The Olympic Journey: At the Intersection of Physical and Mental Health
Fri, Nov 15, 6:30pm - 9pm MST | Skratch Labs Cafe Boulder, Colorado
Event description
Join us for a special Pedaling Minds fundraiser, “The Olympic Journey: At the Intersection of Physical and Mental Health,” featuring a panel of 4-5 Olympians in cycling and triathlon. This intimate event will offer a unique glimpse into the highs and lows of becoming an Olympian, filled with honesty and vulnerability about balancing physical and mental health as Olympians. Through this discussion in a safe, supportive setting, we aim to raise awareness about the importance of mental health in athletic training. Secure your spot now to be part of this event and support Pedaling Minds’ mission.
Our mission is to help every person have fun riding a bicycle with control and confidence. Mike’s Olympic journey has shaped a teaching method deeply rooted in tackling mental and physical challenges.
Funds raised during this event will benefit Pedaling Minds, and support our 2025 goals of serving 150 low-income riders for free, and over 500 riders across 5 Colorado counties. Help us raise $5,000 through this event!
Our mission is to help every person have fun riding a bicycle with control and confidence. Mike’s Olympic journey has shaped a teaching method deeply rooted in tackling mental and physical challenges.
Funds raised during this event will benefit Pedaling Minds, and support our 2025 goals of serving 150 low-income riders for free, and over 500 riders across 5 Colorado counties. Help us raise $5,000 through this event!
Panelist Bios
Mike Friedman
Mike competed in track cycling at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and spent 10 years racing professionally worldwide. He participated in some of cycling’s most prestigious races, including Paris-Roubaix, Milan-San Remo, and the Tour of Flanders. After retiring in 2014, Mike shifted his focus to a new passion: helping kids discover the joy of cycling. He founded Pedaling Minds to inspire children to embrace emotional growth and resilience through the lessons learned on a bike.
Morgan Pearson
Morgan is a two-time Olympian in triathlon and a two-time silver medalist in the mixed relay triathlon for Team USA. Born and raised in New Jersey, Morgan went on to run cross country and track at the University of Colorado Boulder, where he earned degrees in mathematics and economics.
Gwen Jorgensen
Since winning gold at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, Gwen Jorgensen has captivated all fans of running—in part because during that golden performance, she pulled away throughout the run segment of the event and had the fastest split of the day for the 10K. Shortly after, Jorgensen announced she was giving up the “comfort” of triathlon dominance to pursue a bold new goal: starting a family. After the birth of her sons, Stanley in August of 2017 and George in October 2022, Gwen felt a strong pull back to the sport and announced her return. Throughout the arduous journey of coming back to elite competition after 7 years, there have been many highs and lows as she worked to qualify for Paris 2024. Named an alternate for Paris but committed to WTC season, Gwen takes it all in stride as it feeds her hunger and allows her to learn and grow.
Grant Kootz
Grant is a member of the U.S. Elite Men’s National Cycling Team and a Paris 2024 Olympian. After racing on the domestic professional road circuit for four years, Grant discovered his passion for track cycling at a USAC Talent ID camp in 2019. Born and raised outside of Houston, TX, Grant got his start in cycling when his parents thought it would be funny to get him a new bike for his 16th birthday instead of a car.
Erin Huck
Erin is a member of the U.S. Elite Women’s National Team and a Tokyo 2020 Olympian. She has earned her place as a top U.S. cyclist, competing in both North American and international races. Erin is a four-time National Champion, a 2016 and 2020 Olympic Long List team member, and a consistent podium contender on the UCI circuit.
Chairperson: Kimberlee Bow
Kimberlee is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Registered Dance/Movement Therapist, and Sport and Performance Professional and founder of AbunDANCE Somatic Center. She enjoys supporting people and athletes in their mental health and sport and performance journeys’s in her professional life, while being an avid triathlete, cyclist, runner, and swimmer who loves to volunteer.
Host: Skratch Labs Cafe – Skratch Labs
Event Date & Time: Friday, November 15, 2024 from 6:30-9pm
Event Location: 1600 Pearl St Unit 110, Boulder, CO 80302
Event Details: This public event ($40 per ticket) will feature light food and beverages, an inspiring and invigorating discussion of Olympian panelists moderated by Pedaling Minds, and a meet-and-greet reception before and after the panel with the Olympians.
Event Date & Time: Friday, November 15, 2024 from 6:30-9pm
Event Location: 1600 Pearl St Unit 110, Boulder, CO 80302
Event Details: This public event ($40 per ticket) will feature light food and beverages, an inspiring and invigorating discussion of Olympian panelists moderated by Pedaling Minds, and a meet-and-greet reception before and after the panel with the Olympians.