How Carina Hamel Is Disrupting Cycling with Heart, Grit, and Stainless Steel
She’s not just rethinking the water bottle—she’s reinventing the ride. 🚴♀️
In this episode of Ride to Success, we sit down with Carina Hamel, elite Nordic skier turned co-founder of Bivo, the stainless steel bottle brand that’s shaking up the cycling world.
👉 Ever wondered why most cyclists still use plastic bottles?
👉 Curious how athletic discipline can translate into startup success?
👉 Want to know how NASA engineers helped build a better bottle?
Then this episode is for you.
🔍 What You’ll Learn:
Why plastic cycling bottles may be doing more harm than good
How Carina’s background in international business shaped Bivo
What it takes to lead a mission-driven brand as a parent and a woman
How Bivo’s design tackles cleanability, taste, and sustainability
Real talk on startup challenges: tariffs, cash flow, and community support
🎙️ Listen to the full episode on all Podcast platforms
📌 Subscribe & follow for more inspiring stories at the intersection of cycling, business, and innovation.
She opens up about:
The mindset shift from athlete to business leader and mom
The overlooked health risks of plastic and the science behind Bivo’s clean design
Working with a former NASA engineer to develop a patented gravity-fed flow system
Her global insights from product development in China and living in Norway
Breaking down cycling’s barriers around gender, elitism, and access
Building a brand rooted in sustainability, fun, and real community
Whether you're a cyclist, startup founder, or someone who values health-conscious design—Carina’s story will inspire you to rethink the way we build, lead, and ride.
Follow Ride to Success for more conversations at the intersection of cycling, innovation, and purpose.