MOVING THE NEEDLE : The Andrew Neethling Podcast

#152. Sam Blenkinsop: From Junior Phenom to World Cup Winner – A 20-Year Journey from Backyard Ruts to Podiums

In this episode of Moving the Needle, we sit down with one of the most naturally gifted and enduring riders in downhill mountain biking—Sam Blenkinsop. From his humble beginnings carving ruts on the way to school in New Zealand to winning a World Cup and racing at the top level for two decades, Sam shares his incredible journey.

We dive into his early days as a fearless junior, his transition to factory teams, and the game-changing moment that led him to World Cup glory. Sam opens up about the challenges of balancing family life with racing, his unique approach to training, and why he still has the hunger to compete. He also reflects on the evolution of the sport, rivalries, and the raw passion that has kept him going when others have burned out.

This is a must-listen for MTB fans, aspiring racers, and anyone who loves a good underdog story. Tune in and get inspired by one of the sport’s most authentic and exciting riders!

Episode Sponsor:

AG1

AG1 is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle

#151.Fabien Barel: The Champion’s Mindset, Racing Strategy, and the Science of Winning

Three-time Downhill World Champion Fabien Barel dives deep into the mindset, preparation, and mental strategies that shaped his legendary career. From his relentless pursuit of performance to his innovative approach to race-day tactics, Fabien shares untold stories about pushing the limits—both physically and mentally.

We talk about his early years growing up on the same street as Nicolas Vouilloz, the evolution of his mental preparation, and how visualization gave him an edge when it was still considered unconventional. He breaks down legendary race moments, including his calculated strategy at Les Gets 2004 and his razor-thin World Championship battle in Canberra. Plus, Fabien opens up about the role of ego in high-performance sports, how belief shapes results, and why he treats every morning as a chance to define who he wants to be.

This episode is packed with wisdom, behind-the-scenes racing insight, and game-changing takeaways for anyone looking to elevate their performance—on or off the bike.

Episode Sponsor:

AG1

AG1 is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle

 

 

#150. Fit4Racing Jonny Thompson:Can Everyone Benefit from MTB Training? Power & Performance with Fit4Racing

Jonny from Fit4Racing has worked with some of the world’s fastest mountain bikers, helping them push the limits of strength, endurance, and resilience. But what makes top riders truly excel? And can those same principles apply to everyday athletes?

In this episode, we break down the key factors behind elite performance—both physical and mental. From strength training and conditioning to mindset, focus, and mental toughness, Jonny shares how top riders train and why their approach can benefit anyone, whether you're a serious racer, weekend warrior, or just looking to improve your fitness.

We also discuss common training mistakes, injury prevention, and how to develop the mental edge that separates the best from the rest.

Episode Sponsor:

AG1

AG1 is going to give you a FREE 1 year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle

#149. HARDLINE Downhill Review with Sven Martin supported by Crankbrothers

Sven Martin is my co-host for this episode of Bench Racing.  We will cover the season and bring you Review episodes after each race throughout the year.  We break down RED BULL HARDLINE held in Tasmania 

This podcast series is brought to you by Crankbrothers.

Crankbrothers is synonymous with the DH racing circuit, and last year celebrated 13 years in a row of Elite World Champs wins with the Mallet DH pedal! And it’s not just pedals; Crankbrothers has been adding to their product offering over the last few years and now has a whole host of podium contenders in their shoes, riders like Benoit Coulanges, Bernard Kerr, Luca Shaw, Troy Brosnan, Camille Balanche, and many more

Episode Sponsors: 

AG1 

Athletic Greens are going to give you a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle.

 

 

#148. Tony Seagrave: Father of Tahnee and Kaos on building champions , breaking limits and raising speed.

What does it take to raise not just one but two world-class mountain bikers? In this episode, we sit down with Tony Seagrave, the father of Tahnee and Kaos Seagrave, to uncover the journey behind building champions. From the early days of racing to the mindset, sacrifices, and behind-the-scenes moments that shaped their success, Tony shares his unique perspective on parenting elite athletes.

Expect untold stories, hard-earned wisdom, and a deep dive into the culture of speed, resilience, and family in mountain biking. Whether you're a fan of the sport, a parent of an aspiring athlete, or just love a good story of passion and perseverance, this episode is for you!

#147.Greg Minnaar: The Downhill GOAT Unfiltered – His Career, Legacy, and Future

In this exclusive episode, we sit down with Greg Minnaar, the undisputed greatest of all time in downhill mountain biking. After over two decades of dominating the World Cup circuit, Greg opens up about his decision to retire from professional racing. He shares the highs of standing atop countless podiums, the lows of injuries and setbacks, and the invaluable lessons learned through it all.

But this isn’t just a look back. Greg takes us into the next chapter of his journey as the new Director of Norco Race Division. From mentoring the next generation of riders to shaping the future of the sport he helped define, Greg reveals his vision and passion for what’s ahead.

Oh, and don’t worry—there are plenty of unfiltered stories from the race circuit that you won’t want to miss!

#146. Danny Hart: Full Episode. Multiple World Champ on backing yourself, 2025 and epic stories from the past.

In this exclusive episode, Danny Hart opens up about his challenging 2024 season, what it takes to back yourself, and his exciting new chapter with Norco Factory Racing. Hear all about the moment he got the call from downhill legend Greg Minnaar and what’s in store for him in the 2025 season. Get the inside scoop on Danny’s latest move, his goals, and what’s next for this seasoned MTB pro!

#145. Danny Hart: EXCLUSIVE TEAM NEWS. Danny's big move and 2025 plans.

In this exclusive episode, Danny Hart opens up about his exciting new chapter with Norco Race Division. Hear all about the moment he got the call from downhill legend Greg Minnaar and what’s in store for him in the 2025 season. Get the inside scoop on Danny’s latest move, his goals, and what’s next for this seasoned MTB pro!

#144.Todd Barber: Producer of Rampage on Freeride’s Evolution and the NST Bike Tour

Todd Barber, co-founder of Red Bull Rampage, joins us to share the incredible journey behind one of the most iconic freeride mountain biking events in the world. From Rampage’s daring beginnings in 2001 to the groundbreaking inclusion of women riders and the evolution of its unique judging format, Todd reflects on two decades of redefining action sports.

We also dive into the creation of NST Bike, a bold evolution of the Proving Grounds qualifier Todd launched in 2019. Discover how a collaboration with snowboarding legend Travis Rice helped shape the Natural Selection Tour’s expansion into biking, bridging the gap between slopestyle and big-mountain freeride competitions.

With upcoming events in Queenstown, New Zealand—including a “last chance qualifier” at the Dream Track—Todd shares his vision for the future of freeride, the challenges of finding unique locations, and the exciting multi-sport expansion of NST. This episode is packed with stories of innovation, community, and pushing the limits of what’s possible.

The Search | Natural Selection Tour Bike

Episode Sponsors:

AG1

AG1 is going to give you a FREE 1-year supply of immune-supporting Vitamin D AND 5 FREE travel packs with your first purchase. All you have to do is visit drinkAG1.com/movingtheneedle

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#143. Jamie Read: High-Performance MTB Coaching ,Secrets and Mental Game Insights every rider can benefit from.

In this episode, we dive into the world of elite mountain biking with Jamie Read, of Athlete Optimization, a renowned high-performance MTB coach who’s helped some of the sport’s top athletes reach their peak. With years of experience blending cutting-edge training techniques and mental performance strategies, Jamie has built a reputation for unlocking riders' full potential both on and off the bike. Jamie is also studying for his Masters in Sports and performance coaching. 

Join us as we explore Jamie's journey from his roots as a former British Army member, and sports and conditioning coach to becoming a sought-after coach, working with world-class pros and dedicated amateurs alike. We discuss the key elements of high-performance MTB training, some serious misconceptions of training, the importance of mental toughness, and how to overcome challenges that every rider faces. Whether you're a weekend warrior or an aspiring pro, Jamie's insights are packed with actionable advice to elevate your game.