Women's MTB Network

What role does storytelling play in who feels like they belong inmountain biking?In this episode, Mia sits down with Molly Hurford —cycling journalist, author, and founder of Strong Girl Publishing.They talk about the Shred Girls book series, building awomen-focused publishing company, podcasting as a tool for connection, and howearly representation can shape confidence and participation in sport.This episode explores writing, media, mountain biking, and what it reallytakes to build something that lasts in the cycling world.🎙️ Follow Women’s MTB Network for more conversations with women shaping thefuture of mountain biking. Follow Molly: Websitehttps://mollyhurford.comStrong Girl Publishinghttps://stronggirlpublishing.comPodcastsThe Strong Girl Talk Podcast – https://stronggirlpublishing.com/podcast/The Consummate Athlete Podcast – https://consummateathlete.com/category/podcast/Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/mollyjhurfordFollow us: www.womensmtbnetwork.comwww.instagram.com/womensmtbnetwork

In this episode of the Women's MTB Network podcast, we interview Anneke Beerten, world renowned mountain biker and coach. Anneke shares her journey from elite racing to coaching in Bentonville, Arkansas, discussing the importance of community, mental strength, and overcoming fears in mountain biking. She reflects on her recovery from a traumatic brain injury and the impact it had on her life and career. Anneke also reveals her exciting new venture in launching a mountain bike apparel line, emphasizing the need for functional and stylish gear for riders. The conversation highlights the significance of having fun and trusting the process in the sport of mountain biking.Takeaways from this episode:• Anneke Beerten has a rich history in mountain biking, spanning multiple disciplines.• Bentonville offers a unique community and trail system that supports all levels of riders.• Coaching is about sharing special moments and helping riders overcome fears.• Mental barriers are common in mountain biking, especially among women.• Community engagement is vital for fostering a love for mountain biking.• Recovery from injuries requires patience and self-advocacy.• Anneke's accident in 2020 profoundly impacted her life and career.• The importance of mental strength and confidence in mountain biking cannot be overstated.• Anneke is launching her own mountain bike apparel line to address gaps in the market.• Trusting the process and having fun are key to longevity in mountain biking.Follow Anneke on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annekebeerten/ Check out her clinics and coaching: https://www.crankitupmtb.com/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womensmtbnetwork/00:00 Introduction to Anneke Beerton00:01 Annekaes Journey in Mountain Biking00:22 Introduction to Anneke Beerten03:20 Anneke's Journey to Bentonville06:19 The Mountain Biking Community in Bentonville09:15 Coaching Philosophy and Experiences12:32 Overcoming Mental Barriers in Riding15:24 Community Engagement and Group Rides18:18 Fear and Confidence in Riding21:25 Inspiring Stories of Recovery24:24 Legacy and Impact on Women's Mountain Biking32:59 Adrenaline and Resilience: A Race Against Time35:53 Finding Closure: A Journey Back to A-Line38:42 Understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries42:33 The Importance of Patience in Recovery47:47 Mental Strength in Mountain Biking51:17 Innovating Mountain Bike Apparel55:12 Trusting the Process: A Message for Riders

In this episode of the Women’s MTB Network Podcast, Mia sits down with Sarah Bergstrom, Head of Operations at Togethxr — a media and commerce company dedicated to amplifying women’s sports and celebrating women athletes.Sarah shares her path into the sports industry, the mission behind Togethxr, and how storytelling plays a critical role in shifting perceptions around women’s sports. Together, they discuss the growth of women’s sports as a legitimate business opportunity, the importance of representation in decision-making, and the misconceptions that still exist today.This conversation is a reminder that supporting women’s sports doesn’t have to be complicated — it starts with watching, engaging, and investing.Key Takeaways:Togethxr exists to amplify women’s sports and celebrate women athletes“Everyone Watches Women’s Sports” began as a community-driven messageStorytelling is essential to changing how women’s sports are perceivedWomen’s sports should be viewed as a business opportunity, not charityRepresentation and diversity in leadership lead to better outcomesSupporting women’s sports can be as simple as watching, buying tickets, or purchasing merchThe next generation is growing up with a completely different perspective on women’s sportsWatch & Follow:Follow the Women’s MTB Network on Instagram, YouTube, and Spotify for more conversations with athletes, leaders, and change-makers in women’s sportsFollow Togethxr to support and stay connected with their work amplifying women’s sports🎧 Subscribe, share, and keep showing up for women’s sports.

In this episode, Mia interviews Janette Sherman, a longtime marketing leader in the outdoor + bike world who now heads bike marketing for the Americas at Continental.Janette shares her journey from journalism to Liv Cycling and Yeti Cycles, opening the door on what it’s like to build a career inside niche brands and global corporations. The conversation covers:Her path into the bike industryNavigating leadership as a woman in a male-dominated spaceThe evolution of women’s representation in cyclingWhy storytelling matters more than ever in outdoor marketingMentorship and developing future women leadersCurrent trends shaping the bike industryA memorable rattlesnake story you won’t forget 🐍This is an honest, thoughtful look at the realities of working in the bike industry — and what needs to happen next to make it more inclusive, community-driven, and representative.📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube🌐 Explore more stories at womensmtbnetwork.com

The Hard MTB League officially launched on October 25, and today we’re digging into the story behind it with its founder, Braydon Bringhurst.In this episode, we talk about the vision behind the Hard MTB League, why Braydon wanted to create a new competition format, and how inclusivity shaped the course design from day one. We also dive into athlete feedback from the pilot event, the importance of mental performance, and where the league is headed next — including building community, supporting athlete development, and elevating the women lining up for future Hard MTB events.If you want to understand the why behind Hard MTB and where this project is going, this conversation covers all of it.🌐 Learn more about Hard MTB:https://www.hardmtbleague.com/ 🌐 Learn more about Women's MTB Network:https://www.womensmtbnetwork.com Follow us: www.instagram.com/womensmtbnetwork