https://yeticycles.com/en-us/ambassadors/justin-reiter Countdowntopodcast.com mtnops.com pendulumthreads.com - COUNTDOWNTO for 15% off trailsalliance.org/donate-join/ - Donate to Mt. Konocti MTB Trails Continuing on with Countdown To: Yeti Gathering 2026, we have former Olympic snowboarder, World Cup winner, Olympic coach, adventurer, longtime Yeti Cycles ambassador, and all-around deep thinker Justin Reiter joining us on the Countdown To: Podcast. Most people look at Justin's resume and see success: Olympic appearances, World Cup podiums, a World Cup victory, and years competing at the highest level of snowboarding. But in this conversation, Justin pulls back the curtain and shares a side of elite performance that many never talk about—the loneliness of chasing greatness, tying your identity to results, and discovering that achievement doesn't always bring fulfillment. We dive into the sacrifices required to compete at the highest level, the pressure athletes place on themselves, and the surprising reality that after accomplishing goals he'd chased for over 20 years, Justin still found himself battling depression and searching for purpose. His insights on self-worth, identity, and the difference between experiencing success versus becoming your success are powerful lessons for anyone pursuing big goals. From there, we explore how mountain biking became more than cross-training—it became therapy. Justin shares how riding gave him a place free from scoreboards, rankings, and external validation, allowing him to reconnect with himself and rediscover the joy that originally drew him to adventure. We also unpack his incredible mission to become the first person to ride all of Colorado's rideable 14,000-foot peaks, a project that challenged him physically, mentally, and spiritually while helping him find fulfillment outside of competition. Along the way, Justin shares why hard adventures build confidence, why fear can actually be an ally, and why doing difficult things reveals what we're truly capable of. Finally, we talk all things Yeti Cycles, the Yeti Gathering, and why Justin has remained part of the Yeti family for so many years. It's a conversation about identity, resilience, purpose, adventure, and finding peace beyond performance. Whether you're chasing podiums, personal goals, or simply trying to become a better version of yourself, this episode is packed with wisdom from someone who discovered that fulfillment isn't found at the finish line—it's found in the journey. Key Topics: Olympic-level competition and identity Depression after achieving lifelong goals The danger of tying self-worth to performance Mountain biking as therapy and escape Riding all of Colorado's 14ers Fear, resilience, and personal growth Yeti Cycles and the Yeti Gathering Why hard things build confidence Finding fulfillment beyond success.
