Dropping Next

In this episode hosted by Geneviève Pilotto and Rob Whelan, guest and CASI Alumni John Smits shares insights on training for snowboarding, off-season preparation, injury prevention, and effective home workouts. John is a CASI Level 4 Evaluator and former Regional Coordinator of Alberta/BC, now residing in the UK where he’s raising his young family and working as a Personal Trainer. Discover practical tips on periodization, cross-training, and building a resilient athletic foundation so that you can come into next season ready to attack your riding goals.CHAPTERS02:14 - Training Philosophy and Goals23:02 - Seasonal Training Considerations35:42 - Practical Training Tips and Scenarios01:03:56 - ResourcesRESOURCCESKelly Starrett “The Ready State” @thereadystateAaron Horschig “Squat University” @squat_universitySteve Magness “Mental and Physical Performance” @stevemagnessJeremy Frisch “Youth Athletic Development” @jeremy_frisch17Mobility Duo “Snowboard specific strength training” @mobilityduoONLINE MEMBER SESSIONSTraining Tips for Preseason and Beyond - https://youtu.be/iQGAo9l0Rk0?si=MzFfgvH28qLRPMHAOff Season Cross Training - https://youtu.be/qnT9IQZWkrY?si=HGl-rl180Ip1qUnyCONNECT WITH USSubscribe, share, leave a reviewSuggest topics, guests or give us feedback: [email protected] info at https://casi-acms.com/podcast/HOSTS & GUESTRob Whelan @robwhelanridesGeneviève Pilotto @genpilottoJohn Smits @john5mits

In this episode hosted by Geneviève Pilotto and Rob Whelan, guest Sandy Taddeo, a psychologist and passionate snowboarder shares insights on mental health, stress management, injury recovery and the importance of long-term mental well-being in sports and maintaining work-life balance in the context of snowboarding and athletic pursuits. Discover practical tips for recognizing burnout, maintaining mental health, and integrating these concepts into your snowboarding journey.CONNECT WITH SANDYLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-taddeo-33226a97/CHAPTERS01:07 - Sandy's Connection to Snowboarding08:01 - Sandy's Career Path15:14 - Defining Mental Health and Common Misconceptions20:04 - The Link Between Mental Health and Performance22:59 - Long-Term Mental Health and Sustainability28:05 - Recognizing Burnout33:36 - The Importance of Recovery and Managing Stress36:28 - Deep Dive into Burnout Recognition and Prevention06:39 - Using envy as a motivational tool11:39 - Managing injury psychologically and physically19:35 - The importance of routine and community in mental health29:06 - Celebrating milestones and avoiding comparison37:27 - Work-life balance and finding your why47:14 - Practical tips for travel and seasonal transitions57:21 - Dealing with end-of-season blues01:07:06 - Building resilience through adaptationCONNECT WITH USSubscribe, share, leave a reviewSuggest topics, guests or give us feedback: [email protected] info at https://casi-acms.com/podcast/HOSTS (Instagram)Rob Whelan @robwhelanridesGeneviève Pilotto @genpilotto

Join us as we explore Sam Xu’s journey from childhood in China to becoming a Level 4 CASI instructor and a competitor on the Freeride World Tour. Discover insights on training, competition, injury recovery, and the importance of mentorship in the snowboarding community.CONNECT WITH SAMRednote @Sam单板Instagram @bigsamxuCHAPTERS00:00 - Intro02:54 - Sam's Early Life and Introduction to Sports05:52 - Transition to Canada and Overcoming Language Barriers08:44 - Career Beginnings in Snow Sports11:51 - Coaching Experience and Its Impact14:43 - Injury and Recovery Insights17:37 - Advice for Fellow Athletes on Injury Recovery20:39 - Sam's Certification Pathway in CASI23:36 - Reflections on the Exam Process and Support26:45 - Achieving Level Four27:09 - Understanding Evaluation and Success28:45 - The Role of an Evaluator30:07 - Home Mountains and Teaching Locations32:16 - Exploring Other Interests Beyond Snowboarding38:31 - Palette Cleanser44:55 - Key Turning Points in Career51:57 - Mentorship and Influential Figures55:29 - The Importance of Community in Snowboarding59:09 - Fundamentals of Free Riding and Technique01:00:43 - Mentorship and Learning from Legends01:03:42 - Mental Preparation Strategies for Success01:08:54 - Career Aspirations and Future Goals01:15:02 - Role in the Snowboarding CommunityCONNECT WITH USSubscribe, share, leave a reviewSuggest topics, guests or give us feedback: [email protected] info at https://casi-acms.com/podcast/HOSTS (Instagram)Rob Whelan @robwhelanridesJeff Chandler @jeffch

Join us as Cody Ratcliffe shares his international snowboarding journey, working in China and beyond, and offers insights into teaching across cultures, adapting communication, and balancing global and domestic seasons. Geneviève Pilotto also shares from her vast experience in teaching overseas as well as hitting on many of the logistical elements of training staff and managing the oversight of the program as a whole.Chapters -00:00 - Introduction and Context Setting00:15 - Cody's Snowboarding Journey05:59 - International Course Providers and CASI's Role10:52 - Experiences in China and International Teaching13:55 - Travel Plans and Logistics13:55 - Technical Difficulties and Solutions16:33 - Balancing Domestic and International Work18:33 - Resorts and Travel Experiences20:56 - Snowboarding Adventures and Unique Experiences21:38 - Palate Cleanser26:43 - A Day in the Life of Teaching in the Dome29:44 - Navigating Environmental Challenges32:53 - The Art of Communication with Translators35:40 - Cultural Exchange in Snowboarding39:15 - Advice for Evaluators Considering International Teaching41:28 - Qualities of a Successful International Evaluator46:36 - Personal Experiences and Connections in Snowboarding50:41 - Balancing Travel and Personal Life58:22 - Looking Ahead: Future Plans and Reflections

Pour notre tout premier épisode en français, l’animatrice Geneviève Pilotto reçoit Luc Bélanger et Manuela Olibera-Dorn ! Ils abordent les défis et les opportunités liés à l’enseignement et à la formation dans une deuxième langue, en mettant l’accent sur la communication, le langage corporel et les stratégies pratiques pour un enseignement efficace dans des contextes multilingues.--Host, Geneviève Pilotto is joined by Luc Bélanger and Manuela Olibera-Dorn in our very first French episode! They explore the challenges and opportunities of teaching and training in a second language, focusing on communication, body language, and practical strategies for effective teaching in multilingual contexts.While this episode is in French, we encourage English speaking members to tune in as the content is quite relevant and often directed at non-Francophones, encouraging people to get out of their comfort zones to try new things.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Michelle Clifford, a high-level snowboarding and skiing professional, outdoor sports enthusiast, and dedicated mother. Discover her journey through certifications, balancing parenthood with athletic pursuits, and her insights on training, mentorship, and community involvement.CHAPTERS -00:15 - Intro2:32 - 4x4 Certification: How I got there5:57 - How does one feed the other (Skiing/Snowboarding)9:57 - How do you maintain such a high riding and skiing standard?14:25 - Words of advice to Dual Certified members (aka Duallies!)18:03 - History of Mount Pakenham24:37 - How to approach progression at a small hill29:55 - Skabbard30:45 - How to balance high performance in sport and being a good parent34:13 - Challenges with having babies and maintaining training38:36 - How having babies impacted career trajectory44:11 - Palette Cleanser!47:36 - Experiences on the Technical Team52:05 - Inspiring Women in Snow Sports58:40 - Finding Your Path01:00:35 - Summer Adventures: Rafting and Guiding01:06:58 - Crossover Skills: Snow and Water Sports

In this episode, hosts Rob Whelan and Jeff Chandler interview Andy MacLean, an OG CASI member, Hall of Famer and Operations Manager at Martock in Nova Scotia. They discuss Andy's extensive experience in the snowboarding industry, the vibrant community at small resorts, and the evolution of snowboarding techniques and equipment. The conversation highlights the importance of fostering a welcoming environment for snowboarders and the role of grassroots initiatives in promoting the sport. Andy shares insights on the current state of snowboarding, a career built at Martock, and the future of snowboarding.CHAPTERS00:00 - Introductions01:43 - A typical day at Martock03:11 - Andy's Journey in Snowboarding07:03 - Community and Operations at Small Resorts10:30 - The Importance of Riglet Parks13:34 - Influence of Early Snowboarding Experiences18:30 - Evolution of Snowboarding Instruction22:41 - Interski and Global Snowboarding Standards26:11 - The Evolution of Snowboarding Equipment28:11 - Personal Experiences with Snowboards29:42 - Teaching and Influences in Snowboarding31:48 - The Importance of SWAG in Snowboarding Culture33:56 - Snowboarding in the Maritimes: A Unique Perspective36:17 - The State of Snowboarding Today39:35 - Community and Inclusivity in Snowboarding43:53 - The Future of Snowboarding and Its Appeal

Jamie Forbes, member of the National Technical Team joins hosts Gen, Jeff & Rob to discuss the upcoming Interski Congress, an international gathering of snow sports instructors. They explore the significance of Interski, the community aspect and the value it brings to CASI members. The conversation also includes fun segments and insights into the planning and preparation for the event which will take place in April of 2027.Chapters:00:15 - Welcome01:47 - Understanding Interski: An Overview04:13 - The Significance of Interski06:53 - Sharing Best Practices at Interski11:26 - Learning from Global Perspectives12:08 - Global Alignment in Snowboarding Techniques13:53 - Cultural Exchange at Interski16:01 - The Balance of Fun and Technical Demos19:08 - Value of Interski for CASI Members22:21 - Community Over Competition6:58 - Non-Performance Aspects of Presentations27:40 - Planning for Interski 2027

In this episode, Rob Whelan interviews James Hyland, a passionate snowboard instructor and CASI's Program Manager for Ontario/Manitoba/Saskatchewan. They discuss the importance of enjoying the learning process, the value of learning from failure, and effective goal-setting strategies for personal and professional growth. James shares his experiences and insights on how to navigate challenges in the pursuit of certification and the significance of having a clear 'why' behind one's goals. The conversation emphasizes the journey of learning and the importance of community support in achieving success.CHAPTERS00:00 Intro02:28 Enjoying the Process of Learning05:30 The Value of Learning from Failure07:55 Goal Setting and Personal Objectives13:10 Strategies for Effective Goal Setting16:19 Handling Goal Setting Challenges20:11 Tips for Certification Success

In this episode, hosts Rob Whelan, Jeff Chandler, and Luc Bélanger discuss the recent changes in the minimum age for Level 1 snowboarding certification, now set at 14. They explore the implications of this change, including the benefits of allowing younger individuals to enter the teaching profession earlier. The conversation evolves into the challenges and rewards of building a career in snowboarding, emphasizing the importance of soft skills, community support, and the long-term commitment required to succeed in this field. The hosts share personal anecdotes and practical advice for aspiring instructors, highlighting the significance of mentorship and the value of experience in teaching snowboarding.

In this conversation, Jeff Chandler, Gen Pilotto & Rob Whelan discuss the evolution of communication within the organization, emphasizing the importance of connecting with members through a new podcast initiative. They highlight the quality of course content and the need for transparency in decision-making processes, aiming to create a more direct line of communication with snowboard instructors worldwide.Takeaways -The quality of our communications is strong.This podcast is the next evolution of our outreach.Excited about connecting with members through this project.This podcast offers a chance for less polished communication.We have many personalities to tap into for resources.The goal is to help snowboard instructors globally.Feedback from members is crucial for improvement.