Welcome to the 25th episode of the New England Endurance Podcast! To mark this milestone, and the coming winter season, we explore one of our favorite endurance activities: cross-country skiing! We chat with two leaders from the New England Nordic Ski Association (NENSA): Isabel Caldwell, Community Development Director, and Ben Theyerl, Competitive Program Director. Together, they explore NENSA's mission to make Nordic skiing accessible and enjoyable for skiers of all ages and abilities, while sharing insider tips and hidden gems that even seasoned skiers might not know.

Episode Highlights:

• Nordic Skiing Essentials: For newcomers, Isabel and Ben give a rundown on Classic vs. Skate skiing and offer advice on choosing the right first-time experience.
• They break down the accessibility of NENSA’s programs, like the Bill Koch Youth Ski League, which combines fun and community to help young skiers develop a lifelong love for Nordic skiing. Listeners will be inspired by stories of athletes who began their journey in NENSA programs like the beloved Bill Koch Festival, a must-attend event for young skiers that celebrates community spirit and friendly competition.
• Isabel and Ben discuss how NENSA promotes both grassroots participation and elite-level achievement, balancing support for competitive athletes with initiatives to bring new people into the sport.
• The Impact of Nordic Rocks: NENSA’s Nordic Rocks program recently received a Share Winter Foundation grant to expand access for youth across the region. Ben and Isabel share a peek into a Nordic Rocks session and describe the reactions of kids trying cross-country skiing for the first time—pure joy and discovery.
• Hidden Gems of New England Nordic Skiing:* Curious about where to find the region’s best-kept skiing secrets? Isabel and Ben reveal some lesser-known spots that offer unique trails and stunning scenery:
  • Quarry Road Trails in Waterville, ME, known for its pristine trails and varied terrain.
  • Wild Wings Ski in Peru, VT, a picturesque location with cozy, tree-lined trails.
  • Trapp Family Lodge
  • Marlboro Nordic Ski and Prospect Mountain in Woodford, VT, both offering fantastic experiences for intermediate and advanced skiers.
  • Gunstock’s Valentine’s Paintball Biathlon in NH, a quirky, fun race combining skiing with paintball! In a delightful twist, Ben introduces the *Gunstock Valentine’s Paintball Biathlon*, a playful take on the traditional biathlon where participants swap out rifles for paintball markers, adding a fun and unexpected layer to the experience. This event exemplifies how NENSA creates unique, inclusive spaces for skiers to enjoy the sport without the intensity of competition.
  • Tour de Stowe, an event featuring some of Vermont’s finest ski trails, ideal for those seeking a mix of scenic touring and challenging terrain...with soup and beer at the end!
  • Rikerts Outdoor Center, a versatile venue with trails that accommodate everyone from beginners to seasoned Nordic veterans.

Join us for an inspiring episode that highlights the trails, traditions, and hidden gems of New England’s Nordic skiing community. Whether you're a competitive racer or simply looking for a scenic winter activity, Isabel and Ben’s stories will make you want to hit

Art & Eric embark on a journey to showcase and celebrate the endurance sports community in New England.

In this episode of the New England Endurance Podcast, we’re spotlighting Connecticut’s cycling scene and introducing you to two standout leaders shaping its future—brothers Ben and Brian Wolfe! Join us as we dive into their work with the Connecticut Cycling Advancement Program (CCAP), a dynamic organization founded to make youth cycling accessible across the state. Brian Wolfe, CCAP’s Executive Director, shares his vision for building one of the nation’s premier youth cycling programs, fostering a supportive, lifelong community for young riders. Meanwhile, Ben Wolfe, a senior coach at Charles Coaching & Nutrition Services and a former Jelly Belly pro, talks about his data-driven, personalized coaching philosophy that elevates endurance athletes of all levels.

Tune in to hear Ben and Brian share their favorite Connecticut cycling gems, including the thrilling Tuesday Night Criterium at Rentschler Field and the action-packed New Haven Grand Prix. Discover the challenges and triumphs of growing youth cycling in New England, the importance of mentorship, and how a balanced, resilient approach can unlock an athlete’s full potential. This episode is packed with insights for cyclists and endurance athletes alike, as we explore the hidden gems and race stories that make Connecticut’s scene one to watch and visit.

For more about CCAP and Charles Coaching & Nutrition Services, check out the links in our show notes and follow us on Instagram at @newenglandendurance.

Art & Eric embark on a journey to showcase and celebrate the endurance sports community in New England.

In this episode, we chat about the vibrant New England running culture with Matt Taylor, co-founder and CEO of Tracksmith, a brand that’s reshaping how we celebrate endurance sports. Matt shares the story behind Tracksmith’s foundation in 2014, how it captures the Amateur Spirit, and its strong connection to the region’s rich running history.

More than just an apparel company, Tracksmith has become a movement within the endurance community, fostering local grassroots running culture and celebrating the grit and tradition of New England athletes.

Matt also discusses Tracksmith’s involvement in the community through weekly workouts—Sunday mornings, Wednesday evenings, and Friday mornings—at their store locations in Boston, Williamsburg, NY, and London.

We also explore some hidden gems in the New England running scene including:

• the Dole 3 Miler, a wonderful race in memory of George Dole
• the legendary Plymouth-to-Provincetown Relay Run (now defunct but forever cherished)
• the scenic Vermont Overland Trail Run

Whether you’re running along the coast or through the trails, there’s something special about this region’s races.

Tune in as Matt shares his personal endurance journey, thoughts on the future of running, and why New England is the greatest region for endurance sports. Whether you’re a seasoned marathoner or someone just beginning your running journey, this episode is packed with inspiration and insights.

Don't miss this exciting conversation with a true icon of the New England running community!

Art & Eric embark on a journey to showcase and celebrate the endurance sports community in New England.

In this special episode, we host an exclusive interview with Ted Benford, Executive Director of Community Rowing Inc. (CRI). Whether you're new to the sport or a seasoned rower, this episode will give you an inside look at how rowing has grown into a vibrant community sport in New England and how CRI is a big part of it!
Fun fact: Over 2 million people row daily in the U.S.

Ted shares his fascinating journey as an athlete and coach, his extensive experience leading elite crews at major competitions like the Royal Henley Regatta and World Rowing Championships, and his work with Fortune 500 companies and Olympic rowers. Ted has coached at several DI and DIII programs in the area including Tufts, BC, MIT, and Northeastern. Now h'es devoting his time and energy into the wonderful community at CRI. Learn how CRI, located on Boston's iconic Charles River, has become a beacon for inclusivity, offering free programs for veterans, youth rowing programs for Boston and Cambridge public schools, corporate team-building rowing programs, and much more.

From hidden gem rowing locations in Neponset, Hingham, and Duxbury to CRI’s role as one of the US National Team training centers for the Paris 2024 and LA 2028 Olympics, this episode is packed with insights. Ted also discusses the mission of CRI, their involvement in Cambridge and Boston’s unique rowing-in-schools program, and how CRI is building community through rowing.

Whether you’re curious about rowing in general, learning about CRI's youth development program, corporate rowing program, or hearing about future initiatives in New England’s rowing scene, Ted’s expertise will inspire and inform. Join us for an inspiring conversation about the sport of rowing in the greatest endurance region in the world—New England!

Art & Eric embark on a journey to showcase and celebrate the endurance sports community in New England.

In this episode of the New England Endurance Podcast, we are joined by Karen Smyers, a triathlon legend and an inspiring figure in endurance sports. Karen's accolades include winning the 1995 Hawaiian Ironman World Championship, claiming three ITU World Champion titles, and earning her place in both the World Triathlon and USA Triathlon Halls of Fame. For 26 years, she competed at the top level of professional triathlon, and today, she’s making an impact by coaching athletes and organizing local endurance events like the Lincoln Kids Triathlon: Splash, Mash, Dash in Lincoln, MA.

Karen shares insights on her illustrious career, memories of competing in iconic races, and reflects on her journey as a coach. We dive into topics like the evolution of triathlon in New England and the challenges of balancing family life while training for Ironman events. Plus, we explore her passion for getting kids involved in endurance sports and discuss her vision for a more inclusive future in triathlon.

Don’t miss this episode filled with stories, advice, and inspiration from one of triathlon’s all-time greats.

Tune in and follow us on Instagram @newenglandendurance for more details and updates!

Art & Eric embark on a journey to showcase and celebrate the endurance sports community in New England.

In this episode, we have the honor of sitting down with a true legend in the New England cycling community—Richard Fries. Richard is the Co-Founder of Domestique Events, which organizes two incredible gravel events: the Lime Rock Epic and the Natchaug Epic. He also serves as the Director of Cycling Experience at Best Buddies International, a nonprofit organization that provides opportunities and support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

In this episode, Richard shares his remarkable journey in cycling, from his early days as a bike racer to his current roles as an event producer, advocate, and commentator. We dig into his career highlights, including his time working with the UCI as their first official English-language announcer and his leadership role at MassBike. Richard also discusses the important work Best Buddies does to foster inclusion through its charity rides and cycling programs, and how he helps make those events some of the safest and most enjoyable rides in the country.

We also explore how to make cycling more inclusive, bridge the gap between different types of cyclists, and hear about Richard’s thoughts on e-bikes and the decline of road racing in New England. Finally, Richard gives us an insider’s look at the Lime Rock Epic and Natchaug Epic—two must-ride events for any gravel enthusiast!

Tune in for an inspiring conversation about endurance sports, cycling advocacy, and why New England truly is the best region for cyclists.

**Episode Highlights:**
- Richard’s early career in cycling, his time as a race announcer, and founding Domestique Events
- The mission of Best Buddies and its impact on the community through cycling
- Insights on making cycling more inclusive and accessible
- The challenges and rewards of putting on iconic gravel events like the Lime Rock and Natchaug Epics
- Richard’s favorite rides and thoughts on the future of New England cycling

For more information, check out Domestique Events and Best Buddies. Be sure to follow us on Instagram @newenglandendurance to stay updated on future episodes and events!

Art & Eric embark on a journey to showcase and celebrate the endurance sports community in New England.

In this episode of the New England Endurance Podcast, we dive deep into the world of open water swimming with Craig Lewin, President and Head Coach of Endurance Swimming. Craig, a Boston College and Northeastern graduate, is not only a seasoned athlete and coach but also the founder of Beyond The Breakers, a groundbreaking conference aimed at uniting the open water swim community in New England.

Craig shares his journey in open water swimming, highlighting his incredible achievement of completing the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming—conquering the Catalina Channel, the 20 Bridges Swim, and the English Channel. His expertise extends to being an Ironman Certified Coach and a US Masters Swimming Certified Coach, making him a formidable force in the New England endurance sports world and beyond.

We also discuss some hidden gems in the open water swimming scene, including the Kingdom Swim Festival and the iconic Boston Lighthouse Swim. Craig also mentions the folks at Massachusetts Open Water Swim Association and its role in fostering a vibrant swimming community, as well as the Facebook group Boston Open Water Swimming.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about swimming, endurance sports, or simply interested in learning more about the thriving open water swim culture in New England.

Art & Eric embark on a journey to showcase and celebrate the endurance sports community in New England.

In this episode we’re excited to have a chat with Mitchell "Skip" Foley from Conte’s Bike Shop in Lexington, MA. This is a 2-for-1 episode as we get to not only learn about Conte's incredible cycling group rides but also about Mitchell's extraordinary journey as an athlete.

In case you haven't heard, Conte’s (with the help of B2C2) is running a very successful and very inclusive Sunday shop ride that is really adding to the local cycling scene. The shop ride offers something for everyone with 4 different groups, ranging from 16mph to 24+mph, and distances of approximately 35-50 miles in length. And who better to tell us about these rides than Mitchell Foley, head of Conte's Outreach and Business Development?

Conte’s may be relatively new to New England, but their impact on local cycling communities is anything but new . Since 1957, Conte’s has been a cornerstone for cyclists, with 21 locations across the country, including Virginia, Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, and now Massachusetts. And out of all their shops, the Lexington location has quickly risen to the top after just two years!

Mitchell is a local cycling legend in the New England community. He's a former D1 football player and NFL prospect, turned endurance athlete. He has an impressive resume as a 5-time national cycling champion and the #1 ranked Cat 1 criterium rider in 2002-2003. Beyond his athletic achievements, Mitchell has worn many hats—real estate, coaching, personal training, and entrepreneurship with his company Gemini Performance . His journey includes overcoming significant challenges, including recovering from severe accidents and embracing sobriety since 2014. Now, as the head of Outreach and Business Development at Conte’s, he’s channeling his discipline, resilience, and self-mastery into growing and supporting the cycling community here in New England.

As Mitchell said: "Roll Strong, Be Kind!"

Tune in for an inspiring conversation about cycling, personal growth, and the power of community.

Art & Eric embark on a journey to showcase and celebrate the endurance sports community in New England.