S1 / EP42: MATT STERBENZ

S1 / EP42: MATT STERBENZ

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 sport he loves and after 15 years of no profit, is forced to sell. On the podcast Matt shares all the details and how the future looks for the Jason Levinthal owned, 4FRNT.

Read More

S1 / EP41: HOWARD KATKOV

S1 / EP41: HOWARD KATKOV

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 skiing in North America.  Find out his story and all about owning RED.

Read More

S1 / EP33: MATT VAUGHAN

S1 / EP33: MATT VAUGHAN

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 podcast.

Read More

S1 / EP28: TRISTAN HERBERT

S1 / EP28: TRISTAN HERBERT

 

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 story full of injuries that changed Tristan’s career path time after time.

Read More

S1 / EP24: CAM MCCAUL

S1 / EP24: CAM MCCAUL

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 hosting ‘Locals” on Outside TV.

Read More

S1 / EP20: DON WALLACE

S1 / EP20: DON WALLACE

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 sinking of an $80,000 boat amongst other things.

Read More

S1 /EP18: JOE CIAGLIA

S1 /EP18: JOE CIAGLIA

 

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 professional skateboarders (Rob Dyrdek), race horses, accusations of collusion and no mob ties that I know of.

Read More

S1 / EP16: MIKE JAQUET

S1 / EP16: MIKE JAQUET

At first glance, there’s nothing that screams “rad” about Mike Jaquet, but at points in his career he has been one of the most influential and visionary people in the world of action sports.  From founding FREEZE Magazine to directing sales and marketing at Transworld to VP of College Sports TV (and being bought by CBS) and his last paid employment, a 5 year run as CMO of The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association that ended 4/1, Mike has left positive legacies everywhere he's been.  His career has developed and intersected with influential personalities and moments in sports and we chat about them…

Read More

S1 / EP14: KEVIN ENGLISH

S1 / EP14: KEVIN ENGLISH

Kevin English went from a dream job managing athletes to a dream job managing campers, counselors, and it hasn’t been easy.  He’s lived through corporate layoffs, corporate selloffs and eventually the drama that comes along with purchasing a passion-based project with friends.  We talk about K2, Travis Parker, buying summer camp, merging with the competition and a lot more

Read More

S1 / EP12: DOUG BISHOP

S1 / EP12: DOUG BISHOP

Doug Bishop, the GM of Newschoolers.com is more than just a visionary in action sports.  He’s a passionate skier who is focused on building community while wearing his heart on his sleeve.  These days he finds himself behind a desk, selling the dream that is skiing in the digital world and creating a second home for skiers all over the world.  While he didn’t have a solid plan out of high school, Doug’s career blossomed into owning a piece and selling said piece of Newschoolers.com, rising to the position of GM of the site and when traveling, being one of the scariest people at the bar (in a good way…I think)

Read More

S1 / EP08: MO SANDERS

S1 / EP08: MO SANDERS

There are few people more passionate about having 8 wheels under their feet than Mo Sanders.  From his professional inline skate days to when he was a featured character on TNN’s RollerJam series, Mo has made a career, in turbulent worlds, that only happen when you have the athletic ability that Mo has.   These days, Mo, also known as Quadzilla, is an entrepreneur and World Champion who globetrots the world getting skaters into shape.

Read More

S1 / EP04: JASON LEVINTHAL

S1 / EP04: JASON LEVINTHAL

Jason Levinthal has been a visionary in the ski industry for over 20 years.  He's know for brand building genius, blue-collar work ethic and keeping his finger on the pulse of tomorrow.  He started the revolutionary ski company, Line Skis, out of his parent’s garage and eventually was forced to sell his baby (while still managing it and other brands) to The Jarden Corporation.  Jason’s entrepreneurial spirit and passion for timely innovation led him to leave the comfort of his corporate check and start again from scratch with J Skis. 

Read More