Welcome back to season two of Rising with Kate Courtney. In season one, we followed the highs and lows of Kate's 2019 season. With all eyes on the rising star, Kate overcame the pressure, took home some big wins, and finished the season as the 2019 XCO World Cup Champion. With that, her sights were firmly set on the 2020 Tokyo Olympic… that was until the global pandemic hit and the world was forced to stop, evaluate and adapt.

In season two, we follow Kate as she navigates through the unknown, kicks off the World Cup season and looks ahead at the Olympic Games. Follow along as we go behind the race tape and see how Kate is building her blueprint and foundation ahead of this monumental season.

For Kate Courtney navigating the global pandemic was no different. With the 2020(1) Olympics and the upcoming season just around the corner, episode one looks into Kate's lockdown life over the past year and how she adapted like many of us.

When Kate's race schedule was put on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic, she had to find ways to stay motivated and in good form or, as Kate puts it, "staying ready to get ready." With access to gyms limited and traveling out of the question, like many athletes, Kate was forced to mix up her training and get creative.

As an athlete, Kate is constantly on the move, whether it be traveling to a race, training in the gym, working with sponsors or on the racecourse. As we saw in season one, the free time Kate does have always becomes precious but is often squeezed between races and travel. With the start of the season coming to a sudden halt, Kate was able to slow down and spend valuable time at home with her partner and friends. It also meant more time on her trail bike and skis touring around Tahoe. Not bad alternatives!

Yep, you read it! Kate is now a proud Dog Mom to her gorgeous dog Monte. Being a Dog Mom has helped Kate put things into perspective, post-ride she's no longer mulling over her data she's moving on to the next part of the day and enjoying her new role in life. Following the mental pressures and expectations Kate had in 2019, she concluded that balance and perspective are everything, and being a Dog Mom has helped her realize this even more!

Motivated like never before, Kate is in full build towards the season ahead. In the next episode, we dive into how Kate has been training in the gym, on the trails with her dad, and what has changed in her preparation off the bike.

• Video: Susan Theis
• Photography: Susan Theis, Emily Tidwell

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