Mushing

In this special re-air from The Dog Driver Show archives , Dr. Robert Forto and Kourosh Partow sit down with musher Ron Hayden for a conversation about racing, building a team, dryland mushing, and the future of sled dog sports. Ron also talks about the possibility of traveling to Alaska with Mandy Collins to experience the state's racing circuit firsthand. It's a trip that could put them on some legendary Alaska trails and introduce them to a racing community known for welcoming mushers from outside the state. The conversation turns toward where mushing may be headed over the next five to ten years. Ron sees continued growth in dryland racing, particularly smaller classes and mono-sports. These events offer a more accessible entry into mushing for people who may not have the ability or desire to maintain a kennel of ten, fifteen, or twenty dogs. Originally heard on The Dog Driver Show , this episode offers an interesting look back at a conversation about a part of the sport that continues to introduce new people to working with dogs. Support our Work Like this episode? Share it with your mushing friends! Love the show? Subscribe , rate , review , and share Sign up for our Newsletter HERE Join the On-Air Media Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on the air by Rober and get your podcast questions answered in real time. Apply now to the Team and Trail Foundation funding page and get support to turn your outdoor, education, or community project into a real impact. Apply for the Mushing® Media Accelerator and get deeper support and expert guidance tailored to your specific sponsorship and media goals. Email us at podcast@mushing.com Follow Mushing® for more muhsing news, insights, and more: Facebook | X | Instagram You can contact us here: Podcast@mushing.com © 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved

What does it take to keep an elite sled dog kennel thriving through one of Alaska's coldest winters? In this episode of the Mushing Podcast, hosts Dr. Robert Forto and Kourosh Partow welcome accomplished open-class musher Riley Parker from Salcha, Alaska. Riley shares what it is really like to manage a kennel of 35 sled dogs while balancing family life, racing, gardening, and running a growing herbal business. The conversation explores how Riley and her kennel partner divide responsibilities while Gary is away flying as a professional pilot, how they adapted their kennel during weeks of temperatures approaching 60 below zero, and the planning required to keep the dogs healthy and conditioned through one of the harshest winters in recent memory. Riley also discusses developing young race dogs, preparing for Alaska's biggest sprint races, breeding decisions that have shaped their kennel for years, homeschooling their son through mushing, and why building strong relationships with dogs begins long before race day. From championship racing to growing medicinal herbs and producing local honey, this episode offers an inside look at one of Alaska's mushing families and the lifestyle that supports success on and off the trail. Support our Work Like this episode? Share it with your mushing friends! Love the show? Subscribe , rate , review , and share Sign up for our Newsletter HERE Join the On-Air Media Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on the air by Rober and get your podcast questions answered in real time. Apply now to the Team and Trail Foundation funding page and get support to turn your outdoor, education, or community project into a real impact. Apply for the Mushing® Media Accelerator and get deeper support and expert guidance tailored to your specific sponsorship and media goals. Email us at podcast@mushing.com Follow Mushing® for more muhsing news, insights, and more: Facebook | X | Instagram You can contact us here: Podcast@mushing.com © 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved

In this episode, we pull the September 2006 issue of T eam & Trail off the shelf and discover just how much of its wisdom still holds up nearly 20 years later. From Susan Butcher’s sense of belonging in Alaska and her remarkable comeback after the 1985 Iditarod to her role as one of mushing’s greatest ambassadors, this issue captures a pivotal era in sled dog history. We also revisit lessons on organizational leadership and the sport's survival, along with a young Lance Mackey boldly declaring that the coming season would be his year. The names and races may change, but the questions about perseverance, leadership, belonging, and believing in your team remain remarkably familiar. Join us as we head From the Archives and rediscover the stories preserved in more than 60 years of Team & Trail . Support our Work Like this episode? Share it with your mushing friends! Love the show? Subscribe , rate , review , and share Sign up for our Newsletter HERE Join the On-Air Media Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on the air by Rober and get your podcast questions answered in real time. Apply now to the Team and Trail Foundation funding page and get support to turn your outdoor, education, or community project into a real impact. Apply for the Mushing® Media Accelerator and get deeper support and expert guidance tailored to your specific sponsorship and media goals. Email us at podcast@mushing.com Follow Mushing® for more muhsing news, insights, and more: Facebook | X | Instagram You can contact us here: Podcast@mushing.com © 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved

On this special re-air from The Dog Driver Show archives , Dr. Robert Forto and Kourosh Partow talk with musher Eddie Duque for a conversation about dogs, racing, the mushing community, and what it takes to keep the sport moving forward. Eddie shares his perspective on the attitude and commitment that go into working with sled dogs, along with his thoughts on where mushing could be headed over the next five to ten years. For Eddie, the future comes down to something bigger than winning races. It means leaving a legacy, welcoming younger people into the sport, volunteering, creating fun events, and introducing dog mushing to the wider community. Originally heard on The Dog Driver Show , this conversation remains just as relevant today as mushers consider how to preserve the traditions of the sport while building its next generation. Support our Work Like this episode? Share it with your mushing friends! Love the show? Subscribe , rate , review , and share Sign up for our Newsletter HERE Join the On-Air Media Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on the air by Rober and get your podcast questions answered in real time. Apply now to the Team and Trail Foundation funding page and get support to turn your outdoor, education, or community project into a real impact. Apply for the Mushing® Media Accelerator and get deeper support and expert guidance tailored to your specific sponsorship and media goals. Email us at podcast@mushing.com Follow Mushing® for more muhsing news, insights, and more: Facebook | X | Instagram You can contact us here: Podcast@mushing.com © 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved

What was it like racing 28-dog teams behind wooden sleds before GPS, modern braking systems, and high-tech equipment? In this episode of The Mushing Podcast, Robert Forto and Kourosh Partow sit down with one of the sport's true legends, Terry Streeper. With more than five decades in sled dog racing, Terry reflects on the evolution of sprint mushing from the 1970s through today. He shares stories about racing across Canada, Alaska, the Midwest, and Europe, discusses why great leaders mattered more than big teams, explains how Alaskan Huskies changed over the years, and offers his thoughts on the introduction of pointer crosses into competitive racing. The conversation also explores the decline of local races, rising costs, unpredictable winter weather, dryland racing, and what the future may hold for the sport Terry has dedicated his life to. Whether you're a longtime musher or simply fascinated by sled dog history, this is an insightful conversation with one of sprint racing's most respected voices. Support our Work Like this episode? Share it with your mushing friends! Love the show? Subscribe , rate , review , and share Sign up for our Newsletter HERE Join the On-Air Media Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on the air by Rober and get your podcast questions answered in real time. Apply now to the Team and Trail Foundation funding page and get support to turn your outdoor, education, or community project into a real impact. Apply for the Mushing® Media Accelerator and get deeper support and expert guidance tailored to your specific sponsorship and media goals. Email us at podcast@mushing.com Follow Mushing® for more muhsing news, insights, and more: Facebook | X | Instagram You can contact us here: Podcast@mushing.com © 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved

The future of one of Norway’s most important sled dog training areas is at risk. On this episode of the Mushing Podcast, Dr. Robert Forto and co-host Kourosh Partow sit down with Blanka Csizmadia to discuss the fight surrounding Hamar Sled Dog Club and the trail system that has become an important training destination for sprint and mid-distance mushers in Norway and across Europe. For decades, volunteers have maintained an extensive network of groomed trails, a clubhouse, equipment, and an arena that has hosted European and world championship competition. But years of disputes involving the privately owned land have left the club facing major legal costs and a financial crisis that could threaten its ability to continue operating. Blanka explains how the dispute developed, why the club is now raising money, and what losing the facility could mean for sled dog sports throughout the region. She also shares why support from mushers around the world matters, even for those who may never run a team on these trails. This episode is about more than saving one sled dog club. It is about volunteerism, access to trails, preserving mushing infrastructure, and what can happen when the larger sled dog community comes together to protect the places that keep the sport alive. Learn more about the world of dog-powered sports at Mushing.com . Support our Work Like this episode? Share it with your mushing friends! Love the show? Subscribe , rate , review , and share Sign up for our Newsletter HERE Join the On-Air Media Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on the air by Rober and get your podcast questions answered in real time. Apply now to the Team and Trail Foundation funding page and get support to turn your outdoor, education, or community project into a real impact. Apply for the Mushing® Media Accelerator and get deeper support and expert guidance tailored to your specific sponsorship and media goals. Email us at podcast@mushing.com Follow Mushing® for more muhsing news, insights, and more: Facebook | X | Instagram You can contact us here: Podcast@mushing.com © 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved

What does it take to relocate an entire sled dog kennel across Europe in pursuit of better snow, better trails, and a better future for your dogs? In this episode of the Mushing Podcast, Robert Forto and Kourosh Partow welcome Elsa and Frédéric Borgey, a team from one of Europe's most respected mushing teams. The couple shares their journey from France to Swedish Lapland, where they now train approximately 50 sled dogs while balancing international racing, breeding, tourism, and family life. Frédéric discusses his decades leading the French Federation of Sled Dogs, why climate change and shrinking snow conditions forced their move north, and how he and Elsa divide responsibilities within their kennel. Elsa shares her success in La Grande Odyssée, their focus on mid-distance racing, and what it takes to prepare elite dogs for competition. We also explore their unique kennel philosophy, from developing young prospects to caring for retired veterans, along with their training methods, breeding program, and introducing newcomers to the sport through immersive mushing experiences in Lapland. Whether you're interested in European sled dog racing, kennel management, or learning from two lifelong mushers dedicated to their dogs, this episode offers an inside look at one of the sport's most respected teams. Support our Work Like this episode? Share it with your mushing friends! Love the show? Subscribe , rate , review , and share Sign up for our Newsletter HERE Join the On-Air Media Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on the air by Rober and get your podcast questions answered in real time. Apply now to the Team and Trail Foundation funding page and get support to turn your outdoor, education, or community project into a real impact. Apply for the Mushing® Media Accelerator and get deeper support and expert guidance tailored to your specific sponsorship and media goals. Email us at podcast@mushing.com Follow Mushing® for more muhsing news, insights, and more: Facebook | X | Instagram You can contact us here: Podcast@mushing.com © 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved

After more than four decades in sled dog racing, Norwegian musher Jo Svenstad has returned to the top of European sprint mushing. In this episode, Robert Forto and co-host Kourosh Partow sit down with Jo to discuss his remarkable comeback, his carefully preserved Alaskan bloodlines, and the breeding philosophy that helped him capture the Scandinavian Championship. Jo explains how a trip to Alaska in 1989 shaped his kennel for generations, why he believes successful breeding starts by looking outside your own kennel, and how he balances genetics, movement, nutrition, and training to develop elite racing dogs. He also discusses the current state of open-class racing in Scandinavia, preparing young teams for championship competition, and his goals for the upcoming World Championships. Whether you're interested in sprint racing, breeding, conditioning, or the history connecting Alaska and Scandinavia, this conversation offers valuable insight from one of Europe's most respected mushers. Support our Work Like this episode? Share it with your mushing friends! Love the show? Subscribe , rate , review , and share Sign up for our Newsletter HERE Join the On-Air Media Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on the air by Rober and get your podcast questions answered in real time. Apply now to the Team and Trail Foundation funding page and get support to turn your outdoor, education, or community project into a real impact. Apply for the Mushing® Media Accelerator and get deeper support and expert guidance tailored to your specific sponsorship and media goals. Email us at podcast@mushing.com Follow Mushing® for more muhsing news, insights, and more: Facebook | X | Instagram You can contact us here: Podcast@mushing.com © 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved

What does it take to become one of the greatest sprint mushers in history? In this episode of the Mushing Podcast, Robert Forto and co-host Kourosh Partow sit down with legendary sprint musher Buddy Streeper following his remarkable Triple Crown season. Buddy shares an in-depth look at his record-setting 11th Fur Rendezvous championship and explains exactly how he prepares championship-caliber sled dog teams for one of the most demanding races in the sport. From race strategy and trail preparation to leader selection, travel logistics, split times, and race-day decision making, Buddy offers a rare behind-the-scenes masterclass on elite sprint mushing. He also discusses the challenges of racing in Anchorage, the importance of experienced lead dogs, memorable moments from this year's competition, and the teamwork that has defined the Streeper family's success for more than four decades. Whether you're a lifelong musher, an aspiring competitor, or simply fascinated by world-class performance, this conversation provides an inside look at what separates champions from the rest of the field. This is Part One of our exclusive series following Buddy Streeper through his Triple Crown-winning season. Support our Work Like this episode? Share it with your mushing friends! Love the show? Subscribe , rate , review , and share Sign up for our Newsletter HERE Join the On-Air Media Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on the air by Rober and get your podcast questions answered in real time. Apply now to the Team and Trail Foundation funding page and get support to turn your outdoor, education, or community project into a real impact. Apply for the Mushing® Media Accelerator and get deeper support and expert guidance tailored to your specific sponsorship and media goals. Email us at podcast@mushing.com Follow Mushing® for more muhsing news, insights, and more: Facebook | X | Instagram You can contact us here: Podcast@mushing.com © 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved

In this episode of the Mushing Podcast, Robert Forto talks with musher, race organizer, and congressional candidate Niina Baum about her journey through the world of dog-powered sports. Nina shares the story behind bringing the IFSS Dryland World Championships to Wisconsin, competing internationally in countries like Spain, Sweden, and France, and revitalizing the iconic Sled Dog Central platform. We also discuss how leadership in mushing helped shape her approach to politics, community building, and grassroots campaigning. Support our Work Like this episode? Share it with your mushing friends! Love the show? Subscribe , rate , review , and share Sign up for our Newsletter HERE Join the On-Air Media Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on the air by Rober and get your podcast questions answered in real time. Apply now to the Team and Trail Foundation funding page and get support to turn your outdoor, education, or community project into a real impact. Apply for the Mushing® Media Accelerator and get deeper support and expert guidance tailored to your specific sponsorship and media goals. Email us at podcast@mushing.com Follow Mushing® for more muhsing news, insights, and more: Facebook | X | Instagram You can contact us here: Podcast@mushing.com © 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved

In this episode of the Mushing Podcast, Robert Forto sits down with Alaska musher and dog trainer Destiny Lytle to discuss her journey from working line German Shepherds to competitive sprint mushing. Destiny shares stories from racing the Fur Rondy Championships in Anchorage, running the ONAC, racing in Tanana, building a kennel with dogs from elite bloodlines, and balancing life between working dogs and sled dogs. We also talk about training philosophy, developing young leaders in harness, and the realities of building a competitive kennel in Alaska. Support our Work Like this episode? Share it with your mushing friends! Love the show? Subscribe , rate , review , and share Sign up for our Newsletter HERE Join the On-Air Media Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on the air by Rober and get your podcast questions answered in real time. Apply now to the Team and Trail Foundation funding page and get support to turn your outdoor, education, or community project into a real impact. Apply for the Mushing® Media Accelerator and get deeper support and expert guidance tailored to your specific sponsorship and media goals. Email us at podcast@mushing.com Follow Mushing® for more muhsing news, insights, and more: Facebook | X | Instagram You can contact us here: Podcast@mushing.com © 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved

How can mushers recognize subtle warning signs before a dog becomes injured? In this episode of the Mushing Podcast, Robert Forto talks with Dr. Erica Boling about canine movement analysis, stride mechanics, posture, topline changes, and how to develop a sharper eye for spotting weakness early. If you race, train, or work with dogs, this conversation offers practical tools to help keep your team healthy and performing at their best. Support our Work Like this episode? Share it with your mushing friends! Love the show? Subscribe , rate , review , and share Sign up for our Newsletter HERE Join the On-Air Media Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on the air by Rober and get your podcast questions answered in real time. Apply now to the Team and Trail Foundation funding page and get support to turn your outdoor, education, or community project into a real impact. Apply for the Mushing® Media Accelerator and get deeper support and expert guidance tailored to your specific sponsorship and media goals. Email us at podcast@mushing.com Follow Mushing® for more muhsing news, insights, and more: Facebook | X | Instagram You can contact us here: Podcast@mushing.com © 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved

In this episode of the Mushing Podcast, Robert Forto sits down with veteran musher Jody Potts-Joseph, calling in from Eagle, Alaska. With more than 40 years of experience in dog-powered travel and racing, Jody shares her deep connection to mushing as part of Athabascan culture and everyday life along the Yukon River. Jody reflects on her 2026 Iditarod experience, including the challenges of an unusually difficult training season, extreme weather conditions, and the tough decision to scratch at mile 658 due to illness spreading through her team. Her story offers an honest look at the realities of long-distance racing, where dog health and decision-making matter more than finishing. They then talk about her upbringing in a subsistence lifestyle, her return to mushing after raising a family, and her plans to come back stronger next season. Jody highlights the importance of leadership within a dog team, including a spotlight on her lead dog Koki, and shares insights into training, resilience, and adapting to adversity. This episode is a powerful blend of storytelling, culture, and hard-earned lessons from the trail. Support our Work Like this episode? Share it with your mushing friends! Love the show? Subscribe , rate , review , and share Sign up for our Newsletter HERE Join the On-Air Media Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on the air by Rober and get your podcast questions answered in real time. Apply now to the Team and Trail Foundation funding page and get support to turn your outdoor, education, or community project into a real impact. Apply for the Mushing® Media Accelerator and get deeper support and expert guidance tailored to your specific sponsorship and media goals. Email us at podcast@mushing.com Follow Mushing® for more muhsing news, insights, and more: Facebook | X | Instagram You can contact us here: Podcast@mushing.com © 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved

What does it take to capture a sled dog team moving at full speed through snow and wilderness? In this episode, we sit down with Keela McCleneghan , a professional photographer behind Sunshine & Photo , to explore the craft of dog sled photography and the realities of working on the trail. Keela shares how she got started, the gear she relies on in extreme conditions, and how she consistently captures powerful images that tell the story of the connection between musher and dog. From shooting 5,000 images a day to digging foxholes in the snow for the perfect angle, this conversation pulls back the curtain on a side of mushing most people never see. We also talk about her work in overlanding and vehicle photography, her travel lifestyle, and how she balances art, business, and the demands of working in some of the toughest environments imaginable. Support our Work Like this episode? Share it with your mushing friends! Love the show? Subscribe , rate , review , and share Sign up for our Newsletter HERE Join the On-Air Media Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on the air by Rober and get your podcast questions answered in real time. Apply now to the Team and Trail Foundation funding page and get support to turn your outdoor, education, or community project into a real impact. Apply for the Mushing® Media Accelerator and get deeper support and expert guidance tailored to your specific sponsorship and media goals. Email us at podcast@mushing.com Follow Mushing® for more muhsing news, insights, and more: Facebook | X | Instagram You can contact us here: Podcast@mushing.com © 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved

There is a moment on the trail when plans stop working. Conditions shift, pressure builds, and every decision carries weight. That is where leadership shows up. In this episode of the Team & Trail Podcast, we officially introduce the Team & Trail Expedition: Leadership Through Adventure. In March 2027, we will travel the Iditarod Trail from Willow to Nome, not simply as an endurance effort, but as a real-time leadership environment. This project is built around a central idea. Leadership is not a concept or a checklist. It is something that happens when responsibility and uncertainty meet. At the core of the expedition is the Leadership Fellowship, designed for college students who want more than theory. Participants will follow the journey, analyze real scenarios, and engage with leadership decisions as they happen. This creates a rare opportunity to observe leadership in conditions where outcomes are not guaranteed. This episode explains: What the expedition is and why it matters How the Leadership Fellowship works Why real-world leadership experience is different from traditional instruction How organizations can get involved as partners This is not just a single expedition. It is the beginning of something designed to grow, reach more people, and create a lasting model for experiential leadership development. Support our Work Like this episode? Share it with your mushing friends! Love the show? Subscribe , rate , review , and share Sign up for our Newsletter HERE Join the On-Air Media Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on the air by Rober and get your podcast questions answered in real time. Apply now to the Team and Trail Foundation funding page and get support to turn your outdoor, education, or community project into a real impact. Apply for the Mushing® Media Accelerator and get deeper support and expert guidance tailored to your specific sponsorship and media goals. Email us at podcast@mushing.com Follow Mushing® for more muhsing news, insights, and more: Facebook | X | Instagram You can contact us here: Podcast@mushing.com © 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved

On this episode of the Mushing Podcast, Robert Forto sits down with Iditarod finisher Brenda Mackey to discuss her long-awaited finish in Nome on her third attempt. Raised in one of Alaska’s most well-known mushing families, Brenda shares what it means to carry on the Mackey legacy while building her own path in the sport. She talks about growing up in dog mushing, breeding and training her own team, and the emotional and physical challenges of racing across Alaska. Brenda also breaks down the realities of the 2026 Iditarod, including extreme cold, tough trail conditions, and the unexpected moments that define the race. From setbacks in previous attempts to finally crossing the finish line, this conversation offers an honest look at what it takes to reach Nome. Support our Work Like this episode? Share it with your mushing friends! Love the show? Subscribe , rate , review , and share Sign up for our Newsletter HERE Join the On-Air Media Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on the air by Rober and get your podcast questions answered in real time. Apply now to the Team and Trail Foundation funding page and get support to turn your outdoor, education, or community project into a real impact. Apply for the Mushing® Media Accelerator and get deeper support and expert guidance tailored to your specific sponsorship and media goals. Email us at podcast@mushing.com Follow Mushing® for more muhsing news, insights, and more: Facebook | X | Instagram You can contact us here: Podcast@mushing.com © 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved

What does it take to become one of the most decorated junior mushers in the world? In this episode, we sit down with Leonie Tetzner, a 15-year-old musher from Germany who has built an impressive career racing in Alaska and beyond. Leonie discusses the logistics of traveling internationally with over 30 sled dogs, the structure of her racing season, and what it means to compete in events like the Pedigree Stage Stop and North American Championship. She also shares how she manages school through online learning while spending months on the road, and how her family plays a central role in her success. With multiple championship titles, track records, and years of experience already behind her, Leonie represents the next generation of elite mushers. This episode offers insight into the discipline, lifestyle, and global nature of modern dog-powered sports. Support our Work Like this episode? Share it with your mushing friends! Love the show? Subscribe , rate , review , and share Sign up for our Newsletter HERE Join the On-Air Media Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on the air by Rober and get your podcast questions answered in real time. Apply now to the Team and Trail Foundation funding page and get support to turn your outdoor, education, or community project into a real impact. Apply for the Mushing® Media Accelerator and get deeper support and expert guidance tailored to your specific sponsorship and media goals. Email us at podcast@mushing.com Follow Mushing® for more muhsing news, insights, and more: Facebook | X | Instagram You can contact us here: Podcast@mushing.com © 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved

In this episode of the Mushing Podcast, Robert Forto sits down with 2026 Iditarod finisher Joey Sabin to discuss his rookie run to Nome. Joey shares the story behind his 12-day journey, what it felt like crossing the finish line, and how nearly ten years of work led to this moment. From running dogs in Two Rivers, Alaska, to guiding glacier tours in the summer, Joey offers an inside look at life as a full-time musher. He also talks about race strategy, caring for his team on the trail, the unexpected challenges of White Mountain, and the dogs that made this rookie finish possible. This is a must-listen episode for anyone who follows the Iditarod, dog sled racing, or the mushing lifestyle. Support our Work Like this episode? Share it with your mushing friends! Love the show? Subscribe , rate , review , and share Sign up for our Newsletter HERE Join the On-Air Media Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on the air by Rober and get your podcast questions answered in real time. Apply now to the Team and Trail Foundation funding page and get support to turn your outdoor, education, or community project into a real impact. Apply for the Mushing® Media Accelerator and get deeper support and expert guidance tailored to your specific sponsorship and media goals. Email us at podcast@mushing.com Follow Mushing® for more muhsing news, insights, and more: Facebook | X | Instagram You can contact us here: Podcast@mushing.com © 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved

In this episode of the Mushing Podcast, host Robert Forto sits down with Iditarod finisher Sydnie Bahl, a physical therapist based in the Mat-Su Valley who recently completed her first successful run to Nome. Just days removed from the trail, Sydnie reflects on the transition back to everyday life and the reality of what it takes to finish one of the most demanding endurance races in the world. Sydnie’s path into mushing was not something she had planned from childhood. After moving to Alaska in search of adventure, she was introduced to the sport through local community connections and quickly immersed herself in kennel life. What began as a willingness to help soon turned into a full commitment, leading her through qualifying races and eventually to the Iditarod start line. The conversation dives into the realities of racing the traditional Northern Route, including difficult terrain, high winds, and unpredictable trail conditions. Sydnie shares detailed stories from the race, including a series of equipment failures that forced her to rely on multiple sleds just to stay in competition. Her experience highlights not only the physical demands of the race but also the importance of the broader mushing community, where fellow competitors and race officials play a critical role in helping mushers continue forward. One of the most compelling parts of the episode centers on the final stretch into Nome, where Sydnie describes the emotional shift from survival mode to realization. After more than a thousand miles on the trail, the sound of the finish line siren and the presence of a crowd waiting at the arch marked a moment that is difficult to put into words but impossible to forget. Listeners will also hear about the dogs behind the effort, including her lead dog, Flue, and the bond that develops over years of training and racing together. The episode closes with reflections on recovery, future racing plans, and what it means to be part of the mushing community going forward. This episode offers a grounded look at the Iditarod through the lens of a first-time finisher who experienced both the highs and the setbacks that define the race. Support our Work Like this episode? Share it with your mushing friends! Love the show? Subscribe , rate , review , and share Sign up for our Newsletter HERE Join the On-Air Media Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on the air by Rober and get your podcast questions answered in real time. Apply now to the Team and Trail Foundation funding page and get support to turn your outdoor, education, or community project into a real impact. Apply for the Mushing® Media Accelerator and get deeper support and expert guidance tailored to your specific sponsorship and media goals. Email us at podcast@mushing.com Follow Mushing® for more muhsing news, insights, and more: Facebook | X | Instagram You can contact us here: Podcast@mushing.com © 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved

What does it look like to grow up in the world of sled dog racing? In this episode, we sit down with Liam Connor, a 16-year-old musher from Saskatchewan, Canada, who is already competing at a high level in mid-distance races. Liam shares what it’s like to be raised in a mushing family, how his team manages a kennel of around 80 dogs, and how he balances academics with the demands of training and racing. We also talk about the unique racing conditions of the Canadian prairies, his experience competing in events like the Pedigree Stage Stop, and how young mushers are stepping into the sport earlier than ever. This episode offers a grounded look at the lifestyle, discipline, and commitment required to succeed in mushing at a young age, along with insights into the sport's future through the eyes of its next generation. Support our Work Like this episode? Share it with your mushing friends! Love the show? Subscribe , rate , review , and share Sign up for our Newsletter HERE Join the On-Air Media Coaching waitlist for a chance to get coached on the air by Rober and get your podcast questions answered in real time. Apply now to the Team and Trail Foundation funding page and get support to turn your outdoor, education, or community project into a real impact. Apply for the Mushing® Media Accelerator and get deeper support and expert guidance tailored to your specific sponsorship and media goals. Email us at podcast@mushing.com Follow Mushing® for more muhsing news, insights, and more: Facebook | X | Instagram You can contact us here: Podcast@mushing.com © 2010-2026 by Mushing® All Rights Reserved