Liz Donahey’s Traction: a Mountain Biking Podcast

What happens when we keep trying to reconnect to something that is no longer available? Inspired by a frustrating attempt to pair a Vizio soundbar with an Apple TV, Liz explores the parallels between technology, human connection, and the operating systems we develop throughout our lives.In this personal and reflective episode, she looks at the emotional exhaustion of trying to force a connection, the difficulty of letting go of a relationship and the future we imagined, and the importance of recognizing when two people are no longer communicating on the same wavelength.Through the lens of mountain biking, heartbreak, and the image of two oak trees on Taylor Mountain, Liz explores why sometimes we need to stop chasing, give ourselves room to heal, and reconnect with who we are outside of a relationship.Because letting go doesn't mean the connection never mattered. It means choosing to stop searching for something that isn't available right now.Sometimes you have to disconnect to reconnect. And sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is press three little words: Forget this device.

S5: E2: In this episode, join me as I interview an amazing Marin County cycling coach and former pro racer Robin Zellner on the great things he loves about coaching women. Robin also shares 40 year journey the cycling world starting off as a young 17 athlete competing in races in Europe and what his experience was like a such a young age.

What if the resistance we experience in life isn't meant to stop us, but to make us stronger? In this episode of Liz Donahey's Traction, we explore the connection between resistance, personal growth, and the power of choosing love over judgment. From the trails we ride to the relationships we navigate, the challenges we face can teach us something about ourselves, how we show up for others, and who we are becoming.Drawing on lessons from mountain biking, business, leadership, sociology, and real-life experiences, Liz reflects on why we sometimes resist change, how our subconscious patterns shape our behavior, and why curiosity, empathy, and understanding can create stronger connections. We talk about building people up instead of tearing them down, setting boundaries without losing compassion, and learning to meet people where they are rather than trying to force them to see things our way.Because growth isn't about winning every battle or proving we're right. It's about staying open, learning from resistance, and finding our way back to what matters most: connection, community, and love.Build people up. Don't break them down. Keep climbing.

Life is short. We only have a few rides left. We gotta ride with the one care about us the most or it won’t be fun and healthy for anyone. If we want to stay together on this big ride of life, it’s easier to stay close to those we love enough to communicate but far enough not to crowd or crash into each other we’re good.

In this episode, I get real about losing myself a little and why, all driven by the feeling of passionate, confident, happy, and resilient by not feeling like others want me to win or encouraged by others, compounded by not able to ride my bike and all it means to me in all dimensions of my life. We have to be our own bike sometimes.

In this episode, join me as I interview an amazing Marin County cycling coach and former pro racer Robin Zellner on the great things he loves about coaching women. Robin also shares 40 year journey the cycling world starting off as a young 17 athlete competing in races in Europe and what his experience was like a such a young age.

Just because we really want some thing and we’re very passionate about it doesn’t mean that we are expert enough to accomplish it very well. It takes being honest about what we know, and what we don’t know, what we can do, and what we cannot do, in our current level of capability and knowledge about a topic or an activity. If we don’t, then we’re going to end up, hurting ourselves and others in the process. Let’s dive in and learn how not to crash.

In this episode, I go deep into setting smart 2024 goals, or what I call the big and small finish lines, in all areas of our lives. I’m extremely goal-oriented, but I really don’t like setting New Year’s resolutions because sometimes it feels like you’re setting yourself up for failure, not acting on the thoughts and feelings that you desire to. So instead, why don’t we set some big and some small finish lines that we know we can cross in 2024.

From getting up at 4:30 AM for my hot Pilates class, or jumping on my bike to get those training hours in, to racing to get my kids to school so I can make it all happen, we have to have a sense of urgency or time will go by and leave us without The things we love to do and be with the most in our lives. We’re not promised any specific number of hours days weeks on this plan we better commit and decide on the things we want the most and go after them immediately there’s no time to waste. This is your time on the planet.

We can’t get anywhere if we don’t have enough traction. But what does it really mean to gain traction, and what the heck is traction at its core? And why do we need it to get through the finish lines of life on and off our bikes?