About this episode
In this episode of the Race Ready Podcast, Andy Newell and Brian Halligan sit down with former U.S. Olympic cross-country skier Noah Hoffman for a wide-ranging conversation that bridges elite sport, personal growth, and advocacy. Hoffman shares his journey from growing up in Aspen and racing World Cup straight out of high school, to representing Team USA at the Sochi and Pyeongchang Olympics. He opens up about the pivotal moments in his ski career, including training collaborations with Canadian legends like Alex Harvey and Devon Kershaw, and how his early embrace of daily blogging helped him connect with fans and secure vital sponsorships. Hoffman dives deep into his training philosophy, from massive volume blocks to the thousand-hour training year that ultimately pushed him to the brink. He reflects candidly on the lessons learned from a career built on structure and discipline—sometimes to the point of rigidity—and how personal challenges, like a major breakup, intersected with his athletic performance. The discussion touches on his relationships with coaches John Callahan and Zach Caldwell, and how the pursuit of peak aerobic capacity shaped his racing strategy, particularly as a distance specialist. The conversation then shifts to Hoffman's extensive work in anti-doping education and advocacy. He recounts firsthand experiences racing against athletes later caught for doping, including the impact of Russia’s state-sponsored program at Sochi, and how these moments motivated his involvement with USADA and Global Athlete. From educating young athletes to pushing for systemic reform, Hoffman offers a unique perspective on the challenges of ensuring clean sport at the highest levels. This is a compelling listen for anyone interested in the intersection of high-performance sport, personal development, and the fight for fairness in competition.