The Powell Movement

Latest Episodes:

TPM Episode 60: Murray Wais: Founder, Matchstick Productions Mar 12, 2018

Show notes

Murray Wais was a punk rock kid who left Seattle for a community college that put him in the mountains. He fell in love with that life, became an instructor and then graduated to studying journalism at the University of Oregon. Fast forward to being laid off by Microsoft, he decided to work for free and follow his ski bum dreams. He ended captured gold with a lot of hard work, some amazing skiers co-founder Steve Winter and what was to become Matchstick Productions. Listen to Murray tell it how it is on the podcast.

Murray Wais Show Notes:

2:00: Tradeshows combined and his history with the tradeshow

4:00: Growing up in Seattle, Microsoft, Steve Winter, punk rock, sports

8:00: The Ski Bus, snowboarding taking off and Warren Miller and ski movies

14:30: Community College in Wenatchee with Steve and Breckenridge, and University of Oregon

18:00: Evo (Use the code TPM10 for 10% off at checkout) and RESQWATER (enter the code resqwatertpm for a 20% discount on a 12 pack)

19:30: Getting laid off by Bill Gates, getting an internship at Powder Magazine and finding Steve Winter again

26:00: Getting into making movies as Steve's right hand man and how things have changed

32:22: The helicopter crash

36:00: Taking over in the field when Steve couldn't go out, Gaffney, and rebranding as Matchstick Productions

40:00: The personalities of the early movies

47:17: 10Barrel Brewery and The Summit at Snoqualmie (use the code Powell18 to get pre-season pass prices)

49:10: Athletes making money off the movies, distribution and getting into bikes (New World Disorder)

54:00: Making Money

57:40: MSP changing last year and the fan reaction

TPM Episode 59: Steele Spence, Olympic Judge, Ski Pioneer Mar 05, 2018

Show notes

Olympic Judge Steele Spence has a storied history in the ski industry. He was part of the second wave of new school skiers and one who had a knack for greasing the burliest of rails. His urban game was top notch before most people knew that urban skiing was a thing. When pro skiing wasn't an option anymore, Steele moved in-house and designed skis and products for 4FRNT. The life of a desk jockey was not for Steele and he quickly found himself in a new role, as a judge. Countless events later, Steele is an Olympic judge and with judging comes criticism. Listen to the podcast to hear Steel address everything around the scoring at the Olympic Games.

STEELE SPENCE SHOW NOTES

2:00: Just getting back from South Korea

4:00: Growing up in Aspen

8:30: Switching to pipe and slope and new school skiing

14:30: Evo (Use the code TPM10 for 10% off at checkout) and RESQWATER (enter the code resqwatertpm for a 20% discount on a 12 pack)

16:00: The Rip Curl event, partying and how things were back in the day

20:00: Working with brands, money, and the X Games

25:00: Filming, going to work for 4FRNT, and getting into judging

32:00: 10Barrel Brewery and The Summit at Snoqualmie (use the code Powell18 to get pre-season pass prices)

33:30: All about judging and Olympic Judging: Women's slope, Elisabeth Swaney, general judging, ski slope and pipe judging.

70:00: Inappropriate Questions with Roy Tuscany

TPM Episode 58: Devin Logan, Pro Skier, Olympic Medalist Feb 18, 2018

Show notes

Devin Logan is the youngest of 5 kids and was treated like a little brother by her two closest siblings, Sean and Chris. Chasing her brothers around in between runs at contests and their general influence on her has given her the relaxed confidence that she uses to reach the podium at places like the Olympics….which she is about to do so tune in to watch Devin go for Gold in Slopestyle and Halfpipe in South Korea.

Devin Logan Show Notes:

2:14: Coming up to Windell's Camp and the perks of being an Olympic Silver Medalist

4:00: Growing up in Long Island, family, travel and getting into contests

7:00: Moving to VT, going to Mt Snow Academy, and brothers

11:15: Being the best at sports and seeing her brother move to Mammoth

15:00: Comps

18:00: Evo (Use the code TPM10 for 10% off at checkout) and RESQWATER (enter the code resqwatertpm for a 20% discount on a 12 pack)

19:30: Getting into partying and the influence of her bothers and breaking the law

25:00: Contest mentality, getting hurt in France and Maddie Bowman

29:00: Sponsors: TNF, US Freeskiing, Monster Energy,

33:00: Hurting her knee, skiing at 10 months to get ready for the Olympics

36:00: Backcountry is in her future and tats gone wrong

38:30: 10Barrel Brewery and The Summit at Snoqualmie (use the code Powell18 to get pre-season pass prices)

40:15: 2012 and on to Sochi and finding her boyfriend

47:00: Getting dropped by Armada and other post-Olympic happenings

54:00: The 2018 Winter Olympic lead up

62:00: Inappropriate Questions

TPM Episode 57: David Wise, Pro Skier, Olympic Gold Medalist Feb 18, 2018

Show notes

David Wise is the most decorated halfpipe skier of all-time. Going into the Olympic Games, he is on fire and is everyone's favorite to win back to back gold medals. He's a likable 27 year old going on 40. He has a wife, 2 kids, and likes to spend a lot of time alone in the woods bowhunting. In a world of rock stars, he's a man of faith with nothing to prove to anyone other than himself. We talk life, getting dropped from 4FRNT and more on the podcast

David Wise Show Notes

2:20: What is David up to one month before the Olympic Games and addictions (bow hunting and skiing)

10:30: Evo (Use the code TPM10 for 10% off at checkout) and RESQWATER (enter the code resqwatertpm for a 20% discount on a 12 pack) 12:00: What is Reno all about

14:58: Getting into skiing

16:21: The story behind his sisters and the 10% rule www.oneleguponlife.org

20:00: Wanting to try snowboarding once he mastered skiing, joining the freestyle team while on the race team and then quitting racing…..and other sports

26:00: Who was he in high school, travel and competing early on

30:00: Meeting Matt Sterbenz and working with 4FRNT and then getting dropped

36:00: Money and who pays him Visa, Monster, First Light, Zipline Poles, LuluLemon

38:00: There is nothing harder than competition skiing

41:00: Injury and the dark era of David's life...

43:00: 10Barrel Brewery and The Summit at Snoqualmie (use the code Powell18 to get pre-season pass prices)

44:45: Coming back from injury and starting to win

49:00: What's more important, X-Games or Olympics? His thoughts on the FIS, contests, and sales

59:45: Having faith and if that helps or hurts him

64:00: Sochi Olympics, winning the gold and the aftermath

72 :00: Setting the world record on a hip

71:00: Behind the post Olympic struggle

79:30: What else does he have to prove?

TPM Episode 56: Brita Sigourney, Pro Skier, Olympian Feb 12, 2018

Show notes

Brita Sigourney has spent most of her ski career in two places: Standing on the podium and laying in a hospital bed. She's going into the Olympics with a clean bill of health and the some of the best results she's ever had as a professional skier. On the podcast Brita and I talk about her whole life and focus on the multitude of injuries she has experienced over the past 8 years, coming back to podiums each time and more. It's another good one!

Brita Sigourney Show Notes:

2:54: Big year for Brita

4:00: Growing up in Carmel California, sports, school and getting into skiing

12:00: Competing in every discipline as a skier

14:40: Evo (Use the code TPM10 for 10% off at checkout) and RESQWATER (enter the code resqwatertpm for a 20% discount on a 12 pack)

16:15: When does she decide to specialize in pipe and what is the up and coming contest scene like?

19:30: Should she go to college? How do her parents feel about that? Hell Week for college water polo

22:09: Injuries, injuries, and partying

30:57: Focusing on pipe at Junior Worlds and X-Games

34:50: 10Barrel Brewery and The Summit at Snoqualmie (use the code Powell18 to get pre-season pass prices)

36:20: Getting on K2 and other sponsors : Holden, Coal, Pow, Monster and Giro.

42:36: A bunch of wins and Injuries and injuries and more injuries and a lot of comebacks

49:30: Test event in Sochi and an injury, telling her sponsors about injuries and money

57:19: Getting ready to qualify for the Sochi Olympics, getting hurt before the games and the Olympic experience

63:00: Being injury free, having a lot of success and competing with Maddie Bowman

65:00: What is next for Brita?

67:00: Inappropriate Questions

TPM Episode 55: Torin Yater-Wallace Pro Skier, Olympian Feb 04, 2018

Show notes

Torin Yater-Wallace had to overcome more challenges than anyone I've talked to. From growing up with a dad in prison, to moving countess times as a kid, to injuries, to a sickness that became so bad that he was medically paralyzed for 10 days. Through all of this, Torin had skiing and all his dreams revolved around becoming a professional. With all the cards stacked against him, Torin never quit or felt sorry for himself and made his dreams happen. The funny thing is, listening to the podcast, it doesn't even sound like he likes halfpipe skiing.

Torin Yater-Wallace Show Notes:

2:34: Qualifying for the 2018 Olympics

7:50: What is going on with his foot and does he think about the future

12:00: Video parts and halfpipe skiers

16:00: Evo (Use the code TPM10 for 10% off at checkout) and RESQWATER (enter the code resqwatertpm for a 20% discount on a 12 pack)

17:30: Born and raised in Basalt Colorado and talking about his dad going away to prison.

22:57: Growing up in the Aspen Valley and chasing the dream of becoming a pro skier with his mom.

28:00: Gatorade Free Flow Tour and making a name for himself

30:00: Armada fake recruiting trip

34:04: Getting connected with Target, his first X-Games and his sponsors Red Bull, Armada, Giro, Toyota , DaKine, Look Bindings, Aspen Snowmass , Comcast/Xfinity and Smuckers

38:50: How much can he make as a skier in his best year?

41:45: 10Barrel Brewery and The Summit at Snoqualmie (use the code Powell18 to get pre-season pass prices)

43:00: He's a normal kid, did his life feel like a rollercoaster and the whole dry needle collapsed lung saga

50:00: Back To Life Movie A must see documentary (produced by Clayton Vila) about Torin, and his mom's cancer diagnosis

55:43: His Olympic experience and partying

59:00: The worst case of strep throat in the history of Olympic Pipe skiers

TPM Episode 54: Tim Pogue, CEO Mizu, Founder Ride Snowboards Jan 29, 2018

Show notes

Tim Pogue is a visionary in the world of action sports, specifically the world of snow. When this 10 year non-alum of University of Minnesota, he also happened to be a sponsored windsurfer, moved west is his VW bus, the last place anyone would expect him to land was taking classes at Harvard or on Wall Street. Tim's life has been the one of dreams for the action sports marketer turned executive and he maps out his long strange trip on the podcast.

Tim Pogue Show Notes:

2:00: Pre-trade show chaos and the combination of the trade show

3:30: Mizu and what he does as CEO

7:00: Growing up in Minnesota, getting into skiing

10:00: Getting kicked out of high school and 10 years of college

16:00: Windsurfing, snowboarding, heading out west and following The Dead.

19:00: Evo (Use the code TPM10 for 10% off at checkout) and RESQWATER (enter the code resqwatertpm for a 20% discount on a 12 pack)

20:30: Getting a job with Kemper Snowboards

25:00: Burton Snowboards

32:22: The rise and fall of Ride Snowboards

40:00: 10Barrel Brewery and The Summit at Snoqualmie (use the code Powell18 to get pre-season pass prices)

41:30: Taking classes at Harvard and more Ride

49:00: Nixon and starting Faction

54:03: House of Marley and Tapout

TPM Episode 53: Nick Goepper, Olympic Medalist, Pro Skier Jan 21, 2018

Show notes

There was a time when Axl Rose left his small town in Indiana as there was nothing left for him there. To make it, he needed to move west where he would surround himself with other, likeminded people. While Nick Goepper is no Axl Rose, his story is the same. He started honing his craft in the Hoosier state, moved west to Windells Academy and found more success than he ever dreamed of. Like Axl, Nick learned that with success comes problems. While Nick didn't alienate his fans and get fat, he did uncover some real issues that we talk about in the podcast.

Nick Goepper Show Notes:

1:44: The Olympic facility and what it offers

4:09: Christmas at the Goeppers and life starting in Indiana

8:11: Being the oldest in the family and sports

13:25: Evo (Use the code TPM10 for 10% off at checkout) and RESQWATER (enter the code resqwatertpm for a 20% discount on a 12 pack)

15:00: Rollerblading, skateboarding and trampolines

18:00: Getting into skiing at Perfect North

21:07: The recession and having to work for himself to keep the ski dream alive

26:42: Backyard set ups

28:00: Who is he in High School and competing against Chris Laker

32:00: Keeping the dream alive with a full scholarship to Windell' s Academy

40:30: 10Barrel Brewery and The Summit at Snoqualmie (use the code Powell18 to get pre-season pass prices)

42:25: Does he ski powder, tricks that were career changing, and first X-Games

47:00: His ski lifestyle. Does he care if other people like him?

52:15: Crushing it at contests and heading into the Olympics with a broken hand, skiing without poles, and hearing about it on the internet.

58:40: Is he pissed about 3rd place in the Olympics

61:00: What does it take to qualify for South Korea

63:00: Throwing rocks at cars and Nick's downward summertime spiral into alcohol and depression

74:00: What will he do after skiing and what can he make in a good year?

TPM Episode 52: Alex Schlopy, Former Pro Skier Jan 15, 2018

Show notes

Alex Schlopy set a goal for himself going into the 2014 Olympic Games: In his words it was "make the Olympics or I'd rather be dead." Unfortunately, Alex missed making the US Olympic Team by the slimmest of margins and decided to seek out crack and heroin to dull his pain and follow through on the 'or I'd rather part'. A few suicide attempts and an arrest later, Alex went to treatment and is currently getting back into the sport he loves. He's young and still has a chance to regain all that he thought he threw away. Hear his whole story on the podcast

Alex Schlopy Show Notes

1:30: Skiing for the first time in a long time

2:45: Coming from a famous family and family growing up

7:00: Getting into skiing and other sports in his life

10:10: Taking gymnastics to snow and working with Mike Hanley

12:30: Evo (Use the code TPM10 for 10% off at checkout) and RESQWATER (enter the code resqwatertpm for a 20% discount on a 12 pack)

13:45: Full of energy and toilet papering and did he get in trouble?

16:32: Winning the VT Open, getting sponsors and money

20:00: Filming with TGR and getting a RED camera

23:00: Getting into a bad car crash and the concussion

27:30: Drinking and the perception of him

30:00: Why does he hate himself?

33:00: When does he move out of the house and what is 2011 like for him?

34:59: First X-Games, getting into big air, winning and the JOI event

37:00: Getting real money in 2011, almost getting arrested and other incidents

45:00: 10Barrel Brewery and The Summit at Snoqualmie (use the code Powell18 to get pre-season pass prices)

46:30: How does he spend his money and partying/skiing

49:30: The goal that was the worst idea of his life

51:05: Olympic qualifying and Joss

56:15: Sponsors at this point and Ruroc Helmets

59:52: The end of skiing and the start of drugs

1:08:16: Suicide attempts

1:13:00: He gets arrested and what does his family think about him at this time?

1:15:00: How does recovery happen?

1:19:00: Concussions and the impact they've had on him

1:23:00: What's next?

TPM Episode 51: Joss Christensen, Olympic Gold Medalist, Skier Jan 08, 2018

Show notes

Joss Christensen was on the bubble to make the US Olympic Team in 2014 when he lost his dad. When he was selected to the US Team with the discretionary spot, skiers all over the internet were outraged and Joss was put down, harassed, bullied, and even asked to give up his Olympic spot for someone else. While this hurt Joss's pride, it also gave him something to prove…And he did by becoming the first ever Ski Slopestyle Olympic Gold Medalist. Fast forward 4 years and Joss is on the bubble to make the team again. He's coming off a horrific knee injury and has only been on snow for a month. Will he qualify? That and a deep dive into his while career on the podcast.

Joss Christensen Show Notes:

2:00: The knee injury, the complications, and the rehab

14:22: Evo (Use the code TPM10 for 10% off at checkout) and RESQWATER (enter the code resqwatertpm for a 20% discount on a 12 pack)

15:50: Born into a family of ski bums and growing up skiing in Park City

20:20: Being a skier grom and stalking Tanner Hall and The Winter School

24:00: The enigma of Kerry Miller and young skiers today

30:00: Making a name for himself in 2011

32:15: 10Barrel Brewery and The Summit at Snoqualmie

34:29: Getting product from Line, trying to work his way into 4bi9 and being a tall skier

38:44: Olympics vs X-Games. What is the discretionary spot?

42:11: Making the team and being hated on online

45:12: The experience of Sochi, that time Joss thought he was kicked off the team and learning triples