Uphill Athlete Podcast

In this special International Women's Month episode, host Chantelle Robitaille sits down with coach Alexa Hasman to explore what it truly means to train as a female mountain athlete. Together they walk through the physiological realities of each major life phase — from the menstrual cycle and pregnancy to postpartum recovery and menopause — not as limitations, but as distinct training phases requiring smart adaptation. Anchored by the guiding principle that "ability is the measure of permission," they challenge women to reject the noise of external opinion and cultivate a deep, data-informed understanding of their own bodies.The conversation covers practical strategies at every stage: cycle-tracking tools and red flags to watch for; trimester-by-trimester training modifications during pregnancy; the often-overlooked realities of diastasis recti and pelvic floor recovery postpartum; and why strength training becomes non-negotiable during perimenopause and beyond. Alexa and Chantelle make a compelling case that women's athletic identity is not fixed to any single phase — it evolves — and that with the right coaching, community, and self-advocacy, female athletes can pursue big mountain goals at every age.

Coaches Chantelle and Alexa make the case that strength training is non-negotiable for female mountain athletes. They debunk the myth that lifting makes women bulky, distinguish between hypertrophy and functional strength, and walk through the three phases of strength programming: max strength, muscular endurance, and maintenance. Special attention is given to eccentric strength, an often-overlooked element critical for the downhill demands of mountaineering, trail running, and skiing. Learn how to get started as a beginner, common training mistakes, smart recovery practices, and how to measure progress beyond the weight on the bar. Get practical, accessible options for fitting strength work into a busy life. No matter your experience level or life stage, the best time to start is now.Special Offer to Listeners: Receive free four week samples of our most popular training plans, visit uphillathlete.com/letsgoWrite to us at coach@uphillathlete.com

Dr. Christine Theodorovics, an insurance CEO, doctoral researcher, and lifelong mountaineer who climbed Switzerland's 48 4,000m peaks while leading a corporate career. She discusses the human bonds that outlast summits. Topics include expedition leadership vs corporate governance, competence as the measure of permission, freedom within clear frames, and encouraging women to claim leadership roles.

Patrycja Jonetzko, a cardiothoracic anesthetist and high-altitude medicine specialist with decades in the Himalaya, joins to unpack oxygen’s journey from air to muscle. She explains why partial pressure matters, how diffusion and breathing technique shape altitude performance, and the roles of hydration, hematocrit, and pre-acclimatization strategies. Practical physiology meets expedition hard-won wisdom in concise, science-forward advice.

Mark Twight, alpinist, writer, and founder of Gym Jones, recounts survival on Nanga Parbat and how near-death forged his approach to training. He traces the shift from personal obsession to service through coaching military, actors, and athletes. Topics include mobility and hazard management in alpinism, brutal training methods applied to film and special ops, ethical responsibility in coaching, reinvention, and accepting changing limits.

Mark Twight, alpinist, writer, and photographer known for bold solos and blunt essays. He recounts redefining identity after elite climbing. They examine the Slovak Direct’s turning-point meaning. He discusses evolution toward nonstop alpine endurance, the cost of single-minded pursuit, survivor’s guilt, mentoring, and the setup for a harrowing Nanga Parbat survival tale.

Most endurance athletes don’t fail because they lack motivation—they fail because their goals are vague, unrealistic, or disconnected from their daily behaviors. In this episode of the Uphill Athlete Podcast, Steve House is joined by coaches Chantelle Robitaille and Alexa Hasman to unpack what actually makes goal-setting work over the long term.The conversation breaks down the critical differences between outcome, performance, and process goals, and explains why process-driven systems (not motivation) are the foundation of sustainable progress. The trio explores how identity, accountability, life constraints, and long-term planning shape athletic success, especially for non-professional athletes balancing work, family, and training.Listeners will learn how to build goals inside a realistic training structure, avoid common psychological traps like impostor syndrome and comparison, and design systems that hold up when motivation fades. The episode closes with a practical framework for reviewing past seasons, setting meaningful goals, and choosing the right level of support.Special Offer to Listeners: Receive free four week samples of our most popular training plans, visit uphillathlete.com/letsgoWrite to us at coach@uphillathlete.com

John Winsor, an entrepreneur, Harvard researcher, and mountain athlete, explores the 'explorer's mindset' in a thought-provoking discussion. He shares his life adventures, from setting FKT records to overcoming personal tragedies, including his wife Bridget's struggle with bipolar disorder. Winsor emphasizes asking 'why not' instead of 'why,' and approaches challenges, like his prostate cancer diagnosis, with curiosity. He envisions a legacy of being a 'ghost in the machine,' advocating for presence over identity as the true measure of a fulfilled life.

Steve House welcomes newly appointed Uphill Athlete Coach Gabe Joyes for a comprehensive look at the 2025 trail running season. Gabe brings deep expertise as both a competitive trail runner and race director, having organized Wyoming's Sinks Canyon Chill Races and Run the Red Desert for nearly a decade.The conversation covers the year's marquee events: Western States 100, where Abby Hall and Caleb Olson claimed victories; Hard Rock 100, marked by Katie Scheid's stunning course record; and UTMB, where Ruth Croft became the first woman to win the UTMB/CCC/OCC triple crown and Tom Evans finally claimed victory after two previous DNFs. They also discuss the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships, the rise of 200-mile distances, and the inspiring presence of athletes in their seventies and eighties still finishing hundred-milers.Special Offer to Listeners: Receive free four week samples of our most popular training plans, visit uphillathlete.com/letsgoWrite to us at coach@uphillathlete.com

Scott Backes, an accomplished amateur alpinist known for bold firsts and emotional honesty, traces his climb from rebellious Midwest youth to a climber who stayed true to himself. He recalls daring early Rockies solos, brutal bivouacs, and choosing city life over climbing tribalism. The conversation explores vulnerability in climbing culture, balancing family and risk, and finding meaning after peak experiences.