First Chair: PSIA-AASI Podcast

PSIA-AASI First Chair Podcast
  • 4.3 (58)
  • Sports
  • Updated Biweekly

The First Chair Podcast brings you inspirational stories and educational tips from the country's best ski, snowboard, Nordic, and adaptive instructors. More than 34,000 individuals belong to PSIA-AASI (Professional Ski Instructors of America and American Association of Snowboard Instructors), making it the world’s largest organization dedicated to snowsports. We are lifelong learners committed to changing lives through great experiences on snow. Connect with us to learn more: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesnowpros Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesnowpros YouTube: @thesnowpros

  1. The Power of Feedback and Resilience with Lyndsey Stevens

    1d ago

    The Power of Feedback and Resilience with Lyndsey Stevens

    What do you do when the assessment sheet says "Did Not Attain"? In this episode of First Chair, host George Thomas talks with PSIA-AASI National Team member Lyndsey Stevens about her journey through the assessment process. Lyndsey opens up about failing her trainer assessment three times before finally succeeding on her fourth attempt. She explains how those setbacks weren't just hurdles, but essential learning moments that shaped her into the high-level educator she is today. Lyndsey dives into the difference between "passively declining" and "actively seeking" feedback, and why moving from the question of "Why did I fail?" to "What do I do to succeed?" is a total game changer. We discuss the importance of "Follow-up Culture," how to be a better receiver of feedback, and why examiners often enjoy being mentors more than they enjoy being proctors. Whether you are preparing for your Level I or eyeing a spot on the National Team, this conversation offers a roadmap for turning a "check-box" failure into a long-term professional victory. In this episode, we discuss: The emotional weight of seeing "Did Not Attain" on an assessment sheet. Reframing the past: Moving your focus from "Why" to "What." How to bridge the gap between being "at the standard" and proving it during an exam. The "Follow-up Culture": Prompting trainers with specific goals to get better data. Why being a good receiver of feedback is a skill that must be practiced. Read Lyndsey’s full article in the Winter 2026 issue of 32 Degrees magazine.

    24 min
  2. The Power of the Pole Touch with Keith Rodney

    May 26

    The Power of the Pole Touch with Keith Rodney

    Are your poles helping you accelerate, or are they telling your skis to stop? In this episode of First Chair, host George Thomas is joined by Keith Rodney—chair of the National Children’s Task Force, US Telemark Team head coach, and multi-discipline examiner. Keith explains why we’ve moved away from the term "pole plant" in favor of the "pole touch," and how this subtle shift in vocabulary reflects a massive shift in how we move our center of mass across our skis. Keith breaks down his "Gold Standard" of the accelerating pole touch, the "Wild Pole Swing" for emergency turns, and the "Unibody" movement patterns of young children. Whether you're an alpine pro, a telemark enthusiast, or a children's specialist, this episode will change the way you look at the "two sticks" in your hands. We also tackle the age-old question: At what age should kids actually start using poles? In this episode, we discuss: - The difference between a "blocking" plant and an "accelerating" touch. - How pole angle affects the energy travel into your upper body. - The "Unibody" movement: Why 3-to-6-year-olds struggle with grip. - "Nose over Toes": Using the pole reach to find balance on steep terrain. - Telemark vs. Alpine: How pole length and the "lead change" work together. Read Keith’s full article in the Winter 2026 issue of 32 Degrees magazine.

    30 min
  3. Magnetized to the Mountain: Using Social Psychology to Create Lifelong Skiers with Sebastian Crain

    May 19

    Magnetized to the Mountain: Using Social Psychology to Create Lifelong Skiers with Sebastian Crain

    Why do some students quit after one day, while others become skiers for life? In this episode of First Chair, host George Thomas is joined by Sebastian Crain to explore the deep psychology behind snowsports instruction. Sebastian teaches at Aspen Snowmass and Eldora, but he also holds a Master’s in the Social Psychology of Sport. He uses that expertise to explain why Self-Determination Theory (SDT) is the ultimate tool for modern instructors. Sebastian breaks down the three basic psychological needs—autonomy, competency, and relatedness—and explains how they lead to "intrinsic motivation." Learn how to move your guests away from just "trying it out" and toward a permanent identity as a snowpro. We also discuss how to deliver "informational" rather than "controlling" feedback to keep your students in the driver’s seat. In this episode, we discuss: - How Self-Determination Theory improves on Maslow’s Hierarchy. - The motivation spectrum: From ice cream rewards to flow state. - 9 statistically significant characteristics of effective feedback. - Shifting the focus from what you teach to how the guest feels.

    23 min
  4. The 90% Rule: Why Tone and Body Language Win the Lesson with Joaquin Alvarez Amuchástegui

    May 12

    The 90% Rule: Why Tone and Body Language Win the Lesson with Joaquin Alvarez Amuchástegui

    How much of your message is actually getting through to your students? In this episode of First Chair, host George Thomas sits down with international ski instructor Joaquin Alvarez Amuchastegui to discuss his recent 32 Degrees article, "Enhancing Our Connections with Empathy." Joaquin has taught all over the globe—from the steep faces of Switzerland to the firm slopes of the East Coast—and he’s discovered that technical knowledge is only 10% of the battle. Joaquin breaks down the "90% Rule," explaining why your tone of voice and body language are the primary tools for building trust, especially when conditions get "sketchy." We dive into the concept of "Dimming the Spotlight" to let student learning take center stage, the importance of a "Silent Feedback Loop," and how teaching in multiple languages (Spanish, English, and Portuguese) can actually make you a clearer, more empathetic communicator. Whether you are prepping for your Level III or teaching your first beginner lesson of the season, this conversation will help you match your student’s frequency and create a more effective learning environment.

    26 min
  5. How to be Successful in Assessment Teaching

    May 5

    How to be Successful in Assessment Teaching

    In this episode, host George Thomas sits down with PSIA National Alpine Team member Katie White to bridge the gap between daily client lessons and the high-pressure environment of a teaching assessment. Katie breaks down how to manage the shortened 20-minute "assessment clock" by killing the "canned progression" and moving toward an adaptable, "spiderweb" approach to coaching. This conversation is a must-listen for any instructor looking to elevate their professional game. You’ll learn how to master D.I.R.T. (Duration, Intensity, Rate, and Timing) in a short window, provide specific feedback that proves technical ownership, and manage risk beyond just a verbal safety check. Whether you are prepping for your Level II or Level III, Katie’s insights will help you trade exam anxiety for the technical clarity needed to pass with confidence.

    22 min
  6. The 4mm Miracle: Mastering Binding Position with Lou Rosenfeld

    Apr 30

    The 4mm Miracle: Mastering Binding Position with Lou Rosenfeld

    Stop struggling with your ski technique—the problem might be your bindings! In this episode of First Chair, host George Thomas talks with biomechanics expert Lou Rosenfeld about the "Magic of 4 Millimeters." Many skiers spend months trying to fix their stance, but Lou reveals how moving your binding position just a fraction can instantly put you in a balanced, powerful position. We debunk the "Engineer Myth"—the idea that the factory line on your skis is the only place your boots should go. Lou shares insights from his research with Atomic and Nordica to explain how manufacturers actually pick those marks (and why they might be wrong for you). Whether you're a pro instructor or a weekend warrior, learning how to adjust your mounting point can turn an "unforgiving" ski into your favorite piece of gear. In this video, you’ll learn: - Why the "ball of foot" method still matters in the age of shaped skis. - How binding placement affects your performance in moguls vs. groomed runs. - Why skiers with smaller feet (including many women) are often mounted too far back. - The "12-minute fix" that can save you 12 weeks of frustration on the hill.

    30 min
  7. Why Core Control Is the Secret to Better Turns and Tricks

    Apr 21

    Why Core Control Is the Secret to Better Turns and Tricks

    What does “core tension” really mean—and how does it impact your skiing and riding? In this episode of First Chair, George Thomas talks with PSIA-AASI National Team member Tony Macri about how core engagement drives balance, stability, and performance across all disciplines. Based on his 32 Degrees article, Tony breaks down how the core goes beyond just your abs, how different types of muscle contractions (concentric, eccentric, isometric) come into play, and how concepts like timing, intensity, rate, and duration shape movement outcomes. From freestyle tricks to carving and riding variable terrain, this episode offers practical ways to use your core more effectively—without overthinking or over-tensing.

    20 min
  8. The “Forward Trap”: Why Getting Forward Isn’t Always Better

    Apr 20

    The “Forward Trap”: Why Getting Forward Isn’t Always Better

    Are you actually too far forward when you ski? In this episode of First Chair, George Thomas talks with PSIA-AASI Alpine Team member Kevin Jordan about the “forward trap”—and why the common cue to “get forward” can sometimes do more harm than good. Based on his 32 Degrees article, Kevin breaks down the difference between “pushing” and “pulling” in your turns, how overdriving the front of the ski can cause the tails to break away, and what it really means to manage pressure throughout the turn. From practical cues to real-world teaching applications, this conversation gives instructors a clearer, more effective way to help guests create better turn shape and ski performance.

    31 min
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4.3
out of 5
58 Ratings

About

The First Chair Podcast brings you inspirational stories and educational tips from the country's best ski, snowboard, Nordic, and adaptive instructors. More than 34,000 individuals belong to PSIA-AASI (Professional Ski Instructors of America and American Association of Snowboard Instructors), making it the world’s largest organization dedicated to snowsports. We are lifelong learners committed to changing lives through great experiences on snow. Connect with us to learn more: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesnowpros Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesnowpros YouTube: @thesnowpros

Information

  • Creator
    PSIA-AASI First Chair Podcast
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    500
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    First Chair: PSIA-AASI Podcast

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