Ben Stein, MS, EP-C — Owner and Endurance Coach. Ben leads MTBCoach with an athlete-first approach grounded in exercise physiology, performance testing, and personal endurance racing experience. He works with athletes to build purposeful training that fits their goals, fitness, schedule, and recovery.
Ben earned his master’s degree in Exercise Science from Boise State University and holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Performance and Sport from Metropolitan State University of Denver. As an ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist, he brings experience in VO2max and lactate testing, coaching, and bike fitting to help athletes understand their training and performance.
Coach Ben — Education, Certifications, and Experience
- Director of Athlete Testing and Performance, Idaho Sports Medicine Institute, Boise, ID
- American College of Sports Medicine Certified Exercise Physiologist (EP-C)
- Licensed USA Cycling Coach – Level 1
- Licensed USA Triathlon Coach – Level 2
- XTERRA Certified Coach
- Bike Instructor Certification Program MTB Skills Instructor – Level 1
- Serotta International Cycling Institute Bike Fitter – Level 2
- Retul Certified Bike Fitter – Advanced
- Training Peaks University Power Certification
Jim discovered cycling in college while training for ski racing and quickly found his true passion on two wheels. A lifelong skier and former PSIA-certified instructor, Jim has been an avid road, mountain, and gravel cyclist ever since.
After racing across Colorado, Virginia, Washington, and Utah, Jim settled in Boise in 2003 and ran several seasons with Lost River Cycling. His professional background in healthcare engagement led him to coaching, where he’s helped athletes of all levels unlock their potential since 2006. Many still call him “Coach Jimmy.”
Jim holds a degree in Psychology, graduate work in Exercise Science from Boise State University, and a USA Cycling Level 2 Coaching License. He’s now teaming up with MTBCoach, LLC, an assistant coach, specializing in road, gravel, and mountain bike training.
Coach Jim — Road, Gravel, and Mountain Bike Coaching
Josh Tostado is a professional mountain bike coach and endurance athlete with more than 20 years of racing experience. Over his career, Josh earned four U.S. National Championships and reached the podium twice at the World Championships, establishing himself as one of the most respected long-distance mountain bikers in the sport.
Josh’s coaching philosophy is built around intentional intensity: athletes should train very hard or fairly easy. He emphasizes the value of true Zone 2 aerobic development while avoiding unproductive “middle-zone” efforts that don’t drive meaningful progress. He also considers strength training a cornerstone of long-term performance, injury prevention, and race durability.
Believing that doing the same thing all the time stalls growth, Josh adapts training plans throughout the year—matching workouts to each athlete’s season, goals, and readiness. His mission is to help riders become stronger, faster, and more resilient through smart, purposeful training.
Coach Josh — Endurance Mountain Bike Coaching