Girls Gone Gravel podcast

Unbound Gravel 2026 is almost here! Kathryn and Kristi are joined this week by Lauren Hall and Sarah Sturm who will both be part of the Life Time media team at Unbound this year covering the 200 mile race. First up, Kristi gives a quick course preview and talks through some of the changes for 2026. Then they take a deep dive into race tactics, possible team dynamics, and how the European women are shaking up the gravel scene in North America. We also hear everyone’s podium picks. With such a stacked women’s field, this is sure to be an electric race!
Follow the race live on the Life Time Grand Prix Youtube Channel at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSI5XfzxJk0

On this week’s episode Kathryn and Kristi are joined by 3-time gravel national champion Lauren Stephens. Lauren has been lighting up the road and gravel scene for years, and we are thrilled to welcome her to the show. She tells us about how a second-hand bike from her sister got her started in cycling, and how she went from bike commuter to racing on the women’s world tour. Last year, Lauren and her husband started a women’s cycling team called Next Step Racing. Lauren explains what went into their decision to start the team, and how she hopes it will continue to spur growth in the women’s peloton both in road and gravel racing.
Follow the team on Instagram @aegisnextstepracing
Follow Lauren on Instagram @lollyis_lauren

This week on the show Kathryn welcomes back professional cyclist and coach Hannah Otto. Last fall after finishing in a tie for 7th p[lace overall in the Life Time Grand Prix, Hannah went to the Big Island of Hawai’i to attempt a Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the Mauna Kea climb. This was not Hannah’s first time attempting an FKT, and she talks about what drives her to take on these epic endurance events as well as what she loves most about racing no one but herself. While riding 55 miles straight up hill wouldn’t necessarily be everyone’s idea of fun, Hannah details how she finds joy in these attempts, and how she adapts when things start to get difficult. Hannah is competing in the Life Time Grand Prix again in 2026. She talks through a few of her best tips leading into the last few weeks before Unbound, and how to get the most out of your day there.
Watch Hannah recap of her FKT attempt on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZ7SrrqEUXM&t=316s

Follow Hannah on Instagram @thehannahotto

If you follow gravel racing, you probably have seen Iz King with her infectious smile and bright orange kit around gravel events. In the last year, Iz’s life has looked a little different; in August 2025 she gave birth to a baby girl and this week she joins us to discuss what that transition has been like for her and her family. She opens up about the challenges and rewards of getting back to training and racing after pregnancy, and how it feels to be coming back to such a competitive field in the women’s gravel pro peloton. Iz speaks candidly about how having a daughter has changed her perspective on risk, in an inherently risky sport, and what is motivating her to continue pursuing cycling as a career.
Follow Iz on Instagram @king_iz
Follow us on Instagram:
@feistycycling
@feisty_media
Girls Gone Gravel Website:
https://www.girlsgonegravel.com/
Support our Partners:
Register for Feisty Fest at https://feisty.co/events/
Wahoo: Learn about the ELEMNT ROAM 3 at https://bit.ly/4tk2j23
Visit PillarPerformance.shop, or for North American customers, head to TheFeed.com and use the code FEISTY for 15% off your first purchase.

This week Kathryn and Kristi welcome back our friend Meredith Root. Meredith is the co-founder of Team Tactic, a nutrition and training coaching company, with her wife Alex Parker. Meredith will be racing the Unbound 200 this year for the second time. She is here to talk about the lessons she learned last year during the race, and how she has changed her training this year compared to last year. Meredith also explains some of the lessons she took away from racing the 200 mile last year, like how she hit her nutrition and hydration goals, controlling the controllables, and getting the most out of your fueling on the days leading into the race. She also explains how she has adapted her strength training over the last few months, as well as how she has benefitted from hiring a coach.
Follow Meredith on Instagram @meredith_root and at @heyteamtactic
Watch the chaotic Crossfit crit at https://www.youtube.com/live/kfnjMFd5q4M?si=D5UKeOT6UpbvixRO&t=3273
Follow us on Instagram:
@feistycycling
@feisty_media
Girls Gone Gravel Website:
https://www.girlsgonegravel.com/
Support our Partners:
Register for Feisty Fest at https://feisty.co/events/
Wahoo: Learn about the ELEMNT ROAM 3 at https://bit.ly/4tk2j23
Visit PillarPerformance.shop, or for North American customers, head to TheFeed.com and use the code FEISTY for 15% off your first purchase.