Episodes

Legendary big wave surfer Yuri Soledade, is 48, and has spent decades riding some of the most powerful waves on Earth at Jaws in Maui. Known for winning the 2016 TAG Heuer XXL Biggest Wave Award for riding a massive 73-foot wave, Yuri’s story is about much more than surfing. It’s about mental resilience, humility, and balancing passion with a successful career. Yuri opens up about his humble beginnings in Brazil, moving to Hawaii, and the grit it took to chase his dream of conquering the world’...

"Age isn’t what defines you—it’s your ability to adapt, to keep going, and to never stop seeking what you’re capable of." 🚀 In this episode of the Ageless Athlete Podcast, we talk with the legendary ultra-endurance athlete, Marshall Ulrich. Known for running across America, completing over 20 Badwater Ultramarathons, and climbing all Seven Summits—including Mount Everest—Marshall shares the secrets behind his mental and physical resilience. From embracing pain as part of the journey to expe...

"Fear is natural, but it's how you dance with that fear that defines who you are as a climber and as a person." 🌄💗 Heidi Wirtz—aka "Heidi Almighty"— is a climber, guide, yogi, and an entrepreneur. 🧗‍♀️ Heidi is known for her bold and technical climbs, pioneering routes on big walls worldwide, and her speed ascents in Yosemite Valley. Heidi’s journey is about more than just summits. 🌍 From living in a tent to exploring diverse cultures, navigating gender dynamics, and finding strength th...

"You can sculpt your body to perfection, but without mastering your mind, you’ll never unlock your true potential. The real victories happen in your head." 🧎🏼‍♀️💪🏾 We are diving deep into the power of mental training with Hazel Findlay, a world-renowned climber, coach, and mindset expert. While Hazel may be young, her wisdom extends far beyond her years, offering insights that are crucial for athletes of any age—particularly those navigating the changes that come with aging. A 6x Britis...

Diana, 64 and Tim Fitzpatrick, 62, are accomplished ultrarunners who’ve not only achieved remarkable personal feats but also transformed lives through their work at San Quentin State Prison. They've marathon PRs of 2:37 and 2:35 respectively, and multiple finishes at the Western States 100, where at 60, Diana was the oldest to complete the run in sub-24 hours. Diana and Tim exemplify resilience, both in their athletic pursuits and their commitment to giving back. For the past eight years, they’...

"Even as life changes, keeping a playful spirit is essential. That’s what keeps me coming back to the rock, year after year." 🤾🏻‍♂️🌟 At 53 years young, Chris Kalous has spent over three decades dedicated to rock climbing, evolving from a dirtbag climber living out of his van to a house painter, and ultimately becoming the voice behind the legendary Enormocast podcast. With nearly 300 episodes of the Enormocast under his belt, Chris has captured the heart of the climbing community through his r...

"Even at 63, I train like I'm still in my prime. The key is to stay consistent and never lose that hunger." 🔥 Tinker Juarez turned 63 this year, and has been mountain bike racing competitively since the age of 13. He continues to compete against and beat bikers half his age . He is a three-time cross-country champion and a four-time national champion in the 24-hour solo category. In 1996 and 2000, Tinker had the honor of representing the United States in the Olympics when mountain biking was...

This week on Ageless Athlete, we're joined by a true climbing icon: Eric Hörst. Eric's not just a world-renowned climber, author, and coach—he's a pioneer who revolutionized climbing training and nutrition, inspiring generations of climbers to reach new heights. We'll journey back to the 80s, a time when climbing was a niche sport with limited resources. Eric was a trailblazer, experimenting with techniques and philosophies that transformed the way we train. He shared his insights through g...

“The mountain always show you how far you can go, and how far you are allowed to go, because biggest success will be always not to reach the summit, to come back alive from expedition.”🏔️ 🌟💪🏾 Thomas Huber, a legendary alpinist and one half of the iconic Huber brothers is a prolific first ascensionist over of the world’s most formidable big walls, including the Ogre, Cerro Torre, and the elusive Latok 1. He’s also made his mark on Yosemite Valley, where he and his brother Alex became part of the...

I've been reading Matt Samet's climbing and adventure writing since I started climbing myself in 2004 and am thrilled to be able to bring Matt to the show! Matt shares his journey of nearly four decades in the climbing world, offering insights into his experiences and the lessons he's learned along the way. From his perspective on climbing journalism to his honest discussion about overcoming addiction, Matt's story is one of courage, passion, and balance. Whether you're a climber or simply so...

Fred Pompermayer is the visionary behind some of the most breathtaking big wave surfing photos you've ever seen. 🏄‍♂️ From a landlocked town in Brazil to the world's most iconic waves, Fred's journey is as riveting as the images he captures. In this rare interview, Fred opens up about selling his bicycle at 12 to buy his first surfboard 🚲🏄‍♂️, sneaking university cameras for beach trips 🎓📷, leaving architecture school to chase his California dream 🏠➡️🌴, and transforming a childhood obsession ...

"I see something in you. Don't make a fool out of me." 👀💪 This powerful statement from Kris Hampton's probation officer had a profound impact on him, demonstrating the power of belief and accountability. From his home amidst the Rockies in Lander, WY, musician, artist, and climber Kris, shares his remarkable journey from a tough upbringing to finding solace and purpose in climbing, all while defying odds and setting impressive climbing goals. - Kris's inspiring path to cl...

"Forget the "long slow rot" of aging! 🙅‍♀️ Juliet Starrett, a world-champion whitewater rafter turned fitness advocate, is on a mission to empower us all to build durable bodies that can handle life’s adventures – at any age! Juliet unpacks her powerful "Base Camp" philosophy: reminding us that even lifelong athletes need to remember to sheerproof the basics. I loved her wisdom on weaving in practices into our daily cycles without expensive gizmos, going to yoga classes, or making time for ...

"It's not about being the star that day or catching the biggest wave. It's just, that's the one you remember and you carry all your life." 🏄🏽‍♂️🌊 What does it take to live a life in pursuit of waves for over 6 decades? Today's guest, Gary Linden, has been doing just that - riding everything from 2-foot rollers to 50-foot behemoths around the globe since the age of 12. Gary was one of the first true surfing nomads, traveling to remote regions and living amongst local cultures from Brazil to J...

Nick Martinez has been quietly ticking the hardest and scariest big walls in Yosemite for the last two decades. 🧗‍♂️ From early climbing dreams in Brazil, Nick made his way to Yosemite, finding community with legends like Jim Bridwell, Dean Potter and the Huber brothers, and making a name for himself amongst the Valley titans. 💪 Despite profound heartbreak of losing loved ones and his own near-fatal BASE jumping accident, Nick found a way to keep climbing, and finding purpose in the mountains h...

“ You know, you talk about my successes, I'll show you my thousand failures. ” 🚴🏼‍♂️ Nestled in the heart of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, we are joined by Jeremiah Bishop, who has earned the title of the ‘the most-winning US Mountain Bike Stage Racer,’ 🏆. He’s a 16-time member of the USA Cycling National Team, a Pan American Games Gold Medalist 🥇, a two-time US National Champion 🇺🇸, and winner of some of the world's most challenging stage races, including the TransAlp Challenge and the...

“I'm not a 70-year-old woman on the trail, I'm a free spirit dancing with gravity.” - Henrietta Stern, mountain biking icon 🚵🏽‍♀️ 💜 This week, we’re breaking the mold with not one, but FIVE remarkable guests – all powerhouse women from the San Francisco Bay Area mountain biking scene. Meet Jessica, Jenna, Henrietta, Lisa, and Alexis – a group of community entrepreneurs, passionate riders, certified instructors, and social leaders who are changing the face of mountain biking. I was enthr...

🚀"Yes, that was a catalyst. Yours doesn't have to be falling off a cliff, because you know, everyone's going to fall off their own cliff, whatever that is. "💪🏾⛰️ Craig DeMartino embodies the spirit of this podcast in every way. He's a climber, a teacher, a mentor, and an inspiration to anyone who's ever faced adversity. Climbing wasn't just a hobby; it became a way of life, a passion that shaped his world. But life, as we know, throws curveballs. In Craig's case, it was a devastating accide...

"Oh those early days. We started with a clothesline and carabiners, venturing onto cliffs with no adult supervision. Looking back, it's a miracle we survived" 🧗🏾😅 Today, we travel to India 🇮🇳 to meet Mohit Oberoi, a man who turned his passion for adventure into a way of life. Mohit shows a side of that country that may surprise you. Growing up in the 80s, Mo and his friends were climbing pioneers, questing up cliffs outside Delhi with homemade gear because the sport simply wasn't est...

🌊"The biggest thing that impacts you when you first go out there, before I even surfed it, I just went out on a on a jet ski and sat there and watched, is the sound it makes when it breaks...its terrifying" 🏄🏽‍♀️ At the age of 59 years and 8 months, Conacher became the oldest person in the world to surf Maverick's 🌊, the "Mount Everest of surfing" 🏔️ one of the most challenging and dangerous surf breaks in the world, located near Half Moon Bay, California. What makes Conacher's...

"It's not selfish to honor your ability 💪. While I can, I have an obligation to use my gifts and make my mark 🏆. Someday I won't be able to, so I'll make the most of the time I have ⏳." Matt Eggleton, a former US Air Force veteran and accomplished endurance athlete, challenges age stereotypes by dominating the world of mountain biking. Despite discovering the sport in his 40s, Matt's dedication and discipline have propelled him to achieve impressive results in competitive races across the ...

"What nature asks of us when we go outside is to be strong, is to use our cognitive faculties, to be nimble, to be exhilarated, and to be brave. All of that flies in the face of what we're told about our aging ." ⛰️ 💪🏾 Caroline Paul, a true renaissance woman, has spent her life shattering stereotypes and embracing adventure. In this episode, we journey alongside Caroline as she shares her remarkable experiences, from the remote landscapes of Siberia to the exhilarating waves of the P...

⛰️"It's the struggle on those 3,000 feet that matters, the journey IS the climb."🧗‍♀️ Hans Florine has a lifelong love affair with Yosemite's El Capitan, setting and breaking speed records on its iconic face, having climbed it almost 200 times. We talked about his climbing philosophy, staying safe on big walls, and what makes an ideal climbing partner. Hans opened up about why he loves partnering with new people up El Cap and his passion for making climbing more accessible to everyone....

"Anything worth doing, is worth doing well" Meet Wayne Willoughby- an adaptive rock climber who defied incredible odds and has climbed El Cap, not once, or twice, but a mind-boggling 26 times. 🧗‍♂️🏔️ From battling polio and disabilities since infancy, to suffering terrible injuries, Wayne overcame obstacle after obstacle. 99% of us will never climb El Cap. Wayne has done it not once, or twice, but a record 26 times. 💪 He also became the first adaptive climber to reach the summits of famous...