Power, Confidence, and Success: Behind Pro Cycling with Melisa Rollins - Season 7 Ep 12

Sep 24, 2025

Melisa Rollins, a record-breaking gravel and mountain bike racer, and Isaiah Newkirk, coach and founder of TrainingEdge Coaching, talk race tactics, confidence, and targeted training. They cover tactical planning, altitude prep, power profiling, and real-time coach feedback. Short, bold moves and mental resilience reshape how races are won.

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ANECDOTE

How A Bike Bet Launched A Pro Career

Melisa Rollins started cycling in college after being offered a mountain bike if she completed a 100-mile race, which led her to enter Leadville as her first event.
She took a charity entry, finished despite walking long climbs, and formed lasting community connections from that first race.

INSIGHT

Practice Race Moves To Build Commit To Attacks

Confidence to commit to race-winning moves comes from practicing the exact efforts in training so you know you can execute under fatigue.
Melisa and Isaiah rehearsed finish scenarios and Melisa executed the planned late attack at SBT exactly as discussed.

INSIGHT

Selective Effort Beats Constant Power In Long Races

Strong riders must choose when to apply effort so their surges impact others, not just themselves; selective energy application wins races.
Isaiah emphasizes picking key launch pads and using pre-efforts to prime repeatable late-race attacks.

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Take a deep dive into the evolving tactics of gravel racing, where confidence, preparation, and expert coaching drive athletes to new heights.

Professional cyclist, Melisa Rollins, and her coach, Isaiah Newkirk, join host Matti Rowe, Education Specialist, for a look behind the scenes of training and racing tactics in professional gravel and mountain bike racing.

Melisa, fresh off of a win at Steamboat Gravel and breaking the record at Leadville 100, is redefining how races are won—not just by crossing the finish line first, but by making bold moves and having the confidence to see them through. When she returned to Leadville this year, Melisa brought a new perspective: instead of focusing solely on defending her title, she recognized the unpredictable nature of competition and embraced the value of small victories along the way. Her success comes from strategic planning, adaptability, and a fearless approach to each race, proving that winning can mean much more than a podium finish.

Isaiah, founder of TrainingEdge Coaching and performance director for Project Echelon, along with Melisa's coach, dives into the meticulous planning efforts and bold tactical moves—and how Melissa and Isaiah approach everything from training adaptations at altitude to the psychological ups and downs of top-level racing.

Key takeaways: If you’ve ever wrestled with motivation after a big win or doubted yourself mid-training session, Melissa’s honest account of post-victory blues and curbside tears offers a refreshingly real perspective. With insights into altitude training, mental resilience, and the power of immediate coach-athlete feedback, this episode is packed with actionable wisdom. Whether you’re preparing for your own Leadville-level challenge or just looking for inspiration to take your training up a notch, Melissa and Isaiah’s story will remind you: success comes from knowing your strengths, planning with purpose, and learning to thrive both in data and what's out of your control.

03:14 Parental Influence and Sport Choices

11:53 Building Confidence Through Specific Workouts

13:58 Racing Strategy & Mental Toughness

17:51 Evolving Race Tactics in Women’s Cycling

19:48 Optimizing Athletic Power Curve

25:15 Remote Coaching's Unique Connection

26:01 Coaching: Beyond Data, Emotional Support

29:20 Leadville Race Experience Insights

36:37 Redefining Winning Beyond Titles

43:36 Altitude Data Boosted Race Performance