Josie Fouts Wants Mountain Biking in the Paralympics, and She Won't Take No for an Answer [Podcast #287]

Josie Fouts Wants Mountain Biking in the Paralympics, and She Won’t Take No for an Answer [Podcast #287]

Josie Fouts is a two-time National Paralympics Road and Track Cycling Champion with plans to compete at the 2021 Games in Tokyo. She's also working to make mountain biking a Paralympic sport and stars in a new short film called Go Josie.

By Jeff Barber
May 3, 2021 Last Updated: May 3, 2021

2 comments

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Josie Fouts is a two-time National Paralympics Road and Track Cycling Champion with plans to compete at the 2021 Games in Tokyo. She’s also working to make mountain biking a Paralympic sport and stars in a new short film called Go Josie.

In this episode, we ask Josie:

Have you found being stubborn is a strength? Does it ever get you in trouble?
Are you able to use your formal education in nutrition and nutritional immunology as a part of your own training?
What is the level of competition like at the US National Paralympics? Were you surprised the first time you competed?
How difficult is it to find off-the-shelf products that work for para athletes? Have you found gear manufacturers are willing to work with you to find solutions?
What’s it been like working with a gear sponsor like Swiftwick?
Are there things the bike industry could be doing to make equipment more para-friendly?
Why do you think mountain biking is not a part of the Paralympics?
What do you do to keep your workouts interesting? Is training fun for you?
Were there any surprises on the first bikepacking trip you recently completed?
Are there other challenges you’ve set for yourself this year in addition to competing in Tokyo?

View the short film Go Josie on YouTube and follow Josie on Instagram @ms.stubbornness. Thanks to Josie’s sponsor Swiftwick for arranging this interview.

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2 Comments

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kavy 2009
May 20, 2021

While I applaud Josie Enthusiasm and her accomplishments to date and wish her all the best in her pursuits. I encourage the author and others to dive deeper into the History of Paracycling its athletes as well as the many before Josie that have paved the way for the Paracycling Future. I myself am a below-knee amputee and raced on the US team for nearly a decade. I had the opportunity to train alongside women like Greta Neimanas, Kelly Crowly, and Meg Fischer that were the first American women to compete in and on Professional able-bodied teams while also being adaptive athletes. Attempts to host Para division MTB racing has been attempted here in the state but, to date, participation is low. Instead, those like myself that still mix it up on the dirt, regularly race in the able-bodied field and with significant success I might add. All the while doing just as Josie suggests making ourselves available and seen in hopes we might encourage someone else to experience riding. As such I have some difficulty with the sudden attention Josie has captured with little mention of those that have come before her, nor acknowledgement that there are many adaptive riders around the world riding at an incredible accomplished level in all cycling disciplines. I will echo, I wish Josie all the best but I encourage her and those following her story to dig a bit deeper for a more complete story on the Parasports, Paracycling, and the pioneers that have laid an incredible foundation for Josie to build from.

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AUTHOR

Jeff Barber Georgia // 1998
May 21, 2021

Thanks for the reminder. While Josie isn't the first, this film has hopefully brought new attention and will inspire others to both participate and advocate for increased recognition.

Ampt is another group that's working improve access and awareness. As you said, there are countless others (including yourself!) who have been doing this for a long time, and will continue to do so which is great.

https://www.singletracks.com/uncategorized/ampt-biking-helps-amputees-and-adaptive-mountain-bikers-find-happiness-on-the-trail/

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