Ride and Laugh MTB Podcast

Special guest Dean Tennant joins the Ride and Laugh MTB Podcast to share the mindset, focus, and confidence behind riding some of the gnarliest trails in the world! We dive into MTB flow, mental focus, downhill racing, cornering techniques, and practical tips to ride faster, smoother, and with more confidence on challenging features. Dean shares how racing helped sharpen his skills, why practice builds confidence, and his top cornering tip: eyes up, look through the turn, and stay off the brakes! 

We also explore overcoming fear, riding under pressure, positive self-talk, breathing techniques, and why sometimes the b...

In this episode we discuss the five most challenging features in mountain biking, and how to conquer them.  From jumps, slabs, skinnies, drops and slow speed tech, all these obstacles share many similarities in how we can approach them.  Body position, momentum, commitment lines and proper technique can be the difference between success and failure.  However, mindset can also be an important tool.  Learn how to hijack your brain into thinking like a pro, and see if these tips can help you on your next MTB ride. 

So what MTB features do you find most difficult?  And did we...

MTB hardtails aren’t just cheaper beginner bikes—they can make you a better mountain bike rider! We break down the benefits of riding a hardtail, from faster and more efficient climbing to better body position, line choice, jumping, bike control, and smoother overall riding. 

A hardtail forces you to become the suspension, making you more dialed and confident when you jump back on a full-suspension MTB, plus they’re awesome as a backup bike, bad-weather bike, and low-maintenance option. Are you a hardtail rider, or have you spent time riding one—and did it make you a better...

How do you find MTB Flow State, build confidence, and overcome fear on the trails? We explore whether mountain bike social media inspires us or hurts our confidence, why flow state is all about trust (you can’t think your way into it!), and how letting off the brakes and trusting your skills can make riding faster feel smoother and safer.

Dan and Sage dive into courage vs. fear, MTB visualization, overcoming self-doubt, and why focusing on how far you’ve come can unlock your next level of progression on the bike and in life.

What...

How do you find your edge in mountain biking without crashing? We’re talking MTB confidence vs. skill, focusing on riding successes instead of past failures, and practical ways to relax your nervous system so you can ride looser, trust your skills, and tackle challenging trails with confidence! 

Plus, the Red Bull Rampage debate heats up as we discuss bigger features, progression, and Hannah Bergmann’s incredible recovery after a practice-run crash. We share tips for overcoming fear, managing trail anxiety, knowing when to push your limits, and finding that “I got this!” moment without forgetting that mountain...

Cornering tips tested at the bike park! We put berm techniques like strong legs, eyes up, braking control, and “moon the berm” to the test while breaking down what we look for in a pre-ride. Dan takes on the jumps at Big Bear/Snow Summit Bike Park, shares lessons from a pre-ride crash, and talks about getting aggressively centered, building confidence, and putting his jump skills to work. 

We debate the difference between true Flow State and being “In the Zone,” then dive into wall rides, drops, energy management, and why jumps never seem to get easier. What do y...

Refine your MTB visualization technique and unlock new levels of confidence on the trail!  We discuss positive self-talk, confidence vs. skill, front vs. rear braking, and riding with certainty.  Minds are blown watching Mark Matthews take on the insane B-Rage Sesh in Norway and listening to Wes Sends calmly talk his way through The Railyard MTB Park!

We also break down MTB nutrition, diet, fueling vs. fitness, and how healthy eating, fasting, exercise, and an active lifestyle can help you feel better and spend more time riding. From pro-level mountain biking and progression to MTB crashes, mindset, an...

eMTB vs. analog, finding the MTB flow state, and why getting older isn’t a limitation; it’s a source of wisdom! Dan and Sage dig into how to enter flow on the mountain bike, trust your skills, stay present, and keep progressing at any age without putting unnecessary pressure on yourself. 

We also talk about MTB progression, clipless pedals, being dynamic on the bike, music on the trails, and why challenge and progression can look completely different from rider to rider. Plus, Dan may have officially earned the title of the world’s greatest Dead Sailor jumper...

Want to lose weight, get stronger, and climb your MTB faster? We dive into MTB weight loss and management, high-carb fueling versus becoming fat-adapted, and practical mountain bike climbing tips to help you ride stronger and feel better on the bike and in life. 

We also tackle the pain cave vs. cramping, overcoming fear after crashes, improving climbing fitness, breathing and heart-rate control, and whether you really need all those gels and sports drinks. Plus, we talk about the wild Les Gets DH race finish, MTB progression, berms, eMTBs, and some hard-earned comeback lessons.

What do...

Want to corner your mountain bike faster, smoother, and with more confidence? We test a pro-level MTB cornering tip from Slanted Ground MTB - and it works! We break down steering from the rear wheel, shifting your hips, braking less, and getting more dynamic on the bike to improve cornering, flow, and control.

We also explore the benefits of riding MTB skinnies, drawing from Dean Tennant MTB videos, including balance, commitment, eyes-up riding, bike-body separation, and whether those skills actually transfer to downhill mountain biking.

Plus, we dive into group ride dynamics from the ideal...

The MTB Pain Cave is real! We’re sharing mountain bike climbing tips for managing the mental and physical fatigue that hits during max-effort MTB climbs, tough trails, and steep mountains - when your brain says “STOP!” but you want to reach the top. Learn how to use positive self-talk, mini-goals, motivation, mindset, music, and powerful belief systems to push past limits, finish tough climbs, and become a stronger, fitter, tougher mountain biker. 

Plus, we dive into our favorite motivational riding songs and why the right music can make a huge difference when you’re deep in the pain...

This week on the Ride and Laugh MTB Podcast, we share an MTB jump tip that immidiately worked for Dan, plus a powerful reminder to focus on thoughts that make you feel good; because MTB progression isn’t linear!  We dive into MTB mindset, mental health, social media breaks, intuition, confidence, and positive self-talk, including why you should “rehearse success, not disaster” both on the bike and in life. 

We also talk single-speed MTB suffering, eMTBs, bike choice, MTB tires, CushCore, trail technique, youth MTB coaching, and the amazing mountain bike community that keeps lifting each other up. 

In this episode of the Ride & Laugh MTB Podcast, we explore the MTB redemption arc; finding appreciation after injury, learning the lessons life is providing for us, and discovering how tough rides and setbacks can build confidence, gratitude, and resilience.

We also debate the best way to train cardio for mountain biking: is an indoor trainer and structured FTP training more effective, or does riding a road/gravel bike build better fitness and dynamic bike-handling skills for the MTB trails? Plus, we tackle the 1 bike vs. 2 bikes debate, aggressive hardtails, bike setup, MTB injury prevention, crashing, and h...

How much suspension travel do we REALLY need on a mountain bike? Dan and Sage dive into the “over-biked” debate, asking whether less suspension travel can actually mean more fun, more responsiveness, and a more dynamic riding experience. Plus, Sage reveals his new “back tire steering/turning” technique - using the rear wheel like a rudder to help change direction - and wants to know: is this actually a thing?!

The guys also talk MTB jump technique, body position, short-travel trail bikes, airbag jump training, MTB cross-training, and the never-ending quest to ride better, safer, and with more con...

Do mountain bikers NEED to crash to improve, or can the right MTB skills, coaching, and trail intuition help prevent serious injuries? In this episode of the Ride & Laugh MTB Podcast, Dan and Sage dive into the hidden lessons, gratitude, confidence, and personal growth that come from returning to the trails after an MTB injury. 

Join us as we discuss eMTB progression, whether a coil shock upgrade is worth it, MTB torque specs, loose cranks, creative ways to level up on familiar trails, and why Yellowjackets might be the scariest thing on the mountain! 

Have yo...

Whether you're mountain bike curious or already obsessed, this episode of the Ride & Laugh MTB Podcast dives into the many reasons to start mountain biking and why MTB is one of the most rewarding hobbies on the planet. We explore the incredible benefits of mountain biking—from fitness, confidence, adventure, travel, and mental health to trail progression, bike parks, eMTBs, and the amazing MTB community that keeps us coming back for more. 

Dan and Sage share their mountain biking origin stories, why riding dirt beats pavement (we're definitely biased!), and how MTB can change your life in way...

Ride new trail features with confidence as we dive into trail intuition, flow state, and when to trust your first instinct instead of stopping to overthink every obstacle. We also break down technical mountain bike climbing, covering gear selection, traction, high vs. low cadence, lifts, logovers, and the J-hop technique to help you conquer more technical terrain. 

Along the way, we debate what to call a group of mountain bikers, share mindset hacks for building confidence on the trail, and explore how certainty beats doubt in both riding and life. 

Do you prefer to ride ne...

Ride with certainty, not doubt, and learn how to tune into your bike, body, and the trail instead of distracting thoughts when tackling difficult MTB features, technical climbs, jumps, and new trail sections. In this episode of the Ride & Laugh MTB Podcast, we dive into MTB mindset, confidence, visualization, flow state, body awareness, muscle activation, coaching, and trusting your skills so you can ride with more control, fun, and progression.

We also talk about the difference between self-aware vs. self-conscious, how video footage can reveal hidden riding habits, why enthusiasm leads to practice, and how mountain biking...

Mountain bike progression isn't linear—and the secret to riding with more confidence, flow, and fun is embracing variety while letting go of pressure and expectations. In this episode of the Ride & Laugh MTB Podcast, we share MTB skills, jump tips, mindset coaching, confidence builders, and why trusting the process on the trail (and in life) leads to your biggest breakthroughs. We also dive into skinnies, BC Bike Race (XC Racing!), baking soda for endurance, DIY hydration drinks, dangerous trail animals, and the story behind why we unofficially named the Ride & Laugh family... "The Steeze!" 

Have you trie...

Ready to break through your mountain bike progression plateau? This week on the Ride & Laugh MTB Podcast, we're joined by Dave Davidson of MTB Academy to dive into MTB skills, mobility, mindset, body positioning, confidence, flow state, cornering, jumping, and the movement patterns that help riders progress faster and ride with more freedom. 

Learn why hip mobility, core activation, and functional movement matter more than simply copying faster riders, plus Dave's powerful 4-step progression process to unlock fast thinking and seamless technique on the trail. 

Which of Dave's lessons hit home the most for you? Jo...

Train smarter, ride with more flow, and discover why sometimes less is more on the mountain bike and in life! In this episode of the Ride and Laugh MTB Podcast, we dive into MTB fitness, climbing motivation, mental focus, confidence, and how letting go of fear can unlock your skills and help you ride more centered and faster. 

We also talk jump technique, technical descending, MTB imposter syndrome, eMTB progression, CushCore tire inserts, hydration packs vs hip packs, and using faster riders as motivation instead of comparison. Plus, hear stories from Bean Peaks and Goat Camp, listener q...

Mountain biking is the perfect sport to prove that anything is possible, and this episode of the Ride & Laugh MTB Podcast explores the mindset shifts that turn fear into confidence and help riders trust their skills. "Know thyself" doesn't mean avoiding progression—it means knowing exactly when to push limits, let go of pressure, and ride with flow. 

We talk MTB visualization, jump progression, technical trail riding, moto vs. mountain biking, intuition, and why speaking with confidence in the present can change your riding. 

How do you visualize yourself on the trail—through the handlebars (1st per...

Are you letting mountain bike imposter syndrome steal your confidence? In this episode of the Ride & Laugh MTB Podcast, we dive into why your worth has nothing to do with your skill level and why your crashes, mistakes, and failures do NOT define you as a rider—or as a person.

We explore mountain biking confidence, fear, comparison, progression, mindset, riding with faster riders, and the Ride & Laugh mantra: "The Skills Are In There." Learn how to trust your abilities, stack wins, lean into your strengths, and let go of self-doubt so you can ride with more fl...

What happens when a mountain biker tries moto/dirt bike training for the very first time? This episode of the Ride & Laugh MTB Podcast dives into MTB mindset, overcoming fear and resistance, flow state riding, group ride pressure, and how trusting yourself on the trail can completely change your riding experience.

Dan shares lessons from his first moto training session, the guys discuss comparison and peer validation in mountain biking, and Dan tells the painful story of losing his brand-new DJI Neo 2 drone! Plus, they talk Costa Rica MTB trip stoke, progression without pressure, and learning to...

MTB technique, fear vs. excitement, and trusting your skills — this episode of the Ride & Laugh MTB Podcast is packed with mountain bike progression, mindset shifts, jumping tips, and aggressive riding confidence! The guys discuss elbows out riding position, bunny hop/J-hop practice, staying dynamic on the bike, and how “just get into it” applies both on the trail and in life.

Dan shares breakthroughs practicing downhill MTB skills on his eMTB, while Sage talks modern vs. older mountain bike geometry after a recent ride on his 2018 Ibis Mojo. Plus: Arizona MTB riding, MTB travel stoke, jump technique, pump t...

Ride your ride, trust your skills, and replace negative self-talk with gratitude on this week’s Ride & Laugh MTB Podcast! We dive deep into mountain bike mindset, positive self-talk, flow state riding, confidence on technical terrain, and why we’re all better riders than we think we are when we stop comparing ourselves to others and simply stay present.

In this episode, Dan and Sage recap an epic ride through the granite slabs and slow-speed tech of the Granite Dells in Prescott, talking body position, aggressive riding, jumps, confidence, visualization, abundance, and how MTB skills transfer directly into...

Learn how to trust your MTB skills and tap into your amazing MTB intuition to find the rhythm of even the gnarliest of trails!  In this episode of the Ride and Laugh MTB Podcast, Dan and Sage dive into mountain bike progression, jump technique, aggressive body position, trail confidence, and how trusting yourself helps unlock smoother riding on jumps, tech, and steep terrain.

We talk about why mtb skills practice should still feel fun, how to shift from fear to excitement, and why riding loose and present creates better flow on the trail. From learning proper jump t...

Jump technique breakthrough and no pressure rides take center stage in this fun, mindful mountain biking episode—where dialing in proper jump form meets the freedom of riding with zero expectations. We break down MTB jump tips, body position, step-up jumps, and how letting go of pressure leads to smoother riding, more confidence, and way more fun on the trail.

On this Ride and Laugh MTB Podcast road trip update, Dan shares his huge jump breakthrough (hint: “jump off the ramp like the bike isn’t there!”), while Sage drops coaching gold on safer technique, timing, and why bigg...

Ride with aggressive confidence and unlock your best mountain biking by staying fully present—on the trail and in life. In this episode of the Ride and Laugh MTB Podcast, Sage and Dan dive into MTB confidence, overcoming crashes, proper jump technique, and why presence is the ultimate mountain bike skill. 

From Arizona trail riding to conquering fear after a fall, they share mountain biking tips, mindset strategies, and lessons that apply far beyond the bike. 

Do you get more aggressive after a crash, or more cautious? Join the conversation and leave your comments below or em...

Why do some mountain bikers love technical climbing while others dread it? In this episode of the Ride and Laugh MTB Podcast, we dive into MTB climbing techniques, debating big gear vs granny gear, standing vs seated climbing, cadence vs leg power, and why rocky technical climbs can actually be more fun than smooth fire road grinds. We break down momentum, torque, pedal cadence, traction, and technical climbing strategy, plus how different riders (and even eMTBs) approach steep mountain bike climbs.

What’s your climbing style—sit and spin in an easy gear or stand and hammer a bi...

Dan’s crash and injury update from the Ride & Laugh Across America trip takes center stage in this episode—3 crashes, 15 stitches, and a powerful mindset shift to “everything happens FOR us, not TO us.” We break down each MTB crash, the lessons learned in jumping technique, patience, and trusting the process, plus how mindset, presence, and language shape performance on and off the bike.

Recorded from Dan’s backyard in Arizona, this special episode dives into mountain biking progression, overcoming fear, injury recovery, and the mental side of MTB—from “dead sailor” jumps to rebuilding skills the right way. If yo...

Ride & Laugh From the Road | MTB Mindfulness Across America

Dan and Sage record this short, high-vibe episode straight from their awesome vehicle (er, minivan) during their Ride & Laugh Across America MTB road trip.

They reflect on letting go of fitness anxiety, trusting the process, and how confidence and progression naturally build when you stay present and stop forcing outcomes. From discovering incredible new riding spots to lessons learned through crashes and intuition, this episode is all about embracing the moment—on and off the bike.

If you’ve ever stressed about being “ready,” this is...

Aluminum vs. carbon mountain bikes—frames and wheels—sparks a lively debate in this episode of the Ride and Laugh MTB Podcast. We break down which MTB components, suspension, and bike upgrades are actually worth the money, and whether modern budget bike parts, derailleurs, and aluminum rims perform just as well as the more expensive carbon options. From carbon vs aluminum frames and wheels to Kashima coated suspension and asking why pro downhill racers run aluminum rims, we dig into the real performance differences and where your MTB dollars matter most.

What do you think—which mountain bike u...

Who really has the right of way on mountain bike trails—climbers or downhill riders? In this episode of the Ride and Laugh MTB Podcast, we debate classic MTB trail etiquette, the long-standing rule that downhill riders yield to uphill riders, and whether that rule still makes sense on modern mountain bike trails and flowy descents. We dive into real riding scenarios—technical climbs, ripping downhills, trail karma, faster riders catching up, and even the special case of eMTBs.

What do you think—should downhill riders finally get the right of way, or should climbers always have priori...

Hit the "Rut Track" with the Ride & Laugh MTB Podcast as we break down mountain bike technique, learning to trust your tires, and the powerful MTB lessons that translate directly to trail riding. We also dive into unnecessary pressure riders put on themselves, Strava expectations, and why mountain biking at 50+ can still be your strongest, most progressive riding years. 

From crashes, confidence, and traction control to mindset, benefits of aging, MTB progression, and riding for fun—not numbers—this episode is packed with mountain bike tips, training insights, and real rider perspective. Plus we talk Pinkbike fails, Trail...

Perspective shift on the trail and in life!  In this episode of the Ride and Laugh MTB Podcast, Dan explores the powerful mindset of “How is this working out FOR me?” while also having a breakthrough with clipless pedals—realizing they’re not just for pedaling efficiency but for lifting, boosting, and moving the bike with more control. The guys dive into mountain bike mindset, presence on the trail, arm pump, suspension setup, flat pedals vs clipless technique, and why it’s the rider—not the bike—that truly unlocks progression.

From a crash on Geronimo Trail that shook Dan’...

In this episode of the Ride and Laugh MTB Podcast, we dive deep into a powerful mindset shift for mountain bikers: stop labeling trails and features as “easy” or “hard” and start seeing them as “familiar” or “unfamiliar.” We explore how practicing presence off the bike helps you find flow, confidence, and progression on the trail—and Dan finally announces his long-awaited eMTB decision: the Orbea Wild, coming soon from Emigos Bike Shop (comment for build details and reasoning if interested!).

We also debate the best MTB drone for content creators (HoverAir X1 Pro vs. DJI Neo 2), question whether m...

Suspension tuning, functional weight training for mountain biking, and learning to ride loose are the big themes in this episode of the Ride and Laugh MTB Podcast—because a custom dialed setup and a strong, dynamic body can completely transform your MTB performance. We break down how a custom tune from Ride Dialed eliminated arm pump on Dan’s Pivot Firebird, why lifting heavy (for bone density, injury prevention, and functional strength) matters for male and female riders, and how bouncing, pumping, and weighting the front tire unlock next-level flow.

We also celebrate 2 YEARS of Ride & Laugh Podc...

In this episode of the Ride and Laugh MTB Podcast, we dive deep into the benefits of becoming a fat adapted athlete—riding fasted, steady power delivery, weight loss, improved metabolic health—and why most mountain bikers don’t need constant carbs, gels, and sugar to perform. We also explore the power of consuming positive media vs. negative media, the mindset shift of listening to podcasts at 1x speed vs. 2x speed, and how slowing down might actually help you get more from less.

We also cover eMTB talk (full power vs. lightweight builds, range extenders, and the ad...

Does strength training help on the mountain bike? In this episode of the Ride and Laugh MTB Podcast, we dive into this question as well as the flat vs. clipless pedal debate, optimal mountain bike handlebar width, and highlights from the Hawesfest MTB Festival - plus tips to improve flow, jumping, and trail performance.

We break down whether learning to ride flat pedals actually builds better MTB technique, how to measure the perfect handlebar width, and what we learned shredding Arizona’s Hawes trails. Packed with MTB training tips, bunny hop/J-hop technique talk, fitness insights, and rid...