The Mountain Athlete: Recent Episodes
AJ Sobrilsky
The purpose of this podcast is simple: through collective enthusiasm it will entertain, educate, and motivate. By digging into the experience, lifestyle, and mindset of what it means to be a “mountain athlete” with individuals who share and pursue these passions on a daily basis. Doing so by crafting a unique dialogue through a blend of personal stories and experiences in the chase of these pursuits, injuries encountered, a critical (probably skeptical) appraisal/discussion of the best sports medicine and performance science, and an overwhelming enthusiasm for the pursuit of mountain sports.
On this episode I get to chat with local Bozeman crusher Becky Switzer. Do we every get into some awesome topics in this chat. We take it from our mountain dogs, to the various mountain communities, then dive into inclusion and barrier issues in mountain recreation, the outdoor world for women, dealing with injuries, and what it means to be a good outdoor partner! Becky and I could have chatted for a long time so I'm sure there will be a Part 2 in the future. NOTE - my technical skills with podcasts are evolving. Unfortunately, it sounds like Becky and I are talking over one another at times. I can assure we weren't when we were recording but my low level production skills and budget shine for a few seconds here and there. The goods are there so don't worry.
Episode 2 - Stemming from the final touches of the first episode on this episode I chat with one of my original mountain adventure mentors. Nick is a great individual who has a hard time say no to big outdoor objectives, sufferfests, and just having a great time. We cover a lot of great topics: some fun running stories, how Nick helped me get into climbing, Nick's addiction to sufferfests and what those types of activities have taught him. We dive into Nick's current passion for chasing Summits in the Grand Canyon... yes there is a mountain range in the Grand Canyon. We highlight some of the unique aspects of being a mountain athlete: the people we share those experiences with, how to stay passionate and a part of your desires in the face of some setbacks, and finding what it is we are looking for as we adventure in the mountains. Lots of laughs, future plans, and great conversation with some grounding insights.
On this episode I get the opportunity to chat with a good friend and someone always down to get out and get after it - Matt Madsen. Matt is the epitome of a mountain athlete both having recreated and competed in various mountain sports such as skiing, running, biking, and climbing. Matt currently lives and plays in mountains around Bozeman, MT but has resided in various mountain towns for the last 15 odd years giving him some excellent perspective on mountain sports and their communities. We hit a lot of great topics today from how Matt got interested in mountain recreation, chasing training versus adventure, his credit to playing the trumpet for his aerobic capacity, some of his prior and recent injuries and setbacks and how he's had to struggle and work through those, his activities and roles with Uphill Pursuits, and overall community participation and engagement landing us on having a mentor and being a mentor for as mountain athletes for mountain athletes. Hope you all enjoy, please leave any comments, suggestions, and feedback. Cheers!