
Hosted by Rebecca Rusch · EN

In this deeply personal episode of What’s the Rusch, Rebecca reconnects with longtime teammate and multi-time world champion Anneke Beerten. From her BMX beginnings in the Netherlands to dominating Crankworx and Enduro World Series events, Anneke has done it all on two wheels. But her greatest test came off the course—when a traumatic brain injury abruptly ended her career.Rebecca and Anneke dive into what it means to rewrite your story after the finish line, how to navigate the invisible injuries, and the power of staying in the sport—just in a different role. Now a coach, mentor, and skills instructor, Anneke is helping shape the next generation of riders, while also navigating her own ongoing recovery.This episode is about identity, purpose, healing after an injury, and what it means to keep showing up, even when the ride looks different than you planned. In this episode, Rebecca and Anneke explore:Starting BMX at age 4 and racing internationally as a teenThe evolution of a mountain bike career across disciplines—BMX, 4X, EnduroThe car accident that caused her traumatic brain injuryLetting go of a racing career before she was readyCoaching for USA Cycling and mentoring Olympic medalist Haley BattenCoaching from Crankworx to beginners, with equal joy and passionFinding peace, purpose, and a new kind of finish lineTransformative Insights:"Fun was always a non-negotiable part of my training."Brain injuries are treatable—but require advocacy and patience.Recovery is not linear, and it’s often invisible.You can still win—by helping others rise.Letting go of the comeback dream was the first step toward real healing.Vulnerable Moments:Anneke shares the fear and emotional toll of post-TBI symptomsThe grief of losing a lifelong identity in one instantFeeling isolated in a facility surrounded by stroke survivors at age 38The emotional reckoning of realizing she couldn’t race againWhat it meant to return to Crankworx—not to compete, but to close a chapter Practical Wisdom:Follow your gut: fear and intuition are both teachers“Just give me two hours to undo what you’ve been doing for 10 years”—Anneke’s coaching mantraRecord videos or journal during recovery to track invisible progressHelping others can bring the same thrill as racingYou don't need a podium to have purpose Personal Growth:From podiums to mentorship: how Anneke found joy in coachingLearning to ask for help—and accept itThe move to Bentonville as a radical act of healing and communityLetting go of plans and finding presence in the momentRedefining success through connection, not competition📚 Helpful Links:Anneke’s WebsiteCrank it Up MTB CoachingAnneke’s YouTubeBrain Storm Podcast and Resource GuideRebecca’s YT Concussion Video ResourcesSponsor:This episode is sponsored by Eternal.Eternal is redefining athlete health with personalized, evidence-based care. From advanced blood biomarker testing to in-depth performance assessments and concierge support, they give you the tools to train smarter, recover better, and avoid injury.Check them out at eternal.co and use promo code WTR for 10% off your performance physical today.Support What’s the Rusch: 💬 Love the show? Share it with a friend, leave a review, or post your favorite moment on Instagram and tag @rebeccarusch. Every bit of support helps us continue these deep conversations.Connect with Rebecca RuschWebsite Instagram LinkedIn Substack Blood Road Brain Storm Podcast Be Good Foundation

In this powerful episode of What’s the Rusch, Rebecca welcomes Lauren Fleshman—former professional runner, coach, author of the bestselling book Good for a Girl, and one of the most influential voices in women’s sport. Together, they explore what it means to push boundaries, to question the systems we inherit, and to carve new pathways for ourselves and for future generations. From racing at the highest levels to advocating for equity in athletics, Lauren’s journey is as much about courage and vulnerability as it is about speed.This conversation dives into the deep lessons that come from showing up authentically, honoring your body, and embracing the uncomfortable process of growth.Show Notes:In this episode, Rebecca and Lauren discuss:Why redefining success beyond medals and podiums is essential for long-term fulfillmentThe importance of honoring your nervous system and holistic health in trainingHow Lauren’s book Good for a Girl challenges the systems that fail young female athletesThe transition from professional athlete to advocate, coach, and mentorWhy authenticity and vulnerability can be more powerful than achievementTransformative Insights:The cascade effect of living in alignment with your valuesHow sharing your story can help shift culture and create belongingWhy advocating for women in sport isn’t just about equity—it’s about human potentialThe critical role of joy, play, and self-compassion in performanceVulnerable Moments:Lauren shares what it was like to face injury and the loss of her athletic identityRebecca and Lauren reflect on the pressure to perform and the cost of perfectionismBoth explore how adventure and movement can be grounding forces through life transitionsPractical Wisdom:Introduce yourself with your values, not just your professionRemove decision-making burdens by leaning into core non-negotiablesRecognize that nervous system health is the foundation of performanceFind ways to support others in non-threatening, authentic waysPersonal Growth:Lauren’s evolution from chasing external validation to creating systemic changeRebecca’s recognition of adventure as a lifelong throughline—for healing, growth, and connectionThe reminder that the strongest people often need support tooWhy embracing impermanence and discomfort can lead to lasting resilienceHelpful Links:Lauren Fleshman’s Website: https://www.laurenfleshman.com/Lauren on Instagram: @fleshmanflyerLauren’s book Good for a Girl: https://www.laurenfleshman.com/bookWilder Retreats with LaurenSponsor:This episode is sponsored by Eternal.Eternal is redefining athlete health with personalized, evidence-based care. From advanced blood biomarker testing to in-depth performance assessments and concierge support, they give you the tools to train smarter, recover better, and avoid injury.Check them out at eternal.co and use promo code WTR for 10% off your performance physical today.Support What’s the Rusch: 💬 Love the show? Share it with a friend, leave a review, or post your favorite moment on Instagram and tag @rebeccarusch. Every bit of support helps us continue these deep conversations.Connect with Rebecca RuschWebsite Instagram LinkedIn Substack Blood Road Brain Storm Podcast Be Good Foundation

In this episode of What’s the Rusch, Rebecca Rusch and freeskiing icon Michelle Parker explore what happens when your identity is deeply tied to performance—and what it takes to unravel that. From the peaks of big mountain skiing to the quiet rebuilding after injury, Michelle has redefined what success looks like in a world that often demands constant output.They dive into the power of friendship, the necessity of slowing down, and the ways fear can both guide and free us. Michelle shares how she’s evolved beyond athlete into filmmaker, advocate, and student of herself—and why letting go of who she thought she had to be helped her become who she truly is.In this episode, Rebecca and Michelle discuss:How fear and flow shape Michelle’s relationship with skiing and filmmakingThe role of friendship and community in creative and athletic longevityTransitioning from athlete to producer and redefining her “why”The emotional journey through concussions and identity shiftsFinding grounding through journaling, reflection, and intentional livingTransformative Insights:Adventure and joy can coexist with self-awareness and restInjury can be a portal to creativity, clarity, and reinventionThe stories we tell ourselves are just as powerful as the ones we tell othersBuilding a fulfilling life is not about chasing the next mountain—it’s about choosing the right oneVulnerable Moments:Michelle shares her experience with brain injury, mental fog, and relearning who she isRebecca reflects on their shared concussion journeys and the subtle healing that comes with timeThey both explore the tug-of-war between external achievement and internal peaceMichelle opens up about losing friends in the mountains—and how that changes her relationship with risk and joyPractical Wisdom:How to balance structure with spontaneity in creative and athletic pursuitsTips for staying grounded when your identity is tied to performanceWhy rest, reflection, and play are just as important as hustleStrategies for navigating transitions—on the mountain and in lifePersonal Growth:Michelle’s evolution from competition skier to filmmaker, mentor, and creative leaderThe power of saying no—and redefining success on your own termsBuilding confidence by choosing what feels right instead of what looks impressiveHow Michelle has learned to live more intentionally and embrace “enoughness”Helpful Links:Michelle Parker on InstagramMichelle’s Red Bull ProfileAlpenglow keynote speech: A shift in perspective Season 1 Episode 1 of Originate with Red BullContinuum - Michelle’s first ever Director titleSponsor: Eternal is redefining athlete health with personalized, evidence-based care. From advanced blood biomarker testing to in-depth performance assessments and concierge support, they give you the tools to train smarter, recover better, and avoid injury.Check them out at eternal.co and use promo code WTR for 10% off your performance physical today.Support What’s the Rusch: 💬 Love the show? Share it with a friend, leave a review, or post your favorite moment on Instagram and tag @rebeccarusch. Every bit of support helps us continue these deep conversations.Connect with Rebecca RuschWebsite Instagram LinkedIn Substack Blood Road Brain Storm Podcast Be Good Foundation

In this episode of What’s the Rusch, Rebecca Rusch is joined by mountain biking phenom and SheSends founder Kate Courtney for an honest, high-vibration conversation about racing, reinvention, and rising to your own standard of success. From being the only girl on her high school team to becoming a world champion and Olympic athlete, Kate has reshaped what it means to lead with values—not just victories. Now, she’s charting a bold new course in her career: founding her own team, launching a foundation, and redefining what success means from the inside out.This conversation explores what happens when you bet on yourself—on and off the bike—and how the moments that test us can often be our greatest teachers.Show Notes: In this episode, Rebecca and Kate discuss:The founding and vision behind SheSends: a race team and a movementHer evolution from factory team rider to entrepreneur and team builderHow Leadville became her unexpected comeback after injuryCultivating intrinsic motivation in a results-driven worldThe changing landscape of women’s cycling and why it mattersLetting go of external validation to focus on values-based leadershipThe mental and physical shift that comes from playing the long gameTransformative Insights:Believing in yourself—not just the outcome—is the most powerful performance toolYou don’t have to wait to feel confident to take the leap—just “send it”Structure is the secret sauce, not sheer disciplineCuriosity is often the most powerful motivator we haveBuilding your own path can energize your performance in unexpected waysVulnerable Moments:Kate opens up about the injury that sidelined her season—and sparked a resetShe reflects on early years of being underestimated and overextendedRebecca and Kate share how they’ve both wrestled with shifting identities in sportKate talks about learning to rest, reframe, and rebuild—without losing momentumPractical Wisdom:Use values—not just metrics—to define successTreat injury or detours as data, not defeatRedefine goals through bronze/silver/gold tiers to keep perspectiveLet structure support joy, not stifle itCreate space for the “main thing”—and know when to let the rest goPersonal Growth:Kate’s shift from peak performance to purpose-driven impact through SheSendsHer approach to writing, reflection, and building mental clarity through Monday MantrasEmbracing uncertainty as a form of freedomExpanding her team from just staff and support to a mission-aligned communityHelpful Links:Kate’s Website SheSends Foundation Kate Courtney's Substack – Monday Mantras Kate on Instagram Kate’s Interview on Rich RollKate on the Second Nature PodcastSupport What’s the Rusch: 💬 Love the show? Share it with a friend, leave a review, or post your favorite moment on Instagram and tag @rebeccarusch. Every bit of support helps us continue these deep conversations.Connect with Rebecca RuschWebsite Instagram LinkedIn Substack Blood Road Brain Storm Podcast Be Good Foundation LINKSFollow our Guest:Instagram 549 FollowersFacebook 591K FollowersLinkedInhttps://katecourtney.com/She Sends - Foundation & Race Team

In this heartfelt and illuminating episode of What’s the Rusch, Rebeccas has the JOY of talking with her friend, Mirna Valerio—known to many as The Mirnavator. Mirna is an ultra-runner, writer, skier, poet, educator, and unapologetic force of joy. Together, they trace Mirna’s journey from a Brooklyn childhood to discovering mountains and ultimately reshaping what outdoor adventure looks and feels like.Through stories of summer camp, teaching, motherhood, poetry, and being a plus-size Black woman in spaces not designed for her, Mirna reveals the power of choosing yourself, again and again. This is a conversation about joy as resistance, belonging as birthright, and the ripple effect of being exactly who you are. It’s about introducing yourself with your values, not just your profession—and letting adventure be a lifelong thread in your story.In this episode, Rebecca and Mirna explore:Finding her voice in both poetry and the outdoorsThe poem Trophic Cascade and how it mirrors life transformationNature as the ultimate teacher and refuge—“Nature is always the answer”Core values as non-negotiables, and how to lead with themWhat it means to take up space—on trails, in life, and in leadershipThe strongest people often don’t get the support they need—and how to change thatSupporting your people in non-threatening, nourishing waysHow writing, community, and curiosity became Mirna’s healing practicesTransformative Insights:Nature doesn’t just welcome us—it changes usYour presence can shift a space, even if you weren’t invited inBelonging starts with deciding you’re allowed to belongCultivating joy is a radical act of self-preservation and leadershipIntroduce yourself by your values, not just your job titleYou don’t need to reach the summit to feel the transformationVulnerable Moments:Mirna shares what it felt like to not be seen in outdoor spaces—and how she kept showing up anywayShe talks about grief, burnout, and the internal tug-of-war of performing vs. simply beingRebecca opens up about her own depression and loss of purpose during recovery from a head injuryThe two reflect on how writing became a lifeline in the darkMirna speaks to the exhaustion of being “the strong one”—and how she’s learning to ask for helpPractical Wisdom:How to identify your core values—and use them as navigational handrailsThe importance of creating judgment-free space for processing, growth, and restWhy vulnerability is a strength, not a weaknessWays to build community through action, not just intentionHow to hold space for both leadership and learningPersonal Growth:Mirna’s evolution from educator to outdoor leader to published author and DEI advocateRebecca’s journey from podiums to poetryThe ways both women are reclaiming what it means to “perform” and to “belong”Reframing the pursuit of adventure as something that starts with joy—not outcomesEmbracing a new season of life where permission comes from withinAdventure as a lifelong throughline—for Mirna and for RebeccaLifelong educator. Lifelong student. Lifelong adventurer.Helpful Links:Mirna Valerio’s website – The MirnavatorMirna on InstagramMirna’s book – A Beautiful Work in ProgressCamille T. Dungy’s poem “Trophic Cascade”Mary Oliver’s poem “Wild Geese”Lisa Congdon’s Live Your Values DeckSponsor: MomentousFuel your performance from the inside out. Use code RUSCH for 35% off at Live Momentous.Support What’s the RuschIf this episode moved you, inspired you, or made you think—share it with someone who needs to hear it.Leave a review. Send it to a friend. Let’s walk this path together.Connect with Rebecca RuschWebsite Blood Road Brain Storm Podcast Ted Talk Be Good Foundation Social Media LinksInstagram Facebook LinkedIn Substack YouTube

In this episode of What’s the Rusch, Rebecca Rusch shares an expansive and grounding conversation with former professional skateboarder turned artist/mindfulness teacher, Teddi Dean. From a countercultural childhood in 1970s Huntington Beach to riding for the legendary Bones Brigade and eventually embracing Buddhist vows, Teddi’s path is a journey of reinvention and self-discovery. Together, Rebecca and Teddi unpack what it means to pause, to look inward, and to reclaim your identity—beyond titles, accolades, or roles.This episode explores the transformation that happens when we stop running and start listening. Through personal stories, Buddhist wisdom, and practical tools, Teddi reminds us that stillness isn’t the absence of momentum—it’s the beginning of something deeper. Whether you're in transition, chasing purpose, or simply curious about meditation, this conversation is an invitation to begin again.In this episode, Rebecca and Teddi explore:How Teddi went from pro skateboarder to mindfulness teacherIdentity, reinvention, and the chapters of a lifetimeWhy community is essential for transformationThe importance of pausing in a hyper-productive cultureNavigating midlife transitions with grace and curiosityHow MEA (Modern Elder Academy) supports mindful agingTransformative Insights:Identity is fluid; we live many lives within a lifetimeMeditation helps us observe and reset—not escapeThe antidotes to suffering (loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, equanimity) are tools for realignmentVulnerability is strength—it builds authentic relationships and internal peaceYou don’t have to “fix” yourself to start healing; just beginVulnerable Moments:Rebecca shares how she’s learning to sit still after decades of “moving meditation” as an athleteTeddi reflects on his struggles with addiction, identity loss, and rediscovery through mindfulnessThey both explore the discomfort—and necessity—of letting go of former versions of ourselvesPractical Wisdom:Why meditation is not about stopping your thoughtsHow to apply “beginner’s mind” to aging, creativity, and careerCreating space for discomfort as a doorway to changeThe role of ritual and daily practice in emotional hygieneWhy we must learn to forgive ourselves firstPersonal Growth:Teddi’s evolution from a skateboarding icon to MEA’s Head of MindfulnessRebecca’s journey from “Queen of Pain” to explorer of the inner landscapeHow community and storytelling accelerate healingLearning to be a “kook” again—embracing the beginner withinHelpful Links:Teddi Dean’s WebsiteBook Recommendation: Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to AwakeningMEA (Modern Elder Academy)Teddi on InstagramSponsor: MomentousFuel your performance from the inside out. Use code RUSCH for 35% off at Live Momentous.Support What’s the Rusch Love the show? Leave a review, share it with a friend, or tag @rebeccarusch on social.Connect with Rebecca RuschWebsite Blood Road Brain Storm Podcast Ted Talk Be Good Foundation Social Media LinksInstagram Facebook LinkedIn Substack YouTube

In this raw and fearless episode of What’s the Rusch, Rebecca Rusch is joined by legendary snowboarder, filmmaker, and community builder Jess Kimura. Known for her gritty street style and fearless progression, Jess has redefined women’s snowboarding—both on the board and behind the scenes. Together, Jess and Rebecca unpack everything from trauma and transformation to head injuries, grief, imposter syndrome, and the pressure to succeed in male-dominated spaces.What emerges is a conversation about healing, identity, and purpose—one where Jess reminds us that being “the uninvited” is sometimes what it takes to change the game.In this episode, Rebecca and Jess discuss:Breaking into a sport where women weren’t invited—and staying thereThe connection between athletic ambition and griefThe power of mentorship and building opportunities for othersThe creation and impact of The Uninvited film and invitational seriesTransformative Insights:Why “showing up uninvited” became a guiding force in Jess’s careerHow redefining success helped Jess shift from accolades to impactThe evolution from performance to purpose after personal tragedyWhy surfing became a lifeline—and what fear in the water taught her about fear in lifeVulnerable Moments:Jess opens up about the sudden loss of her partner and the grief that followedShe reflects on the isolation and pressure at the top of her sportThe long-term mental effects of head injuries and how they shape identityHow she pushed through being undervalued, overlooked, and underestimatedThe raw truth about loneliness, mental health, and the need to ask for helpPractical Wisdom:Navigating burnout by redefining work-life boundariesLearning to build support systems—even when independence feels easierUnderstanding how to take up space without permissionThe importance of community, visibility, and fair investment in women’s sportsPersonal Growth:From snowboarder to producer and event founder, Jess charts a new courseFinding strength in softness—and realizing that you can lead with bothDeveloping intergenerational friendships and learning across differencesBuilding legacy not by being the best, but by helping others riseHelpful Links:The Uninvited Invitational Jess Kimura on Instagram Learning to Drown (film) Feisty Media’s Brain Health CourseBrain Storm Podcast with Rebecca Rusch & Selene YeagerRebecca’s Concussion Video ResourcesSponsor: MomentousSupport What’s the Rusch Love the show? Share it, review it, or text it to a friend who needs it.Connect with Rebecca RuschWebsite Blood Road Brain Storm Podcast Ted Talk Be Good Foundation Social Media LinksInstagram Facebook LinkedIn Substack YouTube

In this rich and wide-ranging episode of What’s the Rusch, Rebecca Rusch welcomes beach volleyball legend, author, entrepreneur, and wellness icon Gabby Reece. Known for her powerhouse presence on and off the court, Gabby joins Rebecca for a real and reflective conversation on what it means to live a full-contact life—with strength, clarity, and compassion.Together, they explore the transitions that come with aging, identity, motherhood, and purpose, as Gabby shares how she continues to evolve from athlete to leader, from competitor to creator. They talk about the need for structure and stillness, learning to surrender as a parent, building sustainable wellness practices, and why perfection has no place in a purposeful life. Gabby opens up about her upbringing, her challenges, and the deep personal work she’s done to lead with integrity, balance both masculine and feminine energies, and continue making an impact.This episode is an invitation to do the work—and to keep asking what truly matters?In this episode, Rebecca and Gabby discuss:The mindset shift from performance to lifestyleUsing structure and discipline to protect your stillnessNavigating transitions with purpose and self-awarenessLearning to parent through surrender, not controlHow failure plays a key role in shaping purposeThe truth about visibility, beauty, and agingWhy strong doesn’t have to mean hard—and soft doesn’t mean weakTransformative Insights:“White space” is not a luxury—it’s part of the disciplineDoing something well doesn’t mean doing it foreverThe body is a portal for deeper emotional and spiritual clarityWe can reframe aging as wisdom, not lossSurrender is not weakness—it’s a form of strengthVulnerable Moments:Gabby opens up about growing up without consistent parental supportHer honest reflections on failing in business, parenting, and marriageHow she’s working to release the internal governors holding her backThe fear of running out of time—and what she’s doing about itPractical Wisdom:Make “doing nothing” part of your practiceDon’t chase metrics—trust your own inner signalsCreate your day around your energy, not just your to-do listLet your body reflect your values, not just your aestheticsPersonal Growth:Gabby’s journey from sports icon to wellness entrepreneurLearning to hold space for both strength and softnessReinventing yourself again and again without apologyHelpful Links:Gabby Reece’s WebsiteThe Gabby Reece Show (Podcast) Laird SuperfoodXPT LifeSponsor: MomentousCheck out the new Momentous Women’s Three protocol and their full lineup of supplements. Use code RUSCH for 35% off and keep thriving. livemomentous.com.Support What’s the RuschLove the show? Rate, review, or share it with someone who’s ready to embrace the work behind the glow.Connect with Rebecca RuschWebsite Blood Road Brain Storm Podcast Ted Talk Be Good Foundation Social Media LinksInstagram Facebook LinkedIn Substack YouTube

This week on What’s the Rusch, Rebecca Rusch shares space with ultra-endurance cyclist, storyteller, and Indigenous athlete Alexandera Houchin for a deeply honest and resonant conversation. A citizen of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe, Alexandera is rewriting what it means to be a modern Native woman, professional athlete, and cultural steward—on her terms.Alexandera lives in northern Minnesota—on the land her ancestors lived on– where she now trains for some of the world’s toughest bikepacking races. Alexandera shares her journey from disconnection to deep cultural reconnection. What began as a tool for freedom during a difficult time has become her path to visibility, voice, and purpose.Together, Rebecca and Alexandera explore what it means to claim space—in sport, in community, and within yourself. This conversation goes beyond endurance to examine identity, representation, responsibility, and the quiet strength it takes to build something meaningful for those who come next.In this episode, Rebecca and Alexandera explore:The intergenerational impact of cultural disconnection—and how Alexandera reconnected with her Ojibwe rootsHer early experiences with addiction and the bike as a tool for survival, then transformationHow storytelling, sport, and representation can be tools of reclamation and healingThe struggle of turning passion into profession—and keeping purpose at the centerHer dream of becoming a fully supported professional athlete in ultra-endurance bikepackingWhy she’s shifting from avenging past injustices to building a future of visibility and strengthHer big goals for the Tour Divide, and what “winning” means on her termsTransformative Insights:“I used to want to avenge what was done to my family. Now I want to become the person I needed to see growing up.”Representation isn’t performative—it’s a responsibility to those who come nextBelonging is power. Community is performance fuel.You can’t be what you can’t see—visibility mattersVulnerable Moments:Alexandera opens up about her family’s forced separation due to federal Indian policyHer journey with addiction and how cycling became a tool for freedom and identityThe conflict between pursuing sport professionally and staying grounded in purposeHow Rebecca’s mentorship helped her take the leap into being a full-time athletePractical Wisdom:The importance of cultural storytelling—and the tension between oral tradition and written legacyWhy bikes are a vehicle for both personal sovereignty and collective connection“Don’t worry about being fast. Worry about being full—full of purpose, connection, and intention.”You don’t have to do it all alone. Ask for help. Build your villagePersonal Growth:Alexandera’s evolution from bike courier to competitive athlete to cultural advocateHer transition from pushing through pain to honoring processLetting go of scarcity mindset and embracing mentorship, partnership, and legacyHow sport, when rooted in identity and community, becomes ceremonyHelpful Links:Alexandera’s Trackleaders for Tour DivideAlexandera Houchin on SubstackAlexandera on InstagramWatch “Connections” with Rebecca & AlexanderaSponsor: Momentous Fuel your journey. Momentous offers clean, science-backed performance nutrition trusted by elite athletes. Get 35% off your first subscription with code RUSCH at checkout.Support What’s the Rusch Love the show? Share it, review it, or text it to a friend who needs it.🎧 Listen to “Claiming Space: Alexandera Houchin on Identity, Endurance, and Coming Home” now.Connect with Rebecca RuschWebsite Blood Road Brain Storm Podcast Ted Talk Be Good Foundation Social Media LinksInstagram Facebook LinkedIn Substack YouTube