Rachel Hadfield is one of the talented creatives behind some of mountain biking’s most iconic visual storytelling.Based in New Zealand, Rachel has spent the past several years capturing the energy, chaos, and behind-the-scenes moments of events like Crankworx, the New Zealand National Series, and some of the sport’s biggest athlete projects. Through her company, Depth of Field Media, she’s built a name for herself as a photographer who understands that the best images tell a story long after the race tape comes down.In this episode, Rachel joins us to talk about how she broke into mountain bike photography, what really goes into covering elite events, the realities of working in media, and what exciting projects she has coming up next.This is a conversation about more than cameras—it’s about hustle, timing, creativity, and carving out a career in a competitive industry.Follow Rachel + Depth of Field Media:Rachel Website: https://www.rachelhadfield.com/Depth of Field Media: https://depthoffield.co.nz/ Rachel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rach.hadfield/Depth of Field Media Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/depthoffieldnz?igsh=ZTI4dW5vZXdycndwFollow Women’s MTB Network:Website: https://www.womensmtbnetwork.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/womensmtbnetworkYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WomensMTBNetwork

What is it actually like working inside the bike industry?In this episode, I sit down with Jill Nazeer from Salsa Cycles to talk about her path into the industry, what goes on behind the scenes of building bikes, and what it’s really like being a woman in a male-dominated space.We also get into where the industry is still falling short—and what needs to change if we want to see real progress.Follow us on instagram- https://www.instagram.com/womensmtbnetwork Check out our website- www.womensmtbnetwork.comFollow Salsa: https://www.salsacycles.com/

On this episode of the Women’s MTB Network Podcast, Mia sits down with Caroline Buchanan — Australian Olympian, 8-time world champion, and one of the most accomplished multi-discipline riders in cycling.Caroline has spent more than a decade competing at the highest levels of BMX and mountain biking, building a career defined not just by wins, but by longevity, perspective, and the ability to adapt through different chapters of life and sport.In this conversation, we talk about the early years of her career, competing at the Olympics at just 21 years old, learning to manage pressure, and how her mindset has evolved over time.We also discuss the changing landscape for women in cycling, mentorship for the next generation of riders, and what the next chapter looks like as she prepares for motherhood.This episode is about the full arc of a career — the wins, the hard seasons, and the growth that happens along the way.In this episode we discuss• The early years of Caroline’s career• Competing at the Olympics at age 21• Managing pressure as a young athlete• Mindset and longevity in professional sport• The evolution of opportunities for women in cycling• Mentorship and the next generation of riders• Entering a new chapter of life and motherhoodFollow Caroline BuchananWebsitehttps://www.carolinebuchanan.comInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/carolinebuchananYouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@carolinebuchananBAERhttps://www.baerwomen.comIGNITEhttps://www.ignitewomen.comFollow the Women’s MTB NetworkWebsitehttps://www.womensmtbnetwork.comInstagramhttps://www.instagram.com/womensmtbnetworkYouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@womensmtbnetworkSpotify Podcasthttps://open.spotify.com/show/2Jsz4bc1rF2Z3h0f4P5gkA

What role does storytelling play in who feels like they belong inmountain biking?In this episode, Mia sits down with Molly Hurford —cycling journalist, author, and founder of Strong Girl Publishing.They talk about the Shred Girls book series, building awomen-focused publishing company, podcasting as a tool for connection, and howearly representation can shape confidence and participation in sport.This episode explores writing, media, mountain biking, and what it reallytakes to build something that lasts in the cycling world.🎙️ Follow Women’s MTB Network for more conversations with women shaping thefuture of mountain biking. Follow Molly: Websitehttps://mollyhurford.comStrong Girl Publishinghttps://stronggirlpublishing.comPodcastsThe Strong Girl Talk Podcast – https://stronggirlpublishing.com/podcast/The Consummate Athlete Podcast – https://consummateathlete.com/category/podcast/Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/mollyjhurfordFollow us: www.womensmtbnetwork.comwww.instagram.com/womensmtbnetwork

In this episode of the Women's MTB Network podcast, we interview Anneke Beerten, world renowned mountain biker and coach. Anneke shares her journey from elite racing to coaching in Bentonville, Arkansas, discussing the importance of community, mental strength, and overcoming fears in mountain biking. She reflects on her recovery from a traumatic brain injury and the impact it had on her life and career. Anneke also reveals her exciting new venture in launching a mountain bike apparel line, emphasizing the need for functional and stylish gear for riders. The conversation highlights the significance of having fun and trusting the process in the sport of mountain biking.Takeaways from this episode:• Anneke Beerten has a rich history in mountain biking, spanning multiple disciplines.• Bentonville offers a unique community and trail system that supports all levels of riders.• Coaching is about sharing special moments and helping riders overcome fears.• Mental barriers are common in mountain biking, especially among women.• Community engagement is vital for fostering a love for mountain biking.• Recovery from injuries requires patience and self-advocacy.• Anneke's accident in 2020 profoundly impacted her life and career.• The importance of mental strength and confidence in mountain biking cannot be overstated.• Anneke is launching her own mountain bike apparel line to address gaps in the market.• Trusting the process and having fun are key to longevity in mountain biking.Follow Anneke on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annekebeerten/ Check out her clinics and coaching: https://www.crankitupmtb.com/ Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womensmtbnetwork/00:00 Introduction to Anneke Beerton00:01 Annekaes Journey in Mountain Biking00:22 Introduction to Anneke Beerten03:20 Anneke's Journey to Bentonville06:19 The Mountain Biking Community in Bentonville09:15 Coaching Philosophy and Experiences12:32 Overcoming Mental Barriers in Riding15:24 Community Engagement and Group Rides18:18 Fear and Confidence in Riding21:25 Inspiring Stories of Recovery24:24 Legacy and Impact on Women's Mountain Biking32:59 Adrenaline and Resilience: A Race Against Time35:53 Finding Closure: A Journey Back to A-Line38:42 Understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries42:33 The Importance of Patience in Recovery47:47 Mental Strength in Mountain Biking51:17 Innovating Mountain Bike Apparel55:12 Trusting the Process: A Message for Riders

In this episode of the Women’s MTB Network Podcast, Mia sits down with Sarah Bergstrom, Head of Operations at Togethxr — a media and commerce company dedicated to amplifying women’s sports and celebrating women athletes.Sarah shares her path into the sports industry, the mission behind Togethxr, and how storytelling plays a critical role in shifting perceptions around women’s sports. Together, they discuss the growth of women’s sports as a legitimate business opportunity, the importance of representation in decision-making, and the misconceptions that still exist today.This conversation is a reminder that supporting women’s sports doesn’t have to be complicated — it starts with watching, engaging, and investing.Key Takeaways:Togethxr exists to amplify women’s sports and celebrate women athletes“Everyone Watches Women’s Sports” began as a community-driven messageStorytelling is essential to changing how women’s sports are perceivedWomen’s sports should be viewed as a business opportunity, not charityRepresentation and diversity in leadership lead to better outcomesSupporting women’s sports can be as simple as watching, buying tickets, or purchasing merchThe next generation is growing up with a completely different perspective on women’s sportsWatch & Follow:Follow the Women’s MTB Network on Instagram, YouTube, and Spotify for more conversations with athletes, leaders, and change-makers in women’s sportsFollow Togethxr to support and stay connected with their work amplifying women’s sports🎧 Subscribe, share, and keep showing up for women’s sports.

In this episode, Mia interviews Janette Sherman, a longtime marketing leader in the outdoor + bike world who now heads bike marketing for the Americas at Continental.Janette shares her journey from journalism to Liv Cycling and Yeti Cycles, opening the door on what it’s like to build a career inside niche brands and global corporations. The conversation covers:Her path into the bike industryNavigating leadership as a woman in a male-dominated spaceThe evolution of women’s representation in cyclingWhy storytelling matters more than ever in outdoor marketingMentorship and developing future women leadersCurrent trends shaping the bike industryA memorable rattlesnake story you won’t forget 🐍This is an honest, thoughtful look at the realities of working in the bike industry — and what needs to happen next to make it more inclusive, community-driven, and representative.📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube🌐 Explore more stories at womensmtbnetwork.com

The Hard MTB League officially launched on October 25, and today we’re digging into the story behind it with its founder, Braydon Bringhurst.In this episode, we talk about the vision behind the Hard MTB League, why Braydon wanted to create a new competition format, and how inclusivity shaped the course design from day one. We also dive into athlete feedback from the pilot event, the importance of mental performance, and where the league is headed next — including building community, supporting athlete development, and elevating the women lining up for future Hard MTB events.If you want to understand the why behind Hard MTB and where this project is going, this conversation covers all of it.🌐 Learn more about Hard MTB:https://www.hardmtbleague.com/ 🌐 Learn more about Women's MTB Network:https://www.womensmtbnetwork.com Follow us: www.instagram.com/womensmtbnetwork

In this episode of the Women's MTB Network podcast, host Mia and co-host Candice sit down with photographer Dominique Powers, who has made significant contributions to the representation of women in cycling and outdoor sports.They discuss Dominique's journey into photography, her experiences in cycling, the challenges women face in media, and her work covering the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift. The conversation highlights the importance of storytellingin action sports and the barriers that still exist for women in the industry.In this engaging conversation, Dominique Powers shares her experiences as a sports photographer, focusing on the emotional intensity of racing moments, the camaraderie among women athletes, and the creative challenges she faces in different environments. She discusses the importance of safety in extreme sports photography and reflects on her future projects, emphasizing the need for storytelling that resonates with audiences. The dialogue highlights the unique aspects of women's sports and the powerful narratives that emerge from them.Connect with Dominique:Website: dominiquepowers.comInstagram: @dominiquepowersConnect with us:womensmtbnetwork.comInstagram: @womensmtbnetworkYouTube: Women’s MTB Network

Today I’m joined by Natasha Woodworth, founder and creative force behind Curious Creatures, the women-led outdoor apparel brand known for small-batch production, bold design, and a deep commitment to responsibility.Natasha created Curious Creatures because she wanted bike gear that felt fun, expressive, and true to the weird, wonderful humans who ride. In this episode, we talk about how the brand started, the realities of small-batch production, why transparency matters, how tariffs impact independent outdoor companies, and what it means to build a creative business with intention.We’re also featuring Natasha as part of our Women-Led Wednesday spotlight next week, highlighting women who are shaping the outdoor industry in powerful, thoughtful ways.In this episode:• How Curious Creatures began• The inspiration behind the brand’s playful, creative identity• What “responsibility” means to Natasha and how it guides production• The real impact of tariffs and supply-chain challenges on small outdoor brands• Staying true to small-batch values while growing• The importance of transparency and thoughtful sourcing• Building a women-led company in the outdoor space• Natasha’s favorite sports, creative hobbies, and outdoor rituals• Fun rapid-fire questionsConnect with Curious Creatures:wearecuriouscreatures.comInstagram: @wearecuriouscreaturesConnect with Women’s MTB Network:Instagram: @womensmtbnetworkwomensmtbnetwork.com