Mark Sollors, a talented Canadian snowboarder known for his unique backcountry style, shares his journey from street footage to exploring untouched snow. He discusses the importance of safety and discovering new zones in the backcountry. The conversation also touches on mentorship's role in the snowboarding community, facing fears while riding, and balancing authenticity with industry demands. Additionally, Mark shares hilarious anecdotes about snowboarding with celebrities and his passion for community-driven projects.
Mark Sollors transitioned from street to backcountry snowboarding after a serious injury, reassessing his approach and prioritizing safety.
His involvement with the Chill Foundation highlights his commitment to supporting underprivileged youth through snowboarding and community engagement.
Mark emphasizes the importance of adapting to social media trends while honoring core snowboarding values for nurturing the community.
He is dedicated to creating quality content for his YouTube channel, focusing on honest gear assessments and building audience connections.
Through his experiences, Mark underscores resilience and determination as essential life lessons that can be shared with the next generation.
Deep dives
Chris's Paternity Leave
The podcast begins with the host, Silk, who explains that he is filling in for Chris while he takes paternity leave to spend time with his newborn son. Silk expresses gratitude towards the Patreon members for their support and engagement with the community. He also thanks the episode's sponsors, including Gosney, Bubz Naturals, and Yeti. The conversation sets a positive tone while introducing the guest, Mark Solers, a Canadian snowboarding talent with a promising backcountry career.
Mark Solers and His Background
Mark Solers shares his journey in snowboarding, starting from his childhood in Kelowna, British Columbia, where he developed a love for the sport in a vibrant skate and snowboard community. Early influences, iconic moments from his youth, and the experience of being a shop rat at Island Snow played a significant role in shaping his passion. He reminisces about attending the Vancouver Snow Show with his brother, receiving autographs from snowboarding legends that would later inspire his career. Mark's dedication and early exposure to both street and backcountry riding set the groundwork for his growth as a professional snowboarder.
The Impact of Injury and Shifting Focus
After suffering a serious collarbone injury while filming a street part, Mark reflects on how the injury forced him to reassess his approach to snowboarding. This life-altering moment catalyzed his transition from focusing on street riding to pursuing backcountry snowboarding, which offered him a new direction in his career. He highlights how the injury opened his eyes to the risks involved in street riding and how he began to appreciate the beauty and potential for creativity in the mountains. Mark’s decision to shift gears was not just about safety but also about finding joy in snowboarding once again.
The Tournament for Chill Foundation
Mark discusses his passion for the Chill Foundation and the successful golf tournament he helped organize to raise funds for it. The tournament, which experienced tremendous growth, is an annual event that supports underprivileged youth through snowboarding. By bringing together sponsors and community members, Mark emphasizes the importance of creating opportunities for youth to experience the outdoors and develop valuable life skills. The sense of community fostered through the tournament highlights Mark's dedication to giving back and supporting the next generation of snowboarders.
The Evolution of Snowboarding Culture
The conversation shifts to the evolving landscape of snowboarding and how social media and digital marketing have changed the game for amateur and professional riders alike. Mark reflects on the importance of adapting to new trends while also honoring the core values of the snowboarding community. He emphasizes that nurturing current snowboarders and building connections within the community is just as crucial as attempting to attract new audiences. Mark believes that helping foster the culture helps uphold the true spirit of snowboarding.
YouTube Journey
Mark dives into his newfound commitment to creating content for his YouTube channel, where he shares insights about snowboarding products and experiences. He discusses the challenges of editing, managing content, and engaging with his audience. While Mark acknowledges that some videos have lower view counts, he emphasizes the importance of creating quality content that resonates with his loyal followers. His focus remains on delivering honest assessments of gear and sharing his adventures in snowboarding, all while strengthening the community bond.
Cherishing Community and Friendships
Throughout the episode, Mark speaks fondly of the friendships he's built in the snowboarding community, highlighting the importance of camaraderie and support. He reflects on the impact that his brother Karsten, teammates, and mentors, such as Jake Kuzyk and Chris Rasman, have had on his journey. Mark emphasizes that the joy he has experienced in snowboarding is amplified by the people around him, whom he considers family. The relationships formed within the snowboarding community have played a vital role in shaping both his personal and professional life.
Life Lessons from Snowboarding
Mark recounts how his experiences in snowboarding have provided him with valuable life lessons, particularly around resilience and determination. He emphasizes the importance of setting goals and pushing through fear while still being aware of risks. Mark highlights how these principles can be transferred to his work with Chill Foundation, helping youth navigate challenges both on and off the snow. He captures the essence of snowboarding as a metaphor for life's ups and downs, showcasing how each run can teach us something about perseverance.
Navigating the Future of Snowboarding
Towards the end of the podcast, Mark discusses his aspirations moving forward in the snowboarding industry. He expresses his desire to continue working with Burton while also exploring new avenues of product design and development. Additionally, he wants to further enhance his YouTube content, ensuring that he remains engaged with the snowboarding community. Overall, Mark is determined to share his passion while contributing positively to the future of snowboarding.
The Importance of Personal Growth
To conclude, Mark talks about how continually pushing himself outside of his comfort zone has led to personal growth and new opportunities in his snowboarding career. He recognizes that challenges, whether physical or emotional, are essential to becoming a better athlete and individual. Mark encourages others to embrace these challenges and leverage their experiences to carve their own paths in life. His journey serves as a reminder that courage, perseverance, and community support are key components in achieving success.
We’ve got a big one today: Mark Sollors is in studio and let me just say he’s a gem of a human. Hailing from Canada, Mark set his sights on being an absolute ATV on the snowboard. His street footage was absolutely insane and he’s put that on the back burned to focus solely on backcountry. It’s a bit of a shame but then you watch some of his footage and you’re like actually this guys on to something here. His passion for style and flavor shines through in his riding and trick selection. He’s paving the way in finding new zones and prioritizes safety above all else in the back country. We have a hell of a chat so let’s just get right into it: the Mark Sollors episode.
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