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“The trail is my teacher. My path is clear when I am out there” – Rebecca Rusch
When I saw Rebecca Rusch’s Emmy-winning film, Blood Road, -about her trip to be the first person to ride the entire 1,200-mile length of the Ho Chi Minh Trail – I instantly felt connected to her, because of my time spend living in Vietnam and Laos, and because of the full spectrum of emotions she goes through on this trip, which is a quest to find the place her father’s plane was shot down in the Vietnam war. This interview will go deep in to that journey and many of the other experiences that have made Rebecca an adventure and cycling hall of famer.
Rebecca Rusch is the “Queen of Pain” with a heart of gold. Whether she is on a cycling expedition in a remote part of the world or teaching others at her namesake gravel bike academy in Idaho, she inspires people to be their best with energy, positivity and passion.
A 7x-world champion and celebrity in the ultra adventure/endurance realm for nearly 3 decades, elected to the prestigious international Mountain Bike Hall Of Fame, her status as a fierce competitor and inclusive influencer motivates millions. Recognized by Outside Magazine among the Top 40 Women Who’ve Made the Biggest Impact, and by Men’s Journal with the 25 Most Adventurous Women, she’s a maverick characterized by her grit, determination, and perseverance.
Known for seeking the toughest challenges imaginable, pushing herself into unknown territory has yielded Rebecca a first female ascent on Yosemite’s 3000-ft. El Capitan Bermuda Dunes route, a first descent river boarding 300 miles of the entire Grand Canyon in 18 winter days.
On two wheels, she is the only female competitor to win the iconic Leadville 100 four times and has won the renowned Unbound gravel grinder in 6 of 7 attempts (including the notoriously demanding 350-mile XL). She is a two time, first female finisher at the Iditarod Trail Invitational, pedaling 350 self-supported miles through the Alaskan wilderness. Most recently she completed a previously unattempted North to South route traversing Iceland in winter by fatback alongside Chris Burkard and Angus Morton.
Even with all of these accolades under her belt, her inimitable brand and redoubtable resumé continue to expand. Combining ongoing athletic pursuits with entrepreneurial endeavors as CEO of Rusch Ventures, she oversees an impactful network of events, products, and experiences designed to elevate possibilities for people and their bikes.
Whether through print like in her best-selling autobiography Rusch to Glory, or on the trail, via her popular digital platforms or even as a highly requested keynote speaker, Rebecca inspires and emboldens countless fans. Her marquee event, Rebecca’s Private Idaho, is ranked a top 5 gravel event by Global Cycling Network, and one of the top 25 rides in the world by Outside magazine. Her Rusch Academy full-spectrum cycling retreats boost skills, confidence and performance and her MTB Lao adventure travel excursions expresses Rebecca’s desire to use the bike as a catalyst for healing, empowerment and evolution.
Above all else she is the proud founder of the Be Good Foundation. Established in memory of her father, Rebecca’s Be Good Foundation focuses on UXO mitigation in Lao,protecting public lands for recreation, and partnering with bike-centric nonprofits to fund meaningful change. To date, her efforts have raised over a half-million dollars in support of select nonprofits.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
- How Rebecca planned and achieved the world first mountain bike of the Ho Chi Minh trail in Vietnam and Laos
- The inner workings of expedition cycling and filmmaking
- Special consideration for winter bike expeditions
- The spiritual aspects of adventure
Quotes
“The trail is my teacher. My path is clear when I am out there”
“A physical challenge is practice for life, it teaches you how to adapt and move forward”
“As humans, we barely scratch the surface of what we are capable of”
“The body can’t really tell a difference between physical and emotional stress”
“The mind, heart, and gut, we have three intellectual centers in the body”
Continue the adventure:
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