The Powell Movement

When Matt Sterbenz finished at the U  of M, he left the Midwest in search of bigger mountains that would help him achieve his goal of becoming a pro skier.  When Matt turned his dream into a reality, he could finally peak behind the curtains of the ski industry.  When he realized he didn't like what he saw, he decided take matters in own hands.  He starts 4FRNT Skis as a vehicle to help evolve the...

Howard Katkov is doing something that's never been done in the ski industry with his "Fight the Man, Own the Mountain Campaign." He started as a surfer then became a student, lawyer, developer, manufacturer, corporate executive and for over a decade, he's   been the owner of RED Mountain.  Now, he's creating the opportunity for everyone to own a piece of what he and many others think is the best s...

Nate Bozung was once the young buck on Forum Snowboards who oozed style.  He fully embraced the rockstar lifestyle and rode with it.  Nate created brands, owned companies, traveled the world, blew money, and lived the drinking life to the fullest.  Now, Nate is back in Utah, living a life of moderation (for Nate) and figuring out what to do next.   Nate Bozung Show Notes: 1:30:  What is Nate up to...

Scott Stevens is one of the most creative snowboarders out there and his skills on a trampoline are second to none.  He's not a household name but he should be.  Instead, he's a blue-collar snowboarder who is comfortable in front of the camera, not crowds.  I caught up with Scott at High Cascade Snowboard Camp to talk about his life and career.  Scott Stevens Show Notes 2:27:  Scott's history at H...

Scot Schmidt is a legend in mountain towns across the globe.  He blazed a trail that inspired generations of skiers and created a way for ski athletes to monetize their talents outside of competition.    From learning to ski in Montana to moving to Squaw Valley with the goal of making the US Ski Team…. Skiing was "It" for him.   When money became a barrier to making the team, found himself shootin...

John Spriggs is known for many things:  Being a professional skier for over a decade, taking his basketball height and making it work in the terrain park and backcountry and, most recently, a high-profile arrest for assault and other charges.  Fresh out rehab, John now has 6 months of sobriety under his belt and he's trying to figure out who he really is and learning strategies of how to deal with...

Glen Plake is the most famous skier ever, in my opinion.  While his skiing has always been top level, no matter what type of skiing he was doing at the time, he'll always be remembered as the guy with the Mohhawk.   The guy who, along with Scot Schmidt, Mike Hattrup, and Greg Stump, created the overused word Extreme.  From arrests to celebrities to his thoughts on the state of skiing, here is the...

Tim Eddy is one of the more positive people you'll ever meet and he happens to be a pro snowboarder with an interesting story.  He started slaying rails and rocking a persona known as T-Money when he was an up-an-comer on Burton and then he really found his true, wacky, self when he left the brand.   We talk about being an am, what it means to go pro, the financial crisis, tiny homes and more...  ...

Hana Beaman has been a professional snowboarder for half of her life.  She has been on the podium at the X Games, shredded powder in Alaska and done everything in between…but her real focus in life is finding fun.  On the podcast, we talk about her career, test tube babies, gender inequality in snowboarding, and a lot more…   Hana Beaman Show Notes 2:39:  How long has she been coming to High Casca...

In 1987, the (West) Seattle music scene and Easy Street Records were both in their infancy.  Both the scene and the store showed a DIY ethos that is still apparent today.  The global culture that was created by the scene was cultivated locally by the store.  There were a lot of players in Seattle, Matt Vaughan was and still is a very important one…He would never say that but he says a lot on the p...

Andy Parry is one of the more unique skiers on the planet.  He's an innovator, a pioneer of content creation, and the one skier who knows what the kids want….and he delivers it to them via the web on a weekly basis (for 10 seasons) with the wildly successful Line Traveling Circus web series.  Find out how Andy relied on creativity more than to talent to make his pro ski dreams come true.   Andy Pa...

Brian Aragon's life sounded like a dream until he realized it wasn't.  He was a world champion pro skater and his video parts were as legendary as his park skills.  He's traveled the world many times over, had 6 Pro Model skates, and a skatepark named after him all before the age of 30…. And then he rolled away from it all to become the Inside Account Manager over at Arrow Electronics .  Find out...

Bryce Phillips is as modest as they come for a guy that built an empire that helped change the landscape of retail in action sports.  From his humble beginnings as a first grade entrepreneur in Oregon to his professional ski career, to the ups and downs of EVO, Bryce has earned everything he's built.   2:15:  What is going on in Bryce's life this week? 2:48:  Recently breaking his back 3:45:  Grow...

Blake Paul came to High Cascade Snowboard Camp with his "Lick the Cat" crew this summer and Blake was the first casualty.  A dislocated collarbone forced Blake off the hill and onto the podcast.  We talk about the injury, growing up in Jackson Hole, Aaron Robinson, and getting to be a sponsored snowboarder.  Blake Paul Show Notes 2:00:  What happened to Blake's shoulder? 3:23:  How long has Blake...

Not too many professional snowboarders, or race car drivers, come from the streets of Great Falls, VA.  Tristan Herbert is the only person I know to have owned both those titles along with a few others.  A naturally gifted athlete who always seems to land on his feet, Tristan has used up more than a few of his nine lives on his way to running the US Race Programs for Lamborghini and Audi.  It's a...

Cole Seely's road to Supercross stardom is a lot different than most.  It starts in an apartment in California, where his parents put everything they have into Cole's career….and then Cole quits racing at 16.  When he returns months later, the pressure is lifted and it all comes together for Cole.  He consistently places in the top 5 in 250 class and then moves up to 450's.  Right now, Cole is at...

For most of JT Holmes' 20+ years as a professional athlete, he's been looked at as a pro skier and he still has that title.  These days JT moonlights as a wingsuit pilot, off-road racer, and stuntman, all at a professional level.  He's worked to achieve some great things in the mountains, air, and on the big screen over the years while experiencing more loss (people doing what they love) than anyo...

In a world of big personalities, adrenalin fueled exploits and high risk, Andy Farrington is the calm voice of reason.  The youngest member of The Red Bull Air Force, Andy is looked at as the quiet, badass who can pilot a wingsuit like no-other.  From cancer at age 2 to 25,000 skydives at age 33, to wingsuits and Hollywood, nothing can stop Andy Farrington Andy Farrington Show Notes 1:51:  His las...

Cam McCaul has done more in 31 years than most people do in a lifetime.  It all started with his bike and he's never looked back.  From the beginnings of mountain biking to the slopestyle contests of today, Cam has lived through it all.  Unofficially retired from competition, Cam is still at most events, only now he's commentating on the action.  And if you miss the comps, you can always see him h...

Jill Kintner is a badass on a bike and has been for more than half of her life.  Regardless of the discipline, she had a drive to be the best on her bike and that drive was first instilled by her dad.  Her story is a rollercoaster of emotions dominated by a lot of wins and one huge loss, it's worthy of its own afterschool special.  Jill tells her story, from the NW, to the Olympics, and beyond. Ji...

Arlo Eisenberg was once dubbed the face and voice of his generation and his story sounds like the best 90's movie that was never made.  Arlo, the punk rock kid from Texas drops out of the University of Texas and moves to California to become a star in a sport that isn't really a sport yet.  He arrives on Venice Beach, gets "found" and blows up to be a global sensation who lives a life that is ever...

Alex Broskow's life is full of juxtapositions.  From dropping out of high school and moving into the dorms of the University of Kansas to being an athlete who is looked at as one of the best to ever participate in his sport…but couldn't afford groceries.   This rare interview dives deep into the world of skating, travel and all that comes with being a pro athlete (minus money).   Alex Broskow Show...

The road to wakeboard industry that Don Wallace took was different than most. From humble beginnings in Grass Valley, CA where life revolved around street rods, skiing, and hanging out with his brother/crew.  From there it was on to college in the big city of Eugene where his Surfing Magazine subscription parlayed itself into and internship and eventually a career that is highlighted by the sinkin...

Shane Bonifay has been a professional wakeboarder for 21 of his 33 years. From bringing closed toe set ups to the masses, to wake-pants, to acting as the driving force behind the 'Pointless Crew' Shane has done a lot over his 21 years of being a pro and shares the best and worst on the podcast   Shane Bonifay Show Notes  :10:  The hit and run saga 8:05:  Photo shoot for Liquid Force 9:39: Growing...

On paper, Joe Ciaglia's life sounds like a mob movie where the mobster, Joe, is bagging groceries at a store conveniently located across from the track.   He meets a couple older gentlemen who introduce him to the inside world of the track.  While learning the underbelly of the horse game, Joey starts winning city contracts for skate parks.   It's an interesting rag to riches story that includes p...