All I Really Need to Know I Learned from Snowboarding

Learned From Snowboarding
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The snowboard podcast All I Really Need to Know I Learned from Snowboarding with Chris Rogers, Brian Donovan, and Matt Larson is a podcast about life lessons, snowboarding, and the intersection of the two. Tune in each week as we discuss snowboarding, snowsports instruction, instructor certification, and how, well, basically, we learned everything we need to know from snowboarding! Brian, Matt, and Chris are snowboarders, instructors, trainers, and members of the PSIA-AASI National Team.

  1. Aug 19

    101. Instructor 101

    Episode 101 is “Instructor 101,” advice for aspiring snow-sports instructors as hiring begins earlier each season. They discuss how new hires often underestimate the gap between riding ability and understanding biomechanics and teaching, and emphasize humility, being a “sponge,” and that people skills and riding skills are trainable regardless of age. The group covers realities of the job: physical stamina, decision fatigue, unpredictable assignments and weather, managing personal discomfort, and the value of routines. They note career benefits like growth, pro-form discounts and PSIA-AASI membership perks, and debate gear hot takes on flipping toe-strap ratchets and modifying boot-liner lace eyelets. 02:09 Pow Days And Hardboots 04:43 Chile Camp Schedule Breakdown 08:28 Progress And Perfect Groomers 10:45 Why We Started Teaching 15:45 Learning Curve Reality Check 20:13 Confidence Age And Humility 25:59 Tryouts Then Vs Now 29:23 Trainability Over Talent 34:48 Physical And Mental Demands 37:03 Beginner Lessons Sweat 38:08 Lineup Roulette 38:39 Chameleon Instructor Mindset 40:59 From Riding to Working 42:32 Know Your Teaching Fit 46:19 Benefits and Growth 47:18 Generalist or Specialist 51:34 Private Lesson Reality Check 01:00:21 Double Gear Hot Takes Help LFS Grow! Subscribe, share, and leave a review! Check out the merch on our website: http://www.learnedfromsnowboarding.com  Send your questions for future mailbag episodes to info@learnedfromsnowboarding.com Follow us on socials @LearnedFromSnowboarding Thanks for listening and being part of our community. We love your questions and feedback—keep them coming! The snowboard podcast All I Really Need to Know I Learned from Snowboarding is a weekly podcast with AASI Snowboard National Team Members Chris Rogers, Matt Larson, and Brian Donovan. Tune in each week as we discuss snowboarding, snowsports instruction, instructor certification, and how, well, basically, we learned everything we need to know from snowboarding! Hosts: Chris Rogers, Matt Larson, and Brian Donovan Website:http://www.learnedfromsnowboarding.com  Email: info@learnedfromsnowboarding.com  Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Learned from Snowboarding⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Brian Donovan⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Larson⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Chris Rogers⁠

    101. Instructor 101

  2. Jul 31

    100. Deep Dive on DIRT | Duration, Intensity, Rate & Timing

    In episode 100 of “All I Really Need to Know I Learned from Snowboarding,” hosts Matt Larson, Chris Rogers, and Brian Donovan celebrate reaching 100 episodes in about two years, share podcast milestones (over 65,000 plays, 745 subscribers), and announce a new merch store at learnedfromsnowboarding.com. The episode is a “deep dive on DIRT”—Duration, Intensity, Rate, and Timing - used as a framework for describing and analyzing snowboarding movements, especially for instruction and certification. They define each element, discuss how DIRT is about manipulating movements rather than specific movements, and explore how the elements interact, including common confusions between rate, duration, and intensity. Examples include a quick center-of-mass drop, spinning different rotations on the same jump, and pushing empty vs. loaded boxes. They also discuss individuality, power vs. finesse style, and end with hot takes on non-snowboard brands that fit snowboard culture plus listener shout-outs and calls for reviews and hot take submissions. 01:41 Snow Future Talk 03:37 Merch Store Drop 04:09 Why A Dirt Episode 05:09 DIRT Framework Explained 08:36 Duration 10:22 Intensity 11:28 Rate 16:04 Timing 19:58 Mixing DIRT Elements 23:47 Rate Vs Intensity Examples 30:32 Instructor Coaching Pet Peeves 33:43 Context and Quantifying Rate 38:36 Reference Riders and Alignments 41:14 Bias and Tailoring Demos 44:52 Cardboard Box DIRT Example 47:33 Biomechanics and Style 54:09 Individuality in Certification 57:38 Common Coaching Mistakes 59:54 Timing Tools and Sequence 01:03:51 Dynamic vs Prepared Movement 01:09:26 Hot Takes Brand Debate 01:13:18 Wrap Up and Merch Help LFS Grow! ​Subscribe, share, and leave a review!​Check out the merch on our website: http://www.learnedfromsnowboarding.com ​Send your questions for future mailbag episodes to info@learnedfromsnowboarding.com​Follow us on socials @LearnedFromSnowboardingThanks for listening and being part of our community. We love your questions and feedback—keep them coming! The snowboard podcast All I Really Need to Know I Learned from Snowboarding is a weekly podcast with AASI Snowboard National Team Members Chris Rogers, Matt Larson, and Brian Donovan. Tune in each week as we discuss snowboarding, snowsports instruction, instructor certification, and how, well, basically, we learned everything we need to know from snowboarding! Hosts: Chris Rogers, Matt Larson, and Brian Donovan Website:http://www.learnedfromsnowboarding.com  Email: info@learnedfromsnowboarding.com  Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Learned from Snowboarding⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Brian Donovan⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Larson⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Chris Rogers⁠

    100. Deep Dive on DIRT | Duration, Intensity, Rate & Timing

  3. Jul 7

    99. Why Jumping Is So Hard

    In episode 99 of “All I Really Need to Know I Learned from Snowboarding,” Chris Rogers, Brian Donovan, and Matt Larson unpack why jumping on a snowboard is difficult, emphasizing that takeoff dictates flight and landing and that timing is critical. They discuss how jumping on a snowboard differs due to being strapped to a board on a slippery, deforming surface with limited ankle range, added boot/board weight, stance width, and varying jump shapes/sizes. The hosts cover mechanics like resisting momentum through the transition, managing extension vs absorption, forward lean effects, strength demands (isometric/eccentric/concentric), speed, rider mass, board setup, and the pitfalls of following others into jumps.  00:35 Why Jumps Feel Scary 02:54 Jumping Sideways Explained 05:03 Slippery Surface Problem 05:59 Boots Stance And Ollies 07:37 Park Jumps Change Everything 11:06 Takeoff Dictates Flight 13:39 Timing Is The Whole Game 14:51 DIRT Model Side Quest 23:02 Why Boards Slip Out 25:42 Strength Beats Physics 31:12 Extension vs Taller 37:21 Following In for Speed 42:53 Reps and Hike Park 44:59 Snowboarding Music Picks 57:31 After Credits Banter Help LFS Grow! Subscribe, share, and leave a review! Check out the merch on our website: http://www.learnedfromsnowboarding.com  Send your questions for future mailbag episodes to info@learnedfromsnowboarding.com Follow us on socials @LearnedFromSnowboarding Thanks for listening and being part of our community. We love your questions and feedback—keep them coming! The snowboard podcast All I Really Need to Know I Learned from Snowboarding is a weekly podcast with AASI Snowboard National Team Members Chris Rogers, Matt Larson, and Brian Donovan. Tune in each week as we discuss snowboarding, snowsports instruction, instructor certification, and how, well, basically, we learned everything we need to know from snowboarding! Hosts: Chris Rogers, Matt Larson, and Brian Donovan Website:http://www.learnedfromsnowboarding.com  Email: info@learnedfromsnowboarding.com  Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Learned from Snowboarding⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Brian Donovan⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Larson⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Chris Rogers⁠

    99. Why Jumping Is So Hard

  4. Jun 16

    98. Mud Season Catch-Up

    In episode 98 of “All I Really Need to Know I Learned from Snowboarding,” Matt Larson, Brian Donovan, and Chris Rogers reunite for an unstructured catch-up after a missed recording when Matt got called to the hospital. They share seasonal updates (river trips in Montana, Vermont black fly season, travel, volleyball, motorcycles, a Pittsburgh birthday trip and sunburn, and Rogers’ basement renovation) and note ongoing work toward national alignment and Interski. The hosts reflect on how snowboarding pushed them into jobs that built work ethic and transferable skills, swapping stories about odd and tough gigs. They discuss best off-season jobs like raft guiding and team-building facilitation and float a potential Learn From Snowboarding meetup at Big Snow in New Jersey in September, plus a brief appearance from Matt’s mom, Barb Larson. 00:00 Fan Message Shoutout 02:11 Spring Catch Up 05:25 National Alignment Update 06:51 Vermont Summer Mode 15:30 Episode Intro And Format 16:38 Snowboarding Work Ethic 21:26 Weird Jobs Stories 25:08 Alaska Gold Dredge Tour 30:53 Enterprise Insurance Honesty 33:31 Best Side Hustles 33:45 Raft Guiding Life Skills 34:52 Ropes Course Facilitation 38:18 Skill Transfer and Fire Work 48:22 Big Snow Meetup Planning 51:43 Barb Larson Drops In Help LFS Grow! Subscribe, share, and leave a review! Check out the merch on our website: http://www.learnedfromsnowboarding.com  Send your questions for future mailbag episodes to info@learnedfromsnowboarding.com Follow us on socials @LearnedFromSnowboarding Thanks for listening and being part of our community. We love your questions and feedback—keep them coming! The snowboard podcast All I Really Need to Know I Learned from Snowboarding is a weekly podcast with AASI Snowboard National Team Members Chris Rogers, Matt Larson, and Brian Donovan. Tune in each week as we discuss snowboarding, snowsports instruction, instructor certification, and how, well, basically, we learned everything we need to know from snowboarding! Hosts: Chris Rogers, Matt Larson, and Brian Donovan Website:http://www.learnedfromsnowboarding.com  Email: info@learnedfromsnowboarding.com  Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Learned from Snowboarding⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Brian Donovan⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Larson⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Chris Rogers⁠

    98. Mud Season Catch-Up

  5. May 5

    97. Seasonal Burnout, Rider Rally, and Listener Shoutouts

    Chris rejoins Brian and Matt to recap the last episode on “chatter,” Rogers shares a Europe trip with Head Snowboards for 27/28 product testing that delivered an April powder day, helped him recognize season burnout, and renewed his stoke; the group discusses motivation during poor conditions and valuing community over snow quality. Donovan describes squeezing in two quick Copper laps with the Rider Rally/National Academy crew amid travel and road challenges. They read listener emails: Miles S passing his Level 3 teach at Mammoth, Jamie W’s detailed “Dirt vs TID” note to revisit, and John James’ binding highback-rotation feedback, sparking a debate and a “cut two, keep three” snowboard tech game. Matt adds a plug for a summer Chile carving camp at carvingtheandes.com. 00:44 Last Episode Recap 03:24 Europe Powder Reset 05:44 Motivation in Bad Conditions 11:58 Copper Laps and Community 18:20 Listener Emails and Shoutouts 23:46 Hot Take Highback Rotation 35:40 Cut Two Keep Three Game 43:35 Ride For Jake Date 47:45 Wrap Up And Plugs Help LFS Grow! Subscribe, share, and leave a review! Check out the merch on our website: http://www.learnedfromsnowboarding.com  Send your questions for future mailbag episodes to info@learnedfromsnowboarding.com Follow us on socials @LearnedFromSnowboarding Thanks for listening and being part of our community. We love your questions and feedback—keep them coming! The snowboard podcast All I Really Need to Know I Learned from Snowboarding is a weekly podcast with AASI Snowboard National Team Members Chris Rogers, Matt Larson, and Brian Donovan. Tune in each week as we discuss snowboarding, snowsports instruction, instructor certification, and how, well, basically, we learned everything we need to know from snowboarding! Hosts: Chris Rogers, Matt Larson, and Brian Donovan Website:http://www.learnedfromsnowboarding.com  Email: info@learnedfromsnowboarding.com  Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Learned from Snowboarding⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Brian Donovan⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Larson⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Chris Rogers⁠

  6. Apr 21

    96. Heel Chatter: Causes, Tactics, and How to Manage It

    With Chris in Austria testing boards with Head Snowboards, Matt Larson and Brian Donovan are let loose for episode 96 of “All I Really Need to Know I Learned from Snowboarding.” They describe bulletproof, icy conditions during regional trainings for National Team selections, which sets the stage for an episode all about chatter. They define heel chatter as edge skipping when forces build around the fall line and pressure management breaks down. They list contributors and fixes including turn symmetry, tilt and pressure along the board, biomechanics and absorption, forward lean, redirection of momentum versus resisting gravity, early edge engagement, twist management, and “soft and low” flexion responses, then close with a hot take choosing two forever terrain-park features. 00:00 Tryout Recap 05:58 Firm Snow East Coast Talk 07:27 Team Tryout Tactics Lessons 10:32 Episode Setup and Hosts 12:10 Heel Chatter Defined 15:48 Why Chatter Happens 18:18 Forward Lean Debate 30:33 Alpine and Eurocarve Pitfalls 34:11 Fixing Heel Chatter Checklist 41:10 Pivot Versus Skid 42:56 Top Fixes Debate 46:37 Momentum Beats Gravity 48:33 Training Heel Chatter 52:09 Soft And Low 52:41 Can You Recover 01:01 Prevent It Early 01:03 Hot Takes 01:05 Two Park Features 01:07 Jump And Rail Picks 01:16:00 Wrap Up And Plugs Help LFS Grow! Subscribe, share, and leave a review! Check out the merch on our website: http://www.learnedfromsnowboarding.com  Send your questions for future mailbag episodes to info@learnedfromsnowboarding.com Follow us on socials @LearnedFromSnowboarding Thanks for listening and being part of our community. We love your questions and feedback—keep them coming! The snowboard podcast All I Really Need to Know I Learned from Snowboarding is a weekly podcast with AASI Snowboard National Team Members Chris Rogers, Matt Larson, and Brian Donovan. Tune in each week as we discuss snowboarding, snowsports instruction, instructor certification, and how, well, basically, we learned everything we need to know from snowboarding! Hosts: Chris Rogers, Matt Larson, and Brian Donovan Website:http://www.learnedfromsnowboarding.com  Email: info@learnedfromsnowboarding.com  Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Learned from Snowboarding⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Brian Donovan⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Larson⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Chris Rogers⁠

    96. Heel Chatter: Causes, Tactics, and How to Manage It

  7. Apr 1

    95. Spring Assessments and Gear Talk

    In Episode 95 Brian Donovan, Matt Larson, and Chris Rogers compare late-season conditions across Big Sky, Colorado, and the Northeast, then offer practical advice for spring exams and assessments, including terrain planning, adapting movement intensity to speed and snow, and tuning and waxing strategies (structure, sharp edges, not tuning the day before, and watching for box/rail unpredictability). They reflect on tracking seasonal “nuggets,” discuss stance experimentation and emerging tools like the Stance Pro app, and close with “daily driver” gear picks and a playful poll challenge tied to Rider Rally. 02:41 Podcast Growth Reflections 03:34 Episode 95 Kickoff 04:04 Wild Spring Conditions 08:24 Exams Amid Terrain Changes 10:38 Spring Exam Mindset 13:11 Waxing and Edge Prep 17:02 Park Hazards in Spring 18:43 Tune Timing for Exams 26:23 Adjusting Intensity When Slow 31:02 How Conditions Change Assessments 37:14 Calibrating Speed and Turn Shape 41:22 Spring Slush Speed Hacks 41:59 Shadows as Speed Zones 43:20 Season Nuggets and Journaling 44:22 Logging Clients and Clinics 48:46 Writing to Anchor Learning 54:17 Stance Experiments and Tools 58:40 Hot Takes Daily Driver Gear 01:11:00 Rider Rally Poll Challenge 01:13:58 Wrap Up and Community Shoutouts 01:14:45 Merch Stories and Ski Lesson Help LFS Grow! Subscribe, share, and leave a review! Check out the merch on our website: http://www.learnedfromsnowboarding.com  Send your questions for future mailbag episodes to info@learnedfromsnowboarding.com Follow us on socials @LearnedFromSnowboarding Thanks for listening and being part of our community. We love your questions and feedback—keep them coming! The snowboard podcast All I Really Need to Know I Learned from Snowboarding is a weekly podcast with AASI Snowboard National Team Members Chris Rogers, Matt Larson, and Brian Donovan. Tune in each week as we discuss snowboarding, snowsports instruction, instructor certification, and how, well, basically, we learned everything we need to know from snowboarding! Hosts: Chris Rogers, Matt Larson, and Brian Donovan Website:http://www.learnedfromsnowboarding.com  Email: info@learnedfromsnowboarding.com  Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Learned from Snowboarding⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Brian Donovan⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Larson⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Chris Rogers⁠

    95. Spring Assessments and Gear Talk

  8. Mar 26

    94. Natural Selection Finals Watch-Along

    Chris Rogers, Brian Donovan, and Matt Larson return to recording in the garage after a difficult Hawaii remote episode, sharing stories of extreme island weather, a missed volcanic eruption, and Matt surfing alone on a standup paddleboard in a big swell. They then do a first-time watch-along of the Red Bull Yeti Natural Selection Snowboard Finals Day at Revelstoke, providing timestamps, reactions, and commentary on logistics, terrain, snow conditions, tricks, and scoring as Zoe and Sarka battle in the women’s finals and Nils Mindich and Brin Alexander compete in the men’s finals, with Zoe and Nils winning. They discuss how Natural Selection allows imperfections like butt checks compared to other contests, touch on melting conditions in Montana canceling plans, and end with a listener question debating whether frontside or backside boardslides are harder. Use this link to queue up the video they’re watching: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePt3-udc8Tc 02:13 Big Swell Surf Story 04:01 Natural Selection Watchalong Setup 06:22 Womens Finals Run One 07:25 Run One Reactions And Scores 12:32 Mens Finals Nils Vs Brin 17:24 Replay And Method Debate 19:37 Muted Mic And Scoring Talk 24:11 Gear Nostalgia And Winter Roots 25:37 Women’s Finals Lap Two 26:42 Run One Reactions 27:30 Why Vests Unzipped 28:17 Switch Five And Recovery 29:44 Run One Scores And Revelstoke Hype 31:54 Community And Access Talk 32:18 Mens Finals Run Two Setup 34:11 Brin Bold New Line 35:56 Nils Ninja Run 37:53 Judges Recap And Winner 39:37 Why Natural Selection Rules 45:00 Hot Take Board Slides 57:38 Wrap And Next Episodes 59:36 Post Show Email Tease Help LFS Grow! Subscribe, share, and leave a review! Check out the merch on our website: http://www.learnedfromsnowboarding.com  Send your questions for future mailbag episodes to info@learnedfromsnowboarding.com Follow us on socials @LearnedFromSnowboarding Thanks for listening and being part of our community. We love your questions and feedback—keep them coming! The snowboard podcast All I Really Need to Know I Learned from Snowboarding is a weekly podcast with AASI Snowboard National Team Members Chris Rogers, Matt Larson, and Brian Donovan. Tune in each week as we discuss snowboarding, snowsports instruction, instructor certification, and how, well, basically, we learned everything we need to know from snowboarding! Hosts: Chris Rogers, Matt Larson, and Brian Donovan Website:http://www.learnedfromsnowboarding.com  Email: info@learnedfromsnowboarding.com  Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Learned from Snowboarding⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Brian Donovan⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Larson⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Chris Rogers⁠

    94. Natural Selection Finals Watch-Along
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The snowboard podcast All I Really Need to Know I Learned from Snowboarding with Chris Rogers, Brian Donovan, and Matt Larson is a podcast about life lessons, snowboarding, and the intersection of the two. Tune in each week as we discuss snowboarding, snowsports instruction, instructor certification, and how, well, basically, we learned everything we need to know from snowboarding! Brian, Matt, and Chris are snowboarders, instructors, trainers, and members of the PSIA-AASI National Team.

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