The Gnar Stool Podcast

In this episode of The Gnar Stool podcast, we welcome the inspiring Tanqueray "Tango" Towns—a former University of Utah football player, firefighter, EMT, and performance coach. Tango shares his extraordinary journey from the streets of South Central Los Angeles to playing Division I football, highlighting the challenges he faced and the mentors who helped shape his path. Tango reflects on how foo...

In this episode of The Gnar Stool podcast, we sit down with the inspiring Amie Engerbretson—professional skier, activist, and adventurer. Raised in Truckee, California, with a professional skier for a father, Amie’s journey on the slopes began almost as soon as she could walk. But her path wasn’t linear. As a teenager, she stepped away from skiing to pursue dance, only to rediscover her passion an...

In this episode of The Gnar Stool podcast, we sit down with Kevin Day—a professional cyclist, brand manager, coach, and passionate mental health advocate. Hailing from Utah, Kevin takes us on a journey from his early days as a BMX-obsessed kid to becoming an elite cyclist, sharing the defining moments that fueled his love for the sport. Kevin dives deep into the mental side of cycling, opening up...

In this episode of The Gnar Stool podcast, hosts Shannon O'Grady and John Perry are joined by two inspiring guests, Jared Campbell and Brandy Smith, to tackle the critical issue of air quality in the Wasatch Front and explore innovative solutions to address it. Jared, founder of Running Up for Air (RUFA), shares his journey of creating a race series that not only pushes athletes to their limits bu...

In this episode of The Gnar Stool Podcast, Shannon O'Grady and John Perry sit down with Dr. Carrie Cooper—renowned physical therapist, former professional climber, and author. Dr. Cooper takes us through her incredible journey from elite climbing to becoming a leading expert in climbing injuries and rehab. We dive into the evolving world of exercise recommendations for pregnant athletes, her exper...

In this episode of The Gnar Stool Podcast, we’re stoked to sit down with Dr. Eric Yoon—a physical therapist, sports performance coach, and certified badass when it comes to keeping athletes on top of their game. From his days as a multi-sport athlete to ripping it as a professional mountain biker, Eric’s journey is a masterclass in turning passion into purpose. We dig deep into why endurance athle...

In this episode of The Gnar Stool podcast, we’re joined by Liz Myers, a strength coach who’s passionate about helping mountain athletes conquer their sports with confidence and longevity. From her early days as a skier and snowboarder in South Central Pennsylvania to becoming a sought-after coach, Liz shares her journey and expertise in empowering athletes to thrive in the outdoors. Liz breaks dow...

On this episode of The Gnar Stool podcast, we’re joined by Tara Warren, an accomplished ultra runner and Rocky Mountain Slam finisher, as she shares her powerful story of endurance, resilience, and advocacy. After losing her mother to ALS in 2016, Tara channeled her grief into action, raising over $16,000 for the ALS Association through her extraordinary athletic achievements. Tara takes us behind...

In this episode of The Gnar Stool , Shannon O'Grady and John Perry sit down with Dr. Nicole Detling—mental performance coach, owner of Head Strong Consulting, and all-around brain wizard for athletes. We dive deep into the mental side of sport—the self-talk, the visualization, and the strategies athletes use to keep fear and anxiety from running the show when the stakes are high. Dr. Detling break...

In this episode, we sit down with Gnarly athlete Kiaya Jackson, a 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt and fierce competitor in the world of BJJ and MMA. Kiaya shares her journey from growing up in Mississippi, where she played various sports, to discovering her passion for jiu-jitsu during college. We dive into her experiences in combat jiu-jitsu, including memorable matches that electrified the crow...

In this episode of the Gnar Stool Podcast, hosts Shannon O'Grady and John Perry welcome Zahan Billimoria, a mountain athlete, guide, trainer, and recent MMA fighter. Zahan shares his unique journey from growing up in Switzerland to becoming a prominent figure in the outdoor community of Jackson, Wyoming. He discusses his early exposure to mountain sports, influenced by his Indian heritage and the...

In this episode of the Gnar Stool Podcast, we welcome Dr. Laura LaMarche, the founder and owner of the Gait Lab, a cutting-edge facility specializing in physical therapy and running biomechanics. With a background as a physical therapist, researcher, and biomechanist, Dr. LaMarche brings a wealth of knowledge to the table, focusing on how to optimize running form and prevent injuries. Join us as w...

In this episode of the Gnar Stool Podcast, we sit down with Thomas Bukowski, an accomplished climber, runner, and guide. Thomas shares his journey into mountain sports, starting from his early days of climbing to his recent adventures in trail running. He discusses the evolution of his athletic pursuits, highlighting the balance between climbing and running, and how each sport complements the othe...

In this week's episode, we welcome Kunlong Von Cousin, an inspiring ultra runner, dedicated father, and passionate activist. Kunlong shares his journey from climbing to ultra running, revealing how the birth of his first child shifted his focus and ignited his passion for endurance sports. He discusses the challenges of balancing training with family life and the emotional toll it can take. As a p...

In this episode of The Gnar Stool Podcast, host Shannon O'Grady and co-host John Perry sit down with the legendary Steph Davis—renowned climber, BASE jumper, and an all-around fearless adventurer. Steph takes us on a journey from her climbing roots in Maryland to her soul’s home in the breathtaking landscapes of Moab, Utah. Steph shares how her passion for climbing evolved into a love for BASE jum...

In this episode of the Gnar Stool Podcast, we sit down with the remarkable Kim Havell, a mountain and ski guide, writer, photographer, and mother. Kim shares her unique journey from growing up in urban environments to finding her passion in the mountains. Kim discusses her early experiences with skiing, the transformative power of the backcountry, and the lessons learned from her time in search an...

In this episode of The Gnar Stool Podcast, hosts Shannon O'Grady and John Perry sit down with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and No-Gi World Champion Alex Enriquez for an in-depth conversation about her remarkable journey in martial arts. From her early days on the basketball court to dominating the world of grappling, Alex's story is one of dedication, resilience, and fierce competition. Alex ope...

In this episode of the Gnar Stool Podcast, we welcome the dynamic duo behind Tactic Nutrition, Alex Parker and Meredith Root. Join us as we dive into their unique journey from competitive athletes to successful nutrition and fitness coaches. Alex, a former NCAA ski racer and CrossFit Games competitor, shares her transition from law to entrepreneurship, while Meredith recounts her path from biologi...

Trigger Warning This episode discusses the topic of suicide which some people may find distressing. If you or someone you know needs resources or support, the number for the crisis lifeline is 988. Look after yourself and your loved ones. In this episode of the Gnar Stool Podcast, we welcome professional mountain biker and free rider Blake Hansen. Join us as Blake shares her unique journey from a...

In this week’s episode we have Pro Skier Quinn Wolferman in the hot seat . Quinn shares his journey into the skiing world, which began at the tender age of two, thanks to his passionate mother. He reflects on the challenges of competing at a high level, including the emotional rollercoaster of narrowly missing the Olympic team and the impact of injuries on his career. Quinn opens up about the ment...

Join us this week on The Gnar Stool podcast as we catch up with Andy Bell, legendary freestyle motocross rider, stuntman, and Guinness World Record holder. Andy shares wild stories from his career, including ice diving with Travis Pastrana, navigating injuries, and embracing biohacking for recovery. Dive into the evolution of freestyle motocross, the influence of social media, and the mental resil...

This week, Shannon and John chat with Amanda Ziegler, a veterinarian, scientist, and educator at NC State, known on social media as Dr. Ziegler Monster. Amanda discusses her journey from veterinary medicine to gastroenterology research, with a focus on gut health, fiber, and the impact of nutrition on overall well-being. She also debunks myths about food ingredients like carrageenan and artificial...

In this episode of the Gnar Stool Podcast, we welcome Beverly Albert, a sports scientist and PhD student researcher, to discuss the fascinating world of high altitude physiology and environmental stress. Beverly shares her journey of pursuing a career in exercise science, highlighting her passion for understanding how our bodies adapt to various stressors, including altitude and heat. Listen up fo...

In this episode of the Gnar Stool Podcast, Shannon and John delve into the fascinating study conducted by Dr. Alan McCubbin on sodium replacement during endurance exercise. The results were surprising and provided valuable insights into the impact of sodium replacement on hydration and performance during prolonged exercise. Tune in to learn more about the intricacies of sodium balance and hydratio...

This week we dive into the fascinating journey of Kalen Griffin, a former Alpine ski racer turned mountain biker. Kalen shares her experiences growing up in a multigenerational ski racing family on the East Coast and her transition to coaching in Idaho. We explore how Kalen's passion for mountain biking blossomed, starting with a memorable introduction and evolving into a full-fledged love for the...