Hill Climbers

Sam Huntington

Hill Climbers started as a cycling podcast covering cycling-centric founders and has become a startup ecosystem for cyclists. We are founders, investors, execs and startup enthusiasts who are building companies together while supporting our underdog sport. Subscribe to our newsletter for a growing schedule of live events, rides and podcast drops. Wouldn't you rather be networking on a bike? Subscribe: https://www.hill-climbers.com/subscribe

  1. 3d ago

    Hill Climbers and Front Pack Sports Team Up on the Annual Summit (ie Sam & Scott Share Feelings)

    Send us Fan Mail This is a VERY special show because it provides an up close, behind the scenes look at why our community is special. Not only have we sat front row while repeat guest Scott Baldwin painstaklingly builds a formidable media company out of Front Pack Sports, Scott is a friend, confidant and now an official collaborator.  After comparing notes a few times over the last year, we came to the inevitable conclusion that Hill Climbers can benefit from the reach of Front Pack's sizable online audience, while Front Pack can extend it's brand offerings with our ability to host engaging live events. And we don't just talk shop. Scott and I are comfortable sharing the challenges that we face building these brands which result in a vulnerable but really motivating dialogue about why we do it. The theme for the Second Annual Hill Climbers Summit is the Future is Female, which is directly inspired by the birth of my 5 month old daughter, Louise, and my wife, Caitlin. Women's pro cycling and the category at large are super exciting right now, and we've secured very special guests to speak on the topic of women's cycling in the US. Tune in for the story behind Front Pack's success, and our collaboration on the Second Annual Hill Climbers Summit in Austin, TX on Friday Nov 13. Tickets available on our website and instagram bio. See you there. Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.com Instagram Linkedin Theme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik

    Hill Climbers and Front Pack Sports Team Up on the Annual Summit (ie Sam & Scott Share Feelings)

  2. Oct 12

    Kenetik Cofounder & Polymath Devon Price On Ketones: The Life Saving Super Fuel for Your Brain

    Send us Fan Mail As we put together this year’s SXSW panel, Chris Anderson at investment bank pHpartners recommended Devon Price from Kenetik. Over a short call, Devon convinced me of his expertise in not just endurance nutrition but also brain activity and longevity. Ketones are a naturally occurring source of energy the body creates when it lacks nutrition, for the periods our ancient ancestors spent basically starving in between meals. Present day humans do not actively produce ketones, but Devon points out that they’re wildly efficient because they bypass typical metabolic processes that tax our system and eventually breakdown. Ketones are fast tracked to your brain when it can’t access other energy sources, which explains why it addresses brain ailments and other rare deficiencies, and as we learn on the show, has the power to save lives.  On the athlete side, we talk about how ketones enhance mental acuity and stamina, which has material impacts on performance and even recovery. Devon’s 30min spiel made quite an impression, and he graciously agreed to fly in from Baltimore for the panel, our investor lunch, and this studio interview. If you weren’t already sold - Devon’s resume is just absurd. He wanted to be a musician then found himself at Berkeley studying mechanical engineering which led to programming satellites, then an MIT MBA in organizational management to tackle the healthcare industry.  And we only found out at the panel that somewhere in there he worked at a bike shop. I think you’ll enjoy our discussion. Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.com Instagram Linkedin Theme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik

    Kenetik Cofounder & Polymath Devon Price On Ketones: The Life Saving Super Fuel for Your Brain

  3. Aug 14

    Carlos Rogers and the Philadelphia Cycling Classic Breath Life into American Road Racing

    Send us Fan Mail This show needs little introduction because of the sheer magnitude of what Carlos Rogers and his team at the Philly Classic are achieving - to be clear, that is bringing the greatest single day race in America back from the grave.  This discussion hits home because I’m from Philly and spent 30 years of my life there, so the return of this road race to the calendar is a huge source of pride, especially because it is THE contemporary model for other American race promoters. Tune in for the story behind the modern day Philadelphia Cycling Classic, including how Carlos and his team signed on Amerigas, the flagship sponsor, and how he convinced no fewer than 8 world tour teams to sign on year one. This one is close to my heart, enjoy. Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.com Instagram Linkedin Theme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik

    Carlos Rogers and the Philadelphia Cycling Classic Breath Life into American Road Racing

  4. Jul 9 ·  Bonus

    SXSW Innovation Panel ft Lucas Bourgoyne (Crit Champ), Karl Pelletier (USA Cycling) and Devon Price (Kenetik)

    Send us Fan Mail It's so gratifying to see a plan come together! Last year I began chatting with Bay Area VC Nate Williams about doing a SXSW event together around “Innovation,” the perfect panel buzzword. We asked the Hill Climbers network to produce a product company and an athlete that could speak with expertise on the subject along with Nate. If we’re being honest, we had Lucas Bourgoyne, local celebrity and 2025 Crit National Champ, on a short list of 1 and thanks to the intro from Elliott at People’s Endurance, he quickly agreed to join us in between race weekends. Chris Anderson from investment bank pH Partners recommended Devon Price, cofounder of Kenetik, a ketone brand that sponsors Lifetime Grand Prix. There was a last minute curveball from Nate Williams, who could not join us, but he had already invited Karl Pelletier, Chief of Staff at USAC Cycling who sits on their Tech & Innovation council, and Karl graciously stepped in for Nate. Big shout out to Nate for adding USA Cycling in to the mix. There are so many high notes in this show: Karl sharing how USAC chose Kristen Faulkner as the most likely candidate to medal in track pursuit using their data sets, Devon surprising the audience with Kenetik’s life saving qualities, and Lucas…being Lucas by showing the room that a 24 year old with talent, passion, work ethic, strategy, and the right team can prove the haters wrong on the crit circuit and in business. Enjoy! Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.com Instagram Linkedin Theme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik

    SXSW Innovation Panel ft Lucas Bourgoyne (Crit Champ), Karl Pelletier (USA Cycling) and Devon Price (Kenetik)

  5. Jun 3

    Rapha CEO Fran Millar's Servant Leadership & Pursuit of Excellence Jumpstart the Talismanic Brand

    Send us Fan Mail In January I texted Charlie Tames, an Austin businessman with ties to Rapha, asking if he could put me in touch with someone at corporate ahead of my London visit. His response read, “Fran will be in Austin in February.” He’s referring to Fran Millar, Rapha CEO. A few days later Charlie texted, “If I can get you an interview with Fran Millar, would you be interested?”  Does a fat baby sweat? Charlie wouldn’t have vouched for us if he didn’t think we were ready. This was a defining moment. In a short time, the Hill Climbers team had created an events brand and operation suitable for Fran, founding member of Team Sky, INEOS 1:59 Challenge Captain, and now CEO of Rapha, one of the most impactful lifestyle brands of our time.  We hosted a live audience podcast at the Trek store in Austin with 50+ attendees that spilled into dinner/drinks after the show. What struck me about Fran was her vulnerability coupled with a magnificent executive presence. She shared personal details that shaped her career path as easily as she rattled off her five keys to full employee engagement. Fran proudly shared with the group that this brand of servant leadership and communication is authentically female, in contrast with the more classic "hero" version. This is not to mention the wide range of topics and stories we covered from the state of Rapha, the Kate Courtney She Sends partnership and of course the TeamUSA deal leading into LA28. So if this piques your interest, and you want to witness a true devotee to excellence share her thoughs on servant leadership, our interview with Fran is just the thing for you. Tune in! Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.com Instagram Linkedin Theme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik

    Rapha CEO Fran Millar's Servant Leadership & Pursuit of Excellence Jumpstart the Talismanic Brand

  6. Apr 29

    Hooper Kate Veronneau became Zwift's Head of Women's Strategy and Changed WorldTour Cycling Forever

    Send us Fan Mail At this point Kate Veronneau, Director of Women’s Strategy at Zwift, needs little introduction because she’s omnipresent in cycling media around the world including the Tour de France  Femmes Avec Zwift, a partnership which has been the culmination of her career on bikes.  I met Kate and her husband Mike on the NOW ride when we lived in LA, and we hit it off pretty quickly because they had lived right outside of Philly by the T-Town velodrome. It doesn’t take long for Kate’s warmth and east coast honesty to make a lasting impression on anyone - especially cyclists - and I am proud to call her a friend. Watching Kate’s influence on cycling from Instagram and Linkedin have been mind blowing and incredibly gratifying and I hoped that one day we’d cross paths again, especially for an interview.  Last year the opportunity presented itself in the form of the Hill Climbers Summit. Zwift graciously came on board as sponsors, and Kate flew in to rep the company and lead a group ride on our favorite Lost Creek segment. I got some quality time with Kate, and something she shared with me really stuck. The ascendance of women’s sports is a driving force in her life, and so of course she has reflected on the topic deeply. Kate is tall, and was a competitive basketball player so she could always “hang with the guys.” She could hack it in a man’s world which has helped her climb to the sport’s highest echelons. More recently she’s realized that her strengths, what she brings to the boardroom and the peloton, are her feminine attributes. Please enjoy the interview. Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.com Instagram Linkedin Theme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik

    Hooper Kate Veronneau became Zwift's Head of Women's Strategy and Changed WorldTour Cycling Forever

  7. Mar 4

    RUBBER N' ROAD Was Born and Bred on the Streets of Manhattan Just Like Cofounder Max Davis

    Send us Fan Mail We’ve been excited about expanding the Hill Climbers audience beyond Austin, TX and one day back in October a juicy opportunity presented itself. Doug Zell from the Meteor texted me about hosting a group ride in honor of Max Davis, cofounder of Rubber N Road, the NYC kit maker. Doug was excited to add Rubber N' Road product to his retail mix, and the partnership was going to launch with a proper bike ride complete with breakfast tacos and a support vehicle. I secured an interview with Max while he was in town, so we got to the studio soon after he touched down, but not after he rode in Texas hill country for the first time. This brand is an outlier for the simple reason that it’s a legit road bike apparel company born in New York City with a bricks and mortar retail location on 51st st. With that distinction comes unique character, innovation, grit and diversity - all of which we cover in this discussion. Tune in to hear more about how Max is living a dream - a dream that comes with a lot of adversity. Enjoy. https://rubbernroad.com/ Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.com Instagram Linkedin Theme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik

    RUBBER N' ROAD Was Born and Bred on the Streets of Manhattan Just Like Cofounder Max Davis

  8. Jan 22

    Life With CEO Emeritus Mathias Ihlenfeld Before, During and After Scaling Woom Bikes to $100M

    Send us Fan Mail A couple of months ago Michelle Kopplow, a new friend and triathlon devotee, reached out to me and suggested an introduction with Mathias Ihlendfeld, the previous CEO of Woom bikes. I was immediately fired up for a couple of reasons - A Woom is the authority on children’s bikes as far as I’m concerned and B here was an example of the Hill Climbers community showing up and adding a ton of value.  Anyway, Mathias and I sat down for lunch and what transpired was a REAL conversation about topics way more substantive than just business or bikes. Mathias has quite a story to tell - from rural Germany to the collegiate tennis courts of Louisiana to international board rooms and of course, a massive children’s bike brand to cap it off.  This is a story of immigrant success coming from very modest beginnings, the American dream. However, that’s just one side of the story. Mathias opens up about the toll taken as a COVID era multinational CEO and how that’s helped him arrive at his present calling - which is to support men in their post-divorce paths AND help founders grow their companies  Mathias is a real one - as you’ll find out and we are so proud to count him as a member of the Hill Climbers community. Enjoy Mathias Ihlenfeld Linkedin Hill Climbers is more than just a podcast, it's a growing business network for cyclists. You can tap into our event by following our Linkedin and Instagram, and subscribing to our newsletter. www.hill-climbers.com Instagram Linkedin Theme Music: Summer Vibes by Rizik

    Life With CEO Emeritus Mathias Ihlenfeld Before, During and After Scaling Woom Bikes to $100M
See All (37)

5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

Hill Climbers started as a cycling podcast covering cycling-centric founders and has become a startup ecosystem for cyclists. We are founders, investors, execs and startup enthusiasts who are building companies together while supporting our underdog sport. Subscribe to our newsletter for a growing schedule of live events, rides and podcast drops. Wouldn't you rather be networking on a bike? Subscribe: https://www.hill-climbers.com/subscribe

Information

  • Creator
    Sam Huntington
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    37
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Hill Climbers
  • Show Website
    Hill Climbers

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