Meet Patrick: A high school English, theater, and marketing teacher of 25 years, host of the Packfiller Podcast, a former cycling coach, and a lifelong cyclist (with 17 bikes in his house). Born and raised in Spokane, Washington, Patrick has spent over four decades on two wheels. He has competed in everything from road and mountain biking races to gravel and epic endurance events 

We sat down with Patrick to chat about the origins of his 26-year-old podcast, how he navigated a challenging heart diagnosis, and how Athletic Brewing fits right into his adventurous lifestyle. Continue reading to hear more about Patrick as we featured him in our August Ambassador Spotlight! 

You’ve been cycling competitively since 1983. How did you first get into the sport, and what has kept you riding for over 40 years? 

I was originally a ski racer as a kid. One day my coach looked at my parents and said, “Your son isn’t strong enough, he is this pudgy kid,” so he recommended doing something over the summer to improve my fitness. I switched to the bike and ended up joining a local cycling team. 

After a couple years my father told me, “You’re involved in two of the most expensive sports in the world. You have to pick one.” My results were better on the road than skis, so cycling became my life. It’s been that way ever since. When people ask me about myself, before I even talk about what I do for a living, I usually tell them I have a problem with bicycles, as I have 17 in my house.

What led you to launch the Packfiller Podcast, and what is the meaning behind the name? 

Back in 1999, when my wife was pregnant with our son, we decided one of us was going to stay home full-time. I was a coffee roaster at the time and made less than she did, so I stayed home. I had previously gone to broadcasting school, and when the internet started growing, I wanted to find a way to get this cycling stuff out there to share with others. It started as a show on the web, and as podcasting has evolved, I just kept going. I’ve been podcasting now for over 26 years! 

A buddy of mine used to always say, “In the end, we’re all just pack filler.” The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to create a show for those voices in the pack - the “meat and potatoes” of the sport. That’s where the best and funniest stories come from: the people doing their absolute best just to hold on and not get dropped. Every week, five of us jump on the mic in my basement studio. We cover everything from pro races to our own personal cycling accomplishments and embarrassments.

Is there anything from the 1980s racing scene that you miss today? 

I really miss the community and the sheer approachability of the sport back then. You could set up a bike and be competitive on a realistic budget where your parents didn’t have to sell a car to get you started. I miss showing up on a weeknight as a junior cyclist and seeing 75 to 100 riders at the start line. 

I also miss the epic road trips with our team in an old converted school bus, which literally had a stationary bike bolted to the back floor. Most of all, I miss old-school bike shops where the owner would help you drill your shoes for cleats. It was a time when everyone lifted each other up and the community felt really connected. 

You were diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) a few years ago. How did you navigate that obstacle, and how has it changed your journey in cycling?

After delving into research, I learned that many long-term endurance athletes develop AFib as they age. The heart muscle expands with intense training, and over time, micro-tears can create scar tissue that affects the heart’s electrical system. It was a tough blow and a bitter pill to swallow. I thought, “Am I going to have to ride an e-bike with my friends?”

Since my diagnosis, I have had two heart ablation procedures. Learning about the condition, taking care of myself, and knowing it isn’t a death sentence has been hugely helpful. Sharing my story on the podcast has allowed me to connect with and reassure other athletes who are navigating the same diagnosis and procedures. 

How did you discover Athletic Brewing? 

I honestly think I found Athletic by accident because of my love of food and beer! As an IPA fan, I ordered Run Wild on a whim, tried it, and immediately knew it was a hit.

Athletic is perfect because I can pour a pint that looks and tastes great, with zero trade-offs. I loved the product so much that I joined the ambassador program four or five years ago so I could share it on the podcast and get other people excited. 

What is your absolute favorite Athletic brew?

Run Wild and Free Wave are always my classic year-round favorites that I recommend to everyone. But lately, Ripe Pursuit, the lemon radler, has been the ultimate treat. Sitting down with an ice-old Ripe Pursuit right after mowing the lawn on a hot summer day is as good as it gets.