Next Level Skiing

Welcome back to the Next Level Skiing podcast, brought to you by Wagner Skis. Today I’m talking with Nader Jamal about how to feel empowered while you’re on the powder. Nader’s been through a lot in his life. Today he shares tips on how to be more confident while you’re on the slopes. He also shares some of his story and the lessons he learned while fighting off cancer and teaching the youth of America how to stay upright while on the snow or in the water.  He also emphasizes the importance of learning how to fall. In real life and while you’re on skis (or on a stand-up paddleboard), sometimes it’s how you take the fall that can teach you the most about confidence and what you’re capable of. Topics: [3:00] Growing up with Palestinian parents in New York [4:40] Taking skills from the terrain park into big mountain [5:50] Learning how to ski switch [7:30] Relaxing on rails [10:00] Similarities in stand-up paddling and skiing [11:40] The role of confidence and recognizing physical cues that can shift confidence [15:58] Crossover skills between SUP, skiing and park [19:35] Being loose, playful and vulnerable [20:20] Don’t fight the fall [22:55] Nader’s cancer fight at 21 and his introduction to outdoor adventure [24:25] A whitewater trip to Montana with First Descents after Stage 3 colon cancer diagnosis [27:00] Being the connector for others seeking outdoor adventure and experiences [28:45] It’s OK to fall. Welcome it. [30:50] The motivation of learning with a group [34:10] Developing self-expression in skiing through teamwork [36:30] Conclusion   Resources: Nader Jamal, First Descents Nader Jamal, Instagram Nader Jamal, LinkedIn Wagner Custom Skis

Welcome back to the Next Level Skiing podcast, brought to you by Wagner Skis. Today I have to pleasure of sharing my conversation with Krista Crabtree. Krista has spent decades introducing women to skiing via her 'She Skiis' clinics. From the beginning of her career, she has tracked the evolution of women’s ski gear and because of that, she’s an expert on the topic. From design to material to shape, Krista knows exactly how skis will perform on the snow. In this episode, Krista and I talk about women in skiing and the evolution of women’s ski gear. There have been a lot of gender politics in skiing and Krista shares some of her stories as a woman in the industry. We’re seeing plenty of positive changes in skiing, but there’s still plenty we can do to get more amazing women in the spotlight. Topics: [01:31] Krista Crabtree Introduction [03:23] Krista’s skiing journey [08:00] The evolution of women’s ski equipment  [13:30] Ski instruction for men versus women [16:52] Five tips that resonate with everyone [27:05] How gear can enable women [30:00] Upcoming advances in women’s gear [35:41] Seeing more women on the slopes [44:10] The importance of having an outlet like skiing [45:15] Conclusion

Welcome back to the Next Level Skiing podcast, brought to you by Wagner Skis. On today’s episode, I have the pleasure of talking with powder photographer extraordinaire, Lee Cohen. Lee came to Utah in the 1980s as a ski bum and found his calling. He and his friends traveled from Utah down to California and beyond, chasing the snow and powder and photographing the experience. Today we’re talking about how Lee got his start in skiing and photography as well as his journey to being one of the most well-known foremost photographers the snow has ever seen. He also talks about how he first pushed back on the transition to digital photography and his thoughts on it now. Lee shares some tips on how to get the best pictures when you’re out on the slopes and tips on skiing which he’d gleaned from the pros. Topics: [00:24] Lee Cohen’s introduction to skiing [08:57] Salt Lake City [10:00] Lee’s start in photography  [12:46] Lee’s first cover photo [13:29] Lee’s ah-ha moment in photography [14:32] The transition to digital [17:37] Tips for big snow [23:40] How to shoot better skiing photos [32:10] What excites Lee about skiing 

Welcome back to the Next Level Skiing podcast, brought to you by Wagner Skis. Today’s I’m talking with Chris “Tats” Tatsuno. Chris has an infectious way of making a turn in snow and he certainly shares it with everyone around him. It’s impossible not to have a good time when you’re riding around with Chris.  Chris has his own style, his own look, and he is a wonderful influence on the youth of the industry through instruction and inspiration.  He doesn’t put a lot of pressure on the snow and on himself. Chris gives us some tips he learned from his dad, as well as a few of the lessons he’s learned from his own journey. From spending time with a crew you love, to his tips on how you can take it easy on your joints so you can ski until you’re 90, Chris shares a lot of great info today.   Topics: [00:00] Introduction to Season 5 [03:00] Chris’ introduction [04:00] Chris’ background and how he got into skiing [05:50] What it was like growing up with a ski instructor [08:21] Skiing vs snowboarding in the late 80s and early 90s [14:11] How Chris ended up in Roaring Fork Valley, Colorado [18:35] The Aspen Ripper Factory and the Aspen ski gangs [28:45] Spending time with a crew that you enjoy [30:20] Becoming a ski instructor [36:26] Chris’ style and look [42:00] Be the watcher [44:43] Advice that still resonates with Chris   [48:18] Conclusion Resources: Powder.com’s Adaptive Skiing Article, “The Tao of Tats”  Chris Tatsuno’s LinkedIn  Wagner Custom Skis

Welcome back to the Next Level Skiing podcast, brought to you by Wagner Skis. On today’s episode, I have the pleasure of talking with California badass, Michelle Parker. Michelle is an amazing skier with excellent form. If you have the chance to watch her ski, watch how she shreds with her feet; she is amazing. There are few skiers out there who have the speed and footwork of Michelle.  Michelle shares some great lessons and messages including the importance of visualization and how to develop your inner warrior. She also emphasizes how important it is to be aware of your surroundings, mapping the mountain, and trusting your intuition. California native Michelle Parker started skiing in her home resort of Squaw Valley Ski Resort. Since then, she’s competed in the US Freeskiing open, X-Games, and the Red Bull Cold Rush. She’s also one of the founders of Skiers Advocating and Fostering Education for Avalanche and Snow Safety (S.A.F.E.A.S.), whose goal is to advocate for snow safety and avalanche awareness.  Topics: [02:00] Michelle’s footwork on the snow [03:00] How Michelle started skiing [05:25] Michelle’s first experiences with freeskiing [07:57] Skills that she transferred from racing to freeskiing [10:45] Moving to the big mountains [12:15] Avalanche education [17:40] What Michelle thinks of when she’s up top and waiting her turn [18:30] How to tap into your inner warrior  [23:50] The importance of realizing legitimate fears and being confident in your intuition [27:50] How to develop a strong intuition [29:50] Advice that still resonates with Michelle [31:40] Surrounding yourself with incredible athletes (on the screen and in real life) Resources: Michelle Parker, Instagram Wagner Custom Skis

Welcome back to the Next Level Skiing podcast, brought to you by Wagner Skis. Today, we’ve got a great conversation with a great guest. There aren’t that many high profile skiers out there, who are as thoughtful and introspective as Mark Abma.  Mark is an inspiring athlete with a unique outlook on how to improve performance, training, and mindset. From keeping things in perspective when he’s on top of a mountain to hydrotherapy, Mark talks about what has shaped him as a skier and as a person. Mark Abma is a professional freeskier. From Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia, he was born for the snow. He has a number of awards under his belt including the Powder Video Award for Best Male Performance in 2007 and 2005. He also won Best Natural Air in 2010, and Best Powder in 2009. He recently started an advocacy group called One Step with the goal of helping both ski resorts and skiers reduce their carbon footprints.  Topics: [02:11] How Mark started skiing [07:00] Mogul skiing helping with the transition [12:35] What Mark learned from his idols when he was a kid [16:28] How competing led to films [22:25] Mark’s mental game when he gets dropped off on a mountain   [25:45] A piece of advice Mark goes back to  [27:00] Recovery and hydrotherapy [33:50] Lactic training   [36:05] Lessons on the snow, transcending into everyday life Resources: Mark Abma on Twitter  Wagner Custom Skis

Welcome back to the Next Level Skiing podcast, brought to you by Wagner Skis. Skiing is about more than just strapping on some equipment and hitting the slopes. Here at Next Level Skiing we want to focus on everything that can affect your ski game. In this episode, sports physiologist Dr. Allen Lim talks to us about how nutrition can affect how you ski. Dr. Lim covers a lot of ground, from fueling your body, to helping your body recover, to staying healthy all year long. Dr. Allen Lim is a sports physiologist, cycling coach, and a founder of Skratch Labs. Scratch Labs is a manufacturer of performance hydration mixes. He has worked with dozens of top American cyclists to improve their performance and nutrition. Today he is here to help skiers with the same type of information that he gives to cyclists. While cycling and skiing aren’t exactly the same in terms of what it requires of your body, they do have some overlap. Topics: [01:48] How Dr. Lim got started in athletic medicine and physiology [03:45] Unhealthy American food culture: Ethnocentric versus Technocentric [07:22] How to improve your skiing through nutrition [13:45] The type of food to eat after skiing [17:20] The importance of staying hydrated and listening to your thirst  [20:27] How to prepare your body for altitude changes [26:00] The nutritional approach to keeping our head in the game while on the snow [30:00] Hunger and exercise [34:32] A piece of advice that still resonates with Dr. Lim [38:14] Beer and skiing [40:15] Summary and last words Resources: Scratch Labs Wagner Custom Skis

Welcome back to the Next Level Skiing podcast, brought to you by Wagner Skis. Today we are talking with Alex Cohen. Not only is he a sports psychologist for the US Olympic and Paralympic Teams, he also has a lot to share with everyday skiers. In this episode, Alex talks about the importance of having a game plan, getting out of your own way, and the myths about flowstate. He talks about how Olympians get to where they are and how he got to where he is in life.  Alex has learned a lot over the years and shares some of that knowledge with you today. This is sure to be an episode with so many takeaways, you’ll have to listen to it more than once. Alex Cohen, the senior sports psychologist for the US Olympic and Paralympic Teams. Alex dives in deep with the team when it comes to mental strategies, mindfulness, and other skills that can transfer over to their daily lives.  Topics: [02:25] How Alex got into skiing and started working with Olympians [03:45] Sports psychology on the ski-lifts  [12:44] External focus cues in order to execute good technique [13:50] Getting out of your own way  [17:13] Training mindsets and flipping that switch  [19:15] Flowstate    [23:17] Recovery after injury [29:18] Alex’s personal skiing habits [29:49] A piece of advice that resonates through Alex’s life [33:20] Summary and conclusion Resources: Alex Cohen Twitter: @alexcohenphd “Rethinking Positive Thinking: Inside the New Science of Motivation” by Gabriele Oettingen Wagner Custom Skis

Welcome back to the Next Level Skiing podcast, brought to you by Wagner Skis. Thinking through the fear with Julian Carr. One of the great things about skiing is that we can apply the lessons we’ve learned on snow and adapt them to our whole life. Today is no exception. Julian talks about how he gets air, how he got started, and what goes into finding the right conditions. As a natural talent, Julian has a unique and positive perspective on both skiing and life. We’ve all seen the pictures. X-Games GOLD Medalist Julian Carr is known as one of the skiers who gets the biggest air. It’s almost as if he’s out there to prove that flying and skiing aren’t two different things.  Julian’s lofty exploits have landed him in Warren Miller films. He’s also received “Photo of the Year” from Powder Magazine, the Sickbird Award on the Freeskiing World Tour, and holds two world records in cliff jumps. He’s an ambassador for Protect Our Winters and Climate Reality Project. He’s also a board member for the Lands Conservation Foundation. He founded Discrete Clothing. He also founded the Cirque Series, which is a mountain running series that’s in its fourth season.   Topics: [02:00] How Julian got started skiing and getting height [06:00] Being a natural skier and specific his skill set [08:10] Baby steps to getting air  [14:00] What goes into finding the right conditions  [24:25] Working through the fear [25:45] Patience and recognizing the gap between desire and ability  [29:30] How to know when you’re ready [31:10] Advice that still resonates [33:20] Summary and conclusion   Resources: Julian Carr Wagner Custom Skis

Welcome back to the Next Level Skiing podcast, brought to you by Wagner Skis. Today, I’m chatting with Lorraine Huber, an Australian skier who has made a career off of making skiing look easy. She’s done it all, from big mountain skiing and competitions, to guiding and becoming a mental coach. And she doesn’t just teach the pros; she’s teaching everyone how to find poise and grace out on the slopes amidst all this chaos.  Lorraine is a professional skier from Lech am Arlberg. She is a freeride world champion and is now giving back to the skiing community by becoming a mental coach. She helps skiers become inspired and fall in love with the process. Listen in as she shares her insights on the mental games that occur on the snow, and how to turn our focus to the process of learning through visualization and meditation. Lorraine also offers suggestions on how we can find our flow state.  Topics: [01:30] How Lorraine got started in skiing [08:10] The transition process of big mountain skiing to mental coach [12:25] Strategies for quieting your mind [18:51] Finding your flow state [25:35] What to focus on: growing and learning the process [27:59] How to reprogram your brain [33:15] Internal versus extrinsic motivation [34:29] What can come to us when we’re in that flow state [37:27] Lorraine’s skiing buddies and how they helped her [40:00] A lesson that still resonates with Lorraine [42:00] Lorraine’s YouTube channel  [42:42] Summary of the big lessons from this episode Resources: Lorraine Huber Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, by Carol Dweck Lorraine Huber, YouTube Wagner Custom Skis