On Episode 98 of The PHYS Podcast, host Tyson Martin sits down with professional mountain bike athlete, photographer, and filmmaker Hailey Elise for a conversation about adventure, creativity, risk, and building a life around the things you love.

Raised in the mountains surrounding Vancouver, British Columbia, Hailey grew up immersed in the outdoors. From an early age, she developed a passion for movement, exploration, and pushing her limits, qualities that would eventually shape both her athletic and creative pursuits.

That path ultimately led her to Whistler, one of the most iconic mountain biking destinations in the world, where riding bikes and telling stories became the foundation of her career.

Today, Hailey occupies a unique space in the world of action sports.

She isn't simply documenting athletes.

She is one.

As both a professional mountain biker and an accomplished visual storyteller, Hailey brings a perspective few photographers possess. She understands the terrain, the speed, the commitment, and the consequences behind the moments she captures because she has experienced them firsthand.

That lived experience gives her work an authenticity that resonates deeply within the mountain biking and outdoor communities.

Her creative accomplishments continue to earn recognition at the highest levels of action sports storytelling. Hailey has competed in prestigious events including Deep Summer, Dirt Diaries, and Red Bull Illume, establishing herself as one of the emerging voices in adventure photography and filmmaking.

In 2025, she reached a major milestone by winning Dirt Diaries, one of mountain biking's most respected storytelling competitions, further cementing her reputation as both an athlete and filmmaker.

But her journey into photography didn't begin on mountain trails.

Before discovering the world of action sports storytelling, Hailey was shooting fashion photography and running a fashion blog while attending university. That experience provided valuable creative foundations, but over time she found herself increasingly drawn toward outdoor environments, authentic experiences, and stories rooted in movement and adventure.

In this conversation, Tyson and Hailey discuss the evolution of her career, the collaborative nature of photography, and why creativity and adventure remain lifelong pursuits.

In This Episode:

• Hailey Elise's journey from fashion photography to action sports storytelling
• Growing up in British Columbia and discovering mountain biking
• Building a career as both a professional athlete and photographer
• Competing in Deep Summer, Dirt Diaries, and Red Bull Illume
• Winning Dirt Diaries 2025 with PayDirt
• How riding bikes influences the way she photographs athletes
• The creative energy of outdoor environments
• Storytelling through photography and film
• The importance of collaboration in creative work
• Why adventure and creativity have no age limit

Hailey's work reminds us that the strongest stories often come from lived experience.

When photographers understand their subjects not only through observation but through participation, a deeper level of storytelling becomes possible.

Her photographs and films capture more than action.

They capture feeling.

Commitment.

Community.

And the shared pursuit of something bigger than ourselves.

This conversation is an inspiring exploration of mountain biking, outdoor culture, photography, filmmaking, and the mindset required to keep pushing both creative and athletic boundaries.

Whether you're a photographer, cyclist, filmmaker, athlete, outdoor enthusiast, or someone searching for a more adventurous approach to life, this episode offers valuable insight into building a career fueled by curiosity, passion, and purpose.

Because the best stories are often found just beyond the edge of your comfort zone.

Follow Hailey Elise
Instagram: @haileyelisee
Website: www.haileyelise.ca

Featured Recognition

• Dirt Diaries Winner (2025)
• Deep Summer Competitor
• Red Bull Illume Competitor

Featured Film

• PayDirt (2025 Dirt Diaries Winner)