in the podcast. ...

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 track.

Keep an eye out for episode 2 dropping next week, with interviews spanning riders and events from across the board.



A big shout out to @vinceh03_ for filming the action! 

___________________________

FREE Mental About MTB Community with direct access to me 👇
themindmountain.com/mental-about-mtb-application

Want to work with me?

Join us on a Global MTB Expedition👇
themindmountain.com/globalmountainbikecoaching

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗴𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 Full Circle MTB Mentorship 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗵👇
themindmountain.com/squamish-coaching-package

___________________________

THE MIND MOUNTAIN
themindmountain.com
Instagram @the_mind_mountain
Facebook @themindmountain
YouTube @the_mind_mountian



DISCLAIMER: The opinions, thoughts, and views in the content created by The Mind Mountain, the Grit With Wisdom Podcast, and Jake Johnstone, including the guests they interview, are solely their own and do not reflect the official policy or position of any other organization, person, or company mentioned or featured in the podcast. ...

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 mountain biking and his vibrant community spirit have made him a well-known figure, known for his creative race costumes and commitment to making racing inclusive and fun. In this episode, we delve into Ian's journey into mountain biking, exploring some of his challenges and triumphs along the way.

We also discuss:

• Navigating the challenges and injuries associated with mountain biking
• Mental tricks for big days in the saddle
• The development of SORCA and its impact on the local mountain biking community over the past 32 years
• Advocacy and collaboration efforts with the Squamish Nation
• The importance of respecting land ownership and sustainable trail building
• The economic impact of mountain biking and its future prospects
• How SORCA membership dollars are utilized to support the community

Tune in to gain insights into Ian's mindset and the incredible work he's doing to promote and enhance Mountain Biking in Squamish.


Ian's book recommendation (which I now second), 21 Things You May Not Know About The Indian Act can be found via this link.

You can buy a SORCA Membership or support the trails via a donation at Sorca.ca

___________________________

FREE Mental About MTB Community with direct access to me 👇
themindmountain.com/mental-about-mtb-application

Want to work with me?

Join us on a Global MTB Expedition👇
themindmountain.com/globalmountainbikecoaching

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗴𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 Full Circle MTB Mentorship 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗵👇
themindmountain.com/squamish-coaching-package

___________________________

THE MIND MOUNTAIN
themindmountain.com
Instagram @the_mind_mountain
Facebook @themindmountain
YouTube @the_mind_mountian



DISCLAIMER: The opinions, thoughts, and views in the content created by The Mind Mountain, the Grit With Wisdom Podcast, and Jake Johnstone, including the guests they interview, are solely their own and do not reflect the official policy or position of any other organization, person, or company mentioned or featured in the podcast. ...

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, Greg has a diverse perspective across education and competition. These days, he runs Daytime Cycling, offering unique spin classes, full-service bike maintenance, and a retail shop.

Known locally for his inspiring race-day stories and his ability to bring out the best in people, Greg has launched a new Marathon XC Mountain Bike race in Squamish called the Haulback. At ~ 34 km and ~ 1,269 m, with a mix of classic trails and a few hidden gems it's sure to be a brilliant test of determination and skill.  The race is happening on June 22nd and rumour has it, there are a couple of spots left!

The Sports Psychology For Cyclists book by Peg Hill that Greg references can be found here. And you can check out @thehaulback and @day.time.cycling on Instagram via these links.

Photo Credit: Andrew Hughes

___________________________

FREE Mental About MTB Community with direct access to me 👇
themindmountain.com/mental-about-mtb-application

Want to work with me?

Join us on a Global MTB Expedition👇
themindmountain.com/globalmountainbikecoaching

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗴𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 Full Circle MTB Mentorship 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗵👇
themindmountain.com/squamish-coaching-package

___________________________

THE MIND MOUNTAIN
themindmountain.com
Instagram @the_mind_mountain
Facebook @themindmountain
YouTube @the_mind_mountian



DISCLAIMER: The opinions, thoughts, and views in the content created by The Mind Mountain, the Grit With Wisdom Podcast, and Jake Johnstone, including the guests they interview, are solely their own and do not reflect the official policy or position of any other organization, person, or company mentioned or featured in the podcast. ...

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 the next generation of riders. With a keen focus on promoting positive mental health and performance in mountain biking, Ciaran not only shares his experiences but also offers actionable tools and guidance to help you reach your peak performance.

During the conversation, we touch on:

• How to get clear and intentional with your riding
• How to set and keep track of goals
• Managing focus and strategies for re-focusing
• Building self-belief and confidence
• Strategies for mental performance on race day

Join us as we delve into Ciaran's inspiring story and learn practical strategies we can all adopt to enhance our mindset for riding.


You can follow along with Ciaran's racing journey @ciaranking12 on Instagram, and check out his coaching @peakin_high_performance.

___________________________

FREE Mental About MTB Community with direct access to me 👇
themindmountain.com/mental-about-mtb-application

Want to work with me?

Join us on a Global MTB Expedition👇
themindmountain.com/globalmountainbikecoaching

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗴𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 Full Circle MTB Mentorship 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗵👇
themindmountain.com/squamish-coaching-package

___________________________

THE MIND MOUNTAIN
themindmountain.com
Instagram @the_mind_mountain
Facebook @themindmountain
YouTube @the_mind_mountian



DISCLAIMER: The opinions, thoughts, and views in the content created by The Mind Mountain, the Grit With Wisdom Podcast, and Jake Johnstone, including the guests they interview, are solely their own and do not reflect the official policy or position of any other organization, person, or company mentioned or featured in the podcast. ...

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's leading Women's progression camps or participating in freeride events.

Fresh from her debut season on the global racing circuit, which included stops at the DH World Cup, Crankworx, and the Red Bull Formation, Lou joins me for a chat about her journey thus far.

We cover a range of topics including: 

• The challenges of competing at the World Cup level 
• Managing race day nerves and fear 
• What you can and can't control in racing
• The importance of being honest yet kind to yourself.
• The Art of Track Walks and Visualization

So tune in as we explore the world of professional mountain biking through Lou's eyes, and discover the insights she's gained along the way.

You can follow along with Lou's journey on Instagram @loufergmtb and follow her new team @intensefactoryracing.

___________________________

FREE Mental About MTB Community with direct access to me 👇
themindmountain.com/mental-about-mtb-application

Want to work with me?

Join us on a Global MTB Expedition👇
themindmountain.com/globalmountainbikecoaching

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗴𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 Full Circle MTB Mentorship 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗵👇
themindmountain.com/squamish-coaching-package

___________________________

THE MIND MOUNTAIN
themindmountain.com
Instagram @the_mind_mountain
Facebook @themindmountain
YouTube @the_mind_mountian



DISCLAIMER: The opinions, thoughts, and views in the content created by The Mind Mountain, the Grit With Wisdom Podcast, and Jake Johnstone, including the guests they interview, are solely their own and do not reflect the official policy or position of any other organization, person, or company mentioned or featured in the podcast. ...

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 recently won the annual McGazza Fest crainless race - as well as putting on an impressive show at the Dream Line freeride jam.

In this episode, we delve into:

• Harnessing nervous energy for peak performance.
• Natasha's distinct mental approach across various riding disciplines.
• Coping techniques for those inevitable off-feeling days.
• Valuable insights from running her coaching business in the UK at just 22 years old.
• The power of visualization in her riding progression.
• Strategies for keeping the joy alive and focusing on your strengths.

Tune in for a conversation packed with wisdom, shared experiences, and the lively spirit that Natasha brings to the mountain biking community.

You can find Natasha on Instagram @natasha_bradleyy.

___________________________

FREE Mental About MTB Community with direct access to me 👇
themindmountain.com/mental-about-mtb-application

Want to work with me?

Join us on a Global MTB Expedition👇
themindmountain.com/globalmountainbikecoaching

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗴𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 Full Circle MTB Mentorship 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗵👇
themindmountain.com/squamish-coaching-package

___________________________

THE MIND MOUNTAIN
themindmountain.com
Instagram @the_mind_mountain
Facebook @themindmountain
YouTube @the_mind_mountian



DISCLAIMER: The opinions, thoughts, and views in the content created by The Mind Mountain, the Grit With Wisdom Podcast, and Jake Johnstone, including the guests they interview, are solely their own and do not reflect the official policy or position of any other organization, person, or company mentioned or featured in the podcast. ...

This episode of the podcast brings you an engaging conversation with my friend and fellow coach, Piyush Chavan. 

Hailing from India, Piyush started his mountain biking journey as part of a tight-knit group of riders. After cutting his teeth in downhill races in Nepal, he found inspiration to embrace a biking lifestyle in New Zealand, drawn by the allure of the mountain playground that is Queenstown. 

During the conversation, we touch on:

• Managing emotions like fear and anger
• Rebuilding confidence post-crash
• Body Dynamics & Building Muscle Memory
• The connection between off-bike mindfulness practice and building composure on the bike.
• Managing attention and focus

Listen in to discover Piyush's fascinating journey, from studying tourism business management to establishing his coaching business in Queenstown in 2021, serving hundreds of clients. Beyond being a weapon on the bike, Piyush shares his profound insights gained from off-bike pursuits like meditation retreats, yoga, and mindfulness practices, which he seamlessly integrates into his riding and coaching.


You can follow Piyush and Treadmark on Instagram @treadmarknz and check out their website here: https://www.treadmark.co.nz/

We rode the super fun trail, Squid Run at Skyline Bike Park before recording this chat and it was epic to see Piyush in action, composed and playful - I highly recommend watching that video over on my YouTube channel @jakejohnstone.

___________________________

FREE Mental About MTB Community with direct access to me 👇
themindmountain.com/mental-about-mtb-application

Want to work with me?

Join us on a Global MTB Expedition👇
themindmountain.com/globalmountainbikecoaching

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗴𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 Full Circle MTB Mentorship 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗵👇
themindmountain.com/squamish-coaching-package

___________________________

THE MIND MOUNTAIN
themindmountain.com
Instagram @the_mind_mountain
Facebook @themindmountain
YouTube @the_mind_mountian



DISCLAIMER: The opinions, thoughts, and views in the content created by The Mind Mountain, the Grit With Wisdom Podcast, and Jake Johnstone, including the guests they interview, are solely their own and do not reflect the official policy or position of any other organization, person, or company mentioned or featured in the podcast. ...