S2 E2 Zak Ketterson on Why Training Harder Isn’t the Answer.

This episode of the Race Ready Podcast dives deep into the journey of rising U.S. cross-country skier Zak Ketterson, fresh off a breakthrough season that included a top-10 World Cup finish and Olympic qualification. Zak opens up about the mental side of high-performance sport, particularly the imposter syndrome that can follow major results, and how learning to trust his fitness and execute “normal” races at a high level was key to his success. His perspective offers a powerful reminder that breakthroughs aren’t always about doing something extraordinary, but rather doing the basics exceptionally well.

The conversation then explores Zak’s development pathway, from a humbling college experience at Northern Michigan University to becoming one of the top American distance skiers. He reflects on the influence of teammates, especially Norwegian athletes, in reshaping his understanding of training, moving away from the “just work harder” mentality toward a more calculated, sustainable approach. Listeners will gain valuable insights into training progression, the importance of controlled intensity, and how long-term consistency, not big swings, drives elite performance.

Finally, Zak breaks down the evolution of his training philosophy, including the role of threshold work, double sessions, terrain specificity, and the balance between strength and aerobic development. He shares practical takeaways for athletes looking to improve, from managing early-season intensity to building race-specific strength through terrain and technique. Whether you're chasing World Cup starts or just trying to train smarter, this episode delivers a masterclass in modern endurance training from one of the sport’s most thoughtful athletes.

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S2 E29: Adam St. Pierre on The Evolving Landscape of Skiing Development

What separates a good junior skier from a great collegiate athlete? This week on the Race Ready Podcast, Andy Newell and Brian Halligan sit down with Adam St. Pierre, head coach of the Montana State U...

8 Nov 1h 7min

s2 e28: Why the Same Training Doesn't Work for Everyone

Why can two athletes follow the exact same training plan and get completely different results? In this episode of the Race Ready Podcast, Andy Newell and Brian Halligan reflect on 30 weeks of training...

1 Nov 1h 9min

S2 E27: Will Koch on What It Really Takes to Become an Elite Athlete

In this episode of the Race Ready Podcast, Andy Newell and Brian Halligan sit down with Will Koch, former U.S. Ski Team member, accomplished international cross-country skier, and son of Olympic medal...

25 Okt 1h 4min

S2 E26: Dr. Stephen Seiler on VO₂ Max, Polarized Training & the Perfect Workout

What does it actually take to become a faster endurance athlete? This week on Race Ready, Andy Newell and Brian Halligan sit down with one of the most influential minds in endurance sports science, Dr...

18 Okt 1h 15min

S2 E25: The VO₂ Max Sweet Spot: Finding Your Perfect Intensity

Are you getting the most out of your high-intensity intervals, or are you going too hard? In this episode of Race Ready, Andy Newell and Brian Halligan dive into the science and execution of L4 traini...

11 Okt 1h 5min

S2 E24. Gus Schumacher on Training Smarter, Racing Faster & Olympic Silver

Olympic silver medalist Gus Schumacher joins Race Ready to break down the training, racing, and lessons that have shaped his progression into one of the best cross-country skiers in the world. Gus tak...

4 Okt 1h 5min

S2E23. The USSS Development Watershed w/ Lizzie Larkins

What does it actually take to develop the next generation of American cross-country skiers? U.S. Ski Team Development Coach Lizzie Larkins joins Andy to break down the current development system, from...

27 Sep 1h 9min

S2 E22: Dani Aravich's Unconventional Path to Elite Endurance Sport

Dani Aravich’s path to becoming a three-time Paralympian is anything but conventional. After walking away from Division I running, Dani built a career in professional sports before a conversation abou...

20 Sep 1h 16min