It’s part 2 with me, your host Mike Powell. I’m going to end the year catching you up on my life and times and a lot of industry talk with the founder of the High Fives Foundation, Roy Tuscany. Topics include Tanner Hall, Gus Kenworthy, best podcasts, worst podcasts, what’s happening in snow media, who’s doing it best, and so much more. It’s a fun holiday and birthday episode with a great friend.
Read MorePeter Line is the legendary snowboarder responsible for the iconic Four Square and Forum brands. While these brands had a huge impact, they were rider owned, and having an impact and success, in the long run, isn’t the same thing. Eventually, Burton Saved the brands from going under, ran them for a decade, and then shut them down. Ten years after that, Peter Line, Jeremy Jones, and Mack Dawg are back to re-boot the brand, and Peter and I take a deep dive into all things Forum and much more. Sean Tedore asks the Inappropriate Questions.
Read MorePete Moran has been a lot of things: ski instructor, snowshoe mountain marketing manager, 'People Magazine's "Most Eligible Bachelor," Red Bull marketing manager, agent, and entrepreneur. But really, Pete is a people person, and his natural ability to build relationships has helped him create an incredible life. On the podcast, we talk about all of the above and some great athlete stories revolving around Shane McConkey, Kasey Keller, and Marshawn Lynch. Recording episodes with my good friends are always fun.
Read MoreChris Beresford’s young life was tough; he lost his mom young, then he’s raised by an alcoholic dad, then the family loses everything, and at the age of 13, Chris is responsible for things like his own food. While things could have turned dark, Chris didn’t end up dancing on stage 3; he was on the podium at all his moto races and then found family and community through snowboarding. At 20, he landed a gig at High Cascade Snowboard Camp, and from there came sponsorship and the creation of his brand Dang Shades. This one is a rags-to-riches story of perseverance. Scott Stevens asks the Inappropriate Questions
Read MoreDavey Smidt is a chameleon; he’s a nice Jewish boy who’s god given gift is being an amazing communicator. Davey is just as comfortable talking to Travis Rice as he is a CEO, a professor, an intern, and a kid at the skatepark. He’s one of those people that gets along with everyone, and while nice guys finish last, that’s not the case with Davey. On the podcast, we talk about his South African roots, his Bar-Mitzvah, his college years, and the dream jobs he’s had at Monster and GoPro. This is a fun business episode, and Jaimeson Keegan asks the Inappropriate Questions.
Read MoreBruce Edgerly or “Edge” as he’s fondly known is one of the only ski entrepreneurs I know to sell his company, get rich, and still be involved in the day-to-day of the business. I haven’t had anyone on the podcast with that type of story and Edge is also the only Ivy League guy I’ve had on the show. But Edge is just a dirtbag kayaker and skier who parlayed the contacts he made while writing for Powder Magazine and Larry Flint into a guerilla marketing machine that would drive the company he and his partner started, BCA, to the forefront of the industry. This is the ski version of the Steve Jobs story…but with a lot more personality. Steve Christie asks Inappropriate Questions, and they are awesome.
Read MoreMike Styskal, aka Styk, has lived his life as a creative force in snowboard design, but Styk is so much more than that. He's one of those people that exudes effortless cool: he always has a different unique look, and his sense of style is always on point. It's a characteristic that helped this Nebraska farm boy go from the small-town USA to the progressive city of Seattle and thrive. On the podcast, we talk about Nebraska, Burning Bush Studios, Ride, China, trouble, Draplin, and so much more. If you like business episodes, don't miss this one.
Read MoreEthan Stone Fortier is a force in the world of snowboard media. He’s one of the hosts of the wildly successful Bomb Hole Podcast, he’s been a snowboard photographer for over 20 years, and he’s personally responsible for one of the more iconic brands in snowboard history, Tech Nine. On the podcast, we talk all things Bomb Hole, coming up in Vermont, the VTSP, starting brands, working with investors, the business behind the photography, and much more. Chris Grenier asks the Inappropriate Questions
Read MoreMike Adams’s legendary 45-year career in snow business has come to an end. I was able to catch up with the man responsible for some of the most iconic products of our time during his last week in the industry. It’s a history lesson of the business from the man responsible for bringing the shaped ski to North America. The podcast talks about all things Moog, Molnar, Elan, Salomon, and Atomic. It’s another don’t miss business episode with a true snow sports legend.
Read MoreNick Sargent is the SIA President who moved the business and sold its key revenue generator, the SIA Tradeshow...but he’s so much more than that. Nick came up as a race tech on the World Cup, parlayed that into a gig managing Salomon’s Olympic efforts, then it was on to Burton before taking over at the SIA. These days, Nick is navigating some challenging waters, and we talk about his key moves, the OR Show, consumer shows he’s bought, and a lot more. Industry OG Chris Licata asks the Inappropriate Questions.
Read MoreGabe 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.
Read MoreMark 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.
Read MoreMarko 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”.
Read MoreTrent 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.
Read MoreWhile 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.
Read MorePart 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.
Read MoreJimbo 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, telemarketing, 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
Read MoreJenny 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.
Read MoreBill 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
Read MoreMichael 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.
Read MoreWELCOME TO THE POWELL MOVEMENT! Every week I take a deep dive into the careers, history and psyche of the greatest athletes and behind the scenes players from the world of action sports. From humble beginnings to becoming supernovas, these talents have shaped the sports that we love and continue to PUSH IT- which is to say - if they PUSH IT they’re on THE POWELL MOVEMENT.
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