Dr. Christopher Ryan—one of my favorite authors, had me on his acclaimed podcast, “Tangentially Speaking.” If you’re not familiar with Dr. Ryan, he’s the bestselling author of Sex at Dawn and Civilized to Death, and his podcast is all about exploring unconventional ideas, stories, and experiences.
Talking Mountain Biking, Storytelling, and Risk-Taking
In this episode, we dive deep into my journey as a mountain bike journalist, photographer, and filmmaker. We cover everything from the evolution of mountain biking to the thrill and chaos of capturing some of the most intense action sports moments on camera.
One of the topics we spent time on was the mental and physical challenges and risk vs reward of action sports. We talked about what drives athletes to take huge risks, push boundaries, and perform at their absolute limits—like sending it over canyons on two wheels. It’s that mix of adrenaline and artistry that keeps me coming back for more.
A Shared Passion for Storytelling
Dr. Ryan and I also connected over our shared love for storytelling and adventure. Whether through words, film, or photography, we both believe in the power of stories to inspire, challenge, and entertain. It was awesome to talk about how I’ve used my camera to document not just the action but also the human stories behind the rides.
About the Podcast
“Tangentially Speaking” is all about free-flowing conversations that go off the beaten path, and this episode is no different. Dr. Ryan’s ability to ask thought-provoking questions made this conversation feel more like chatting with an old friend than being interviewed. We explored themes of passion, risk-taking, and creativity, and how those elements come together in the world of mountain biking and filmmaking.
Listen to the Full Episode
If you’re into mountain biking, action sports, filmmaking, or just great storytelling, you’ll enjoy this episode. You can listen to the full conversation on Apple Podcasts here.
Stay Connected
If you like what you hear, follow me on Instagram @cleekndestroy for updates, behind-the-scenes stories, and new projects.
Final Thoughts
Being featured on Dr. Ryan’s podcast was a thrill for me—not just because he’s one of my favorite authors, but because it gave me the chance to talk shop about mountain biking, storytelling, and action sports with Chris, who in recent years has also become an avid mountain biker. I hope you enjoy the episode as much as I enjoyed recording it. Thanks for listening and for supporting my work over the years.