Countdown To: Podcast

Drew Starks and Leighton Starks

In Countdown To: podcast, we'll join two brothers who made a health transformation as they aged, managing fibromyalgia and battling depression. You'll also hear real stories from people who embraced fitness later in life. We’ll explore common barriers—like the fear of not being "good enough" or feeling self-conscious at the gym—and discuss how to overcome them, as well as the importance of building a supportive community. Additionally, we’ll share insights into what worked for us in setting goals, breaking them down into actionable steps, and keeping them within reach. Whether it's finding a workout that complements a hobby like mountain biking, creating a strong support network, or understanding that progress isn’t always linear or measured by “scale victories,” we’ll guide you through the process. Journey with us as we debunk common misconceptions and show you how to stay committed, even when life gets in the way and fitting in one more thing or spending one more dollar feels impossible.  

  1. Aug 18

    Ep. 074 — Yeti Gathering P4: Gus Aramayo | Design Engineer, Yeti Cycles

    Countdowntopodcast.com yeticycles.com zirkeloptics.com mtnops.com pendulumthreads.com - COUNTDOWNTO for 15% off trailsalliance.org/donate-join/ - Donate to Mt. Konocti MTB Trails Videographer: Tyler Vanderwall Ep. 074 — Yeti Gathering P4: Gus Aramayo | Design Engineer, Yeti Cycles Recorded on-site at the 25th Anniversary Yeti Gathering at A-Basin, Colorado, we sit down with Gus “Goose” Aramayo, Design Engineer at Yeti Cycles. Gus takes us behind the scenes of Yeti’s engineering department and explains how a bike goes from an idea and a set of suspension and handling targets to something riders can actually throw a leg over. He also breaks down his role in developing Yeti’s new LT, including the challenge of optimizing geometry, rear-center length, suspension performance, and rider weight balance across the entire size range. But this conversation goes far beyond engineering. Gus shares his path from studying mechanical engineering at Iowa State, to working on motorcycle suspension and ride handling, to eventually landing his dream job designing mountain bikes at Yeti. Through it all, two wheels have been the constant. Mountain biking became a place where Gus could clear his head, build confidence, find direction, and experience the small wins that eventually shaped both his career and his life. We also get into what makes Yeti different behind the logo: a small, incredibly passionate team that genuinely rides together, challenges each other's ideas, takes pride in what they build, and treats the company more like a family than just a workplace. Gus even invited the entire engineering department to his wedding. At the heart of the episode is something much simpler than engineering, racing, or even Yeti: find your thing. Find the thing that quiets your mind, gives you confidence, makes life fun, and helps you come back to everything else a little better than you were before. For Gus—and for us—that thing is mountain biking. From discovering mountain biking in high school to helping design some of the most capable bikes in the world, Gus is proof of what can happen when passion gives you direction.

    Ep. 074 — Yeti Gathering P4: Gus Aramayo | Design Engineer, Yeti Cycles
  2. Jul 28

    Ep. 071 - Yeti Cycles Gathering: Pt. 1 - Nat Campbell Yeti President

    * Of Note: there are a lot of visuals in this episode shooting onsite in Colorado so there’s a lot of references to what was around us. You can see a video version in Spotify as well as YouTube in the link below. Enjoy! Countdowntopodcast.com yeticycles.com zirkeloptics.com mtnops.com pendulumthreads.com - COUNTDOWNTO for 15% off trailsalliance.org/donate-join/ - Donate to Mt. Konocti MTB Trails Videographer: Tyler Vanderwall What does it take to lead one of the most respected brands in mountain biking without losing the soul that made it special? Yeti isn't successful because they build great bikes. They build great bikes because they never stopped putting people first. This week we sit down with Nat Campbell ("Cakes"), President of Yeti Cycles, during the 25th Anniversary Yeti Gathering at Arapahoe Basin. Nat takes us behind the curtain of Yeti, sharing how a small, passionate team has built a global brand by putting riders, relationships, and community ahead of spreadsheets. We dive into the development of Yeti's newest LT platform, why the company invests years into product testing, and how the culture inside Yeti—from lunch rides to lifelong vendor relationships—shapes every bike they build. The conversation also turns deeply personal as Nat opens up about losing one of his closest friends to suicide. He shares how returning to the mountains they once explored together helps him process grief and why mountain communities continue to face unique mental health challenges. This episode isn't just about bikes. It's about leadership, purpose, friendship, loss, and building a company that never forgets the people who make it possible. Whether you're a lifelong Yeti rider or simply someone who believes business should be built around people, this is an episode you won't want to miss. https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UC0Rix1DQ766jsYpj5Kfd_Yg/collaboration/UC44d Db3kSxsXMShOZWaVFiA

    Ep. 071 - Yeti Cycles Gathering: Pt. 1 - Nat Campbell Yeti President
  3. Jul 25

    Ep. 070 - Yeti Legends Joe Lawwill

    Joe Lawwill has lived nearly every chapter of mountain biking's history—and in this episode, he takes us behind the scenes of it all. As a former World Champion, X Games medalist, Yeti Ambassador, Shimano's longtime event and sponsorship leader, coach, trail builder, and product developer, Joe shares what it's been like watching the sport evolve from its earliest days in Marin County to the modern bikes we ride today. We also dive deep into the incredible legacy of Joe's father, Mert Lawwill—the legendary motorcycle racer, star of On Any Sunday, Mountain Bike Hall of Fame inductee, and engineering mind behind some of mountain biking's earliest suspension designs. Joe opens up about recently losing his father, the challenge of preserving that legacy, and the life lessons Mert left behind. Beyond the history, this conversation is packed with wisdom on longevity, discipline, and staying passionate for decades. Joe explains why he doesn't rely on motivation, why he believes in "sticking to the program," how chasing constant improvement has shaped every area of his life, and why reducing stress may be one of the most underrated keys to living well. Whether you're heading to the 2026 Yeti Gathering or simply trying to become a better athlete, parent, or person, this episode is a reminder that greatness isn't built overnight—it's built through curiosity, consistency, and a lifelong commitment to getting just a little better every day.

    Ep. 070 - Yeti Legends Joe Lawwill
  4. Jul 6

    Ep. 068 - Yeti Legends Warren Kniss

    yeticycles.com/en-us/ambassadors/warren-kniss Countdowntopodcast.com zirkeloptics.com mtnops.com pendulumthreads.com - COUNTDOWNTO for 15% off trailsalliance.org/donate-join/ - Donate to Mt. Konocti MTB Trails Former Yeti Cycles racer and ambassador Warren Kniss joins us to share the side of chasing a dream that most people never see. Long before the podiums, sponsors, and race weekends, Warren was balancing a full-time job, college, and self-funded racing—all while refusing to give up on the sport he loved. In this episode, we dive into what it really takes to pursue a passion without putting the rest of life on hold. Warren opens up about juggling responsibilities, learning discipline through mountain biking, dealing with comparison, and finding confidence even when others had advantages he didn't. We also talk about why success isn't defined by podiums, but by the people you meet, the lessons you learn, and the person you become along the way. Whether you're building a business, raising a family, working full-time while chasing a side hustle, or simply trying to become a better version of yourself, Warren's story is a reminder that progress doesn't require perfect circumstances—just consistency, humility, and the willingness to keep showing up. We also explore life after professional racing, finding identity beyond achievements, staying grounded through success, and why enjoying the journey is ultimately more fulfilling than reaching the destination. In this episode we dive into: Balancing full-time work, college, and elite-level racing. Turning passion into discipline without burning out. Overcoming comparison and focusing on what you can control. The reality of self-funded professional mountain biking. Finding identity after stepping away from competition. Why gratitude and enjoying the present matter more than constantly chasing the next goal. If you've ever wondered whether it's possible to chase a dream while handling the responsibilities of everyday life, this conversation is for you.

    Ep. 068 - Yeti Legends Warren Kniss
  5. Jun 22

    Ep. 66 - Yeti Legend: Sarah Rawley, Yeti Cycles Ambassador

    DISCLAIMER: Minor technical difficulties during recording made it impossible to silence background noise. Countdowntopodcast.com mtnops.com pendulumthreads.com - COUNTDOWNTO for 15% off trailsalliance.org/donate-join/ - Donate to Mt. Konocti MTB Trails Episode Summary: Sarah “Yeti Beti” Rawley — Grief, Grit, and the Power of Community In this powerful episode of Countdown To: Podcast, we sit down with Yeti Cycles ambassador Sarah “Yeti Beti” Rawley for one of the most vulnerable and inspiring conversations we've had yet. Known throughout the mountain bike world for her work with Yeti, the Yeti Gatherings, Vita MTB, and building communities on two wheels, Sarah shares a story that goes far beyond bikes. Sarah opens up about the sudden loss of her mother in 2011 after a brain aneurysm while skiing together on Mount Hood. At just 25 years old, Sarah found herself facing one of life's hardest moments head-on. She reflects on the shock of losing her best friend, how grief reshaped her priorities, and the lessons she learned about embracing life instead of waiting for "someday." We dive deep into the realities of grief—why so many people struggle to talk about it, how loss changes family dynamics, and the importance of allowing yourself to feel rather than suppressing pain. Sarah shares the concept of grief having a "half-life": it never fully disappears, but over time becomes something you learn to carry while still moving forward. From there, the conversation turns to mountain biking and the role it played in her healing journey. Sarah explains how solo rides became a sanctuary where she could process emotions, find peace, and experience the flow state that makes mountain biking so special. Whether pushing herself physically, crying through a climb, or finding stillness in nature, bikes became a tool for resilience and self-discovery. We also explore Sarah's entrepreneurial side and the creation of the Vita MTB Series, a groundbreaking women's mountain bike program that helped thousands of women build confidence, develop skills, and find community. What started as a response to a need in the sport grew into a movement that continues to impact riders today. Sarah shares why community matters so much and how empowering others became part of her own healing process. Throughout the episode, Sarah reminds us that life is fragile, community matters, and sometimes our greatest hardships become the catalyst for our greatest growth. Three Major Topics We Dive Into: 1. Losing her mother unexpectedly and navigating grief at 25 years old 2. How mountain biking became a lifeline for healing, purpose, and flow 3. Building the Vita MTB Series and creating community that empowers others This is a conversation about loss, resilience, purpose, and choosing to fully live—even when life doesn't go according to plan. If you've ever experienced grief, struggled through adversity, or found healing through adventure, this episode will resonate deeply.

    Ep. 66 - Yeti Legend: Sarah Rawley, Yeti Cycles Ambassador
  6. Jun 14

    Ep. 65 - Yeti Legends: Brooke Goudy

    https://www.rowdygoudy.com/ https://yeticycles.com/en-us/ambassadors/brooke-goudy Countdowntopodcast.com mtnops.com pendulumthreads.com - COUNTDOWNTO for 15% off trailsalliance.org/donate-join/ - Donate to Mt. Konocti MTB Trails In this inspiring episode of Countdown To: Podcast, Drew and Leighton sit down with Yeti ambassador, advocate, community builder, and founder of Rowdy Goudy, Brooke “Rowdy” Goudy, for a conversation that goes far beyond mountain biking. Together, they explore the true meaning of joy, the power of community, and how ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things. Brooke shares how joy isn't simply happiness—it's a deep sense of gratitude for being alive and fully experiencing life. She discusses how mountain biking has become a vehicle for personal growth, resilience, healing, and connection, helping people rediscover trust in themselves and their abilities. Through stories of adventure, advocacy, and trail experiences, she explains why the most meaningful moments on a bike often have little to do with the bike itself. The conversation dives into Rowdy's incredible journey, including riding the 2,700-mile Great Divide Mountain Bike Route and how a pivotal moment in Colorado inspired her mission to create opportunities for others. She shares how seeing representation where she least expected it motivated her to finish the ride and eventually lead transformative adventures for women who may have never seen themselves in outdoor spaces before. Drew and Leighton also explore Rowdy's extensive work in trail advocacy, civic leadership, and organizations dedicated to expanding access to cycling. She reflects on creating spaces where people feel welcomed, represented, and empowered while emphasizing the importance of showing up, taking responsibility for your community, and helping others discover what they're capable of. As the conversation shifts toward the upcoming Yeti Gathering, Rowdy describes the event as the perfect example of what mountain biking can be at its best: a place where strangers become friends, community forms instantly, and everyone belongs. She shares stories from previous Gatherings and explains why connection, not competition, is what keeps people coming back year after year. Throughout the episode, one message remains clear: mountain biking is about much more than trails and bikes. It's about joy, resilience, community, healing, and discovering that ordinary people are capable of extraordinary things when they keep showing up. Episode Themes: Joy as gratitude and a way of life Community as a foundation for health and belonging. Representation and creating access in outdoor spaces Learning resilience through adventure Ordinary people doing extraordinary things The power of showing up Why the Yeti Gathering is about far more than bikes.

    Ep. 65 - Yeti Legends: Brooke Goudy
5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

In Countdown To: podcast, we'll join two brothers who made a health transformation as they aged, managing fibromyalgia and battling depression. You'll also hear real stories from people who embraced fitness later in life. We’ll explore common barriers—like the fear of not being "good enough" or feeling self-conscious at the gym—and discuss how to overcome them, as well as the importance of building a supportive community. Additionally, we’ll share insights into what worked for us in setting goals, breaking them down into actionable steps, and keeping them within reach. Whether it's finding a workout that complements a hobby like mountain biking, creating a strong support network, or understanding that progress isn’t always linear or measured by “scale victories,” we’ll guide you through the process. Journey with us as we debunk common misconceptions and show you how to stay committed, even when life gets in the way and fitting in one more thing or spending one more dollar feels impossible.  

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