Mi Duole Cycling Podcast

Episode: "Ride, Reflect, Repeat with Nick Balli"

Release date: September 5, 2025
Host: Stuart Anderson
Co-Host: Matt Dalton
Guest: Nick Balli

Overview

This episode celebrates Mi Duole Cycling Team member Nick Balli, diving into his cycling journey, life philosophy, and the important relationships that fuel his passion both on and off the bike. Host Stuart Anderson and co-host Matt Dalton guide a lively, reflective conversation that covers Nick’s backstory, experiences with legendary Utah events (like Leadville and LOTOJA), his family life, lessons from endurance sports, and advice for newcomers. The camaraderie and humor between long-time riding friends shine throughout, delivering candid, heartfelt, and practical insights for Utah’s cycling community.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Introductions & Community Happenings

• 00:00–05:25
  • Stuart welcomes Nick Balli and Matt Dalton, highlighting the podcast’s mission to build community and share cyclists' stories.
  • Recent big events discussed: Wasatch 100, LOTOJA, and the team’s Canyon’s Challenge.
  • Team announcements: white kits for 2026, planning team camp (possibly Maui), and inviting input on dates.

2. Nick Balli: Life and Cycling Backstory

• 07:02–13:25
  • Stuart reads Nick’s wife Jenny Lynn’s poetic intro:

    "Nick is a rider who proves that passion, persistence, and maybe a touch of stubbornness can take you pretty far—whether that's up a Wasatch climb at sunrise or across the finish line at Leadville." — [07:02]

  • Nick’s background: grew up in Salt Lake City, Eagle Scout, served an LDS mission in Milan, earned degrees from the University of Utah and Westminster, and volunteered at the 2006 Turin Olympics.
  • Currently works at Optum (23 years), married 17 years, dad of two (one through fertility treatment, one through adoption), and dog parent to a 5-year-old Saint Bernard.
  • Early love for endurance sports—ran track, cross country, and a marathon ("Finished in four hours and four minutes and swore: Never again." — [11:59]).

3. Cycling Friendships and Nick’s Impact

• 13:25–21:01
  • Co-host Matt Dalton describes Nick as "solid," dependable, "strong," and always ready for early, hard rides.

    "The word that I would use to describe him, really, if there was just one word, is just—he's just solid." — Matt Dalton [15:09]

  • Nick rarely cancels rides—unlike those jokingly referenced:

    "I don't believe that Nick has—until, what, last week?—ever canceled a ride on me... Contrast that to people like Ryan Welch—I'm not calling him out specifically, but I am."
    — Matt [15:09–15:37]

  • Anecdotes about group ride jokes: competing for segments ("Sean's Mom" KOM), delivery robots dubbed “mobile weed dispensaries,” and "Hunting Grandma" (Nick’s infamous trail incident near Hogle Zoo).

    "My wife created a... water bottle that said 'Hunting Grandma' on it." — Nick [19:29–19:36]

  • Nick’s even temperament and positive influence—Matt credits Nick for making him a better person and cyclist [20:34].

4. Deep Dive: Leadville 100 & Event Reflections

• 21:01–27:21
  • Nick recounts his first Leadville MTB 100:

    "It really tested you mentally and physically; that picture... is really just kind of a moment of true exhaustion and realizing I had to go back up Powerline."
    — Nick [21:55–22:29]

  • Would do Leadville again—with learnings from his rookie year [22:39].
  • Memorable moments from LOTOJA ("borrowed a garbage bag as a poncho from the feed station") [23:17–23:54].
  • Discussion about why Leadville is so tough—the psychological pressure to "go fast" for a belt buckle makes it “the most exhausting day” [25:11–25:59].
  • Matt notices post-Leadville, Nick became a more efficient rider [26:01–27:21].

5. Favorite Rides, Routes, and Family Life

• 27:32–33:11
  • Nick’s top picks: long out-and-backs to Morgan, mountain/gravel trails to Dog Lake, and connecting creative routes.
  • Exploring family: "Jackson's into mountain biking... Emma’s getting into softball."
  • Navigating fertility treatment and adoption—how the journey shaped him and strengthened his marriage.

    “When you go through it together with your wife, it makes you stronger, gives you a deeper appreciation for the road of life... you become better because of them, stronger together.”
    — Nick [28:53–29:45]

  • Matt and Nick share insights into fatherhood and parenting at different stages.

6. Cycling Origin, Team Connection, and Family Influence

• 33:11–37:00
  • Nick’s shift from running to cycling after a knee injury—progression from a cycling merit badge to century events.
  • Recounts first connections to Mi Duole through neighbor Tony Quinn and friend Chris Harmon.
  • Riding with his father-in-law, a strong and inspiring cyclist.

7. Career Reflections and Professional Growth

• 37:00–40:04
  • Nick on his 23-year tenure at Optum:

    “Started out selling the medical coding books... They helped me with the MBA program... director of Business Operations... There’s been lots of opportunity along the way.” — Nick [37:11–38:23]

  • Day-to-day: supports sales team operations, reporting, and business system migrations.

8. Cycling Wisdom: Gear, Consistency, and Marginal Gains

• 40:04–42:33
  • Advice to newcomers: "A lot to do and know with cycling... You don’t have to do it all at once. Marginal gains—if you upgrade your wheels, that gives you some. But being consistent builds up your base." — Nick [40:35–41:46]

9. Personal Philosophy: Rules for Life

• 42:33–43:34
  • Nick’s rules:

    “Put your family and faith first... Don’t let your friends go by the side... Make sure you enjoy what’s right in front of you... Prioritize their activities over maybe cycling. Keep making time with the wife.” — Nick [42:33–43:24]

10. 2024 Training, Leadville Prep, and Growth

• 43:41–48:23
  • Early, focused Zwift sessions helped Nick prepare for Leadville; spent more time than ever on his mountain bike to build skills and fitness, following a structured plan via Training Peaks.

    “I... spent far more time on Zwift than maybe I should have... just really focused on building that base.” — Nick [45:38–45:54]

  • Influence of peer accountability and group training with Matt—lots of early climbing!

11. Looking Ahead: Future Rides and Goals

• 48:23–50:04
  • Nick hopes to reach 10 LOTOJA finishes before age 50 (four more to go). He’s open to more Leadville attempts and keeping the base strong over winter with skiing.
  • Special mention of his signature "energy peanut butter balls" enjoyed on rides [49:41–49:48].

12. Fun and Humor: Ride Culture and Inside Jokes

• Throughout
  • Ongoing banter about KOMs, inside jokes ("Sean’s Mom," “Hunting Grandma,” “mobile weed dispensary”), and team culture.
  • Matt:

    “The goal is to finish [LOTOJA] during the daytime and eat chips in the river. Isn’t that everybody’s... grab some chips?”
    — [03:13–03:34]

  • Nick's even-keeled temperament and his family's humorous support (e.g., custom “Hunting Grandma” water bottle).

13. Final Advice for New Teammates

• 50:59–52:14

  “Show up, be consistent—whether you’re sharing the road or trail... They’ll push you, they’ll support you, and you’ll get better over time on and off the bike.” — Nick [50:59–51:24]

  • Matt closes:

    “Nick is a good, good man to know—a great friend, a strong rider, and a worthy member of Mi Duole.”
    — [51:37–52:00]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Dependability:

  "I could always depend on him being there, which was so great. You know, it just really motivates you to get out and go."
  — Matt Dalton [16:15]

• On Stubbornness and Endurance:

  "...if he starts something, he's gonna finish it."
  — Matt Dalton [14:41]

• On Leadville:

  "It really tested you mentally and physically... It’s quite a day."
  — Nick [21:55–25:59]

• On Team Spirit:

  “The conversations you can have with folks when you're out on a long bike ride are awesome—about bikes, work, or family.”
  — Nick [31:24]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introduction & Community Announcements: 00:00–05:25
• Balli Family Introduction/Background: 07:02–13:25
• Reflections on Reliability & Friendship: 13:25–21:01
• Leadville 100 MTB Deep Dive: 21:01–27:21
• Family Life & Lessons from Adversity: 28:32–33:11
• Career Wisdom & Day Job: 37:00–40:04
• Advice for Cyclists & Marginal Gains: 40:35–42:33
• Rules to Live By: 42:33–43:34
• Training for Leadville: 45:38–48:23
• Future Goals & Ride Food: 48:33–50:04
• Advice to New Team Members & Closing: 50:59–52:14

Tone and Takeaway

The conversation is warm, humorous, and steeped in the camaraderie that defines grassroots cycling teams. Nick stands out as a quiet leader whose consistency, reliability, and positive attitude inspire betterment in others. Rich in funny stories, practical advice, and genuine reflections on family and cycling, the episode offers both seasoned riders and newcomers a sense of belonging, motivation, and perspective.

For those considering joining Mi Duole or leveling up their cycling journey: show up, support your teammates, be consistent, and savor the ride—on and off the bike.