Mind Over Mountain
From the bestselling author of Wild and co-host of the beloved Dear Sugars podcast, Cheryl Strayed returns with a new kind of journey. In Mind Over Mountain with Cheryl Strayed, Cheryl sits down with athletes and adventurers from the most high-adrenaline corners of the world (climbers, surfers, ultramarathoners and more) to discuss the inner landscapes that inspired these extraordinary feats, and give advice to listeners on how they too can face seemingly insurmountable moments in their own lives.
Episodes
The Olympian Who Never Planned to Be One - Speed Skater Erin Jackson
Olympic gold medalist speed skater Erin Jackson joins us to discuss embracing unexpected opportunities, finding joy in the journey, and navigating life's setbacks. Erin reflects on her improbable rise from roller skating in Florida to Olympic champion, the teammate whose selfless act helped send her to the Olympics, and we answer a Dear Sugar letter about how to keep moving forward when life keeps
Olympic Cross-Country Skier Julia Kern on Falling Short and Moving Forward
Olympic cross-country skier Julia Kern joins us for a candid conversation about resilience, recovery, and the courage to keep dreaming. Fresh off the Milan-Cortina Olympics, Julia reflects on the highs of making an Olympic final, the heartbreak of falling short of a medal, and the years-long battle with chronic pain that nearly made her walk away from the sport. We'll explore the parallels between
Headfirst into Fear with Olympian Skeleton Racer Mystique Ro
This week we're joined by Olympian skeleton racer Mystique Ro for a conversation about fear, control, and learning to trust yourself at 80 miles per hour. Mystique opens up about the mental discipline behind skeleton racing, navigating the sport as a Black athlete from a working-class background, and the unlikely journey that took her from track and field to the Olympic stage and we'll answer a De
What Strong Women Know with Heptathlete Louise Hazel
On this episode we're joined by Olympian heptathlete Louise Hazel for a personal conversation about strength, grief, endurance, and what our bodies are truly capable of. Louise reflects on her journey from a sports-obsessed kid in rural England to competing at the 2012 London Olympics and what led her to opening her own gym, SLAY, in Los Angeles. We talk about loss and grief, navigating miscarriag
Polo, Pressure, and Paving the Way with Shariah Harris
This week we talk to trailblazing polo player Shariah Harris to discuss resilience, identity, and the unexpected journey that led her from a chance encounter with horses in Philadelphia to making history as the first Black woman to compete at the highest level of the U.S. Women’s Polo Championship. Shariah reflects on growing up through the Work to Ride program, navigating predominantly whit
Overcoming Hurdles with Olympic Heptathlete Chari Hawkins
Olympic heptathlete Chari Hawkins opens up about what it really feels like to keep going when everything falls apart. What begins as a reflection on Chari’s career unfolds into something much more vulnerable—her struggles with identity, the quiet devastation of missing the Olympic team, and a moment where she wasn’t sure she wanted to keep going at all. Together, we explore fear,
The Comeback Mindset with Maddy Schaffrick
Maddy Schaffrick joins Cheryl for a deeply personal conversation about identity, resilience, and rediscovering purpose. Maddy reflects on becoming a professional snowboarder at just 14, the pressure and injuries that led her to retire at 20, and how she rebuilt her life afterward. She discusses what it's like to go from teen prodigy to burning out and how coaching young athletes helped her discove
Trust the Dogs: Blair Braverman on Letting Go and Staying Alive
Iditarod musher and bestselling author Blair Braverman joins Cheryl for a conversation about risk, resilience, and the deep bond between humans and animals. She shares what it’s like to navigate blizzards, isolation, and uncertainty all while being guided by her dogs. Together, they explore fear, leadership, and how trust is built not through control, but through genuine connection.See omnys
Alone at Sea: Sarah Outen on Isolation, Survival, and Inner Strength
For Sarah Outen, adventure has meant rowing across oceans alone and navigating some of the most remote places on earth. She joins Cheryl to reflect on the risks she’s taken, the failures she’s faced, and the resilience she’s built along the way. Together, they explore endurance, self-trust, and the question at the heart of every journey: what are you really searching for?See omny
Speed, Risk, and Self-Trust with Katherine Legge
Cheryl talks with racing legend Katherine Legge about discipline, focus, and the mental strength required to compete at the highest level of racing. Katherine reflects on setbacks, persistence, and carving out space in a male-dominated sport. Together, they explore what it means to hold your ground, even when everything is pushing against you.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Audacity of Vulnerability with Abby Wambach
Soccer icon Abby Wambach joins Cheryl Strayed to explore the inner life behind extraordinary achievement. Abby reflects on the relentless drive that fueled her legendary career, the complicated relationship between success and self-worth, and the emotional journey of redefining identity after elite sports. Together, they discuss grief, sobriety, partnership, and what it means to live with both hum
Be So Good They Can't Ignore You: Sarah Spain on Persistence
Sarah Spain joins Cheryl for a conversation about nonlinear careers, unexpected pivots, and trusting that the path will reveal itself to you. From comedy to ESPN, Sarah reflects on saying yes before she felt ready and what happened next.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Running Towards Joy with Stephanie Case
Cheryl talks with ultra runner and human rights lawyer Stephanie Case about what happens when passion, purpose, and motherhood collide. Stephanie reflects on returning to racing after infertility and pregnancy loss, the viral moment when she breastfed her daughter mid-race, and how movement helps her process some of the hardest work in the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform
You Don't Have to Be Fearless with Heather Anderson
Cheryl talks with record-setting long-distance hiker Heather Anderson about curiosity, courage, and the quiet power of putting one foot in front of the other. Heather shares how she went from a non-athletic kid to setting speed records on America’s longest trails and what hiking has taught her about fear, resilience, and finding your way forward.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform
The Power of Pain with Amelia Boone
Cheryl Strayed sits down with champion ultrarunner and obstacle racing pioneer Amelia Boone to talk about endurance, identity, and redefining strength. From pioneering obstacle racing to embracing vulnerability through eating disorder recovery, Amelia reflects on pain and what it means to honor her body now without shame.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
I'm Not Lifting Weights; I'm Lifting People with Tamara Walcott
Cheryl Strayed talks with world-record powerlifter Tamara Walcott about strength in every sense of the word. Tamara shares her journey from being picked last to lifting record-breaking weight, the difference between motivation and dedication, and how she replaced shame with pride. Plus, they offer advice to a mom struggling with guilt around taking time for herself—and why saving your own li
Introducing: Mind Over Mountain
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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