Full-time school teacher by day, ultra gravel powerhouse by night — Svenja Betz is redefining what’s possible in endurance sport.
She didn’t just take on the biggest races in ultra gravel — she won them all. First Unbound XL, then The Traka Adventure, and Badlands.
Her rise has been anything but conventional. She doesn’t train full-time. She doesn’t follow the typical pro playbook. And she doesn’t sleep during races.
Instead, she relies on instinct, resilience, and a deep love for the process.
In this conversation, we dive into what really matters when the distances get serious: how to fuel properly without falling into energy deficits, how to pace when sleep isn’t an option, and how to stay mentally strong when everything starts to fall apart.
Svenja also opens up about balancing elite performance with a demanding career, navigating the pressure of social media, and why being “skinny” isn’t the key to going faster.
If you’re curious about ultra cycling or wondering how far you could really go, this episode might just challenge your assumptions and inspire you to push your own limits.
– IMPORTANT LINKS –
Follow Svenja Betz: https://www.instagram.com/svenja__betz/
Castelli SOG: https://www.instagram.com/castelli_sog/
– CHAPTERS –
00:00 – Intro
02:18 – Balancing teaching + ultra racing
05:25 – Training with limited time
09:41 – 52 hours, zero sleep
13:45 – Intervals vs endurance
18:36 – Nutrition, RED-S & weight myths
22:51 – Fueling strategy in ultras
25:31 – Heat, hydration & survival
32:12 – Are you ready for 500km+?
40:14 – Mental toughness & self-talk
43:05 – Winning move at Badlands
47:34 – Social media vs reality
54:47 – Castelli kit, mindset & identity
59:33 – What’s next: new goals
– 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
","author_name":"Castelli Cycling"}