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The Mind Mountain Podcast
Jake Johnstone from The Mind Mountain delves deep into the inner psyche, tools, and tactics of Mountain Bikers from all walks of life to uncover what it takes to push personal boundaries in the sport we love - through a mental performance lens. Whether it’s pro racers, ambassadors, or coaches, this podcast breaks down stigmas and normalizes conversations around mindset, emotions, and the mental side of riding. The goal? To help you ride stronger, more confidently, and have more fun on the trails, more often.
*Formerly known as the Grit With Wisdom Podcast
The Mind Mountain Podcast
Joaquin Madrid | From Chile to Squamish: Building Confidence, Community & Exploring The World’s Best Trails
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On today’s episode of podcast, I sit down with Joaquin Madrid - operations manager and lead guide at RideHub in Squamish, BC.
Originally from Santiago, Chile, Joaquin’s journey into mountain biking started at 16 with sketchy city trails, downhill racing, and plenty of crashes. After stepping away from the sport, diving deep into rock climbing, and eventually rediscovering bikes through guiding and freeriding, Joaquin built a new relationship with riding - one rooted in skill development, self-trust, and community.
Now based in Squamish, Joaquin brings over a decade of outdoor industry experience and a calm, supportive coaching style that helps riders build confidence, manage fear, and truly enjoy the process of progression.
In this episode, we explore:
- Why racing wasn’t the right path for him and what riding for fun gave him instead
- The mental crossover between rock climbing and mountain biking
- How to rebuild confidence after serious crashes
- The “full circle” approach to riding: skills, fitness, mindset, and bike setup
- Why community is an underrated performance enhancer
- The biggest mistakes riders make when they first come to BC
- How to approach steep granite slabs with control and confidence
- What a “perfect ride” really looks like through Joaquin's eyes
We also dive into what makes Squamish, Whistler, and Pemberton such a special riding corridor - and why a guided experience can accelerate your progression while keeping you safe and confident on world-class terrain.
This conversation is packed with honest reflections, practical insight, and a powerful reminder that mountain biking isn’t about proving something, it’s about the progression, the passion, and the people you share it with.
You can learn more about Joaquin and RideHub here: https://ridehub.ca/meet-the-team/
And if riding BC has ever been on your bucket list, this episode might just be the push you need to make it happen - Check out the BC MTB Expedition
Until next time, happy trails - Jake
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THE MIND MOUNTAIN
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DISCLAIMER: The opinions, thoughts, and views in the content created by The Mind Mountain, the Grit With Wisdom Podcast, and Jake Johnstone, including the guests they interview, are solely their own and do not reflect the official policy or position of any other organization, person, or company mentioned or featured in the podcast. ...