Hill Climbers
Pedaling Business c. 2023
There are plenty of cycling podcasts covering races, fitness and nutrition, but there aren’t many that dive deep into what cyclists are doing off the bike that reflect their lives on the bike. Hill Climbers shares stories from cycling-centric founders, authors and artists to give cyclists something to talk about besides just cycling.
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Top 10 Hill Climbers Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Hill Climbers episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Hill Climbers for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Hill Climbers episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
07/31/24 • 62 min
Starting an American kit company in a sea of established competitors may seem like a daunting undertaking to some. Ryan Cady, however, became a bike shop owner at nineteen years old during college, raced bikes full time and then ran a sock company before he stepped up to the plate. Cady gravitates toward detail-oriented challenges and he met his match after launching Eliel Cycling in 2014. This episode contains an abbreviated master class in Eliel’s craft - from ordering a spectrum of italian fabrics, to panel choices, sublimation dying, laser cutting, and masterful hand sewing. Cady also shares both his pride in establishing an American heritage brand as well as the challenges of Southern California manufacturing. At the heart of Eliel is a founder and CEO who started a cycling brand because he loves the sport and knows he can improve the experience. Keep listening and judge for yourself.
Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter.
Startuplandia.io Sponsors Hill Climbers Content & Free Beer
www.hill-climbers.com
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Theme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik
01/15/24 • 82 min
If you’re racing bikes in Austin, TX, welcome to Tolleywood. The timing of this episode could not be more opportune given the slate of projects Chris Tolley has planned for 2024, and what I love most about this race promoter, is that he understands the value of branding, not just for individual races but for the sport of cycling on the whole. Chris’s background is firmly entrenched in BMX riding, where style, technical ability and strength are all required. “Style” is the component that is frequently missing from road races and Tolley has vowed to take the extra steps to make his races look good by anyone’s standards. These branding and digital marketing skills have come through years of cultivating an egocentric online persona that both mocks influencer culture while it effectively influences culture. All of these qualities on top of elite crit racing accolades make Tolley a VERY effective hype man, and one that Austin is lucky to have. Tolley is the race director of Driveway Series, America’s most prolific race series, and he has a burning desire to deliver an exceptional experience to all parties that seems to be driven mostly by the challenge of making it as good as it can possibly be. This is not an episode about business so much as passion for culture, two wheel motion and community.
Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter.
Startuplandia.io Sponsors Hill Climbers Content & Free Beer
www.hill-climbers.com
Instagram
Linkedin
Theme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik
The Meteor co-founder Doug Zell Is Expanding his Bike Cafe Concept to Your Town_Part 2/2
Hill Climbers
12/10/23 • 59 min
Interview Part 2/2 takes all the context that we collected in Part 1 - Doug's upbringing in a creative household, brief flirtation with a serious cycling career, and epic journey pioneering the craft coffee industry - and gets to the good part. That is, how Doug rediscovered bikes after a decades long hiatus and hatched a brand that blends his flare for hospitality into a cyclist's haunt. The Meteor's path to a delightful multifaceted space has been circuitous, but as Doug points out, every misstep has helped his team focus the mold. This model was always meant to be a repeatable one, and The Meteor has ambitious plans for new locations across the country over the next couple years. Don't miss the finale when Doug shares how hard bike racing mirrors the seemingly insurmountable challenges in entrepreneurship.
Doug Zell is the cofounder of various businesses including Intelligentsia Coffee, Allied Cyle Works, and of course, The Meteor, where you can find him fastidiously attending to the smallest details of the cafe, bike shop and wine bar.
Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter.
Startuplandia.io Sponsors Hill Climbers Content & Free Beer
www.hill-climbers.com
Instagram
Linkedin
Theme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik
Bikes and Banjo Hangouts: The Zwift Insider Struck a Chord Creating Niche Online Communities
Hill Climbers
04/19/24 • 93 min
Eric Schlange is one of the most well known Zwift riders on the platform, and he comes to the notoriety honestly. When Eric started Zwifting in 2015, the engineer and web master immediately identified a need for a Zwift knowledge base to address the nuances of riding in the brave new virtual world. Exponential traffic growth led to an official Zwift sponsorship, cementing Zwift Insider's credibility. This story does not entail scale-at-all-costs entrepreneurship. Instead it is one of a self-professed community builder who understands the need, power and commercial value of niche online hubs. In fact, Zwift Insider was not Eric’s first rodeo - that was www.banjohangout.com - THE banjo enthusiast destination for more than 20 years!
Sure enough, Eric is exactly the kind of guy you’d hope to be riding and racing with on the platform: friendly, witty, competitive and resourceful. He demonstrates the core values and class of a true esport ambassador and this interview reflects his passion and ability to articulate both soft and hard reasons that Zwift earns precious hours of devotee training. This interview covers Zwift Insider’s adolescence before organized platform racing, broad usership data, and a taste of the product roadmap, with Eric’s insider insight and stories sprinkled throughout. You would be so lucky to race alongside Eric in Watopia, Richmond or Glasgow. RIDE ON!
Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter.
Startuplandia.io Sponsors Hill Climbers Content & Free Beer
www.hill-climbers.com
Instagram
Linkedin
Theme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik
BREAKFAST CLUB REDUX. Grant & Jordie dish on the Babes Ride, Paid Membership Tier, App & Surprises!
Hill Climbers
05/21/24 • 52 min
The Austin meetup that started 4 years ago with 4 friends who mostly wanted to eat breakfast, has uncovered a need in this sport to encourage newcomers with a warm welcome and a bit of structure. The proof is in the monthly attendance, which has reached 800 riders of all skill levels, as well as the thriving online community and expansion to other cities. What outwardly appears to be lightning in a bottle is actually attributed to bottomless dedication, strong leadership and vision. From the early days, Breakfast Club prioritized programming for women with the weekly “Babes Ride” which boasts a remarkable turnout, and sure enough female ridership over-indexes at all sponsored events. Another essential ingredient is the club’s network of volunteer ride leaders who proudly organize, fix flats and encourage newcomers up Austin’s unforgiving hills. The secret is in the good vibes and leadership’s ability to create an incredible brand with a lot of sacrifice and limited resources. If you haven’t heard Breakfast Club’s origin story, tune into Hill Climbers episode number one. Now enjoy a discussion of what has unfolded since our first interview, and the impressive developments for 2024.
Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter.
Startuplandia.io Sponsors Hill Climbers Content & Free Beer
www.hill-climbers.com
Instagram
Linkedin
Theme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik
Rob Taylor Has Fabulous Hair & Epic Bike Trips BUT This Serial Entrepreneur & VC Keeps Ego Low
Hill Climbers
03/21/25 • 70 min
To help spread the word about the show, my friend Rey Madolora put me on an email with a bunch of Austin cyclists that are also notable in the business community. One by one I was able to meet most of them, but Rob Taylor was elusive. When I followed his Strava I noticed that he was regularly climbing mountains in Europe...like really frequently and his trips had names like, “Epic Three Nations.” Needless to say this piqued my interest but he’s not on the group ride scene here so I wasn’t going to just run into him. I did run into his brother, Chris, at The Red Fridge Society, which he opened as a membership club and event space for founders. When I told Chris that we had started promoting live events, he said, “you should interview my brother, here.” And that’s how you stalk a podcast guest.
Rob’s ride through the dot com bubble and bust got him started in triathlon as an outlet to channel frustration - not exactly a joyful pursuit. Gradually, during his high flying career taking companies public, reaching a 9 figure exit and becoming a VC, Rob discovered a passion for European bike trips HEAVY on the climbing because the experience distills his complicated life down to basic pleasures: fitness, suffering, outdoors, local cuisine and companionship. We had a blast at the Red Fridge exploring Rob’s leadership insights as far as team building, communicating, and relishing the adventure as opposed to coveting the outcome. No topic was off limits for the audience Q&A, including Rob’s glorious hair. Now, enjoy the show.
Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter.
Startuplandia.io Sponsors Hill Climbers Content & Free Beer
www.hill-climbers.com
Instagram
Linkedin
Theme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik
Kinship Milk Tea founder Caitlin Cash Traveled the World on Her Bike and Brought Thai Inspired Milk Tea Back to Texas
Hill Climbers
10/09/23 • 55 min
Instead of taking a well beaten path after attending UT Austin, Caitlin Cash taught English in France and Thailand, but her travels did not stop there. For the next 5 years she guided cycling tours all over the world and upon her return to Austin, she took up bike racing, but she also yearned for the sweet and refreshing Milk Tea she enjoyed in Thailand on hot days, so she set about making it herself and testing the results on friends. It wasn’t too long before she was bottling her milk tea and selling it in stores.
Not only has Cash made remarkable strides with Kinship Milk Tea, she also understands the power of her business. And the potential it has. Cash focuses on empowering women and minorities with leadership, hiring, and sourcing and sharing her struggles so others can benefit. On the product side, Cash seems to be doing many things right because she was accepted into a very exclusive Whole Foods accelerator after the taping of this episode. Tune in to hear how the Kinship story started with bikes, and how Cash's entrepreneurial successes have not come without learning the hard way.
Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter.
Startuplandia.io Sponsors Hill Climbers Content & Free Beer
www.hill-climbers.com
Instagram
Linkedin
Theme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik
Find Out How Elliott Teller of Kit Brand People's Endurance Plans to Grow the Sport of Cycling
Hill Climbers
05/15/25 • 103 min
Elliott Teller introduced himself at our first live event, and told me he was about to launch his Austin-based cycling and running apparel brand, People’s Endurance. I liked Elliott’s understated and laid back vibe, and we quickly made plans to exchange more info about our respective worlds. What unfolded was a three hour hang in my backyard which covered way more than bikes and business - we both have baby boys, and this certainly broke the ice. It turns out Elliott has a background in film, and immediately encouraged me to step up our content game. What’s more - he said he’d lend a hand.
Here’s the thing - Elliott actually delivered. And why am I dwelling on Hill Climber’s content during Elliott’s intro? Because he has conviction in what he does and how he goes about it that’s grounded in purpose. What’s more, if you sit down and talk to Elliott, which we did, you’ll quickly understand that there are layers of preconceived strategy that support his actions. A lot of Elliott’s MO can be tied back to his single parent upbringing, excellence in soccer, and ability to tap into his passions. I think you’ll enjoy the discussion.
Elliott Teller:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/elliott-teller-b0a23193/
People's Endurance:
https://peoplesendurance.com/
Chapters
- The Impact of Role Models and Coaching
- Navigating Early Career Choices in Film
- Lessons from the Pandemic: Finding Opportunity in Chaos
- The Journey into Cycling: Rediscovering Fitness
- The Entrepreneurial Spirit: From Childhood Ventures to Cycling Apparel
- Creating a Unique Brand Identity, Aesthetic Choices and Market Positioning
- Building Community: Word of Mouth and Engagement
- The Cycling Market: Supply, Demand, and Growth
- Cycling Barriers to Entry: Price, Dorkiness, and Danger
- Funding the Dream: Capital and Manufacturing Relationships
- Navigating Tariffs: Business Agility and Adaptation
- Endurance: Lessons from Cycling Applied to Business
Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter.
Startuplandia.io Sponsors Hill Climbers Content & Free Beer
www.hill-climbers.com
Instagram
Linkedin
Theme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik
Ucardia founder Nick Weber Suffered a Life Threatening Cardiac Event At a Fake Race, Then Built A Cardiac Rehab
Hill Climbers
03/26/23 • 40 min
Nick Weber fell in love with Texas crit racing as a young man and his extraordinary commitment to training made him a contender in the competitive and dangerous arena. This dedication pushed Nick's heart over the limit while making a dig during a practice race—at 22 years old, Nick suffered Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD), which is a tear in the heart's arterial wall. This life-altering event compelled Nick to reevaluate many aspects of his life, and the antiquated cardiac rehab options in front of him inspired him to develop a personalized rehab program influenced by budding cycling technologies like Zwift and Trainer Road. After dedicating years to education in public health and VC/PE, Nick founded his own virtual cardiac rehab company, Ucardia, with the financial backing of the Texas cycling community. Today, Ucardia is closing the gap between cardiac patients in need and available rehab solutions. Tune in for Nick's incredible story and how cycling has taken on new meaning for him throughout his journey.
Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter.
Startuplandia.io Sponsors Hill Climbers Content & Free Beer
www.hill-climbers.com
Instagram
Linkedin
Theme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik
Ralli Founder Allison Morrison Slays Triathalon Worlds With a Day Job While Getting Her MBA, Ugh
Hill Climbers
01/23/25 • 43 min
We could have interviewed Allison Morrison fresh off her World’s debut in Olympic distance triathlon as a UT MBA student and full time Meta employee. However this podcast has a strong entrepreneurial theme (you, reader, are about to feel inadequate), and sure enough, Allison made room for her startup, Ralli, on top of 15hr weekly training blocks, coursework and the day job. Ralli launched in 2022 as a web app to help athletes match with training buddies, and is expanding to include club messaging features with an imminent native app release. The special sauce in this episode is the LIVE AUDIENCE! We hosted Allison at the Meteor in Austin with 40 other guests, our first public event, and the authentic laugh track takes this podcast energy to the next level. Do not miss the second half which covers the audience Q&A, because the questions about righteous selfishness, scaling the app for critical mass and fundraising were WAY better than ours! Enjoy.
Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter.
Startuplandia.io Sponsors Hill Climbers Content & Free Beer
www.hill-climbers.com
Instagram
Linkedin
Theme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik
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FAQ
How many episodes does Hill Climbers have?
Hill Climbers currently has 23 episodes available.
What topics does Hill Climbers cover?
The podcast is about Austin, Founder, Entrepreneurship, Lifestyle, Growth, Storytelling, Podcast, Fitness, Podcasts, Sports, Business, Cycling and Race.
What is the most popular episode on Hill Climbers?
The episode title 'Mark Farmery Created BiotechBikers to Encourage Biotech Biz Dev ON the Bike, and We Are Taking Notes!' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Hill Climbers?
The average episode length on Hill Climbers is 59 minutes.
How often are episodes of Hill Climbers released?
Episodes of Hill Climbers are typically released every 31 days, 23 hours.
When was the first episode of Hill Climbers?
The first episode of Hill Climbers was released on Feb 20, 2023.
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