Louie Vito is a badass snowboarder. He’s an Olympian, a US Grand Prix Champion, a Dew Tour Champion, an X Games medalist, and he comes from a 300 vertical foot hill in Ohio. He also seems to know everyone form celebrities to pro athletes, he’s competed in Dancing With The Stars, he’s been in a Hollywood blockbuster movie and he’s pretty humble about it all. On the podcast, we talk being Italian, his crazy work ethic, this influence of his dad, and so much more. Chris Beresford asks the Inappropriate Questions.
Louie Vito Show Notes:
3:30: Competing for Italy, painful citizenship process, speaking the language, and his Olympic history
22:00: Stanley: Get 30% off site wide with the code drinkfast
Peter Glenn Ski and Sports: Over 60 years of getting you out there
10 Barrel Brewery: Buy their beers, they support action sports more than anyone
24:15: Italian roots, his dad, inspirational quotes, and being competitive
38:00: Team sports and snowboarding
42:00: Rollerblade: Ski season may be over but that feeling lasts all year with inline skating
Elan Skis: Over 75 years of innovation that makes you better
44:00: Ohio sports and has he met Lebron, Midwest snowboarding, Woodward Gymnastics, Space Camp, and once in a lifetime experience
64:00: Monster v Red Bull, Windell’s, Tim Windell, Steven Fox, Jeremy Jones, JP Walker,
7 7:00: Inappropriate Questions with Chris Beresford
Gabe Schroder is the most passionate behind-the-scenes player I know in snow business. While he’s always been a talented marketer, he’s really made his money over the years through building relationships and spreading his stoke for the love of skiing to the masses. Between his jobs with Powder Magazine, Smith Optics, and Dakine, Gabe has made a career out of working with the best athletes in the world, but more importantly, chasing Powder with them.
Gabe Schroder Show Notes:
3:30: Super G, first performance, riding on the ski train at 6, and going to Vail in HS
12:00: Whitman College, living in Vail, people he met in town, and the US Extreme’s in 99
21:00: Stanley: Get 30% off site wide with the code drinkfast
Peter Glenn Ski and Sports: Over 60 years of getting you out there
10 Barrel Brewery: Buy their beers; they support action sports more than anyone
23:00: Winning a Powder Mag essay contest, unpaid internship, and the Powder to the People RV Tour
31:00: Native American dream stuff, Rossignol, Smith, and the athlete program
39:00: Rollerblade: Ski season may be over, but that feeling lasts all year with inline skating
Elan Skis: Over 75 years of innovation that makes you better
41:00: Inundated with emails, signing athletes, POV pioneer, and Smith is moving
50:00: Losing athletes, managing dog shows, back to the shop floor, and Dakine
57:00: Inappropriate Questions with Cody Townsend, Zach Crist, and Mike Powell
Mark Fankhauser has been a creative force in snow for over 20 years. “Fank” grew up worshipping Glen Plake, Scot Schmidt, and Mike Hattrup before he found the opportunity that came with snowboarding. From there, Fank chased Peter Line down the mountains of the PNW before landing his gig at Ride Snowboards while still in college. Eventually, Fank created and led the in-house design agency at K2 Sports; he spent time inside the walls of DOE, Mystery Made, and REI. These days Fank is a part-owner and head of design over at J Skis, and his story is a fun business episode.
Mark Fankhauser Show Notes:
3:30: Embarrassing story, growing up in Woodinville, getting into skiing, and the ski bus
9:00: Falling in love with surf culture, inline skating, ski culture, being a super grom, and skiing with a mohawk
14:00: Rave life, the Seattle music scene, seeing snowboarding, the opportunity it created, seeing Peter Line, and Art
21:00: Stanley: Get 30% off site wide with the code drinkfast
Peter Glenn Ski and Sports: Over 60 years of getting you out there
10 Barrel Brewery: Buy their beers; they support action sports more than anyone
23:00: Picking a college, Styk speaks to your class, getting hired to do freelance for Ride, seeing his product in the field, and getting a job offer while he’s still in school
30:00: What it was like at Ride when he first got there, the cool factor of Ride, the K2 acquisition, ad how did the Ride folks take it
40:00: Rollerblade: Ski season may be over, but that feeling lasts all year with inline skating
Elan Skis: Over 75 years of innovation that makes you better
42:00: Reinventing the snowboard ad, F the Ferry, going to Department of Energy, getting recruited back to K2, and differentiating brands
58:00: Planet Earth, J Skis, Mystery Made, REI, and back to J Skis
69:00: Inappropriate Questions with Mike Styskal
Wendy Fisher is known as one of the pioneering women in the big mountains, and she changed the game, but that’s only part of her story. In part 2 with Wendy, we talk about leaving the race world, depression, eating disorders, extreme contests, filming with MSP, and much more. It’s an open and honest chat with a legend. Murray Wais asks the Inappropriate Questions
Wendy Fisher Part 2 Show Notes:
3:30: Not caring about college racing, quitting with a letter/fax machine and ghosting, going on her quitting skiing road trip, and her eating disorder
16:00: Putting on 20 pounds of muscle, collapsing, when help doesn’t help, how long does this last,
22:00: Stanley: Get 30% off sitewide with the code drinkfast
Peter Glenn Ski and Sports: Over 60 years of getting you out there
10 Barrel Brewery: Buy their beers; they support action sports more than anyone
24:00: The Performers, taking Reichhelm up on her offer in Crested Butte, the US Extreme Comp, and skiing where the guys are skiing
33:00: Wining at Squaw, Kirkwood, going to Vegas for SIA, World Championships in Alaska, and partying
41:00: Rollerblade: Ski season may be over, but that feeling lasts all year with inline skating
Elan Skis: Over 75 years of innovation that makes you better
42:30: Sponsors and money, Chamonix with MSP, helicopter crash South America, was there ever burnout, and fear
66:00: Women in the movies, calling it as a pro skier, depression, and being a mom
74:00: Inappropriate Questions with Murray Wais
Wendy Fisher changed the game as one of the pioneering women in the big mountains, but that’s only part of her story. In part 1 with Wendy, we talk about growing up in Tahoe, losing her brother young, racing with McConkey, going to Burke Mountain Academy, making the US Ski Team at 15, and the problems with the US Ski Team, mental health and more. It’s an open and honest chat with a legend. Lhotse Hawk asks the Inappropriate Questions.
Wendy Fisher Show Notes:
3:30: Dean Cummings, action sports interventions, weekend warriors, and then moving to Tahoe when she was young
10:00: Having a weekend dad because of his commute, fires, hanging with her brothers’ ski race team, losing her brother skiing at a young age, and thinking a lot about death
21:30: Stanley: Get 30% off sitewide with the code drinkfast
Peter Glenn Ski and Sports: Over 60 years of getting you out there
10 Barrel Brewery: Buy their beers; they support action sports more than anyone
23:30: Not as competitive as you would think that one time she had more confidence than ever at the start of an event, other skiers that she grew up with, and McConkey stories
33:00: Winning every race one season, work ethic, training with the Sacramento Kings, Burke Mountain Academy doesn’t think she can make it, and moving away from home young
42:00: Rollerblade: Ski season may be over, but that feeling lasts all year with inline skating
Elan Skis: Over 75 years of innovation that makes you better
42:30: How did she do with the structure of boarding school, making the US Ski Team, making money in ski racing, finding her confidence, being a head case, and making the Olympic Team
56:00: The strange dynamic of the US Ski Team, what sucks about it, Olympic crash, crappy A team coaching, what does the end of the US Ski Team look like
67:00: Inappropriate Questions with Lhotse Hawk
Marko Shapiro is one of the most legendary action sports photographers of our time. Marko was the captain of Team Clambin, and for 50 years, Marko has called Verbier home and has shot all of the ski legends there. On the podcast, we talk about how he created a timeless style of photography through skiing powder and reading light, shooting with Dick Barrymore, Wayne Wong, Glen Plake, Scot Schmidt, John Faulkner, Ace Kvale, and more. It’s a true history lesson with a guy who really owns his nickname “Grumpy”
Marko Shapiro Show Notes:
3:30: The story behind the most iconic shot, the world he lives in, growing up in Canada, and his first camera
10:00: Getting into skiing, what does he do after school, going to Verbier, learning the art of photography, and deciding to stay in Verbier
20:00: Stanley: Get 30% off sitewide with the code drinkfast
Peter Glenn Ski and Sports: Over 60 years of getting you out there
10 Barrel Brewery: Buy their beers; they support action sports more than anyone
22:00: Hot Doggers, Dick Barrymore, Stanley Larsen, and Marko getting his intro to K2 with Assignment K2
33:00: Selling images, crashing while shooting, his skill level, Ace Kvale moves to town and the screamer
40:00: Rollerblade: Ski season may be over, but that feeling lasts all year with inline skating
Elan Skis: Over 75 years of innovation that makes you better
41:30: The trouble with hooking up with models, his work ethic and being a stickler, and the craziest story ever told on the podcast
46:00: Quitting all his side jobs and focusing on being a pro photographer, Hattrup, Plake and Schmidt
54:00: Slide show parties, money, sharing the wealth, what he thinks of print these days, and having no filter
72:00: Inappropriate Questions with Stanley Larsen
Jeremy Nobis is a living legend cwho describes his life and times on skis as often misunderstood. But I believe there is no misunderstanding; Jeremy was a race prodigy, making the US Ski Team at 16 and racing on the World Cup until he was 26 years old. Then, Jeremy transitioned to the big mountains, and singlehandedly changed the way people ski them. In part 2 with Nobis, we talk about Alaska, TGR, Tordrillo Mountain Lodge, DUIs, etc. Kristen Ulmer asks the Inappropriate Questions.
Jeremy Nobis Show Notes Part 2:
3:30: Back to the ski shop, Dynastar, giving skiing another shot, and extreme contests
13:00: First time in AK, changing the game with his Pyramid line, and what is the crew’s reaction
20:00: Stanley: Get 30% off sitewide with the code drinkfast
Peter Glenn Ski and Sports: Over 60 years of getting you out there
10 Barrel Brewery: Buy their beers; they support action sports more than anyone
22:45: The turn heard around the world, who he likes traveling with (Micah Black), and the après lifestyle and movie tours
28:00: X-Games, sponsors, money, and Pro Models
39:30: Rollerblade: Ski season may be over, but that feeling lasts all year with inline skating
Elan Skis: Over 75 years of innovation that makes you better
41:00: Finding Tordrillo Mountain Lodge, The Crack, and his gnarliest line
48:00: First DUI, 3rd DUI, what do sponsors say, losing Billy Poole and others, and his 4th DUI
69:00: Inappropriate Questions with Kristen Ulmer
Jeremy Nobis is a living legend who describes his life and times on skis as often misunderstood. But I believe there is no misunderstanding; Jeremy was a race prodigy, making the US Ski Team at 16 and racing in the World Cup until he was 26 years old. Then, Jeremy transitioned to the big mountains, and singlehandedly changed the way people ski them. In part 1 with Nobis, we discuss coming up in Park City with a chip in his shoulder, ski racing, the US Ski Team, the Olympics, injury, and more. Jeremy speaks his mind without a filter, and you don’t want to miss this podcast
Jeremy Nobis Show Notes:
3:30: Alter boy in Wisconsin, his family, Park City, being competitive, and fighting
10:00: Sibling rivalry, racing gets serious, is he cocky, winning JR Worlds, and school in Park City and GMVS
21:30: Stanley: Get 30% off sitewide with the code drinkfast
Peter Glenn Ski and Sports: Over 60 years of getting you out there
10 Barrel Brewery: Buy their beers; they support action sports more than anyone
24:00: Rahlves, what he got out of GMVS, East Coast Skiing, chemicals in snow, and where does he rank among the racers at GMVS
30:00: Making the US Team as a high school junior, hazing, racer management, being an American in Europe, and what drove him in the race world
40:30: Rollerblade: Ski season may be over but that feeling lasts all year with inline skating
Elan Skis: Over 75 years of innovation that makes you better
42:00: Accomplishing goals young, missing the 92 Olympics, never being the same mentally, injuries, training with Tomba, and athletes who know how to win
47:00: In it to win it, all things around the 1994 Olympics, and trying to monetize his career and privatize his training
55:00: The 1994 Team, not hanging out with them off the hill, the highlight of the games, why he quit ski racing, and racers who cheat
64:00: Inappropriate Questions with Daron Rahlves
Trent Bush was born into a family of technical outerwear designers at a time when snowboarding didn’t exist. Trent grew up learning how to build outerwear and skateboarding. He was a grom before groms existed, and when Wave Rave opened its doors in Boulder, Trent hung out there daily until they hired him and his brother. From there, they grew with the sport of snowboarding, eventually creating the iconic Twist and Analog brands and running design for brands like Burton, Mountain Hardware, Fenix, Fjallraven, Saga, Black Diamond, and more. It’s a fun walk through snowboard history with an outerwear visionary
Trent Bush Show Notes:
3:30: The Boulder skate scene, early snow skating, growing up into outerwear, and skiing
10:00: Skate culture, seeing snowboarding for the first time, the product, and Wave Rave
21:30: Stanley: Get 30% off sitewide with the code drinkfast
Peter Glenn Ski and Sports: Over 60 years of getting you out there
10 Barrel Brewery: Buy their beers; they support action sports more than anyone
24:00: The Wave Rave legacy, riding with legends, and 87 World’s and skate influence
34:00: Building a brand when he was really young, SIA, the rise of Twist
41:00: Rollerblade: Ski season may be over, but that feeling lasts all year with inline skating
Elan Skis: Over 75 years of innovation that makes you better
42:30: Early influencer marketing, being 2nd to Burton, and being the youngest member ever elected to the SIA board of directors.
54:00: Wanting to build product in The North Face Factories, but doing in LA, the rockstar life on the strip, his investors pulling out overnight and losing it all
61:00: Burton, Analog, other projects, and Artillect,
71:00: Inappropriate Questions
Marco de Santi has the most interesting journey of any athlete I’ve had on the podcast. Born in a less than desirable situation in Sao Paolo, Brazil, Marco did what every kid does; he played soccer until he found skateparks. Marco quit team sports and headed to the USA at age 15, with literally nothing, to make his pro skating dream happen. While Marco eventually became a world Champion, inline was dropped by X-Games, and the organizing body of his sport didn’t include Marco in future events. So the first skater to land a triple was forced out of competition and into a life of LOVE, which he performs in every night with the Cirque de Soleil. It doesn’t get more rags to riches than this one.
Marco de Santi Show Notes:
3:30: Issues around his backyard vert ramp, growing up in Sao Paolo, and family life
10:00: Soccer, finding skating, stereotypes, roller rink skateparks, how does he pay to get to the US, and how does he stay
18:30: Stanley: Get 30% off site wide with the code drinkfast
Peter Glenn Ski and Sports: Over 60 years of getting you out there
10 Barrel Brewery: Buy their beers; they support action sports more than anyone
21:00: Not speaking English, meeting me, seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, and problems with judging
32:00: Mountain Dew, other sponsors, never wearing pads, and spending time at Woodward
34:00: The Yasutoko Brothers, the triple, and what’s cool about X Games
39:30: Rollerblade: Ski season may be over, but that feeling lasts all year with inline skating
Elan Skis: Over 75 years of innovation that makes you better
41:30: Nerves, Silver at X Games, losing X Games, and then getting screwed by the ASA
47:00: Winning World Championships, all things Cirque de Soleil’s LOVE (skating, money, injury, perks), building his Vegas empire, and day trading
54:00: Inappropriate Questions with Hardcore Brazil,Carlos Pianowski
Paddy Graham wasn’t supposed to be a pro skier wearing a Red Bull helmet. He’s from Sheffield, and everyone knows Brits for their football, not their talent in the mountains. But Paddy changed that school of thought, and it all started on a dry slope. Yep, before Paddy was filming powder segments, he learned how to ski on carpet. And that magic carpet had taken Paddy all over the world in pursuit of deep snow and the biggest jumps ever built. We talk about his interesting journey, the Legs of Steel crew, getting the most airtime ever, and so much more on the podcast. It’s a different road map than most take to becoming a pro skier. Ahmet Dadali asks the Inappropriate Questions.
Paddy Graham Show Notes:
3:30: Riding his bike, injury, and growing up in Sheffield
12:00: Wanting to go on the school ski trip, skiing the dry slope, and Richard Taylor
21:45: Stanley: Get 30% off sitewide with the code drinkfast
Peter Glenn Ski and Sports: Over 60 years of getting you out there
10 Barrel Brewery: Buy their beers; they support action sports more than anyone
24:45: Other sports, ski media, Line Skis, moving to France at 16 to film for Discovery Channel, and other video work
32:00: Meeting Tanner at 16, learning about the mountains, making ends meet, his first Colorado trip
42:30: http://www.rollerblade.com: Ski season may be over, but that feeling lasts all year with inline skating
Elan Skis: Over 75 years of innovation that makes you better
44:30: Contests, Volkl, Red Bull, The Olympics, Legs of Steel, and the 4-second air
78:30: Inappropriate Questions with Ahmet Dadali
While Tyler Turner has lived a life of adventure, he almost had it all taken away from him a few years ago when a skydiving accident destroyed his lower limbs. Between amputations, addiction and depression, it would have been easy for Tyler to throw in the towel and feel sorry for himself. And while there may have been a little of that in the beginning, Tyler quickly realized that he wanted to live again….and living is what he’s doing these days. On the podcast, we take you through his life before and after his life-altering injury. Complete with Paralympic medals and wingsuit jumps. It’s an incredible story. Legend Mark Fawcett asks the Inappropriate Questions
Tyler Turner Show Notes:
3:30: Living on a boat, growing up in Calgary, hockey, surfing, and the mountains
9:00: Photography, Australia trip, skydiving, getting jobs operating heavy machinery, making ends meet, getting his permit to solo skydive, the other Tyler Turner skydiving accident, and Tyler’s accident
22:45: Stanley: Get 30% off sitewide with the code drinkfast
Peter Glenn Ski and Sports: Over 60 years of getting you out there
10 Barrel Brewery: Buy their beers; they support action sports more than anyone
25:45: The accident, blacking out for 60 seconds, how close was he to dying, understanding his situation, and depression
31:00: Dating in the hospital, his injury breakdown, the first amputation, phantom pain, and drugs
45:00: http://www.rollerblade.com: Ski season may be over, but that feeling lasts all year with inline skating
Elan Skis: Over 75 years of innovation that makes you better
47:00: The second amputation, the Adaptive Training Foundation, The High Fives Foundation, wheelchair versus walking, and prosthetics in public
60:00: Surfing, skiing, snowboarding, the pain of snowboarding, and his Olympic run
72:00: Inappropriate Questions with Mark Fawcett
Part 2 of Jimbo Morgan’s life and times start with a trip to the Albertville Olympics in 1992. While this should have been the best day of Jimbo’s life, we talk about the good friend that died in his arms that day and how it impacted him. We then talk about the end of filming speed skiing with Plake and Stump, pioneering bungee jumping, inventing skiercross, and getting sponsored as a skier, telemark skier, and snowboarder. We also cover founding the Factory Team and how Powder Magazine set the sport of skiing back a decade by being close-minded. Brad Holmes asks the Inappropriate Questions
Jimbo Morgan - Part 2 Show Notes:
3:30: US Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame, sticking out in France, and sponsors
15:00: The burnt French flag story, making the US Team,
20:00: Stanley: Get 30% off sitewide with the code drinkfast
Peter Glenn Ski and Sports: Over 60 years of getting you out there
10 Barrel Brewery: Buy their beers; they support action sports more than anyone
23:00: Excitement around speed skiing, having a friend die in his arms hours before the Olympic Final and his Olympic tattoo
34:00: His Olympic experience, breaking glasses, filming for Greg Stump’s Groove Requiem, and the end of speed skiing
40:00: Alpine Vans: Upgrade your adventure, Upgrade your life
Elan Skis: Over 75 years of innovation that makes you better
45:00: Managing Fungus, knowing musicians through Joel from Sessions, and bungee jumping
48:00: Testing snowboards with K2, getting sponsored for three sports by K2 while drunk at a trade show, stealing the concept of boardercross for skiers, and creating Lord of the Boards
54:00: Why is Jimbo known as X in EXP Productions, the players of Lord of the Boards, launching the Poacher with Holmes, Kreitler, and Terje in Japan, and fire extinguishers in Japan
60:00: The creation of the K2 Factory Team, did Seth shop at Hot Topic, new sponsors, who was the first person to grab their skis, and how did Powder Magazine set skiing back seven years
86:00: Inappropriate Questions with Brad Holmes
Jimbo Morgan is arguably one of the most talented athletes to come out of the snow space; he’s also a total badass. From being an Olympian to pioneering bungee jumping to being a sponsored skier, telemark skier, and snowboarder, Jimbo has always been at the top of his game. He does things his way, always telling it like is...whether you like it or not. This is a do not miss podcast with a living legend
Jimbo Morgan Show Notes:
3:30: Cancer and nerve issues, XC Skiing, and Tomahawk
14:00: Growing up in Sacramento and Loomis, skiing, skateboarding, Tennis and Golf, and divorce
21:30: Stanley: Get 30% off sitewide with the code drinkfast
Peter Glenn Ski and Sports: Over 60 years of getting you out there
10 Barrel Brewery: Buy their beers; they support action sports more than anyone
24:00: Rebelling, Skateboarding, Dazed and Confused, and Dyslexia/Agoraphobic,
32:00: Skiing with badasses, snowboarding, Mike Chantry’s ramp, and Farmer and Hetzel stories
43:00: Alpine Vans: Upgrade your adventure, Upgrade your life
Elan Skis: Over 75 years of innovation that makes you better
45:00: Palmer, what did skiing look like culturally, finding speed skiing, and localism
52:00: Wanting to go fast, Steve McKinney taking him under his wing, and Steve changing the direction of Jimbo’s life
61:00: Hopeful for an Olympic opportunity, training with Steve for the Olympics at Slide Mountain, unique things about speed skiing and Michael Skakel
75:00: Inappropriate Questions with Dale Womack
Jenny Taylor has done everything in the ski industry. She started at the bottom in customer service and worked her way to her current role of VP of Marketing for Salomon. On the podcast, we talk about breaking the glass ceiling, managing some of the best athletes in the world, letting them go, and much more. It’s another incredible business episode.
Jenny Taylor Show Notes:
3:30: Managing athletes, earning respect, being a woman in the old boys club, women’s product, and being the “Salo-Mom.”
10:00: Growing up in PA, Summer Camp, sports, not liking HS, snowboarding, and working for Inca Snowboards
15:00: UVM, NZ, CS at Dakine, events, and Cliff Bar
20:00: Stanley: Get 30% off sitewide with the code drinkfast
Peter Glenn Ski and Sports: Over 60 years of getting you out there
10 Barrel Brewery: Buy their beers; they support action sports more than anyone
24:00: Managing people, Salomon, her teams, Jib Academy, and parents,
31:00: Losing athletes, dropping them and having a job that is and having a job that is your hobby
39:00: Alpine Vans: Upgrade your adventure, Upgrade your life
Elan Skis: Over 75 years of innovation that makes you better
41:00: The BBR, product, the French, the Chinese, and speaking everyone’s language
49:00: Marketing Manager, Trade Marketing, Brand Manager, Brand Director, and VP of Marketing
56:30: Inappropriate Questions with Mike Rogge
Bill Marolt is not only a ski visionary, but he’s also a living legend known for his Olympic-level ski career, NCAA Championships, and US Ski and Snowboard Teams. When Bill proclaimed that the USA would be the best ski team in the world, the world thought he was crazy, but Bill achieved that goal and many more throughout his career. On the podcast, we talk about the 2022 Olympics, the other games he was a part of and an athlete, coach, and CEO, his NCAA Football Title at the University of Colorado, and much more. It’s an hour with a Hall of Fame member who has had a huge impact on the sports we love
Bill Marolt Show Notes:
3:30: The 2022 Olympics, the IOC, FIS, China and Russia, the Mikaela story, and the lack of focus on Park and Pipe
15:30: Aspen in the ’40s and ‘50’s, skiing, HS racing on the national level, and was there sponsorship back then
21:30: Stanley: Get 30% off sitewide with the code drinkfast
Peter Glenn Ski and Sports: Over 60 years of getting you out there
10 Barrel Brewery: Buy their beers; they support action sports more than anyone
24:00: Billy Kid, Jimmie Heuga, and more, College racing at Colorado “The American Way,” and the legendary US Team he was part of and who was the most famous
30:00: His Olympic experience, maintaining amateur status, and getting a job at the University of Colorado coaching the ski team at a young age
36:00: Winning eight consecutive NCAA Championships, what defines his leadership style, his 10-year philosophy, leaving Colorado to coach the US Ski Team, and Bill Johnson wins the Downhill
42:00: Alpine Vans: Upgrade your adventure, Upgrade your life
Elan Skis: Over 75 years of innovation that makes you better
44:30: The politics of the team and how it impacts athletes, leaving the US Ski team for the Athletic Director job at the University of Colorado, and learning the business of sports
51:30: His famous contract extension for his losing football coach, the risk pays off with a national championship, and more on leadership
59:00: Leaving Colorado for the US Ski Team and its CEO position, having athletes like Daron Rahlves, Lindsey Vonn, Julia Mancuso
64:00: Inappropriate Questions with Luke Bodensteiner
Michael Spencer is a powerhouse of an agent who represents some of the top athletes in ski and snowboard. I’m talking about Shaun White, Gus Kenworthy, Simon Dumont, Torin Yater-Wallace and more. On the podcast, we talk about deep connections to his athletes, starting brands with them, all things agent and of course, Michael’s backstory. It’s a peek into the life and times of a super-agent. Jossi Wells asks the inappropriate Questions.
Michael Spencer Show Notes:
3:30: Shaun White, his new brands, his image in the world of snowboarding and beyond
14:30: Mormon, his brother coming out, and coming up in the freestyle world
20:30: Stanley: Get 30% off site wide with the code drinkfast
Peter Glenn Ski and Sports: Over 60 years of getting you out there
10 Barrel Brewery: Buy their beers, they support action sports more than anyone
23:30: Competition, college, quitting competition, Law School in California, his girlfriend’s gold and the injury that made his career
35:00: Grasping for anything, Nike pro models, medals stolen, money, and personal expense
28:00: Working for the Salt Lake Olympic Committee, starting his agency, the first Olympics, and cutting his teeth early on
32:00: Depression, overdose, getting help, another intense bout with depression, another overdose, and time in the psych ward, getting out and figuring out how to manage her depression
41:00: Alpine Vans: Upgrade your adventure, Upgrade your life
Elan Skis: Over 75 years of innovation that makes you better
43:00: The courtship of Simon Dumont, the progression of athletes, Sarah Burke, and creating the AFP
51:30: FIS doesn’t get it, babysitting, explaining things to sponsors, and dealing with athletes when they don’t want to show up at sponsor related contracted events
60:00: Contract negotiations, creating brands with athletes, and all things Gus Kenworthy
77:00: Inappropriate Questions with Jossi Wells
Jackie Paaso has lived a life full of ups and downs. This once-promising mogul skier turned free ride athlete has battled with her mental health throughout her life as an elite athlete. We talk about depression, suicide, getting help, and death on the podcast. But don’t worry, it’s not all bad. We also talk about her incredible career, her new movie Artic 12 and having a baby any day now. Mike Wilson asks Inappropriate Questions.
Jackie Paaso Show Notes:
3:30: About to have a baby, what that means to her skiing, her movie “Artic 12” and the drama around it
20:00: Stanley: Get 30% off sitewide with the code drinkfast
Peter Glenn Ski and Sports: Over 60 years of getting you out there
10 Barrel Brewery: Buy their beers; they support action sports more than anyone
23:00: Making the movie successful numbers-wise, having an NFL dad, skiing as a family, Bethel, Maine, and mogul skiing
28:00: The cost of skiing, the end of moguls and college, and going to India for a NOLS course
32:00: Depression, overdose, getting help, another intense bout with depression, another overdose, and time in the psych ward, getting out and figuring out how to manage her depression
40:00: Alpine Vans: Upgrade your adventure, Upgrade your life
Elan Skis: Over 75 years of innovation that makes you better
42:00: Where is her mental health today, Timy Dutton and death
48:00: Moving to Tahoe, finding a path to big mountain skiing, Big Mountain comps, and winning at Snowbird and the Sickbird Award
52:00: Mentality behind her skiing, her impressive ski resume, finding joy in her skiing, and being a super competitive person
58:00: Inappropriate Questions with Mike Wilson
While Pat Milbery isn’t a household name, if you’ve been to Denver, you’ve seen his work. Pat is one of the more accomplished artists in the country, but his story is so much more than just art. Growing up in Minnesota, Pat was a team sports guy until politics rubbed him the wrong way…and while his path took him skateboarding and inline skating, his passion was always snowboarding. We talk about the tragedy of his childhood, music, snowboarding, Think Thank, art, and so much more on the podcast. Living legend Jesse Burtner asks Inappropriate Questions.
Pat Milbery Show Notes:
3:30: Talking to kids, growing up in Minnesota, and team sports
9:00: Sports politics, skateboarding, snowboarding, and the universe aligns for rollerblading
15:00: Murder in the family, his creative outlets, being a sponsored skater, music culture, and being an outcast
21:30: Stanley: Get 30% off site-wide with the code drinkfast
Peter Glenn Ski and Sports: Over 60 years of getting you out there
10 Barrel Brewery: Buy their beers; they support action sports more than anyone
23:30: Friends that became famous musicians, bouncing back from death, and college
34:00: Visiting Colorado, graffiti, backyard snowboard parks, and art
40:30: Alpine Vans: Upgrade your adventure, Upgrade your life
Elan Skis: Over 75 years of innovation that makes you better
41:30: Mt Hood, So Gnar camps, Skullcandy, and Think Thank,
49:30: Scott Stevens, Snowboard on the Rocks, and more Think Thank
56:00: Sharing a podium with Shaun White and Travis Rice, creating with brands, and Ingemar Backman
61:00: How does snowboarding end, focusing on murals, how much do they cost, his style, and working with Jimbo Phillips and Jamie Lynn
70:00: Inappropriate Questions with Jesse Burtner
Benjamin Alexander has only spent four months of his life on Jamaican soil, and yet he’s now representing his father’s birthplace in this week’s Winter Olympic Games. Yes, a Jamaican skier, it’s like “Cool Runnings” on snow, and Benji’s story is an amazing one. While he was a troublemaker of a working-class kid, Benji was smart and always had huge goals: finish university, move to Asia, become a DJ that traveled the world, and eventually, go to the Olympics. It’s a wild story that takes Benji from England to Hong Kong to DJing sex parties, and the happy ending will be found this week during the Beijing Olympics.
Benjamin Alexander Show Notes:
3:30: Prepping for the Olympics, sponsors, the coverage he is getting, and racism in England
9:00: Growing up in England, being a troublemaker, and earning a scholarship to private school
13:00: Becoming a DJ, focusing on university, moving to Asia, modeling, and becoming a DJ again
20:00: Stanley: Get 30% off sitewide with the code drinkfast
Peter Glenn Ski and Sports: Over 60 years of getting you out there
10 Barrel Brewery: Buy their beers; they support action sports more than anyone
23:00: Do people think his risks are crazy, The Art of War, big DJ events, and going to Mica Creek
28:00: Traveling with high rollers, not being into materialistic things, drugs, and dj’ing sex parties
32:00: Learning how to ski six years ago, the Send It event, and retiring from DJing,
36:00: Getting the idea for the Olympics in 2018, Cool Runnings inspiration, and time in Revelstoke
39:30: Alpine Vans: Upgrade your adventure, Upgrade your life
Elan Skis: Over 75 years of innovation that makes you better
41:30: Skiing 1.7 vertical feet in 37 days, is he still a kook when he does that, and moving to Jackson Hole
44:00: Race training, mentors/coaches, time in Jamaica, and making friends Dudley Stokes (The real Cool Runnings Pilot)
51:00: New FIS rules, Elizabeth Swanney and Steve Nyman
62:00: Inappropriate Questions with Matt Masson
Dave Amirault, aka “Digi Dave” was a visionary in the ski industry at a time the industry really needed it. Dave got into skiing around the time that websites had digital counters on them and by merging his affinity for tech and sliding on snow, Dave created a snow focused career that took him from Sunday River to Freeskier Magazine, to Aspen, to Sierra, and finally, to Snowbird. On the podcast, we stay away from a lot of the nerd stuff Dave is known for and ask the question, did “coming out” force him out of his most successful position in skiing?
Dave Amirault Show Notes:
3:30: Screwing me over, growing up in Rhode Island, and skiing
9:00: Taking apart the computer, the AOL days, HS life, and getting a gig at Sunday River and Wachusett
14:00: College social life, traveling for skiing and meeting his heroes
16:00: Contributing, digital innovators in skiing, getting a job at Freeskier, and the burnout level at a job like that
23:00: Stanley: Get 30% off site wide with the code drinkfast
Peter Glenn Ski and Sports: Over 60 years of getting you out there
10 Barrel Brewery: Buy their beers, they support action sports more than anyone
26:00: Building out micro sites for brand promotions, how he gets to Aspen, the Aspen life, and going to Sierra at Tahoe.
43:00: Alpine Vans: Upgrade your adventure, Upgrade your life
Elan Skis: Over 75 years of innovation that makes you better
45:00: Laying people off, getting laid off, what he learned at Sierra, and taking a dream job at Snowbird
50:00: His Rideshare app and his award-winning 1-Star marketing campaign,
58:00: Coming out on the internet, what happens after he hits send, the internet assholes are out for them, ultimately, losing his job for no reason, and his advice for others in the closet in the industry
75:00: Inappropriate Questions with Taylor Pratt, Mike Rogge, and his siblings
Josh Dueck is an inspiration. A working-class kid from Kimberley, BC, Josh took skiing as far as he could afford to before becoming a coach. His coaching career was cut short due to a life-altering injury that put him in a wheelchair and eventually on Paralympic Podiums. It’s a heavy story, and I ask all the questions that people want the answers to, but were afraid to ask.
Josh Dueck Show Notes:
3:30: Chef De Mission, Kimberley, BC, and getting into skiing on his own via a paper airplane contest
11:00: His crew on the freestyle team, his face piercings and look, partying, and the BC Team
14:00: The end of moguls, coaching, working with the future of skiing, and making them better
21:00: Stanley: Get 30% off site wide with the code drinkfast
Peter Glenn Ski and Sports: Over 60 years of getting you out there
10 Barrel Brewery: Buy their beers, they support action sports more than anyone
23:30: Jumps, and how he injured himself, how it impacted Woody, and the immediate aftermath
29:00: Finding out he will never walk again, the pain, the support of his parents and Lacy, other people’s reactions to the injury, and going to the BC Championships 3 weeks after surgery
39:30: Alpine Vans: Upgrade your adventure, Upgrade your life
Elan Skis: Over 75 years of innovation that makes you better
41:00: Everything you were afraid to ask about paralysis, his arms are his legs, retrofitting or not, and the expense of it all
50:00: Getting back into the mountains, getting into racing, crashing, and being humbled on the World Cup circuit
57:00: Paralympics in Whistler, the Paralympic hangover, X-Games and Tom Morello
67:00: The Freedom Chair movie, the backflip, going on Ellen and airing over Abma
72:00: Sochi infrastructure, winning the gold and partying with the Austrians
75:00: Inappropriate Questions with Roy Tuscany
Birk Irving got his first ski sponsorship at 7 years old and has never looked back. While he was the small kid throwing 540’s at 7, he’s matured and grown into one of the best halfpipe skiers in the world. On the podcast, we talk about his Academy Award winning grandfather, his upbringing in Winter Park, getting signed really young, making the US Team, the X-Games, Olympics and so much more. Torin Yater-Wallace asks the Inappropriate Questions.
Birk Irving Show Notes:
3:30: The last Olympic qualifier, Covid, and 2021 X-Games
11:00: John Irving, his parents, growing up at Winter Park, and 360’s and 540’s at 5 years old
20:3 0: Stanley: Get 30% off site wide with the code drinkfast
Peter Glenn Ski and Sports: Over 60 years of getting you out there
10 Barrel Brewery: Buy their beers, they support action sports more than anyone
22:30: Getting on K2 at 7, no pressure from anyone, and being the little guy
37:30: Smith, Red Bull, broken leg in 2013, focusing on becoming a pro skier over anything, winning the Junior Olympics on a broken leg, and making the US Team
40:00: Alpine Vans: Upgrade your adventure, Upgrade your life
Elan Skis: Over 75 years of innovation that makes you better
42:00: Perks of the US Team, getting invited to his first X-Games, and being the annoying grom
48:00: Making the US Team is the hardest part, the Deviate crew and filming
54:00: Inappropriate Questions with Torin Yater-Wallace
Mark Abma isn’t your typical pro skier. If you break him down, he’s part elite athlete, part farm boy, part hippy, part businessman and part dreamer with a work ethic that puts most people to shame. On part 2 of his podcast, we talk about all his different parts, money, sponsors, adrenal fatigue, video parts and a whole lot more.
Mark Abma Show Notes:
3:30: Early filming with PBP, the end of competition, why he left K2, and getting on Salomon and Helly Hanson
11:00: The shift to attainable skiing, Eric Hjorleifson, money, sponsors, negotiating, what happened to Salomon, and investments
19:00: Stanley: Get 30% off site wide with the code drinkfast
Peter Glenn Ski and Sports: Over 60 years of getting you out there
10 Barrel Brewery: Buy their beers, they support action sports more than anyone
21:30: His Squamish property, island property with Chris Turpin, and his unique Tofino development
32:00: Being ahead of the curve with his Biodiesel vehicle, yoga, and breath work.
40:30: Alpine Vans: Upgrade your adventure, Upgrade your life
Elan Skis: Over 75 years of innovation that makes you better
42:30: Being an early adopter of hydrotherapy, The Powder Awards, and achieving his goals at 24
47:00: Putting out six parts over 2 years, adrenal fatigue, finding balance, and his darkest video project The Masquerade
52:30: How his video parts come out, music selection, getting almost 100 stitches to his face, and the intimidation and experience of Alaska
63:30: Inappropriate Questions with Josh Dueck