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The Mind Mountain PodcastAuthor: Jake Johnstone
Jake Johnstone from The Mind Mountain delves deep into the inner psyche, tools, and tactics of Mountain Bikers from all walks of life to uncover what it takes to push personal boundaries in the sport we love - through a mental performance lens. Whether its pro racers, ambassadors, or coaches, this podcast breaks down stigmas and normalizes conversations around mindset, emotions, and the mental side of riding. The goal? To help you ride stronger, more confidently, and have more fun on the trails, more often.*Formerly known as the Grit With Wisdom Podcast Language: en-us Genres: Education, Self-Improvement, Sports, Wilderness Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Lewis Brindley on Adventure, Progression & Riding in NZ
Episode 62
Thursday, 11 June, 2026
In this episode, I sit down with Lewis Brindley, founder of Adventure Fuel, a professional bike guide with Adventure South NZ, and a New Zealand mountain biking expert.Originally from the UK, Lewis shares how a rough first ride in Queenstown sparked a lifelong passion for mountain biking that would eventually take him around the world. From seasons in Whistler and Morzine to riding the length of New Zealand and guiding riders through some of the country's most remote terrain, Lewis has built a unique perspective on progression, adventure, and what makes mountain biking such a powerful vehicle for growth.Together, we explore the value of coaching, the mental skills required for riding unfamiliar trails, and how to navigate fear, uncertainty, and decision-making on the bike. Lewis shares practical strategies for building confidence, using points of commitment, and recognizing when to push versus when to listen to your intuition.We also dive deep into New Zealand's mountain biking culture, why guided experiences can unlock a completely different level of riding, and what riders can expect from an unforgettable journey through the Southern Alps. Whether you're planning your own MTB adventure or simply looking to improve your riding mindset, this episode is packed with lessons from years of exploration, coaching, and trail experience.Check out the NZ MTB Expedition here.https://www.adventuresouth.co.nz/https://adventurefuel.org/Timestamps00:00 Welcome & Introduction to Lewis Brindley02:05 Lewis's First Mountain Bike Experience05:00 The Coaching That Changed Everything07:10 From Chef to Professional Bike Guide09:30 Building Adventure Fuel & Teaching Bikepacking12:20 Why Guiding Mountain Bikers Is So Rewarding14:15 What Makes New Zealand Riding Special15:30 Riding Blind & Making Better Decisions on Trail19:15 Managing Fear, Doubt & Uncertainty22:45 Knowing When to Push and When to Back Off25:00 Pre-Ride Mindset & Self-Assessment27:00 The Power of a Point of Commitment29:45 Physical Reset Cues for Technical Riding32:20 New Zealand MTB Culture & Community35:20 Why Guided MTB Expeditions Are Different38:30 The Reality of Riding in New Zealand's Mountains40:40 Preparing Riders for Remote Terrain42:10 Exploring Wanaka on a Rest Day44:15 Riding Glenorchy Bike Park46:20 Cardrona & the Peak-to-Pub Experience49:30 Managing Energy on Multi-Day MTB Trips53:15 Why Queenstown Belongs on Every Rider's Bucket List54:00 Final Thoughts & Closing Conversation___________________________ 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/globalmountainbikecoaching𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗹𝗮𝗴𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 Full Circle MTB Mentorship 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗵👇themindmountain.com/squamish-coaching-package___________________________THE MIND MOUNTAINthemindmountain.comInstagram @the_mind_mountainFacebook @themindmountainYouTube @the_mind_mountianDISCLAIMER: 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. ...
