Be A Good Wheel

Amber speaks with Ayesha McGowan, the first African-American woman professional road cyclist. Ayesha shares why she recently decided to step away from racing (for now) and opens up about the shift in autonomy she experienced on the World Tour. She describes how she handles the different pressures and challenges of professional racing, and how she’s using her experience to create positive experiences for up-and-coming athletes. Ayes...

Amber speaks with Devin Cowens, connector, adventure cyclist, and founder of Radical Adventure Riders Atlanta Chapter (RAR ATL). Devin shares how she thinks about creating opportunities for people to experience bikepacking, specifically how she addresses different barriers to entry to make those experiences accessible. She describes how her background in psychology has influenced how she connects others and fosters community. She s...

Amber speaks with professional cyclist Alexey Vermeulen, who left road racing on the World Tour to pursue a career as a professional off-road cyclist. Alexey shares why over-indexing on fun can be counterproductive, how to turn compartmentalization into a superpower, and his not-so-secret analog tool for cultivating balance, adaptability, and clear priorities. He shares what makes teamwork in road racing so special and why he belie...

Amber speaks about concussion in athletes with Anthony Alessi, MD and board-certified neurologist who specializes in neurology, neuromuscular diseases, EMG, and sports neurology. Dr. Alessi is a Clinical Professor of Neurology and Orthopedic Surgery and the Director of the NeuroSport program at the University of Connecticut, and neurologist for the New York Yankees and Connecticut State Boxing Commission. In this conversation, they...

Content Warning: This episode contains references to suicide and depression, with specific discussions of depression and suicidal thoughts from 12:46 to 50:15. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for help. Text or call 988 in the U.S. or check https://findahelpline.com to find help where you are. 

Amber speaks with Kathryn Bertine, author, athlete, activist, founder, and documentary filmmaker. Kathryn raced b...

Amber speaks with Haley Hunter Smith, a National Champion and Olympic mountain biker turned pro gravel racer. In this conversation, they discuss how mountain biking saved Haley’s life, providing purpose, presence, and solace as she navigated recovery from a life-threatening eating disorder as a teenager. Haley shares her struggles with existential anxiety and the role sport has played in helping her manage those challenges. As a gr...

Amber speaks with Lea Davison, a two-time Olympian in mountain biking. In this conversation, they discuss how Lea got into mountain biking and the idea and importance of competitive collaboration: how she and her American teammates worked together as a team to secure Olympic spots, in the individual sport of mountain biking. Davison shares the essential role that fun has played in her success, how she responded to the heartbreak of...

Amber speaks with co-founder of All Bodies On Bikes, Marley Blonsky–a fat adventure cyclist, consultant, and advocate working to make the bike industry more inclusive. In this conversation, they discuss the importance of advocating for size inclusion, building bike infrastructure and community, and what makes a community different from a group. Marley offers guidance on how to navigate difficult conversations, the importance of und...

Amber speaks with three-time National Cyclocross Champion, Stephen Hyde, a cycling maverick who defied conventional paths to find his place as a champion in the sport. From BMX and mountain biking to professional road cycling and cyclocross, Hyde's story is one of resilience, mentorship, and community. He shares how mentoring and being mentored shaped his evolution as an athlete, the secret to effective communication, why trust is ...

Amber speaks with cyclocross icon, mountain bike champion, and five-time Olympian Katerina Nash. In this conversation, they discuss how sport helped her navigate life-altering loss, what has kept her inspired and humble over a nearly 30-year career in professional sport, and her historic role with cycling’s international governing body. She shares about the crucial role community has played in both her personal and professional res...

Amber speaks with Downhill Mountain Biking legend, entrepreneur, and Red Bull TV analyst, Eliot Jackson. In this conversation, they discuss how a risk-averse person can transform into a world-class downhill mountain biking pro, why chasing podiums isn't always the ultimate goal, the surprising parallels between downhill racing and broadcasting, the nuanced relationship between goals, results, and true success, why hard work alone d...

Amber speaks with NCAA, US, World, Olympic Champion, television host, and mother of two, Summer Sanders Schlopy. In this conversation, they discuss Summer’s Olympic experience, her formula for performing under pressure, why she felt relief when she won Gold, the key to parenting kids in sport (according to Summer and her husband, former World Cup and Olympic alpine ski racer Eric Schlopy), what drives meaningful motivation, the sec...

Welcome to Be a Good Wheel! We're glad you're here. In our inaugural episode, we’ll provide an introduction to the ideas and motivation behind the show. Meet your host, Amber Pierce, who shares how her non-traditional background led her from research on the open ocean to racing bicycles, and ultimately to the studio microphone. Learn more about what you can expect from future episodes and what we hope for the future of the show. 

Welcome to Be a Good Wheel, the show that explores what it means to Be A Good Wheel through the lens of performance, potential, and the wholeness of human experience. Every other week, host Amber Pierce digs into scientific research, personal stories, and catalytic conversations to offer meaningful takeaways for everyday folks. Launching 2/27/24 on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify.

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