The Stable Cyclist

Owen's Foundation: www.kindhousefoundation.com

Sink or Swim Documentary Info: https://www.stirlandraemediahaus.com/Films/Sink-Or-Swim

Owen Vermeulen’s story is one of the most powerful conversations we’ve had on the podcast. From heroin addiction, homelessness, and years of relapse to racing some of the biggest gravel events in the world, Owen shares how cycling became the tool that helped him rebuild his life. In this episode we dive into his early years in skateboarding, addiction struggles in Vancouver, recovery, discovering bike racing, and how the cycling community gave him purpose, accountability, and hope.

We also talk about the upcoming documentary Sink or Swim, Owen’s experience racing events like Unbound XL and Transcordilleras, and how gravel cycling opened the door to healing, adventure, and a completely new future. This episode is about far more than bikes — it’s about recovery, mental health, suffering, resilience, and the power of finding something worth fighting for.

If you’d like to ask JP a question for an upcoming Ask JP Anything episode, send him a DM on instagram @thestablecyclist or send an email to thestablecyclist@gmail.com

The companies supporting JP and this channel:

Maplelag Resort - https://www.maplelag.com/

Ignition Coach Co. - https://www.ignitioncoachco.com/

Gulo Composites - https://gulocomposites.com/

Flow Formulas - https://flowformulas.com/discount/JOHNPETER15

Owl City Cycles - https://www.owlcitycycles.com

The Black Bibs - https://theblackbibs.com/

Some of the above are affiliate links, but all are personally vetted and recommended

Mental Health Advocacy - Go4Graham - https://www.go4graham.org/

Resources: 988 Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org/

International Bipolar Foundation: https://ibpf.org/

National Association for Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org/

#UnboundXL #thestablecyclistpodcast

Svenja Betz joins the Stable Cyclist Podcast after winning one of the most brutal editions of Unbound XL ever. What was supposed to be a 350-mile gravel race turned into an all-night survival battle through mud, lightning storms, headwinds, and nearly 6 hours of walking while carrying her bike across Kansas.

In this episode, Svenja shares the full story behind winning her 2nd Unbound XL title, traveling to America alone from Germany, managing nutrition and mental fatigue during ultra-endurance racing, and how resilience from everyday life helped her survive one of the hardest gravel races imaginable. We also dive into Badlands, ultra cycling strategy, unsupported racing, gas station stops, race psychology, and the emotional experience of crossing the finish line after nearly 30 hours of suffering. If you love gravel racing, ultra cycling, endurance sports, or stories about pushing through impossible situations, this is one you don’t want to miss.

If you’d like to ask JP a question for an upcoming Ask JP Anything episode, send him a DM on instagram @thestablecyclist or send an email to thestablecyclist@gmail.com

The companies supporting JP and this channel:
Maplelag Resort - https://www.maplelag.com/
Ignition Coach Co. - https://www.ignitioncoachco.com/ Use code StableCyclist100
Gulo Composites - https://gulocomposites.com/
SILCA - https://silca.cc/discount/thestablecyclistpod or use the code is "StableSilca15"
Flow Formulas - https://flowformulas.com/discount/JOHNPETER15
Owl City Cycles - https://www.owlcitycycles.com
The Black Bibs - https://amzn.to/3XRlMtm
Dawn to Dusk - https://amzn.to/48zKi8p
Some of the above are affiliate links, but all are personally vetted and recommended Mental Health Advocacy - Go4Graham - https://www.go4graham.org/
Resources: 988 Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org/
International Bipolar Foundation: https://ibpf.org/
National Association for Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org/

#UnboundXL #UnboundGravel #theStableCyclist

Deanna Mayles joins the Stable Cyclist Podcast to talk about her rapid rise through the mountain bike and gravel racing world, from casually riding trails in Tucson to racing the Lifetime Grand Prix, World Cups, and some of the biggest endurance events in the sport. We dive into what it was like going from complete unknown to lining up against the best riders in North America, how pressure slowly sucked the joy out of racing, and why she ultimately stepped away from chasing the Grand Prix full-time.

This conversation also explores life inside the bike industry as an engineer at SRAM, mentorship, impostor syndrome, balancing competition with fulfillment, and rediscovering fun through mountain biking, adventure, and friendships in the sport. Deanna shares stories from Sea Otter, Leadville, Cheq 40, Breck Epic, and even racing a World Cup in Val di Sole after only doing her second XCO race ever. This is one of the most honest conversations yet about ambition, burnout, identity, and finding your place in cycling.

If you’d like to ask JP a question for an upcoming Ask JP Anything episode, send him a DM on instagram @thestablecyclist or send an email to thestablecyclist@gmail.com

The companies supporting JP and this channel:

Maplelag Resort - https://www.maplelag.com/

Ignition Coach Co. - https://www.ignitioncoachco.com/ Use code StableCyclist100

Gulo Composites - https://gulocomposites.com/

SILCA - https://silca.cc/discount/thestablecyclistpod

or use the code is "StableSilca15"

Flow Formulas - https://flowformulas.com/discount/JOHNPETER15

Owl City Cycles - https://www.owlcitycycles.com

The Black Bibs - https://amzn.to/3XRlMtm

Dawn to Dusk - https://amzn.to/48zKi8p

Some of the above are affiliate links, but all are personally vetted and recommended

Mental Health Advocacy - Go4Graham - https://www.go4graham.org/

Resources: 988 Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org/

International Bipolar Foundation: https://ibpf.org/

National Association for Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org/

#thestablecyclistpodcast #LifetimeGrandPrix #SRAM

Hayden Christian burst onto the gravel scene after his breakout ride at Unbound 100, but the full story goes much deeper than one race result. In this conversation, Hayden opens up about growing up in motocross, finding mountain biking and gravel racing, and what it’s really like chasing a pro cycling career while living in a van and training full-time.

We talk about the pressure of trying to make it in the sport, the moment he nearly walked away from racing, and the Trek contract that changed everything. We also dive into Unbound, the Lifetime Grand Prix, BWR, training, racing mentality, and the realities of life on the road as a young privateer athlete.

If you’d like to ask JP a question for an upcoming Ask JP Anything episode, send him a DM on instagram @thestablecyclist or send an email to thestablecyclist@gmail.com

The companies supporting JP and this channel:

Maplelag Resort - https://www.maplelag.com/

Ignition Coach Co. - https://www.ignitioncoachco.com/ Use code StableCyclist100

Gulo Composites - https://gulocomposites.com/

SILCA - https://silca.cc/discount/thestablecyclistpod or use the code is "StableSilca15"

Flow Formulas - https://flowformulas.com/discount/JOHNPETER15

Wahoo Fitness - https://amzn.to/48RUSqe

Owl City Cycles - https://www.owlcitycycles.com

The Black Bibs - https://amzn.to/3XRlMtm

Dawn to Dusk - https://amzn.to/48zKi8p

Some of the above are affiliate links, but all are personally vetted and recommended

Mental Health Advocacy - Go4Graham - https://www.go4graham.org/

Resources: 988 Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org/

International Bipolar Foundation: https://ibpf.org/

National Association for Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org/

#gravelcycling #unboundgravel #cyclingpodcast

Former pro cyclist and researcher Dr. Traci Carson joins the Stable Cyclist Podcast to talk about strength training, performance, longevity, cycling culture, and the biggest misconceptions endurance athletes still believe.

We dive into:

Why cyclists should lift weights

Strength training for endurance athletes

Muscle mass and long-term health

The culture of cycling and body image

Recovering from RED-S and disordered eating

Why many athletes underfuel without realizing it

How strength training improves performance and resilience

Dr. Traci Carson raced professionally with LA Sweat and now works in healthcare research focused on athlete health and performance.

If you’re a cyclist looking to ride stronger, stay healthy longer, and rethink how you train, this episode is for you.

 

If you’d like to ask JP a question for an upcoming Ask JP Anything episode, send him a DM on instagram @thestablecyclist or send an email to thestablecyclist@gmail.com

The companies supporting JP and this channel:

Maplelag Resort - https://www.maplelag.com/

Ignition Coach Co. - https://www.ignitioncoachco.com/ Use code StableCyclist100

Gulo Composites - https://gulocomposites.com/

SILCA - https://silca.cc/discount/thestablecyclistpod or use the code is "StableSilca15"

Flow Formulas - https://flowformulas.com/discount/JOHNPETER15

Wahoo Fitness - https://amzn.to/48RUSqe

Owl City Cycles - https://www.owlcitycycles.com

The Black Bibs - https://amzn.to/3XRlMtm

Dawn to Dusk - https://amzn.to/48zKi8p

Some of the above are affiliate links, but all are personally vetted and recommended

Mental Health Advocacy - Go4Graham - https://www.go4graham.org/ Resources: 988 Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org/

International Bipolar Foundation: https://ibpf.org/

National Association for Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org/