In this episode, I’m joined by Dean Downing (IG: @deandowningcycling), former professional rider and founder of Downing Cycling, to explore his journey through the sport and his approach to developing young cyclists.

We discuss:

• Dean’s pathway from elite rider to respected coach

• How and why he transitioned into coaching

• His core ethos for developing young riders into professionals

With decades of experience in UK cycling, Dean shares practical insight into long-term athlete development, culture, and building riders for sustainable success.

In this episode, we’re joined by Strength & Conditioning expert Chris Peden (Instagram: @chr1speden) to dive deep into what cyclists really need from S&C. Whether you're a competitive racer or a committed amateur, this conversation focuses on what actually works — and what to avoid.

We explore:

• The fundamental movement patterns every cyclist should build

• How to develop strength that transfers directly to on-bike performance

• Simple but effective structures for making S&C sustainable

• The gym habits that waste time (and what to do instead)

• Why cyclists often under-load or over-complicate their training

• How to safely progress load and intensity

• How S&C should change through the season

• Balancing strength training with cycling volume for maximum progression

Chris brings a clear, practical approach to S&C — perfect for any cyclist wanting to improve performance, resilience, and long-term development.

In this episode I was joined by Emily Tillett MSc, a Sports Psychologist (in training) with whom I've collaborated a few times to deliver workshops for my coached riders this year.

Emily brings to the table a wealth of knowledge within cycling and previously competed within the Great Britain Cycling Team as a junior rider. That experience mixed with her education in sports psychology put her in a great position to discuss sports psychology from the perspective of competitive cycling.

We dig into the premise of sports psychology as a whole, how and why riders should access it and introduce some strategies that can start to help riders on their journey to peak performance.

You can find Emily on Instagram at @emilytillett_sportpsych

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You can connect with Henry on Instagram at @cyclingcoachhenry or online at cyclingcoachhenry.com