Espresso and ski mountaineering—two things Davide Giardini takes very seriously. In this episode, Travis Macy sits down with the Italian-born, Boulder-based endurance athlete to explore the deep cultural roots of ski mountaineering, from its military heritage in World War I to its modern-day evolution as an Olympic sport.
Davide shares his personal journey from triathlon to skimo, the challenges of transitioning between sports, and how he found community and purpose in Boulder’s endurance scene. He and Travis dive into the differences between European and American skimo funding, the rise of youth programs in the U.S., and how the sport can grow through mass participation events and grassroots initiatives.
Oh, and coffee? Davide’s got strong opinions. He and Travis debate espresso culture, ristretto vs. American single origins, and the critical role of caffeine in endurance sports. Whether you’re a seasoned skimo racer, an uphill enthusiast, or just here for the coffee talk, this episode is packed with insights, stories, and a vision for the future of ski mountaineering. Let’s go!
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I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
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