On episode 16 of Crosshairs Radio we check in with Dr. Kristin Keim, who has a doctorate in clinical psychology and a masters in sports psychology. Dr. Keim works with athletes in all disciplines including many top-level cyclists and cyclocross racers.
I've followed Dr. Keim on Twitter for quite some time and knew she worked with several of the best cyclocross racers in the country. When Gabby Durrin announced her retirement in a December 15 blog post (www.team-awesome.cc/neon-velo/closing-a-chapter-and-starting-a-new) it was this passage that caught my attention: "I had spent some months leading up to the season working with a really great sports psychologist in Kristin Keim. She really helped me to express myself and just let go of some tough feelings I had been holding onto. It had been an emotional few months. I realised through working with Kristin that I had been dealing with depression."
Knowing that psychology is a huge part of cycling, not to mention all of sport, I've always had it on my list to invite a sports psychologist on the show. Kristin's added focus on depression and helping athletes transition out of sport is what compelled me to seek her out specifically for a chat. Especially following Gabby's retirement announcement.
We cover a lot of ground in this episode. Some of the discussion may seem like it is focused on professional athletes, but there is something in here for everyone. We even talk a bit about the biggest issues facing masters racers. Kristin has a bunch of tips you can use to help your performance and a bunch more food for thought.
After you're done listening, or even while you listen, you can learn more about Dr. Keim's practice at www.keimperformanceconsulting.com.
On Episode 15 of Crosshairs Radio we talk to Adam Myerson. Cyclocross racer, road racer, business owner, husband, dad ... Adam wears a lot of hats. In his last season as a professional racer, we caught up with Adam from team camp in Athens, Georgia, as his athletes prepare for U.S. Nationals.
We have a great conversation about how he got into cycling, his time spent on the European cyclocross commission and his thoughts on the state of U.S. cyclocross. We also spend some time analyzing some of your favorite European cyclocross stars' technique. It's a fun conversation with a lot of food for thought.
If you like the show, check out our music podcast Kids Don't Follow. You can find out more on Twitter at @KDFpodcast and at kidsdontfollow.libsyn.com.
Follow Crosshairs Radio on Twitter at @crosshairsradio. And also check out our cyclocross skills and technique book Skills Drills and Bellyaches: A Cyclocross Primer at www.cyclocrossbook.com.
For episode 14 of Crosshairs Radio we talk to SDG Muscle Monster's Amanda Nauman. You may know Amanda from the column she writes for In The Crosshairs, Panda's POV, and now you get to hear her whole story. From growing up as a competitive swimmer, to discovering bike racing, and catapulting to the top of sport in fairly short time period.
Amanda has some great stories and her bike racing career so far is a fun one to follow. Thanks for tuning in and for your continued support of Crosshairs Radio.
Thanks for listening. Please follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @cxhairs and check out all of the cyclocross and cycling products and gifts we have available at www.crosshairscycling.com/shop. Also take a look at our cyclocross book, Skills Drills and Bellyaches: A Cyclocross Primer, available at www.cyclocrossbook.com.
For episode 13 of Crosshairs Radio we have a post-Thanksgiving holiday roundtable with three of my friends and teammates: Taylor Jones (@jtaylorjones), Elliott Caldwell (@ef_caldwell) and Kevin Hays (CXShark).
Taylor and Elliott are my co-hosts on the Kids Don't Follow podcast where we talk music. But they also ride and race bikes. As does Kevin, the CX Shark. So we all gathered in my basement to run down everything that's anything in the world of cyclocross.
There's no real itinerary so we get a bit off track here and there. But it's all good. From Boonen and friends, to Koksijde, with stops at single-speed cyclocross world championships, and Flying Squirrel baseball games somewhere in between, we leave no leaf unturned.
We then end the show with our picks for an album you should be listening to right now. Or at least, after you finish the podcast.