Uphill Athlete Podcast
Sports
About
We educate and inspire you to be the best mountain athlete you can be with unmatched experience and proven training knowledge.
Episodes
- Muscular Endurance Training with Uphill Athlete Coaches
Coaches Martin Zhor and Ben Morley join Steve House to explain muscular endurance, distinguishing it from cardiovascular fatigue and detailing how to train for it. The discussion covers physiological adaptations, periodization, and practic…
- Voice of the Mountains: Season Two Recap
Alpinist Kyle Lefkoff interviews host Steve House, reflecting on Season 2 themes of risk tolerance, the explorer's mindset, delayed gratification, and transitioning from elite athletic performance to a purposeful life, drawing parallels be…
- Making Sense of the Data with Dr. Marco Altini
Dr. Marco Altini joins Steve House on the Uphill Athlete Podcast to discuss heart rate variability (HRV) in endurance athletics. The conversation clarifies what HRV measures, the importance of morning measurements, and how to interpret it…
- Voice of the Mountains: Success is Not the Summit with Peter Metcalf (Director's Cut)
Peter Metcalf shares his life story, from early climbing experiences and a challenging ascent of Mount Hunter to organizing the purchase and rebuilding of Chouinard Equipment into Black Diamond. The episode explores how alpinism principles…
- Understanding the Female Athlete
Host Chantelle Robitaille and coach Alexa Hasman explore training adaptations for female mountain athletes throughout various life stages, such as the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and menopause, emphasizing body awarene…
- Strength for the Female Athlete
Coaches Chantelle and Alexa make the case that strength training is non-negotiable for female mountain athletes. They debunk the myth that lifting makes women bulky, distinguish between hypertrophy and functional strength, and walk through…
- Voice of the Mountains: The Measure of Permission with Dr. Christine Theodorovics
Dr. Christine Theodorovics — Viennese-born insurance CEO, doctoral researcher, and accomplished recreational mountaineer — joins Steve House for a wide-ranging conversation about what the mountains teach us that the boardroom cannot. Chris…
- Gas Exchange and Altitude Acclimatization with Dr Patrycja Jonetzko
In this science-focused episode, host Steve House sits down with Dr. Patrycja Jonetzko, a cardiothoracic anesthetist and high-altitude medicine expert, to explore the fundamental mechanics of gas exchange and oxygen delivery in mountain at…
- Voice of the Mountains: The Responsibility to Remain with Mark Twight (part two)
In this concluding conversation, Mark Twight takes Steve into the harrowing heart of the 1988 Nanga Parbat expedition—four climbers clipped to a single ice screw, buried under avalanche debris for thirty minutes on the world's largest moun…
- Voice of the Mountains: The Hunger for Redemption with Mark Twight (part one)
In this first installment of a two-part conversation, Steve House sits down with legendary alpinist Mark Twight for one of Voice of the Mountains' most anticipated episodes. This deeply personal dialogue - the show's first in-person record…
- 2026 Uphill Athlete Coaches: Goal Setting Summit
Most endurance athletes don’t fail because they lack motivation—they fail because their goals are vague, unrealistic, or disconnected from their daily behaviors. In this episode of the Uphill Athlete Podcast, Steve House is joined by coach…
- Voice of the Mountains: Brilliance is Abundant with John Winsor
John Winsor has lived many lives: setting an FKT on Kilimanjaro before the term existed, surviving an avalanche in the Selkirks, building and selling companies, serving on Black Diamond's board, and now researching organizational innovatio…
- 2025 Trail and Mountain Running Highlights with Gabe Joyes
Steve House welcomes newly appointed Uphill Athlete Coach Gabe Joyes for a comprehensive look at the 2025 trail running season. Gabe brings deep expertise as both a competitive trail runner and race director, having organized Wyoming's Sin…
- The Life Between Climbs with Scott Backes
Steve sits down with longtime climbing partner Scott Backes for a conversation that moves far beyond typical adventure storytelling. Scott traces his path from rebellious Minnesota teenager to respected amateur alpinist, describing his 198…
- Voice of the Mountains: The Geography of Risk with Kyle Lefkoff
Steve House sits down with Kyle Lefkoff, a rare figure who has lived at the intersection of serious alpinism and venture capital for nearly four decades. From discovering his "mutant gene" for rock climbing as a kid in Atlanta to surviving…
- Nutrition Tips for Athletes: Holiday Edition - Replay
From the UA Pod Archives! We thought it was fitting to share one of our most popular episodes again in time for the holidays - updated with a new intro from Steve House, be sure to listen in! "In a special holiday episode, Alyssa sits down…
- Supplements: How to Choose Safe and Effective Products
I n this episode of the Uphill Athlete Podcast, host Steve House and dietitian Alyssa Leib tackle the challenge of choosing safe, effective supplements in a largely unregulated industry. Alyssa explains that the supplement market operates…
- Voice of the Mountains: The Poetry of the Long Game with Randy Leavitt
In this episode of Voice of the Mountains, host Steve House sits down with legendary climber and entrepreneur Randy Leavitt to explore how vision, hard work, and delayed gratification shaped a lifetime of adventure. From pioneering routes…
- Should Endurance Athletes Use Supplements?
Host Steve House sits down with dietitian Alyssa Leib to tackle the big question: do endurance athletes really need supplements? Alyssa breaks down which options can actually make a difference, like protein powder and creatine, and which o…
- The Joy of Ski Training with Ben Morley
In this episode, Alyssa sits down with Uphill Athlete Coach Ben Morley to discuss the ins and outs of skiing. Ben shares insights from his career coaching athletes from juniors to collegiate skiers and discusses ways to build durabili…
- Voice of the Mountains: To See the Moment with Greg Penner
In this episode, host Steve sits down with Greg Penner, chairman of Walmart and CEO of the Denver Broncos, to explore the intersections of adventure, leadership, and risk. Greg recounts his 2018 Everest expedition, where his team faced oxy…
- The Yosemite Triple with Laura Pineau
In this episode of the Uphill Athlete Podcast, host Alyssa Clark talks with climber Laura Pineau, fresh off becoming the first woman, alongside Kate Kelleghan, to complete the Yosemite Triple Crown in under 24 hours. Laura shares the story…
- Foot Care with Dr. Jeff Hammond
Dr. Jeff Hammond, a double-boarded foot and ankle specialist, joins host Alyssa Clark to talk about athlete foot health and injury prevention. They cover the pros and cons of shoe drop, custom orthotics, and how different footwear can impa…
- Voice of the Mountains: Redefining Bravery with Melissa Arnot-Reid
In this episode of Voice of the Mountains , renowned mountaineer and guide Melissa Arnot Reid shares her journey of resilience, leadership, and self-discovery. She reflects on how her turbulent childhood shaped her psychological developmen…
- 2025 Everest Trends with Steve House, Alan Arnette, Martin Zhor
Join us for a recap of the 2025 Everest season with host Steve House, coach Martin Zohr, and Everest expert Alan Arnette. They discuss key themes of the year, wind, drones, and new climbing aids like xenon gas, plus the challenges of frost…
- The Process of Becoming with Joe Corcione
In this episode of the Uphill Athlete Podcast, host Alyssa Clark interviews ultra runner, podcaster and coach, Joe Corcione about his journey from addiction to endurance sports. Joe shares how running became his path to sobriety and self-b…
- Voice of the Mountains: Success is Not the Summit with Peter Metcalf
In this episode, Steve House interviews Peter Metcalf, the legendary climber and founder of Black Diamond Equipment, about his journey from young climber to industry pioneer. Peter shares gripping stories from early ascents, including harr…
- Training to Climb Aconcagua with Steve House and Martin Zhor
In this episode of the Uphill Athlete Podcast, host Steve House and guest, Coach Martin Zohr, explore the physical and mental challenges of climbing Aconcagua, the highest peak outside of Asia. They discuss the importance of structured tra…
- Training for Speed and Longevity with World Record Holder Zach Bitter
Ultra-running coach and legend Zach Bitter joins the Uphill Athlete Podcast to discuss the mental and physical strategies behind his record-breaking performances in 100-mile races. Host Alyssa Clark chats with Zach about his evolution in t…
- Voice of the Mountains: The Edge of Effort with Alex Hutchinson
In the first episode of Voice of the Mountains Season 2, journalist, author and athlete Alex Hutchinson reflects on his journey from writing the acclaimed book Endure to navigating the uncertainty of future pursuits. He and host Steve Hous…
- What can Trail Runners and Climbers learn from one another with Vitaliy Musiyenko
In this episode of the Uphill Athlete Podcast, host Alyssa Clark chats with alpinist, climber, and trail runner, Vitaliy Musiyenko about the powerful lessons endurance athletes can learn from each other. Vitaliy shares his inspiring journe…
- How to Eat for Recovery: Nutrition Strategies for Mountain Athletes
In this episode of the Uphill Athlete Podcast, host Steve House is joined by in-house dietitian Alyssa Leib to explore the crucial role of nutrition in athletic recovery. They debunk common myths around overtraining and emphasize that unde…
- Xenon and the Future of Big Mountain Expeditions with Lukas Furtenbach
In this podcast episode, Lukas Furtenbach, founder of Furtenbach Adventures, and Steve House discuss Lukas’ work in high-altitude expedition mountaineering. They discuss the development of hypoxic pre-acclimatization techniques and how tec…
- Part One: Xenon Gas and High-Altitude Performance in conversation with Dr. Peter Hackett
In this episode, host Steve House sits down with Dr. Peter Hackett, a pioneer in high-altitude medicine, to discuss the potential use of xenon gas as a performance enhancer for mountaineers. Xenon, once used as an anesthetic, is a noble ga…
- UA Book Club: The Business of Everest with Will Cockrell
n the latest episode of the Uphill Athlete podcast, host Steve House talks with author Will Cockrell about his new book Everest, Inc. Cockrell’s book explores the evolution of commercial guiding on Mount Everest. They dive into the origins…
- The Season of Injury with Chantelle Robitaille and Alyssa Clark
In this episode of the Uphill Athlete Podcast , host Alyssa Clark welcomes Director of Coaching, Chantelle Robitaille, to discuss the emotional and physical challenges of injuries in endurance sports. Chantelle shares her personal journey…
- Your Diet Sucks X Uphill Athlete
In this episode of the Uphill Athlete Podcast, host Alyssa Clark is joined by Kylee Van Horn and Zoë Rom, creators of the Your Diet Sucks podcast, to discuss the dangers of nutrition myths and fad diets in endurance sports. They explore wh…
- Voice of the Mountains: Season One Recap
In this Season recap of Voice of the Mountains, Alyssa Clark joins Steve House and Jamie Lyko to reflect on the most powerful moments, surprises, and key takeaways from their conversations with the world’s top mountain athletes. The episod…
- A Family Affair: Hilary Spires on Running the HURT 100
In this episode, host Alyssa Clark sits down with trail runner, podcaster, and coach Hilary Spires to discuss her journey to the HURT 100, just nine months after giving birth. Hilary shares the challenges of postpartum recovery and balanci…
- Tanner Wanish on Positive Suffering, Sponsorships and Climbing Hard
In the latest Uphill Athlete podcast episode, Alyssa interviews Tanner Wanish, a former Navy SEAL turned elite climber known for his record-breaking Yosemite Triple Crown ascent. Tanner shares his unconventional entry into climbing, his di…
- Voice of the Mountains: The Currency of Toil with Ed Viesturs
The last regular episode of season one of Voice of the Mountains wraps with the legendary high-altitude mountaineer, Ed Viesturs. Ed is the first American to summit all 14 of the world’s 8,000-meter peaks without supplemental oxygen, a tes…
- Strength Considerations for Mountain Athletes with Coach Drew Hammond
The Uphill Athlete podcast returns with UA tactical coach and strength specialist, Drew Hammond joining Alyssa to discuss the balance between strength and endurance for mountain athletes. Drew emphasizes the importance of strength as a fou…
- UTMB Findings and Future Goals with Chantelle Robitaille and Alyssa Clark
Director of Coaching, Chantelle Robitaille takes over the Uphill Athlete podcast to turn the mic on usual host Alyssa Clark. They discuss Alyssa’s journey to the UTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc) in 2024 showcasing the changes she needed to…
- Voice of the Mountains: What the Mountains Teach with Rick Ridgeway
Rick Ridgeway, renowned mountaineer, environmentalist, and storyteller, joins host Steve House on Voice of the Mountains to share insights from a life lived boldly and with purpose. Known as the "real Indiana Jones," Ridgeway recounts tran…
- Manaslu at 8000m with Martin Zhor
In the latest episode of the Uphill Athlete Podcast, host Alyssa Clark welcomes coach and mountaineer Martin Zhor to discuss his recent climb of Manaslu, an 8,000-meter peak in the Himalayan mountains. The two discuss Martin’s lifelong dre…
- We Failed! Finding Lessons within Failure
The Uphill Athlete podcast returns with host Alyssa Clark and UA coach Alexa Hasman discussing reframing failure as a learning opportunity rather than a negative outcome. They emphasize the value of compassion and growth through their shar…
- Voice of the Mountains: Our True Selves with guest Conrad Anker
Voice of the Mountains host Steve House welcomes renowned climber Conrad Anker on to the podcast. They discuss Conrad's journey in mountaineering, his philosophy, and his leadership within the climbing community. They reflect on lessons le…
- Gabe Joyes and Multi-Day Stage Racing
The Uphill Athlete podcast welcomes mountain athlete, ultra runner and Uphill Athlete ambassador Gabe Joyes for a discussion with host Alyssa Clark. Gabe and Alyssa discuss his journey from being a backpacker to transitioning into competit…
- Fat Oxidation, Fasted Training, and Low-Carb, High-Fat Diets
In this episode, host Alyssa Clark and RD Alyssa Leib discuss the role of fat oxidation, fasted training, and Low Carb High Fat (LCHF) diets in endurance training. They explain that fat oxidation, or the body’s use of fat as fuel, is cruci…
- Voice of the Mountains: My Ice Axe May Be Your Paintbrush with guest Jimmy Chin
Most of us will never reach the pinnacle of our most passionate pursuit, no matter how driven we are. Our guest today has, through dedication, creativity and ingenuity, reached the pinnacle of three of his passions. Beginning with a unique…