Local Legends

Welcome to "Mic Check," a special episode of Local Legends where we delve deep into the lives and stories of extraordinary individuals. In this edition, I'm stoked to welcome back three phenomenal women who graced our podcast before: Makenna Kellerman, Joy McCulloch, and Tammy Tabeek.

Join us for a fun discussion touching on life's various stages, training, and performance. Each of these women boasts an impressive racing and performance background, and they'll share their personal journeys navigating womanhood, education, careers, relationships, and the evolution of their cycling pursuits.

Securing an hour of their time was no small feat; it was a juggling act of schedules and commitments. We had very little time to prepare for this gathering, and they didn't get much time to reflect on the questions which made their candid answers a genuine slice of life.

As we explore their experiences and insights, I'll also pose some questions for you, the listener, to ponder: What do you do to keep yourself healthy? How have you seen things shift over the last five years, ten years, or even twenty years (if you're over 40)? What excites you about your future, and what are you curious about?

After the episode, I will offer coaching tips on staying young, fit and fierce at any age.

(Gentlemen - there will be an episode dedicated to you all. We will earmark Ep. 50 for a discussion with men through different stages of life. )

Enjoy!

Local Legends - Episode 36 with Brian McCulloch - Spirit of a Champion

Meet Brian McCulloch, a true legend in the cycling world. With a stellar track record, he's a two-time National Champion in Mountain Bike Marathon, conquered the challenging Belgian Waffle Ride in 2018, and claimed victory at the Whiskey 50 Off Road. As a pro road racer, he showcased his skills with Elevate from 2017 to 2020, iSpeed in 2023, and now proudly represents Enve & Big Wheel Coaching. Racing Highlights: 2023 Mountain Bike Nationals Champion (40-44 AG) 2021 Mountain Bike Nationals Champion (35-39 AG) 2018 Belgian Waffle Ride Champion      3rd General Classification Valley of the Sun Stage Race 2015 1st Ladera Ranch Grand Prix, 2015 2012 SCNCA District/State Road Race Champion 2011-2021 Integral member of the Elevate-KHS Pro Cycling In this conversation: We go into his latest win at Mountain Bike Nationals with strategy and nutrition. We discuss his journey with Artery Endofibrosis - the diagnosis, the surgery and recovery. We talk about his training now and how it compares with his road racing days. And he shares insights along the way of being the best and the mindset to press on. For more insights into Brian McCulloch's journey, check out his profile on the Belgian Waffle Ride website: Brian McCulloch - The People's Champion Learn more about Brian McCulloch and Big Wheel Coaching.

Local Legends - Episode 35 with Brian Lopes Multi-time world Champion, BMX & Mountain Bike Hall of Fame. Brian is a name synonymous with excellence in cycling, boasting a multi-time World Champion title and a well-deserved spot in the BMX and Mountain Bike Hall of Fame. In this exclusive interview, I had the privilege of delving into the life and experiences of this legendary rider. From his early days as a BMX racer at the age of 4 to conquering disciplines like Downhill, Dual Slalom, 4X, Mountain Biking, Enduro, and even Sprint Eliminator, Brian's mastery of the bike is nothing short of awe-inspiring. With a racing career spanning two decades, Brian has an impressive list of achievements, including nine national championship titles, six UCI World Cup wins, and four UCI Mountain Bike World Champion titles. It's safe to say, the man is a living legend. But that's not all... He's also a published author, co-authoring the acclaimed "Mastering Mountain Bike Skills," now in its third publication and available in multiple languages. In 2008, Brian received the well-deserved honor of being inducted into the BMX and Mountain Bike Hall of Fame, solidifying his status as one of the all-time greats in the cycling world. Currently residing in beautiful Laguna Beach, CA, Brian continues to inspire riders and enthusiasts alike. Learn more about Brian Lopes on his website and on Instagram @brianlopes Enjoy my next Local Legend.

Local Legends - Episode 34 with Dave and Christina Turner - Mountain Bike Trailblazers

Get ready for a mountain bike history lesson. I met Christina the first time I ever raced Downieville back in 2011. I knew of her and it took a race, over 600 miles from our homes, for us to have our first interaction. After that day, there would be many races we would line up next to each other, each time our interaction was professional and brief and each time she played to win. She had grit, speed, and skills. That was all I knew of Christina. Dave was always equally professional and 'to the point' and meant business. I knew he was the brains and muscles behind Turner Bikes but didn't know much more than that. I was so glad to get these two mountain bike trailblazers on the Local Legends podcast to tell their story of their athletic career, the people they have raced with, the places they have gone and the shit they have accomplished! We discuss their racing career but what doesn't get noted in this conversation is they have EACH raced in hundreds of races, according to USA Cycling and that only dates back to 2001, including road, cyclocross, downhill, enduro, and cross country mountain bike. And of those, they have podium a high percentage including Christina winning the 2015 & 2016 Enduro Nationals and 2015 Cyclocross Nationals. Before USAC documentation, she had been racing Downieville and Great Flume Trail in Lake Tahoe, setting the course record in 1993. This was the time when mountain biking was coming of age. In this conversation, we discuss: 1. Riding and Racing Experiences - share highlights from local, regional, and national races and the various disciplines as well as their shared love for skiing and Christina's experience with extreme skiing. 2. Turner Bike and Its Evolution - Why and how it all began, and how the brand has evolved over the years and what sets their brand apart and the stories behind creating the first downhill bike. 3. The Turner Journey: Business and Pleasure - how the two of you met, love for riding and how they balance life with business ventures.Dave and Christina currently reside in Murrieta, CA and continue to race gravel and mountain locally and regionally. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT TURNER BIKES - VISIT https://turnerbikes.com/ Outdoor Fitness Coach - Services including Base Training (starting December 1st) and our first B.A.R. on December 10th - visit Outdoor Fitness Coach website Racers/Pioneers Susan DeMattei Juli Furtado Jacquie Phelan Joe Breeze Races Downieville - Mountain bike race in Downieville, CA (July/Aug) Gravel & Whine - Gravel Race in Temecula, CA (Jan) Quick'n'Dirty - Local San Diego mountain bike (year round) Rock Cobbler - Gravel Race in Bakersfield, CA (Feb) Strada Rossa - Gravel Race in Redlands, CA (Mar)

Local Legends - Episode 33 with Doug Pomeranz, Road racing through the years

In this episode of the podcast (Episode 33), I had the pleasure of sitting down with Doug Pomeranz, a seasoned road rider and racer with over 30 years of experience under his belt. Doug's journey into riding began in his twenties, and through his engaging storytelling, he takes us on a ride through his experiences and the people that have shaped him into the rider he is today. We also discuss the popular "Thug Ride" - how it came to be and the riders in San Diego that come and join this ride.

San Diego has become Doug's home due to his deep passion for cycling. With numerous national champion titles to his name, he continues to compete at the elite Cat 1 level, showcasing his dedication and love for the sport. What truly stood out to me in this interview was Doug's unwavering commitment to evolving and pushing his limits, all fueled by his pure love for riding bikes.

Join me as I explore the inspiring story of this local legend, delving into his rich history and the motivations that drive his enduring passion for cycling.

Enjoy my next Local Legend.

Local Legends - Episode 29 with Lesley Paterson

When your Local Legend is not only on Movie app, IMDB, but also has their own Wikipedia page, you know that you have a not just a local legend but a legend. I first started hearing about Lesley when I had Tammy Tabeek (Ep. 13) on Local Legends. Tammy spoke so highly of Lesley's athleticism as well as her character and their timeless experiences training. Then it seemed to be cosmic because I would later hear about Lesley in various conversations in various situations.

As a podcast about passionate cyclist in Southern California, let's start with that her riding and racing accomplishments - Lesley Paterson got (back) into triathlon after moving out to San Diego from her homeland, Scotland. Lesley is a three time (2011, 2012, 2018) XTERRA World Champion AND a two time 2012, 2018) World Triathlon Cross Champion.

She won a silver medal in 2009, 2013, 2015, and 2019 in XTERRA and silver medalist in Cross Triathlon World Championship in 2013.

But there's more.. much more. She's an accomplished writer - publishing The Brave Athlete that she wrote with her husband, Simon Marshall, a sports psychology expert. She is a triathlon coach with her business Braveheart Coaching. And most notably with her amazing accomplishment of screenwriting All Quiet on the Western Front which received nine Oscar nominations, including BAFTA and Academy Awards for Best Adapted Screen play. The film won seven BAFTA awards, including Best Adapted Screenplay.

I was very excited and star struck to have this conversation with Lesley. This woman is packed with energy and focus. In this conversation, we talked about her recent Oscar nomination and the success of the movie. We also talk about her journey to racing triathlons and what it takes to be the best. It was also fun to talk to her about what she thinks about while she's training and what riding and training looks like now.

Enjoy my next Local Legend.

Local Legends - Episode 27 with Jonas Woodruff

Jonas is a junior racer with a background in mountain biking and gravel and most recently in road racing.  Last year he came in 6th at Unbound 100, 4th in True Grit 100, and 3rd overall in last year's Filthy 50.  He also came in first in his age group at the Sea Otter 80K, BWR San Diego and Leadville Barn Burner.

This was a fun conversation about training and racing -- and we kick it off in the first 10 seconds.  

As a 17 year old, Jonas knows what he wants and is working hard to be the best.  His lifestyle, which includes home schooling, sets himself to train and rest while getting his school work in.   Jonas’ experiences and stories are very relatable - whether you are also a junior racer and also balancing school and training, or a racer yourself working on your race strategy and getting yourself out the door on these cold wet winter days. 

Enjoy my next Local Legend.

Local Legends - Episode 24 with Nikki Peterson

Nikki Peterson is a jack of all trades and a master of them all - she races professionally (both gravel and mountain biking), coaches athletes with Source Endurance, League Director of the Nevada North Interscholastic Cycling League, Program Coordinator for Reno Devo, and a podcast host.  But what makes Nikki shine is her sincere personality without any presumptions.  In this conversation, she shares her most recent decision and journey to move from SoCal to Reno to follow her heart by joining her favorite passions - biking, mountain lifestyle, education, and working with kids.  She also shares how she has overcome some personal struggles with a concussion and her diagnosis of ADD and how she has used these struggles as opportunities to help her shape her future.

I met Nikki about ten years ago when she was riding with Bear Valley Bikes and it has been fun to watch her grow as an athlete and see her career bloom. Though I knew her, it was great to have this conversation to learn more about her experiences and her positivity that is very contagious.

Enjoy my next Local Legend!

(recorded: 11/18/2022)

Local Legends - Episode 21 with Sean Bascom and Sarah Domurat at Sprockids 

Sprockids mission is to engage kids in mountain biking.  But they also build confidence and community in a supportive way.  As you will hear from our next Local Legends guests - riding a bike is a tool to independence but also helps with mindset and that feeling that comes from riding two wheels outside - pure joy.

I had so much fun in this conversation with Sean and Sarah from Sprockids.  They share their own stories of riding when they were young, coming back from injuries, how Sprockids organically happened and how it bloomed in 2020 and continues to grow.

Even if you don’t have young kids, their approach to getting kids on bikes, teaching skills, their leadership role and growing the community one kid is very noble and inspiring.  To learn more about Sprockids, support this effort, and to join their programs, visit https://www.sprockidssd.com/ 

Enjoy my next local legend.

Local Legends (MIC CHECK) - Episode 20 - conversation about riding and training

husband, Simon Planken and guest host, Jim Miller 

Lifestyle of a couple who rides with special guest host, Jim Miller. 

This is the second installment of Local Legends MIC CHECK - where I get to share more about training, lifestyle, and learnings from leading a life as an athlete, parent/wife, and someone who loves adventure. I am excited to have Jim Miller (Ep. 3) be the guest host, the voice of gravel,

In this conversation, Simon & I go deeper into riding together, training, managing a home, and time with family. We also talk about being a women who rides in a male dominated sport, what it took to launch my business - Outdoor Fitness Coach, and what we have learned from being a couple and riding and how this has impacted our own personal lives. If you like this kind of conversation, you may enjoy Episode 10 - Conversation with My Children about how it was for THEM to have a mom who trained and rode, what they remember, and how sport and outdoors is in their lives as they become adults. 

Enjoy this conversation :)

EPISODE 17 with Michael Macare - your ‘normal guy’ making the impossible..possible.  

I’ve known Michael for about 6 years when he joined the TASCO-mtb race team - with his happy and gregarious attitude, we became instafriends :).  For as long as I have known Michael, he has set his goals far and long going for races that are at the edge of his grasp.   This year, he successfully completed Unbound -  for those who are not as familiar with gravel races - Unbound is a 200 mile gravel race in Emporia, Kansas.  When I first heard about this race, I honestly thought that was an insane ride.  Why would anyone in their right mind ride for 200 miles in one day.  The professionals complete this race in 9-10 hours holding 20 mph average with  the last riders completing the ride in 20 hours.

Listeners, I want to be completely transparent, Michael is an athlete that I coached to prepare him for BWR San Diego in 2019 and 2022 and for Unbound on June 4 of this year.  But that’s not why I asked him to be a guest…it’s his story and lifestyle that I feel make him more approachable and relatable which have the potential to impact so many more riders.  He does mention coaching but completely unsolicited.

In this conversation, we talk about...

• how he got into endurance riding
• how riding and specifically endurance riding has impacted his life
• the process to get to Unbound 
• we also talk deeper about what drives him to do the impossible and what gives him the confidence to get to the start line and even more, the strength to get to the finish line.

Local Legends - Episode 13 with Tammy Tabeek

If there's a force to be reckoned with, it's with this fine lady. Tammy is an accomplished cyclists a mountain biker, road rider, downhiller, and triathlete (and not to mention racketball player).  I've had the pleasure of riding and racing against Tammy over the years and honestly not knowing her background - which explains her slam dunk performance ...BAM!  

Tammy has been riding since the 80s and racing since the 90s.  She is currently a a FIVE TIME World Champion - 3 in Downhill and 2 in Xterra off road triathlon.  She continues to race her bike locally in the Quick'n'Dirty races, participated recently in the Wafer BWR (coming in fourth in AG), currently training for Rebeca's Private Idaho representing Challenged Athletes Foundation.  Her list of accolades are almost too numerous to outline.   And she's not slowing down people.

Tammy is an inspiring and caring person which really shines in this conversation.  It was such a pleasure to talk to Tammy and she definitely left  vibration to grow and to embrace the process.

Local Legends - Episode 14 with Lauren Lentz - Kevin Lentz Legacy  

In this conversation, I sit with  Lauren Lentz, Kevin’s widow, to share his story.  Whether you knew him personally or perhaps only heard about him, this conversation highlights who he was as husband, a friend, a father and a rider.

I knew Kevin from our time together on the TASCO-mtb race team back in 2016.  He was a strong, skilled rider with a no-nonsense way about him.  He had no ego and he was always super chill.   

He wasn't just a mountain biker, he also road and raced road bikes with the Celo Team.

In addition to talking about how he got into riding and his love for riding, we go deep in this conversation about loss and death.

While I struggle to know what to say, Lauren's warmth and openness brings light and lightness to the conversation. She has such a strong hold of her emotions and words that it helps bridge the silence

Kevin had an impact on everyone who rode with him and had deep friendships with many of his cycling friends.  The intent of this interview is to honor him and his spirit.

Welcome to the first installment of Mic Check - a different kind of interview where turn the mic on myself and share part of the lifestyle, training, and lessons of leading a life of riding and outdoor adventure. 

This interview is special because I bring my children forward and have them give their thoughts and reflection on how life was like having a mom who was training.  I tend to wear my heart on my sleeve but things related to my children, I keep those cards close to my heart.  Their voice (literally) have a lot of value.  As a parent, I have try to imagine what lessons and values they are learning but they have their own story to tell. Poetically and to the point.  Originally, I was going to share my story solo; and later asked them if they wanted to be part of it.  Serena (17) and Jade (21) both happily wanted to participate.  The girls received the questions prior to this interview, as to not blind side them. Alex (15) didn't want to be interviewed live; however, I share her responses to these questions at the end. 

They were asked: 

1. How did you feel when I was training for long periods of time and not at home or with you?  
2. What things do you enjoy doing together now and did you enjoy when you were little?  
3. what didn’t you enjoy How does movement, training and sport impact your life? 
4. What are your top 3 values for yourself? 

I really loved this conversation and glad it was recorded.  I will cherish this and would be fun to see how their feelings and thoughts evolve over time. 

In this interview we discuss 

• My athletic journey pre kids, during their adolescents and now. 
• What training looked like with kids Integrating training  
• The paradox of "staying home" and "train..you're kids will understand" 
• Serena summiting Whitney alone 
• ACL injuries and reinventing the self for Serena and Alex (15) 

We recorded this interview as a Zoom Meeting on the computer so there is a little distortion in the sound when the computer wasn't facing the speaker. 

** If you are enjoying these conversations about training, riding lifestyle and riding in San Diego, your support is greatly appreciated. Visit https://www.patreon.com/outdoorfitnesscoach**  

Wanted to share a little about the purpose of this podcast, how it got started and where it is going.  

This is a podcast to highlight passionate cyclists in Southern California (specifically San Diego) that influence how, where, what, we ride.

Thank you for listening.

Cheers!

Chi