Before tackling the Breck Epic, you competed in the Leadville 100, which took place the day before. Was this always the plan, or was your focus on the Breck Epic? And to add to that, you had back surgery just over a year ago. 

Honestly, I wasn’t actually anticipating racing Leadville this season, so I put more focus on Breck Epic training. So, to come straight from Leadville into six more days was a bit daunting, yes, but it also gave me perspective. I wasn’t putting pressure on myself for the perfect race, just the chance to be there, healthy, and pushing my limit was already a win. 

When did you feel like you truly found your flow, and what clicked? 

Stage two on the Colorado Trail was where I felt things fall into place. I really wanted that stage. The first day was more survival mode, shaking out Leadville legs, but by the second day, my body adapted to the rhythm of heavy racing every day. I could lean into the routine: eat, recover, ride, repeat. 

Did your equipment or bike setup vary from normal? 

Yes - I made some intentional choices to prioritize durability and control over speed. After Leadville, I knew Breck Epic wasn’t about the lightest setup, it was about a bike that could handle six days of rough, high-alpine singletrack. I ran slightly beefier tires with a more puncture-resistant casing/compound (Continental Kryptotal 2.4 Trail/Grip) with my HUNT Proven XC Race wheels. It was the setup that gave me confidence that I wouldn’t - fingers crossed - have a mechanical on such technical terrain.

What was the lowest moment of the week, and what helped you push through? 

Mid-week fatigue hit me hard at Stage 5, Wheeler Pass. But that day was going to be hard no matter what. As Mike Mac (Founder of the Breck Epic) said, "if you make it here you can do anything. It’s absolutely lunar up there!" 

Everything felt a bit heavy that morning, and mentally it was easy to spiral, especially from the early wakeups for a week straight. That stage was hard to get out of bed for. But what pulled me through was leaning into the women I was racing with - sharing the trails, encouraging each other even on the hike-a-bike sections. That camaraderie was a reminder that we were all suffering, but also all choosing to be there. 

Most rewarding moment of the week? 

Stage three. It was one of the hardest profiles (I’d call it the true queen’s stage), but also one of the most beautiful. Riding over the Continental Divide twice with a ton of climbing in such short mileage; I remember cresting the first climb at French Pass and looking out at Baldy & Guyot, realizing I was not just surviving, but thriving. That moment of “wow, I get to do this” was pretty darn powerful. Not to mention climbing up Georgia Pass and absolutely ripping the CDT (Continental Divide Trail). Incredible day. 

When did you realize you could win? 

Honestly, after stage 2. I never wanted to get ahead of myself because so much can happen in six stages. But rolling out on the third stage with the leader’s jersey, I finally let myself think, “Okay, this is possible.” Keep it consistent, keep it clean. 

How did racing Lauren Stephens (multi-discipline national champion who’s raced - and won - on road, gravel, and mountain bikes.) influence your approach? 

Racing someone of Lauren’s calibre raised my game. She’s a smart racer and tough - I knew I couldn’t take anything for granted, especially on the climbs. It kept me sharp and forced me to commit every day and lean into my strengths on the bike. 

Over the week, did you think more about extending your lead, or protecting it? How did your strategy evolve? 

It was a balance. Early in the week, I wanted to build a cushion, because anything can happen - mechanicals, crashes, bad days. Later, it shifted to protecting what I’d built, and of course extending where I could, yet riding within myself and minimizing mistakes. 

We know you as always having a smile on your face, so during such a brutal race, how did you keep joy front and centre? 

Breck Epic reminded me why I love riding bikes. The feeling of racing at that level on that course was just what I needed at that point in time. I made sure to also look around, always smile, and take in the experience, as this was my first MTB stage race. The suffering is part of it and always will be, but if you can laugh at yourself breathing gasping for air at 12,000 feet all while pushing your bike for 40 minutes - or just enjoying the world-class singletrack Breck has to offer - it keeps you light, at least for me. Why do it if you’re not having fun?! 

It's fair to say that these are your backyard trails, how did racing on them add to the experience? 

It was special. I’ve trained and adventured on these trails, but to race them in a world-class event with incredible competition made me appreciate them in a new way. It felt like sharing a part of my home state with everyone. 

 Getting to the finish line, after six days of relentless racing, do you remember what was your first thought? 

Relief that my body held up, disbelief that I actually pulled it off. But I believed in myself and my ability, and I just needed to be better in every way for those six days. It was a bit overwhelming in all the best ways. It’s hard to win a bike race these days! 

 Obviously, this is a wild achievement, that you should be very proud of, but what would you say is biggest takeaway, and would you say it's reshaped you as an athlete? 

That I’m tougher and more resilient than I give myself credit for. Physically, the race pushed me to my limits, but mentally it showed me that joy and grit can coexist. Personally, it reminded me to celebrate the process, not just the result. 

 What’s next, and how do you carry the momentum forward? 

The plan is to carry this confidence into the rest of my season and beyond. Breck proved I can, and it gave me a new lens of what’s possible. I want to keep chasing big challenges but also keep the joy front and center. Wish me luck!