Atomic’s Jossi Wells, Tonje Kvivik, & Noah Wallace on the Realities of Being a Pro Athlete & the Creation of a New Industry Standard

We talk to Blister's outerwear editor, Sam Shaheen, about the most important new tech & trends in apparel; how & why he first got involved with Blister; starting his own outwear company at the age of 15, and more.TOPICS & TIMES:Sam’s background (2:00)Starting your own outerwear company at the age of 15 (5:55)The significant challenges of building an outerwear company (11:00)How — and why — Sam first got involved with Blister (18:58)New Tech #1: “breathable” insulation (25:20)New Tech #2: “the coolest technology ever”- new manufacturing processes (31:43)New Tech #3: "the death of down" (35:26) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

4 Aug 201743min

On our last podcast, we told you about a serious ski accident that Blister founder, Jonathan Ellsworth, was fortunate to survive. But the crash itself was only a part of the story, and the weeks after the crash were full of a number of very consequential events, decisions, and lessons, and we discuss them here.TOPICS & TIMES:My primary pre-accident mistake (7:10)The decision not to go to the hospital (12:00)A very David-Lynchian birthday dinner (23:38)The drive home, continued self-assessment, and health care (27:27)Emergency spinal surgery? Other options? (My injury + Nate’s popsicle analogy) (43:00)Important Rant: Know your “Out-of-Pocket Maximum” (54:35)The surgery & post-surgery (57:39)Conclusions & Takeaways (1:00:00) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

28 Juli 20171h 7min

On July 9, Blister founder, Jonathan Ellsworth, was involved in a near-fatal fall while ski touring on Independence Pass. This is the account of what happened; what can be learned from the incident and our decision-making; and what's next for him.TOPICS & TIMES:Jonathan's friends describe the accident (0:00)Our group — who was there (5:00)The objective that day (10:00)The line (17:30)The crash (27:57)The response (39:20)The decision to walk out (55:36)The bear incident (1:17:17)What’s next (1:24:12) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

19 Juli 20171h 24min

Jason Levinthal just acquired 4FRNT Skis, so we talk to Levinthal and 4FRNT founder, Matt Sterbenz, about the deal; what brought it about; what we can expect going forward; and the state of the ski industry in general.TOPICS & TIMES:So what exactly just happened here? (2:52)Will this affect where 4FRNT skis are produced? What else will change? (11:41)What does it mean to be an "indie" ski brand in today's arena? (15:20)When did you guys first start talking about the possibility of teaming up? (21:17)What’s going to change and what’s going to stay the same in the next season or two? (25:18)Matt: what’s your favorite LINE ski or J Ski that you’ve seen or been on? (29:15)Do you think we’ll see more acquisitions like this in the coming years — specifically, of indies teaming up? (35:27)Closing Thoughts (43:45) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

28 Juni 201747min

Tommy Caldwell is one of the most accomplished big-wall climbers of all time. And while his freeing of the Dawn Wall on Yosemite’s El Capitan might be the feat that he’s best known for, his catalog of accomplishments in the climbing world is ridiculous. But Tommy is more than just an all-time great climber, he’s also just published a truly excellent book called, The Push, that John Krakauer calls “the most insightful book about climbing I’ve ever read, and quite possibly the most enjoyable.” We sat down with Tommy at his home in Estes Park, Colorado, to talk about a number of things in his book and a whole bunch of other stuff, including the discipline of writing; Alex Honnold’s recent free solo of Freerider and the contemplation of risk that the feat inexorably raises. Tommy and I also discuss the desire for balance with the reality that great achievements always seem to require an obsessive focus (and a complete lack of balance). And finally, we talk about the future of climbing which then leads us into some bigger questions about technology, raising kids, and basically modern society in general.TOPICS & TIMES:Writing (and Climbing and Suffering) (0:00)Kyrgyzstan & Self Examination (11:00)Self-Identity & Self-Worth (28:38)Tommy on risk, Free Soloing, & Honnold's solo of Freerider (32:45)Faith (49:30)Avoiding burnout (52:08)Of all of your climbing accomplishments, which makes you think, “I can’t believe I pulled this off?” (57:59)Obsessive Focus vs. the “Desire for Balance” (01:01:18)Pros and cons of climbing going mainstream (01:09:23)What’s Next? (01:21:50) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

26 Juni 20171h 27min

Jim Harris is as passionate about and as involved in the outdoors industry as anyone, but a serious accident threatened to change that. But the real story here is Jim's "crazy" recovery, and the lessons he has learned (and that we would do well to learn from him) about dealing with obstacles, understanding self-identity, and defining self worth.TOPICS & TIMES:Jim's entrance — and rise — in the outdoors industry (0:00)Advice on starting any creative pursuit, and why you shouldn't pander to your audience (9:05)The details of Jim's accident (22:55)What now? Life after the accident (33:20)Would you go back to your life prior to the injury? (38:15)Jim's crazy recovery (43:35)What are you currently most passionate about? (53:10)Important Stuff: Self Development, Self-Identity, & Self Worth (58:30) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

19 Juni 20171h 13min

In this episode, Blister's climbing editor joins us in the attempt to wrap our heads around Honnold’s successful free solo of El Cap, and to debate whether this is the greatest athletic achievement ever.TOPICS & TIMES:What exactly did Alex Honnold just do? (2:40)Difference between free solo climbing vs. free climbing vs. aid climbing vs. rope soloing (5:45)Talk about the specifics of the Freerider route / Honnold’s route (11:20)The *speed* of Alex’s ascent (22:25)Locating Honnold’s free solo among other climbing feats (32:17)Climbing and Mainstream Culture (41:30)Biggest Achievement in Sport Climbing? (45:22)Biggest Achievement in Bouldering? (52:55)Is Honnold’s free solo the greatest athletic achievement ever? What are the contenders? (59:12)Dean Potter’s take on Alex Honnold (1:11:30)Zen and the Art of (Honnold’s) Free Soloing (1:12:38) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

8 Juni 20171h 27min

We talk to ridiculously-well-rounded-skier Michelle Parker about joining the Arc'teryx team, her work with S.A.F.E.A.S Clinics, her upcoming trips, gear, mountain lions, and a whole lot more.TOPICS & TIMES:Michelle's recent and upcoming trips (2:05)Joining the Arc'teryx team, and why it's a good fit (4:34)Where are you on the gear-head spectrum between "Don't care" and "Eric Hjorleifson" (8:35)Michelle's current one-ski quiver (12:28)The age-old topic of women's-specific skis and boots, and why it matters so much (17:12)Michelle’s background: racing, soccer, slopestyle, halfpipe, big mountain skiing (24:12)Climbing (31:05)S.A.F.E.A.S. Clinics (34:03)Outside of skiing & climbing, what else are you up to? (37:50)Michelle’s “pretend band” (46:43)Upcoming Trips & who she's going with (49:00)Biking (and Swimming) (51:15)Ski touring with Greg Hill ... and Mountain Lions??? (56:30) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

20 Maj 20171h 1min