In this episode, we sit down with Merida Miller – founder of Project Fearless, community builder with No Ordinary Women, TEDx speaker, gravel athlete, and self-described professional hype girl.
Mérida has made it her life’s work to empower young girls and gender-fluid youth to try new things, fall, and get back up again. From skateparks and classrooms, she has spent the past seven years helping girls and athletes build confidence through action – not by waiting to feel ready.
In this deeply honest conversation, Mérida opens up about training courage one brave step at a time, redefining confidence, and leaning on community and hype-crew through panic attacks, long gravel race battles, and life’s in-between chapters.
In this episode:
This episode isn’t about being fearless. It’s about showing up anyway — and cheering others while you do.
🎧 Whether you race gravel, ride for fun, or are navigating your own next chapter, this one will stay with you.
– IMPORTANT LINKS –
Follow Merida Miller → https://www.instagram.com/mercatmiller/
Project Fearless → https://www.instagram.com/project.fearless/
No Ordinary Women → https://www.instagram.com/noordinarywomen.cc/
Cycling Culture Club - https://www.cyclingcultureclub.cc/
Cycling Culture Club IG – https://www.instagram.com/cyclingcultureclub/?hl=en
Castelli SOG → https://www.instagram.com/castelli_sog/
TEDx → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOYlSI99Xog
– CHAPTERS –
00:00 – You don’t have to race for the podium to be brave
02:37 – Meet Merida Miller: courage over confidence
05:03 – Quickfire round: fear, confidence & gravel reality checks
07:21 – Mental breakdowns, panic attacks & coaching yourself mid-race
09:07 – Turning the page: a new chapter as an athlete & leader
10:55 – From fashion design to founding Project Fearless
13:19 – Creating space for all girls — not just “sporty” ones
15:06 – Cheering as fuel: why hype culture matters
16:17 – What confidence really looks like at 12 years old
18:58 – Kids, social media & why offline time is essential
21:17 – Leadership lessons from team sports (even if you hate sports)
25:36 – “Confidence has a branding problem” explained
29:16 – Comfort zone vs growth zone vs panic zone
33:39 – Find your hype crew (and why it changes everything)
35:36 – Gratitude as an endurance superpower
37:29 – Comparison, confidence & mental mechanicals
38:43 – How Merida found gravel (and why road racing terrifies her)
40:30 – Feeling welcomed — and when cycling spaces fail
45:09 – Is gravel really inclusive?
46:57 – Anxiety, ADHD & endurance sport
51:47 – Redefining success: finishing happy
53:11 – Cycling Culture Club & building global communities
58:22 – Fail early, fail often: starting something from scratch
1:02:44 – Designing the ultimate SOG race jersey
1:08:19 – Racing with your heart on your sleeve
1:12:08 – Why visibility and joy matter in racing
1:14:00 – What success looks like in 20 years
1:15:37 – Final thoughts: courage, kindness & showing up
– HOST –
Søren Jensen, Global Marketing Manager at Castelli, has worked for this iconic brand since 2006. He usually rides backroads and dirt trails, testing new gear in the Italian Dolomites. If you can't find him there, check the Castelli Headquarters in Fonzaso. Connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjensen77/
SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION
If you want your questions to be answered on air, be sure to submit your questions by sending us a message on social media or by email to podcast@castelli-cycling.com
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