Mi Duole Cycling Podcast

Dive into this inspiring episode of the Mi Duole Podcast featuring Joe Cardon, a passionate cyclist, dedicated community leader, and faithful listener of the show. Joe shares his journey from childhood rides in Idaho and Washington to becoming the president of Zone Five, one of Utah's vibrant cycling teams. Listen as he recounts personal stories of mentorship, including how friends and seasoned cyclists like Rob Stratton helped fuel his love for the sport. The discussion covers pivotal moments—like Joe’s first 200-mile LOTOJA race, the highs and lows of leadership, and the rewarding camaraderie found in the cycling community. Whether you’re a cycling enthusiast or enjoy tales of personal growth and community, this episode offers valuable insights, funny anecdotes, and genuine passion for the sport.

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. He grew up in Salt Lake City as the oldest of three kids. He earned his Eagle Scout, served an LDS mission in Milan, Italy, earned his Economics degree from the U and MBA from Westminster. He even found time to volunteer at the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics, supporting the U.S. Olympic Team with athlete services and translation. He’s been with Optum for 23 years, working his way up from sales to Director of Business Operations, and I think he’d tell you the reason he’s stayed so long is because of the people and relationships. He’s been married to his wife, Jennilynn, for 17 years - and she keeps him fueled with plenty of baked goods. He is a proud dad of two (one through fertility treatments and one through adoption), and shares his home with Bella, a 5-year-old St. Bernard who probably weighs more than all of his bikes combined. He’s been passionate about sports since he was young. He ran track and cross country, once ran a marathon, finishing in 4hrs and 4 min, and swore ‘never again,’ and eventually found his true love in cycling. Since then, he’s tackled countless endurance events—multiple century rides, six LOTOJAs, Steamboat Springs Gravel, and most recently, the Leadville 100 MTB. Nick is so grateful for the Mi Duole team. Riding with them has pushed him to grow as a cyclist while also creating meaningful friendships that extend beyond the bike. Around the house, he’s known as the guy who fills the garage with bikes, never stops talking about cycling, and occasionally finishes a project or two in between rides. Passionate, disciplined, and just stubborn enough to keep pushing through the hard stuff is what makes him such a strong rider and a great husband and father.

In Episode 123, we dive deep into the world of Alec Crestani, a multifaceted cyclist who seamlessly blends family, work, and athletic passion. From his early days of BMX and motocross to becoming a dedicated road and mountain cyclist, Alec shares his unique journey of balancing entrepreneurship, fatherhood, and cycling. Learn how he trains for challenging events like Point 2 Point and LOTOJA while launching a startup and raising three young boys. With candid insights about personal growth, team dynamics, and his philosophy of "spinning plates," Alec offers an inspiring look at what it means to pursue excellence without losing sight of what truly matters. Whether you're a cyclist, entrepreneur, or simply someone seeking motivation, this episode promises to energize and inspire.

Doug Owens was born and raised in Salt Lake City and graduated from the University of Utah and Yale Law School. He and his wife Cynthia Smart Owens have four children and are proud to call Millcreek their home. As an attorney, Doug has three decades' experience resolving complex commercial, environmental, and employment issues. Twenty-five years ago, Doug took two years off from his career to stay home with three little boys while Cynthia finished medical residency. Cynthia currently practices medicine at St. Mark’s Hospital. Doug is committed to improving education, keeping Utah’s economy strong, protecting our air, and preserving the places that make Utah special. Doug is the founder of Utah Outdoor Partners, a non-profit organization launched to raise awareness of the value of Utah's outdoors and promote the creation of parks, trails and other recreation infrastructure to keep pace with population growth.

This episode features an in-depth conversation with Brandon Nelson, also known as "Noodle Nelson". Listeners will learn about Brandon's journey into cycling, including how he was initially reluctant but grew to be passionate about the sport. He shares his competitive background, his weight loss story, and the strong cycling community he's found in his hometown of Idaho Falls. Brandon discusses his racing plans, his impressive achievements in events like Loaded Joe, and his love for the social and data-driven aspects of cycling. The episode also covers Brandon's Zwift setup and involvement in virtual racing leagues. Listeners will gain insight into Brandon's approach to content creation and his desire to promote a positive image of cycling. Overall, this episode provides an engaging look at Brandon's cycling life and the factors that have contributed to his success and enjoyment of the sport.

Some of you may remember our dear friend Taylor Cannon who left us high and dry for the "greener grass" of California several years ago. Well, he is back, but sadly no longer the fastest cyclist in his family. Currently sitting 42nd overall and 2 places ahead of his pops is none other then 14 year old phenom, Stockton Cannon. A 14 year old getting up at 4:30 AM day after day to race bikes is the ultimate sigma rizz no cap. Stockton rides for his high school MTB team and set the fastest time trial of any freshman ever this year. With a goal of making it into the Lifetime Grand Prix in a couple years, the future is bright for Stockton. Perhaps when we see him on the podium of Unbound he will say, "I'd like to thank the Holiday Tour de Duole for teaching me all that I know about riding bikes." Keep it up, Stockton! You got this.

Adam was born in 1973 and grew up in a modest home in Sandy Utah. He is the second child of 5 children and the first son. He grew up playing baseball until high school when he switched over to playing golf. He attended Alta High School in Sandy and then BYU where he received his BA, Masters of Accountancy and Law degree combining all three programs in order to graduate in 7 years. After his first year at BYU he served a two year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Seoul Korea. Adam met his wife Tracy while serving in the same mission and married around a year after returning home. They have 3 girls and twin boys. He had his first daughter his first year in law school and his second his last year of law school. He graduated second in his class. They moved to San Diego where he started his career at Latham and Watkins. He worked in Big Law for 12 years doing real estate private equity. He and his family moved back to Salt Lake in 2012 when Adam joined Bridge Investment Group, an alternative investment management firm with headquarters in Sandy. In Episode 115 of the Mi Duole podcast, hosts Stuart and Andy Compas interview Adam O'Farrell. Adam, a seasoned cyclist, shares his journey from a demanding career in big law to becoming an avid cyclist post-retirement. He discusses his participation in various races, including the Breck Epic, Swiss Epic, and Cape Epic, and his experiences with nutrition and recovery. Adam emphasizes the importance of mental and physical recovery, the camaraderie within the cycling community, and the joy of riding with his family. He also highlights his favorite gear, such as a 10-battery charger, and his mantra for endurance: "pain is temporary."

Welcome to the Mi Duole podcast! Today, we’re thrilled to have Barrett Brandon, the CFO of Ventum, joining us. Barrett is not just a numbers guy; he’s a former professional triathlete who’s raced at the highest levels, bringing that competitive spirit and passion into his role at Ventum. His journey from the finish line to the boardroom is truly inspiring, and we’re excited to hear his insights on both racing and business. We’re incredibly grateful for the support Ventum provides to our team, and having Barrett here today is an honor. Let’s dive in and learn more about the man behind the brand! Barrett Brandon, CFO of Ventum, discussed his transition from professional triathlete to business leader, emphasizing the importance of community and authenticity. He highlighted Ventum's new TT bike, The Tempest, and its marketing efforts at the Ironman in Kona. Brandon shared his journey from swimming to triathlon, his 11-year professional career, and his shift to gravel racing. He stressed the value of consistent effort and community engagement, noting Ventum's integration into Utah's cycling scene and its partnership with Lance Armstrong. Brandon also advised young athletes to enjoy the process and build lasting relationships.