Gravel Race Start Strategy with Leah Van Der Linden
What makes a gravel race start smooth—or turn instantly chaotic? In this episode of Reach Your APEX, Neal Henderson is joined by APEX Coaching’s Leah Van Der Linden, a former D1 soccer player, ski cross national champ, Ironman finisher, and now pro gravel racer.
Together, they break down the start line dynamics that define success or disaster on course. From mass starts at Unbound to rolling timed segments at Paydirt, Leah shares what she’s learned across 50+ races—including how event formats are evolving, why women’s field dynamics matter, and how she plans her nutrition, positioning, and pacing to gain a competitive edge.
With practical insight and honest storytelling, this episode maps out what every racer should know before their next gravel start line.
How to Not Ruin Race Week: The Apex Blueprint for Event Success
You’ve trained hard. You’re fit. You’re ready.
But if you don’t have a plan for race week, all that work can unravel—fast.
In Episode 4 of the Reach Your Apex Podcast, coaches Neal Henderson and Zach pull back the curtain on the most common race week mistakes and what to do instead.
You’ll learn:
Why rest on Monday beats rest on Friday
How to taper without getting stale
The overlooked dangers of travel and hotel breakfasts
Real mental prep strategies that work when your legs scream “stop”
Plus: A Monday-to-Sunday walk-through of what to do each day. From logistics to mindset, this is the ultimate playbook for showing up sharp when it counts most.
👉 Listen now and share with a training partner who’s aiming high.
#ReachYourApex #EventWeekPlanning #GravelRacing #CyclingTips #MindsetMatters #FuelSmart #EatRideSleep
Fitness Gets You In the Game. Skills Pay the Bills.
The Hidden Wins: Maximizing Race Day Performance Without Changing Fitness
In this episode, Neal Henderson is joined by elite cyclist Andrea Deák to dismantle the myth that fitness alone determines race outcomes. Drawing on decades of coaching experience and elite-level racing, they explore the true differentiators—technique, strategy, equipment, fueling, group dynamics, and mental mastery. Whether you're targeting your first gravel race or trying to edge out a podium finish, this conversation is your blueprint for extracting every watt of performance you've earned—without changing your FTP. Think of it as your marginal gains masterclass.
Expect actionable insights. No fluff. Just real-world wisdom to help you Reach Your Apex.
