Haley Smith

Professional cyclist and gravel racer Haley Smith joins the podcast to discuss topics like orthorexia, transitioning to gravel racing, pain comparison between different races, challenges in eating for longer races, understanding load and stress, motivating and training young cyclists, and navigating expectations and reclaiming motivation in racing.

Haley Smith, a professional off-road cyclist and stage racing expert, joins to recap her thrilling experience at Gravel Burn stage 2. She shares her excitement about racing alongside WorldTour pros and reflects on a challenging year as she rebuilt her fitness after long COVID. Haley details the dramatic final sprint for third and the rugged terrain of the Karoo. They discuss the tight competition in the women's field, stage racing tactics, and the growing prize money in off-road events, highlighting the evolution of the sport.

Olympian Haley Smith shares her insights on training effectiveness and mindset strategies. She breaks down how to evaluate a training year by looking at mood, sleep, and performance trends. Haley discusses her journey with RED-S and the impact of increasing carbohydrates on her energy levels and mental health. She emphasizes the importance of managing expectations and utilizing mental tools like journaling and mantras to stay focused. Plus, she reflects on her challenges and victories, including lessons learned from her performance at major races.