Ep. 19 — Gabriel Muller AKA Mehmet Şampiyon Bisiklet

In this episode of Fast Forward, I sit down with Gabriel Müller, professional cyclist, app entrepreneur, and the man legally known in Turkey as Mehmet Şampiyon Bisiklet, to talk about what it really looks like to build a life across borders, stay curious, and keep showing up when comfort tries to kill your edge. Gabi is one of my closest friends and someone I've looked up to since my Berlin days. He's currently training in Medellín, Colombia, racing under the Turkish flag, running an app business remotely, and navigating everything from cycling team politics to Armenian citizenship applications. This conversation covers a lot of ground, from the inner workings of low-level professional cycling to the mental traps that come with early success in business. If you're a founder, a creative, or someone trying to figure out how to design a life that actually fits you, this one's for you. 🎙️ We dive into: Why Medellín might be the best city in the world for cyclists and what Colombia's service culture teaches you about quality The real story behind legally changing your name to "Champion Cyclist" in Turkey How cycling team owners pocket sponsor money and what that looks like from the inside Why Gabi sponsors his own teams and the 50/50 gamble that comes with it The Armenia citizenship saga, passing a handwritten alphabet test, getting denied, and the lawyer whispering answers How multiple passports became a survival strategy during COVID What digital nomad life in Bali actually does to people over time The naked tea parties of Berlin and why German culture around nudity is a mindfuck for everyone else How complacency almost destroyed a successful app business during COVID The therapist who pulled him back to reality and why entrepreneurship and mental health go hand in hand Why curiosity is the only thing that keeps you improving, in cycling and in business His five-year vision to own and run a cycling team the right way Gabi brings a perspective you don't hear often, someone who's lived in five countries, competed professionally in a brutal sport, and built a business entirely on his own terms. This is what building a life looks like when you refuse to settle. 🔔 Subscribe for more honest conversations with founders, operators, and creators building what is next 🎤 Hosted by Jeffrey Mailey 📍 Fast Forward Podcast #FastForwardPodcast #ProfessionalCycling #AppEntrepreneur #DigitalNomad #MedellínColombia #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #MentalHealth #CuriosityDriven #BuildYourLife 00:00 Introduction to Gabi and His Journey 00:59 Life and Cycling in Colombia 04:25 The Name Change: Mehmet Champion Bicyclette 07:47 Inside the World of Cycling Teams 09:59 Challenges in Professional Cycling 16:30 Pursuing Citizenship in Armenia 17:14 Navigating Immigration Challenges 19:54 The Allure of Multiple Passports 21:01 Living the Digital Nomad Life in Bali 24:15 Cultural Reflections: Berlin vs. Paris 31:52 Evolving Relationships with Cities 34:49 Looking Ahead: Gabi's Future Aspirations 35:47 The Demands of Competitive Cycling 37:15 The Vision of Team Management 39:30 Understanding the Top Cyclists 43:23 Lessons from Entrepreneurship and Mental Well-Being 52:05 Introduction to the Podcast