Uphill Athlete Podcast

Steve sits down with longtime climbing partner Scott Backes for a conversation that moves far beyond typical adventure storytelling. Scott traces his path from rebellious Minnesota teenager to respected amateur alpinist, describing his 1980 baptism in the Canadian Rockies—soloing the West Shoulder Direct on Andromeda, climbing new routes on Mount Temple, and surviving desperate bivouacs on Kitchener's North Face. Rather than move west like most ambitious climbers, he deliberately stayed in Minneapolis, unwilling to surrender his identity to climbing's tribal pressures.The conversation takes an unflinching turn when Scott discusses growing up with a narcissistic father whose contempt taught him to hate himself. He credits climbing's hero's journey—and discovering he could trust and love his partners—with his path toward self-acceptance. This leads to what he considers his greatest contribution: normalizing emotional vulnerability among male alpinists. He was the first man outside Steve's family to tell him "I love you," helping transform the culture of their tight-knit circle.Both reflect on the challenge of returning from transcendent mountain experiences to ordinary life, and on their 2000 ascent of the Slovak Direct on Denali. Steve recalls a pivotal granite pitch climbed in darkness where he felt, for the first time, genuinely connected to others in something "almost religious." When asked how he wants to be remembered, Scott's answer is direct: as the person who brought the word love to hard-ass alpinists, and as an imperfect person who tried to understand himself.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

Steve House sits down with Kyle Lefkoff, a rare figure who has lived at the intersection of serious alpinism and venture capital for nearly four decades. From discovering his "mutant gene" for rock climbing as a kid in Atlanta to surviving K2's deadliest season in 1986, from co-founding Array Biopharma (acquired by Pfizer for $12 billion) to serving as founding chairman of AIARE, Kyle shares how the same principles—luck, timing, patience, and pattern recognition—govern success on both big walls and in boardrooms. The conversation explores his philosophy of "where matters," his belief that geography shapes who we can become, and why he chose Boulder as the terrain where he could develop both his athletic and entrepreneurial potential. Kyle reflects on "Slater's Law" (the climb isn't over until the ropes are on the ground), the parallels between powder days and market momentum, and his ultimate legacy: building bridges—between climbers and guides, entrepreneurs and investors, communities and their mountains.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

In this holiday-themed discussion, registered dietitian Alyssa Leib shares her expertise on fueling for endurance and mountain athletes. She tackles the unique challenges athletes face, from managing comments about eating habits to finding balance between training and celebration. Alyssa emphasizes the importance of adding nutrient-rich foods and practicing compassion during the holidays. Her key advice includes maintaining a consistent eating schedule and turning festive meals into positive rituals for mental and physical well-being.

Alyssa Leib, a registered dietitian and nutrition expert, joins the conversation to unravel the complexities of the supplement industry. She reveals the unregulated nature of the market, emphasizing the necessity of third-party testing like NSF or Informed Sport certifications. Alyssa tackles crucial questions about supplements' efficacy, safety, and cost. She recommends whey protein isolate and creatine monohydrate while cautioning against collagen's uncertain benefits for joint health. Plus, she warns athletes about potential supplement-drug interactions.

Join legendary climber and entrepreneur Randy Leavitt as he shares his journey from developing iconic routes like Jumbo Love to building a real estate business that supports his climbing passion. He discusses the importance of vision, patience, and risk management, drawing parallels between crafting climbing routes and real estate projects. Leavitt emphasizes lifelong learning, reflecting on his near-death surfing experience and the grind of balancing business ambitions with his love for the mountains. His insights are a celebration of dedication, craftsmanship, and the legacy we leave behind.

Host Steve House sits down with dietitian Alyssa Leib to tackle the big question: do endurance athletes really need supplements? Alyssa breaks down which options can actually make a difference, like protein powder and creatine, and which ones deserve more caution, including bicarbonate, greens powders, and caffeine. She explains why lab testing is essential before adding vitamins or minerals and shares tips on choosing safe, third-party tested products. Alyssa emphasizes “food first” as the priority, and then how supplements can help fill gaps when training, traveling, or on expeditions. The conversation wraps up with a look at future trends like ketones and a reminder to approach all supplement claims with a healthy dose of skepticism.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

In this episode, Alyssa sits down with Uphill Athlete Coach Ben Morley to discuss the ins and outs of skiing. Ben shares insights from his career coaching athletes from juniors to collegiate skiers and discusses ways to build durability, athleticism, and efficiency through ski training that translates into other mountain sports. The conversation explores the crossover between Nordic skiing, skimo, backcountry skiing, and trail running, highlighting the importance of technique, body position, and strength. Ben also breaks down preseason training, from aerobic base-building to ski-specific exercises like ski walking, bounding, and plyometrics. Above all, he reminds listeners that skiing is about joy, play, and the lifelong fitness it fosters.If you'd like to check out our special offer for podcast listeners visit: uphillathlete.com/letsgoYou can also write to us at coach@uphillathlete.com

In this episode, host Steve sits down with Greg Penner, chairman of Walmart and CEO of the Denver Broncos, to explore the intersections of adventure, leadership, and risk. Greg recounts his 2018 Everest expedition, where his team faced oxygen regulator failures at 28,000 feet and had to make life or death decisions on the mountain. Drawing parallels between mountaineering and business, he reflects on decision making under pressure, finding the right partners, and learning when to push forward or when it is best to step back. The conversation dives into legacy, privilege, and giving back, from Walmart’s investments in its workforce to the Broncos’ community programs. Greg shares how the love of the process has shaped his approach to leadership and adventure.If you'd like to check out our special offer for podcast listeners visit: uphillathlete.com/letsgoYou can also write to us at coach@uphillathlete.com

In this episode of the Uphill Athlete Podcast, host Alyssa Clark talks with climber Laura Pineau, fresh off becoming the first woman, alongside Kate Kelleghan, to complete the Yosemite Triple Crown in under 24 hours. Laura shares the story behind her nickname “Mademoiselle Fissure” and how a passion for crack climbing transformed her career. She reflects on her path from deep water soloing in France to big walls in Yosemite, highlighting the mentors who shaped her journey. The conversation dives into her training, mindset, and the importance of nutrition, hydration, and strategy for long endurance climbs. Listeners will be inspired by Laura’s humility, love of learning, and insights on tackling seemingly impossible challenges.You can follow Laura's adventures on instagram @laurapineau If you'd like to check out our special offer for podcast listeners visit: uphillathlete.com/letsgoYou can also write to us at coach@uphillathlete.com

Dr. Jeff Hammond, a double-boarded foot and ankle specialist, joins host Alyssa Clark to talk about athlete foot health and injury prevention. They cover the pros and cons of shoe drop, custom orthotics, and how different footwear can impact performance and injury risk. Jeff shares practical advice on managing Achilles tendonitis, stress fractures, blisters, and trench foot while emphasizing prevention through smart training, socks, and foot care. The conversation also explores mental and physical challenges athletes face during tapering and long races, plus strategies for nutrition and gear testing. Join us to learn about all things foot care and injury prevention.You can learn more about Dr. Hammond at https://hammondfootandankle.com/If you'd like to check out our special offer for podcast listeners visit: uphillathlete.com/letsgoYou can also write to us at coach@uphillathlete.com