At just 19 years old, Griffin Briley is already making waves on the World Cup stage—and he’s just getting started. In this episode of SKIMO Gold, Griffin joins hosts Travis Macy and Cam Smith from Europe, fresh off the Olympic test event in Bormeo and prepping for the World Championships in Switzerland.

Griffin shares what it’s like to train full-time at 2000 meters in Chamonix, France, and how he balances the high-pressure world of Olympic sprints and relays with his love for long ski tours and big mountains. From honey-fueled workouts to climbing 6,000-meter peaks in Peru, Griffin brings serious grit, curiosity, and stoke to every corner of the sport.

The trio dives into training philosophy, the importance of quality over quantity, the quirks of altitude adaptation, and how to stay grounded while chasing Olympic dreams. Plus: rapid-fire questions, roommate confessions, and why “just loving skiing” might be the most important edge of all.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Thanks to our sponsors Redmond Real Salt and CAMP

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Learn more about Travis Macy and Cam Smith

Follow along with Skimo Gold and the Travis Macy Show

Skimo Gold is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.

Before SKIMO hit the Olympic stage, Pete Swenson was already carving the path. In this episode of SKIMO Gold, host Travis Macy reconnects with one of the sport’s foundational figures in the U.S.—a pioneer whose influence runs deep through the gear, culture, and competitive scene we know today.

Pete reflects on his early days transitioning from pro mountain biking to ski mountaineering, racing the first U.S. events in Crested Butte, and bringing lightweight European skimo gear stateside. From creating legendary events like the Heathen Challenge to leading the national series, Pete shares a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges of growing the sport—from working with resorts to building a true national race circuit.

Travis and Pete also dig into gear fragility, skinning technique, and why U.S. athletes need more high-level races to thrive. Pete offers heartfelt advice for young athletes and late starters alike, while sharing his current focus: running the Frisco Nordic Center, coaching junior racers, and supporting the next generation of skimo talent.

If you’ve raced skimo in the U.S., you’ve felt Pete’s impact. This episode celebrates his legacy—and his continued drive to grow the sport with passion, community, and grit. Let’s go!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Thanks to our sponsors Redmond Real Salt and CAMP

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Learn more about Travis Macy and Cam Smith

Follow along with Skimo Gold and the Travis Macy Show

Skimo Gold is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.

How do you train like an elite skimo athlete without losing yourself in the process? In this episode of SKIMO Gold, host Travis Macy sits down with longtime friends and legends of the endurance world—athlete Jack Linehan and coach Joe Howdyshell—for a conversation that’s as thoughtful as it is informative.

Jack shares what it’s like training in Chamonix (yes, carbs and croissants are involved), laying out a high-performance weekly routine that includes 10–14 hours of aerobic work, 6–7 hours of strength, and another 6–7 of mobility and PT. Joe, founder of Summit Endurance Academy, breaks down his coaching philosophy, with a focus on feel-first training, mood tracking, and what he calls the “internal power meter”—a way to guide training based on intuition, not just data.

They explore the importance of mental health in high-performance sports, how to fuel effectively for sprint races (hint: 225 grams of carbs in one bottle), and why creating space between your identity and achievements can unlock more joy and longevity in racing.

Whether you're chasing podiums or just trying to stay stoked through winter, this episode is packed with the wisdom, strategy, and soul of skimo. Let’s go!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Thanks to our sponsors Redmond Real Salt and CAMP

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Learn more about Travis Macy and Cam Smith

Follow along with Skimo Gold and the Travis Macy Show

Skimo Gold is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.

From elite racer to grassroots builder to Olympic team leader, Sarah Cookler is helping shape the future of ski mountaineering in the U.S. In this episode of SKIMO Gold, host Travis Macy sits down with Sarah—Head of Sport for USA Ski Mountaineering Association—to talk about her incredible journey from Vermont Nordic skier to head coach, race director, and force behind Project Podium.

Sarah shares how she’s grown the Silver Fork Ski Mountaineering Club into a powerhouse program, fostering a community-first approach that develops fast, skilled, and enthusiastic athletes—especially among youth. She talks mental prep, race-day transitions, gear tech (yes, we’re talking skin rips and kangaroo pockets), and why the mental game is just as important as physical training.

They dig into what it takes to grow the sport in the U.S.—from local race organizers and family participation to youth programs and Olympic goals. Sarah also reflects on her own race experiences, coaching philosophy, and how her background in emergency medicine helps her thrive under pressure.

Whether you’re a weekend warrior, a parent of a budding skimo athlete, or dreaming of 2026, this one’s packed with wisdom, inspiration, and community spirit. Let’s go!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Thanks to our sponsors Redmond Real Salt and CAMP

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Learn more about Travis Macy and Cam Smith

Follow along with Skimo Gold and the Travis Macy Show

Skimo Gold is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.

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!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Thanks to our sponsors Redmond Real Salt and CAMP

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Learn more about Travis Macy and Cam Smith

Follow along with Skimo Gold and the Travis Macy Show

Skimo Gold is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.

Jessie Young isn’t just keeping up—she’s setting the pace. Fresh off an impressive performance at the SKIMO World Cup in Spain, Jessie joins Travis Macy to talk about making the A final alongside her racing partner, Cam Smith, proving that experience, strategy, and grit can go toe-to-toe with raw youth.

A mother of two balancing elite competition, family life, and work, Jessie shares how she ramped up training in October with coach Josiah Middaugh, focusing on VO2 max and threshold workouts to sharpen her speed. She breaks down the art of the mixed relay—why nailing transitions is everything—and how her recent sprint race win at the US National Championships solidified her focus on Olympic qualification.

Travis and Jessie dig into the mindset, resilience, and tactical preparation it takes to compete at the highest level, especially when most of the competition is nearly two decades younger. Jessie’s story is one of pure determination, and with more World Cup races ahead, she’s all in on helping Team USA lock down an Olympic quota.

If you need a dose of motivation, this episode delivers.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Thanks to our sponsors Redmond Real Salt and CAMP

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Learn more about Travis Macy and Cam Smith

Follow along with Skimo Gold and the Travis Macy Show

Skimo Gold is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.

From tearing it up on the World Cup circuit to juggling tennis balls on the start line, Max Drion brings a whole new level of skill, strategy, and fun to SKIMO racing. In this episode, hosts Travis Macy and Cam Smith sit down with the Belgian champ to talk about his journey from discovering ski mountaineering in Switzerland to becoming an 11-time World Cup medalist and Olympic hopeful.

Max shares what it takes to compete at the highest level—his first World Cup win in 2021, the mental coaching techniques that help him push past limits, and his fueling strategies. He also opens up about the balance between training and adventure, the unique camaraderie among World Cup athletes, and his vision for growing ski mountaineering in Belgium.

Plus, Travis and Cam dig into Max’s unconventional race prep, his YouTube channel packed with training insights, and—yes—the story behind his pre-race juggling routine. This episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and a whole lot of stoke. Let’s go!

Max on Instagram | YouTube

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Thanks to our sponsors Redmond Real Salt and CAMP

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Learn more about Travis Macy and Cam Smith

Follow along with Skimo Gold and the Travis Macy Show

Skimo Gold is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.

Elite skimo racer, adventure athlete, and all-around mountain machine Rea Kolbl joins SKIMO Gold to talk about her journey from gymnastics to the high-altitude world of ski mountaineering. Co-hosts Travis Macy and Cam Smith dive into Rea’s diverse background in mountain running, OCR, and adventure racing, and how all of it has shaped her approach to SKIMO.

With her sights set on the 2026 Olympics, Rea breaks down the mixed relay event—what it takes to compete at the highest level, the precision of sprint racing, and how the right fueling and gear choices make all the difference. She also shares a candid look at her recent battle with mono, how it forced her to rethink training, and why rest and recovery have become key to her performance.

Beyond the racecourse, Rea discusses Slovenian sports culture, the balance of training with real life, and how she’s helping other athletes through her coaching business. If you’re looking for insights on endurance, resilience, and what it takes to reach the top, this episode is packed with it. Let’s go!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Thanks to our sponsors Redmond Real Salt and CAMP

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Learn more about Travis Macy and Cam Smith

Follow along with Skimo Gold and the Travis Macy Show

Skimo Gold is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.