Can you tell us a little about your journey in
mountain biking?
I’ve always loved anything with wheels, but my real journey in
mountain biking started when I was 11. After moving schools,
my new mates and I spent every afternoon building jumps in
the bush, riding, filming, and pushing each other to go bigger
and faster. I knew I loved riding, but it was my first season of
downhill racing that truly got me hooked—the pressure and
excitement of a race run was next level.
From there, I just focused on having as much fun as possible
while improving my riding. As I got better, I committed to my
dream of racing on the world stage. That meant training in
the gym, being more structured with my riding, and working
on the mental side of racing. Now, after two seasons racing
World Cups, I’m still loving every second of it and learning
more than ever.
I work remotely with an experienced downhill MTB strength and conditioning coach from England. A typical week includes three weight training sessions, two high-intensity interval sessions on the stationary bike, and a couple of longer endurance-focused activities like road riding or surfing. On top of that, I get out on the downhill bike whenever possible during the week and on the weekends. I try to be as fit and strong as I can, for both injury prevention and to enable me to manage fatigue throughout a race weekend.
What challenges have you faced in your sport, and how have you overcome them?
Injuries have been my biggest challenge. At my first World Cup in 2022, I broke my elbow. After surgery and months of rehab, I made a comeback I was proud of and achieved my career-best result—only to break my elbow again weeks later. It was mentally and physically crushing, but after taking some time to process it, I decided to lean further into the sport. I focused on what I could control—my mental approach to racing, visualization, and staying positive. By fully committing to my recovery and training, I not only made a comeback but surpassed where I was before my injuries. The mindset shift turned a major setback into something I’m definitely proud of.
What is it about the MTB community that you love and what draws people to it?
The camaraderie between downhill riders is my favorite part of the sport. We’re all best mates, traveling to incredible locations around the world. While we compete against each other on the results sheet, at the end of the day, we’re all racing the clock and the track—not each other. That mutual respect and shared passion creates an unreal atmosphere that makes the sport so special.
What’s one piece of advice you would give to someone who wants to get into your sport?
Two things: Definitely invest in good protection haha, and find a solid crew to ride with. I reckon having a group of mates to push each other and have a laugh with makes riding way more fun and helps you progress so much faster. And the better you get, the more fun it becomes!
Which High Sierra bags do you have, and what do you like most about them?
The High Sierra Fairlead collection has been a game-changer for me as a traveling athlete. The wheeled duffle fits all my tools, riding gear, spare parts— even my bike pump and handlebars when I’m flying overseas. The convertible duffle is my go-to race day bag—it’s the perfect size for my helmet, gear, and everything I need at the race venue. And for everyday use, the Trooper backpack is my essential carry-on when flying and my go-to for day-to-day life.
