MOVING THE NEEDLE : The Andrew Neethling Podcast

Luke Meier-Smith went from growing up on a small avocado farm in Australia to standing on top of a World Cup podium — but the path there was anything but smooth. In this episode, Luke opens up about injuries that nearly ended his career, the mental battles of racing at the highest level, and the breakthrough moment where everything finally clicked. He dives deep into his first World Cup win, the unexpected changes that made the difference, and what it really feels like when years of work pay off in one run. We also get into Hardline, the evolving World Cup format, and the reality of chasing consistency in one of the most competitive eras downhill has ever seen. 🌎 Get the Exclusive NordVPN deal here ↣ https://nordvpn.com/needle It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee! 👍

From backyard jumps to one of the biggest freeride events on the planet. Sam Reynolds dives into Darkfest’s 10-year legacy, the progression of big air, and what the future holds. He opens up on how it all started, what it really took to build it into a cornerstone of the freeride calendar, and just how tough it is to curate the invite list.

Tom Van Steenbergen has built a career pushing the limits of Freeride mountain biking. From landing world-record front flips at Red Bull Rampage to surviving some of the most devastating crashes the sport has seen, Tom’s journey is one of risk, resilience and relentless progression. Tom talks about the mindset behind Rampage, the brutal injuries that nearly ended his career, and what it really takes to keep coming back. Tom opens up about fear, recovery, fatherhood, and why he still chooses to push the limits on a mountain bike. If you love freeride MTB, Rampage stories and the psychology behind extreme sports, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. Get the Exclusive NordVPN deal here ↣ https://nordvpn.com/needle It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee!

Randy Lawrence has lived multiple lifetimes in two-wheel sport. From wrenching in the golden era of 90’s motocross — working alongside icons like Jeremy McGrath — to racing downhill during its wild west rockstar phase… to training elite motocross champions like Ryan Villopoto… Randy has seen it all. This is a raw conversation about talent, work ethic, burnout, fatherhood, and what it actually takes to build a champion. 🌎 Get the Exclusive NordVPN deal here ↣ https://nordvpn.com/needle It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee! 👍

Randy Lawrence has lived multiple lifetimes in two-wheel sport. From wrenching in the golden era of 90’s motocross — working alongside icons like Jeremy McGrath — to racing downhill during its wild west rockstar phase… to training elite motocross champions like Ryan Villopoto… Randy has seen it all. This is a raw conversation about talent, work ethic, burnout, fatherhood, and what it actually takes to build a champion. 🌎 Get the Exclusive NordVPN deal here ↣ https://nordvpn.com/needle It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money-back guarantee! 👍

In this episode of Moving the Needle, Andreas Kolb opens up about the hardest season of his career — racing under pressure, dealing with uncertainty behind the scenes, and staying mentally strong when his future felt unclear. We unpack how riding for himself, trusting the process, and delivering when it mattered ultimately led to a dream opportunity with the Santa Cruz Syndicate for 2026. A raw conversation about belief, timing, and why tough seasons often set up the biggest breakthroughs.

Dakotah Norton opens up about a career-threatening hip injury, the tough recovery no one saw, and how he found his way back to form during the 2025 season. He also breaks down his 2026 team move, what changed behind the scenes, and why this next chapter feels different — not just on the bike, but mentally and professionally. An honest conversation about setbacks, resilience, and choosing the right environment to perform at your best.

Dakotah Norton opens up about his major 2026 team move, what led to the decision, and why this next chapter feels different. In this short clip, Dak talks mindset, long-term goals, and how timing, support, and direction played a huge role after stepping away from his previous setup. We also touch on what he’s looking for heading into 2026 — on and off the bike — and why this move feels like the right reset at the right moment. 🎧 Full episode out Jan 13th!! Check back then.

Former World Cup downhiller Dean Lucas opens up about the crash that left him temporarily paralysed, the terrifying minutes where he thought he'd never walk again, and the identity crisis that began long before he retired. Dean speaks candidly about losing his competitive fire after COVID, the emotional spiral of recovery, rebuilding his life from rock bottom, and discovering purpose beyond racing. Raw, vulnerable, philosophical, and surprisingly funny — this is Dean Lucas unfiltered on the moment that changed everything and the reinvention that followed

How much training do you actually need… and how much is just noise? Fit4Racing’s Jonny Thompson jumps back on the show to break down the myths and mistakes riders make in the gym, on the trail, and everywhere in between. Whether you’re a weekend warrior juggling a job, a parent battling daylight hours, or a racer trying to squeeze more speed out of your limited time — this episode gives you a roadmap. Strength and Condition Basic Guide: https://fit4racing.com/strength-and-conditioning-guide-for-mtb-riders/

Dirk Friel, co-founder of TrainingPeaks, joins Needles to dive into the evolution of data-driven coaching — from the early fax-machine days of training logs to the cutting-edge AI and tech shaping the future of sport. Dirk shares lessons from decades in cycling and coaching, the importance of balancing data with intuition, and why recovery, nutrition, and mindset are the real performance unlocks. They also explore how downhill and gravity athletes can leverage endurance principles, the art versus science of coaching, and how adaptability fuels both athletes and entrepreneurs.

After a decade on the World Cup circuit, Luca Shaw pieced together his best season yet — finishing third overall and riding with more confidence than ever. In this season review, Luca opens up about learning to “trust the feel,” staying composed under the new qualifying pressure, and why experience and instinct beat overthinking. A raw, insightful chat on performance, growth, and finding flow at the top level. This Episode is brought to you by BOA®. From the bike park to backcountry lines, BOA keeps you dialed in. Learn more about how BOA is changing the game at BOAFit.com.

In this episode of Moving the Needle, Andrew chats with Connor Fearon, the Australian downhill legend who traded podiums for power tools. They dive into his racing journey, the highs and lows of professional life, and his smooth transition into a new career as an electrician. Connor opens up about finding happiness beyond results, the evolution of downhill racing, and why staying grounded—and having a backup plan—matters. From his carefree attitude on the bike to the friendships that shaped his path, this is a raw and honest look at life after racing and the joy of keeping it simple. Thanks to our episode sponsor ODI. I have been on these and only these Grips for well over 20 years. How cool is that. They are the original Lock on grip. Learn more at www.odigrips.com

The 2025 World Cup Downhill racing is here and Sven Martin is my co-host for this episode of Bench Racing. We will cover the season and bring you Review episodes after each race throughout the year. We break down the final round in Mont Ste Anne, Canada. We'll be your go-to source for Downhill World Cup action all season long, bringing you review episodes after every race. This series is powered by Crankbrothers. Explore their latest innovations HERE: https://www.crankbrothers.com/

The 2025 World Cup Downhill racing is here and Wyn Masters is my co-hosts for this episode of Bench Racing. We will cover the season and bring you Review episodes after each race throughout the year. We break down the 9th round in Lake Placid,USA. We'll be your go-to source for Downhill World Cup action all season long, bringing you review episodes after every race. This series is powered by Crankbrothers. Explore their latest innovations HERE: https://www.crankbrothers.com/

We’re diving into the 2025 US OPEN of Downhill with none other than Race Organiser and Founder, Clay Harper. Clay takes us inside the vision, the riders to watch, and what makes the US OPEN such a special stop on the calendar. Big names, wild cards, and the future of American downhill—all in one episode.