With Pace

Mark Twight is a former pioneering mountaineer, climber, photographer, author, podcaster, and Hollywood trainer. During his climbing career, he made multiple first ascents of some of the most challenging routes in the world, and achieved the fastest known times (FKTs) on Denali and Mount Hunter in The Alaska Range using bold, innovative training and climbing methods. His lightweight, single push approach to alpinism solidified his legacy as a pioneer of the sport, and changed the face of mountaineering. Following his retirement from climbing, Twight founded Gym Jones, a private training facility where his success with professional athletes and military personnel led him to training actors for nine different Hollywood movies. He defines his current project--NonProphet--as the intersection between art and action but it is difficult to assign a title to what he does. Now he works as a writer, podcaster, speaker, and photographer. Payson caught up with Mark in Moab, UT to attempt to scratch the surface of Mark's career. They discuss radical approaches to breaking speed records, Mark's legendary 60 hour ascent of Denali, and why a balance between hubris and humility is key to achieving anything great. In the process, they realized there was just too much to talk about, and came back for round two a few months later. Part II of their conversation will be published next week. Instagram: @withpacepodYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc

Kelly Halpin is a mountain runner with multiple fastest known times on some the toughest and most remote routes in the country. She specializes in solo, unsupported challenges in and around her home territory in Grand Teton National Park, and often combines her running with professional level rock climbing. In addition to running and climbing, Halpin is an accomplished snowboarder and horseback rider, and has worked as an artist and illustrator for companies such as ESPN, Powder Magazine, and Red Bull. Payson visited Kelly in her home in Jackson, Wyoming where they talked about art, the precautions required for solo wilderness adventures, the best type of saw for cutting off dead bison heads, and the time she literally ran into a black bear on an afternoon run. They recorded this episode directly after returning from a neighborhood rosé party, so at times the conversation style may seem even looser than normal.Instagram: @withpacepodYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc

Lynsey Dyer is a professional skier and filmmaker from Jackson, Wyoming. Following a career in competitive big mountain skiing, Lynsey went on to become a trailblazing star in many backcountry films, eventually moving on to directing and producing award winning films of her own. Especially of note was "Pretty Faces", the first and only all-female ski film. Lynsey has also been a commentator for ESPN, starred in a reality TV show on Bravo, presented Ted Talks, and been awarded Female Skier of the Year by Powder Magazine multiple times. Payson sat down with Lynsey in her home to discuss her incredible dedication to setting a good example for young women (she's turned down opportunities with Coca-Cola, Mountain Dew, and Playboy recently), the challenges of navigating all-male film shoots, the oxymorons and environmental challenges of her career, and her observations on why men are in desperate need of good role models. Lynsey also hosts her own podcast, "Showing UP."Instagram: @withpacepodYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc

Loren Mutch is a skater with the Rose City Rollers, one of the best roller derby teams in the world. In 2014, she was crowned Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) MVP, and went on to help her team win back to back world championships in 2015 and 2016. Earlier this summer, Payson caught up with Loren at her home in Portland, Oregon where they got philosophical about social media, discussed the type of training required for such a unique sport, and connected over tattoos and a shared love of basketball. Instagram: @withpacepodYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc

Tim Johnson is a former professional cyclist, most known for his multiple cyclocross national titles and world championship medals. His career also included a stint on a World Tour road team, where he had to face tough decisions at the height of the doping era that nearly made him quit the sport. Payson and Tim were teammates as part of a collection of Lululemon athletes for BC Bike Race, where Payson had the chance to better get to know an icon of the sport he’s looked up to for years. Between stages six and seven, the two sat down to discuss stories from both the high points and low points of his career, his position as development director at USA Cycling, how he helped Tejay Van Garderen and Mike Woods in their last few workouts before this year’s Tour de France, why he’s so silly, and his never-ending love of the sport. This episode has some stronger-than-usual language. Instagram: @withpacepodYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc

Grand Poobear is a Red Bull e-sports athlete and one of the top competitive video gamers in the world. With thousands of followers on Twitch and Youtube, he earns a very handsome living while simultaneously raising over a million dollars for charity through live events and streams. Payson caught up with Poo at his home in Vancouver, Washington to discuss the grind of esports stardom, why failure is 99% of the job, and how a nearly fatal snowboarding accident took him out of traditional competitive sports and brought him into gaming. Instagram: @withpacepodYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc

Gwen Jorgensen in a runner and former triathlete. She won the gold medal for the triathlon at the Rio Olympics in 2016 and won the ITU World Triathlon Series two years in a row in 2014 and 2015. Now retired from triathlon racing, she has her eyes set on the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo for the marathon. Payson sat down with Gwen in her Portland, OR home to discuss her latest Olympic ambitions, deciding to have a child in the middle of her transition from one high profile sport to another, what it’s like being part of the exclusive Bowerman Track Club running team, and much more. Plus, her two year old son Stanley makes a surprise appearance. Instagram: @withpacepodYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc

Instagram: @withpacepodYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc

This week, The Adventure Stache headed to the Leadville 100 mountain bike race in Leadville, CO to record its very first live episode. Payson was joined on stage by “The Queen of Pain” Rebecca Rusch, ultra runner Dave Mackey, and an encore appearance from last week’s guest, mountain bike legend Dave Wiens. They sat down to talk about the challenges and rewards of endurance events like the Leadville 100, why pain is your friend, and the joys of endurance sports that go far beyond racing. They also took questions from the live audience, including how to find fulfillment during injury, calculating nutrition plans for endurance races, and the last resort mantras they tell themselves when they’re reaching their physical and mental limits. Instagram: @withpacepodYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc

Dave Wiens is a member of the mountain bike hall of fame, two time US National champion (XC and Marathon), multi-time World Cup winner, and six time Leadville 100 winner. Wiens won the race six times in a row, beating Floyd Landis and Lance Armstrong consecutive years, and was the first to break the seven hour barrier at the event. Dave now serves as Board Chairmen of the International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA), the largest non-profit dedicated to enhancing the trial experiences of mountain bikers world wide. Payson caught up with Dave at his home in Gunnison, CO, where they talked about his storied career, advocacy, the future of mountain biking, and what it’s like to have his son, Cooper, finally surpass Dave’s speed. Dave recently raced Payson at the XC National Championships, finishing top 25 and proving he’s far from being done with riding a bike fast. Instagram: @withpacepodYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc