You know the voice—but do you know the story? In this episode of Skimo Gold, Travis Macy and Cam Smith welcome Catie Friend, the beloved voice of Skimo, for a wide-ranging conversation about her unexpected path into race commentary and what it really takes to bring this quirky, high-stakes sport to life on screen.

Catie shares how she went from total novice to front-row storyteller, becoming one of the sport’s most trusted narrators and biggest cheerleaders. From juggling spreadsheets to building athlete narratives that pull new fans into the fold, she breaks down the art and intensity of live commentary in the Skimo world.

Catie also gives insight into parenting a new racer, shares inside jokes from the booth, and why sometimes the best way to serve a sport is simply to care a lot.

Learn more about Catie Website | Instagram

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What do carbs, cold weather, and cookie-cutter nutrition plans have in common? They’re all on the chopping block in this episode of Skimo Gold. Travis Macy sits down with Kylee Van Horn, sports dietitian, author of Practical Fueling for Endurance Athletes, and co-host of the refreshingly honest podcast Your Diet Sucks to cut through the confusion around nutrition and performance.

Kylee brings a science-backed, no-BS approach to fueling for skimo and endurance sports. She dives into what it really means to fuel intentionally (hint: it’s not about counting every calorie), why your training intensity and life stress matter more than you think, and how to plan for the unpredictable, like freezing water bottles.

From spreadsheet-worthy race-day plans to learning how to trust your hunger cues again, Kylee shares practical, personalized tools that work in the real world, whether you’re prepping for the World Cup or juggling training with a full-time job.

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Skimo Gold is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.

What happens when an Ironman World Champion trades the lava fields of Kona for the snowy mountains of Steamboat? In this episode of Skimo Gold, legendary triathlete Tim DeBoom joins hosts Travis Macy and Cam Smith for a wide-ranging and deeply personal conversation about the evolution of sport, identity, and finding new purpose beyond the podium.

Tim reflects on his iconic triathlon career, including two wins in Kona, chasing Olympic dreams, and navigating the shifting tides of professional endurance racing. He also opens up about his post-retirement journey, the transition into fatherhood, and discovering skimo as both a passion and a pathway to giving back. Now a coach mentoring youth athletes in Colorado, Tim shares how he's building a program focused on grit, fun, and lifelong fitness.

Expect stories of training through identity shifts, comparisons between triathlon and skimo's Olympic trajectories, and how short-format races might just be the secret to growing the sport. And why sometimes the best workout is the one with zero data.

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At just 19 years old, Griffin Briley is already making waves on the World Cup stage—and he’s just getting started. In this episode of SKIMO Gold, Griffin joins hosts Travis Macy and Cam Smith from Europe, fresh off the Olympic test event in Bormeo and prepping for the World Championships in Switzerland.

Griffin shares what it’s like to train full-time at 2000 meters in Chamonix, France, and how he balances the high-pressure world of Olympic sprints and relays with his love for long ski tours and big mountains. From honey-fueled workouts to climbing 6,000-meter peaks in Peru, Griffin brings serious grit, curiosity, and stoke to every corner of the sport.

The trio dives into training philosophy, the importance of quality over quantity, the quirks of altitude adaptation, and how to stay grounded while chasing Olympic dreams. Plus: rapid-fire questions, roommate confessions, and why “just loving skiing” might be the most important edge of all.

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Thanks to our sponsor CAMP

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Learn more about Travis Macy and Cam Smith

Follow along with Skimo Gold and the Travis Macy Show

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Before SKIMO hit the Olympic stage, Pete Swenson was already carving the path. In this episode of SKIMO Gold, host Travis Macy reconnects with one of the sport’s foundational figures in the U.S.—a pioneer whose influence runs deep through the gear, culture, and competitive scene we know today.

Pete reflects on his early days transitioning from pro mountain biking to ski mountaineering, racing the first U.S. events in Crested Butte, and bringing lightweight European skimo gear stateside. From creating legendary events like the Heathen Challenge to leading the national series, Pete shares a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges of growing the sport—from working with resorts to building a true national race circuit.

Travis and Pete also dig into gear fragility, skinning technique, and why U.S. athletes need more high-level races to thrive. Pete offers heartfelt advice for young athletes and late starters alike, while sharing his current focus: running the Frisco Nordic Center, coaching junior racers, and supporting the next generation of skimo talent.

If you’ve raced skimo in the U.S., you’ve felt Pete’s impact. This episode celebrates his legacy—and his continued drive to grow the sport with passion, community, and grit. Let’s go!

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Thanks to our sponsor CAMP

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Learn more about Travis Macy and Cam Smith

Follow along with Skimo Gold and the Travis Macy Show

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How do you train like an elite skimo athlete without losing yourself in the process? In this episode of SKIMO Gold, host Travis Macy sits down with longtime friends and legends of the endurance world—athlete Jack Linehan and coach Joe Howdyshell—for a conversation that’s as thoughtful as it is informative.

Jack shares what it’s like training in Chamonix (yes, carbs and croissants are involved), laying out a high-performance weekly routine that includes 10–14 hours of aerobic work, 6–7 hours of strength, and another 6–7 of mobility and PT. Joe, founder of Summit Endurance Academy, breaks down his coaching philosophy, with a focus on feel-first training, mood tracking, and what he calls the “internal power meter”—a way to guide training based on intuition, not just data.

They explore the importance of mental health in high-performance sports, how to fuel effectively for sprint races (hint: 225 grams of carbs in one bottle), and why creating space between your identity and achievements can unlock more joy and longevity in racing.

Whether you're chasing podiums or just trying to stay stoked through winter, this episode is packed with the wisdom, strategy, and soul of skimo. Let’s go!

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Thanks to our sponsor CAMP

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Learn more about Travis Macy and Cam Smith

Follow along with Skimo Gold and the Travis Macy Show

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From elite racer to grassroots builder to Olympic team leader, Sarah Cookler is helping shape the future of ski mountaineering in the U.S. In this episode of SKIMO Gold, host Travis Macy sits down with Sarah—Head of Sport for USA Ski Mountaineering Association—to talk about her incredible journey from Vermont Nordic skier to head coach, race director, and force behind Project Podium.

Sarah shares how she’s grown the Silver Fork Ski Mountaineering Club into a powerhouse program, fostering a community-first approach that develops fast, skilled, and enthusiastic athletes—especially among youth. She talks mental prep, race-day transitions, gear tech (yes, we’re talking skin rips and kangaroo pockets), and why the mental game is just as important as physical training.

They dig into what it takes to grow the sport in the U.S.—from local race organizers and family participation to youth programs and Olympic goals. Sarah also reflects on her own race experiences, coaching philosophy, and how her background in emergency medicine helps her thrive under pressure.

Whether you’re a weekend warrior, a parent of a budding skimo athlete, or dreaming of 2026, this one’s packed with wisdom, inspiration, and community spirit. Let’s go!

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Thanks to our sponsor CAMP

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Learn more about Travis Macy and Cam Smith

Follow along with Skimo Gold and the Travis Macy Show

Skimo Gold is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.

Espresso and ski mountaineering—two things Davide Giardini takes very seriously. In this episode, Travis Macy sits down with the Italian-born, Boulder-based endurance athlete to explore the deep cultural roots of ski mountaineering, from its military heritage in World War I to its modern-day evolution as an Olympic sport.

Davide shares his personal journey from triathlon to skimo, the challenges of transitioning between sports, and how he found community and purpose in Boulder’s endurance scene. He and Travis dive into the differences between European and American skimo funding, the rise of youth programs in the U.S., and how the sport can grow through mass participation events and grassroots initiatives.

Oh, and coffee? Davide’s got strong opinions. He and Travis debate espresso culture, ristretto vs. American single origins, and the critical role of caffeine in endurance sports. Whether you’re a seasoned skimo racer, an uphill enthusiast, or just here for the coffee talk, this episode is packed with insights, stories, and a vision for the future of ski mountaineering. Let’s go!

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Thanks to our sponsor CAMP

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Learn more about Travis Macy and Cam Smith

Follow along with Skimo Gold and the Travis Macy Show

Skimo Gold is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.