All I Really Need to Know I Learned from Snowboarding

In this episode of 'All I Really Need to Know I Learned from Snowboarding,' hosts Matt Larson, Chris Rogers, Brian Donovan, and special guest Nick Afieri explore the critical topic of burnout in the snowboarding industry. Nick shares his personal experience with severe burnout and how it led him to step away from his snowboarding career. The discussion covers identifying the signs of burnout, the importance of setting boundaries, and strategies for maintaining work-life balance. The group also delves into the reasons behind burnout, including ineffective communication and overworked schedules, offering insights and advice from their own journeys.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome Back

00:30 Discussing Burnout Causes

01:45 Personal Experiences with Burnout

03:33 Work-Life Balance Challenges

04:31 Navigating Job Expectations

08:21 Building Confidence and Setting Boundaries

10:47 Industry Challenges and Personal Growth

17:20 Reflecting on Career and Burnout

23:02 Setting Clear Expectations

23:06 The Value of Knowing Your Worth

23:51 Launching a New Podcast

24:00 Reflecting on Team Dynamics

24:29 Peeling Back the Layers of Burnout

25:47 The Importance of Authenticity

27:12 Hot Takes: Snowboard Recommendations

33:32 Snowboarding and the Pursuit of Freedom

35:36 Dealing with Burnout

38:36 Recharging and Reflecting

40:30 Wrapping Up and Future Topics

This Week’s Hot Take: Should everyone ride twin shaped snowboards?

Next Week’s Episode: Convenience Bindings Fact or Fad?

Calls to Action:

• Subscribe, share, and leave a review!

• Send your questions for future mailbag episodes to [email protected]

• Follow us on socials @LearnedFromSnowboarding

• Visit our new website: www.learnedfromsnowboarding.com

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: [email protected] 

Instagram:

⁠⁠⁠⁠Learned from Snowboarding⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Brian Donovan⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Larson⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Chris Rogers⁠

In Episode 74 of the 'All I Really Need to Know I Learned from Snowboarding' podcast, hosts Chris Rogers, Matt Larson, Brian Donovan, and returning special guest Nick Afieri delve deep into the topic of burnout while revisiting Episode 5. They discuss the mental and physical exhaustion faced by snowboarding professionals. Nick shares his personal journey of dealing with severe burnout, the reasons behind it, and how stepping away from the snowboarding career helped him reclaim his passion and find balance. The group further explores the importance of setting boundaries, the impact of personality traits like introversion and extroversion, and how recognizing and addressing burnout is crucial for long-term well-being in the industry.

Calls to Action:

• Subscribe, share, and leave a review!

• Send your questions for future mailbag episodes to [email protected]

• Follow us on socials @LearnedFromSnowboarding

• Visit our new website: www.learnedfromsnowboarding.com

Thanks for listening and being part of our community. We love your questions and feedback—keep them coming!

Next Week’s Episode: Part 2 of Revisiting Burnout with Nick Alfieri

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: [email protected] 

Instagram:

⁠⁠⁠⁠Learned from Snowboarding⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Brian Donovan⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Larson⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Chris Rogers⁠

In this episode, hosts Matt Larson, Brian Donovan, and Chris Rogers delve into how snowboarding has honed their listening skills—key in developing people skills and effective communication. The discussion covers their personal experiences, teaching techniques, and the importance of active listening in building trust and better relationship management. They also introduce a new segment for answering audience questions, reflect on the impact of effective communication in both professional and personal realms, and update listeners on audio quality improvements.

In This Episode:

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

01:15 Catching Up: Personal Updates

05:00 Snowboarding and Communication Skills

10:38 The Importance of Listening in Snowboarding Instruction

13:47 Nonverbal Communication and Active Listening

18:42 Challenges and Techniques in Teaching

32:13 Remembering Names and Building Connections

35:27 Keeping Detailed Client Records

36:30 Effort in Remembering Names

37:19 Group Dynamics and Attendance

38:15 Challenges in Social Settings

42:13 Active Listening in Exams

57:20 Effective Questioning Techniques

01:01:06 Snowboard Specifications and Preferences

01:08:02 Listener Engagement and Future Topics

Calls to Action:

• Subscribe, share, and leave a review!

• Send your questions for future mailbag episodes to [email protected]

• Follow us on socials @LearnedFromSnowboarding

• Visit our new website: www.learnedfromsnowboarding.com

Thanks for listening and being part of our community. We love your questions and feedback—keep them coming!

Next Week’s Episode: Revisiting Episode 5, Dealing with Burnout!

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: [email protected] 

Instagram:

⁠⁠⁠⁠Learned from Snowboarding⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Brian Donovan⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Larson⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Chris Rogers⁠

Welcome to episode 72 of "All I Really Need to Know I Learned From Snowboarding" with Chris Rogers and Brian Donovan! This week, it's just the two of us as we celebrate the one-year anniversary of rekindling the podcast. Matt is out on an adventure, but we’re digging into the listener mailbag and responding to your questions, comments, and stories.

In This Episode:

• Listener questions about teaching to learning styles, exam strategies, and the latest research

• Coaching tips: How to help students break through learning plateaus and the value of using all sensory modalities (visual, auditory, kinesthetic)

• The challenge of updating teaching models and manuals in snow sports education

• Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and evolving industry standards

• Gear talk: Recommendations for snowboard boot insoles, heated insoles, and the difference between custom insoles and heat-moldable liners

• Team teaching: The pros, cons, and pitfalls of co-instructing lessons

• Instructor struggles: Hitting creative roadblocks, managing imposter syndrome, and the importance of being a lifelong learner

• Hot take: Are high backs on snowboard bindings overrated? Chris and Brian weigh in

Listener Questions Answered:

• How to approach exam questions on learning styles vs. current science

• Coaching students who prefer different learning modalities

• How to shift industry curriculum toward evidence-based models

• Where to buy the best snowboard insoles and how to fit heated insoles

• The difference between custom insoles and heat-moldable liners

• Team teaching best practices and common mistakes

• Overcoming instructor frustration and imposter syndrome

Calls to Action:

• Subscribe, share, and leave a review!

• Send your questions for future mailbag episodes to [email protected]

• Follow us on socials @LearnFromSnowboarding

• Visit our new website: www.learnedfromsnowboarding.com

Thanks for listening and being part of our community. We love your questions and feedback—keep them coming!

Next Week’s Episode: Snowboarding Made Me a Better Listener

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: [email protected] 

Instagram:

⁠⁠⁠⁠Learned from Snowboarding⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Brian Donovan⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Larson⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Chris Rogers⁠

How can understanding your students' Sensory Preferences and Learning Styles improve your instruction? In this episode, Brian, Matt, and Chris delve into these popular (and sometimes controversial) educational models. Learn how to effectively use Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic and Watcher, Thinker, Feeler, and Doer frameworks to enhance your teaching, while also recognizing their limitations.These concepts are widely used within PSIA-AASI and the broader education industry, but also spark debate. Tune in as they discuss the benefits and potential drawbacks of incorporating these models into your instructor toolkit.

Keep sending those hot takes, guest questions, and episode suggestions our way! Make sure to check out our new website: http://www.learnedfromsnowboarding.com and updated email address: [email protected] 

Hot Take: Would you rather have 10 days of snowboard stories you can rewatch for 24 hours, or 1 10-minute video part you can only watch once?

Next Week’s Episode: Snowboarding Made Me a Better Listener

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: [email protected] 

Instagram:

⁠⁠⁠⁠Learned from Snowboarding⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Brian Donovan⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Larson⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Chris Rogers⁠

The one about your feet, specifically, what’s on them! Insoles, liners, articulated cuffs, how they should and shouldn’t fit, and more. Chris, Matt, and Brian dive deep into the world of snowboard boots. Keep sending those hot takes, guest questions, and episodes our way at [email protected]!

Hot Take: Best Worst Tech in Snowboard Boots

Next Week’s Episode: VAK

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!

Follow on Instagram:

⁠⁠⁠⁠Learned from Snowboarding⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Brian Donovan⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Larson⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Chris Rogers⁠

This episode is all about turns, specifically, skidding and carving. What’s the difference between the two? Why do we want to carve or skid? What is Scarving? Keep sending those hot takes, guest questions, and episodes our way at [email protected]!

Hot Take: Team vs Individual Sports for Kids

Next Week’s Episode: What’s On Your Feet - The Boot Episode

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!

Follow on Instagram:

⁠⁠⁠⁠Learned from Snowboarding⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Brian Donovan⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Larson⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Chris Rogers⁠

With Donovan out for an episode Chris and Matt sit down with AASI Team Member Josh Smith. Meet Josh and hear about his journey to the National Team. Keep sending those hot takes, guest questions, and episodes our way at [email protected]!

Hot Take: What’s your favorite off-season training activity?

Next Week’s Episode: Skidding vs Carving!

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!

Follow on Instagram:

⁠⁠⁠⁠Learned from Snowboarding⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Brian Donovan⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Larson⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Chris Rogers⁠

In this episode we dive into the archives and listen to Episode 3 - Dealing with Shame. Chris, Matt, and Brian listen to the 2019 episode and share their thoughts and insights on how shame has affected them in their careers with both failures and successes. Tune in to hear about emotions from eam tryouts, certifications, and ideas for how to manage and grow from disappointment. Keep sending those hot takes, guest questions, and episodes our way at [email protected]!

Hot Take: What matters more, style or skill?

Next Week’s Episode: Interview with AASI Teammate Josh Smith

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!

Follow on Instagram:

⁠⁠⁠⁠Learned from Snowboarding⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Brian Donovan⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Larson⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Chris Rogers⁠

Episode 66 is all about helmets! How did we end up wearing helmets and why do we still wear them, plus what tech in helmets matters to us! Keep sending those hot takes, guest questions, and episodes our way at [email protected]!

Hot Take: What run makes you fall in love with snowboarding all over again?

Next Week’s Episode: Recap and Update - Episode 3 Shame

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!

Follow on Instagram:

⁠⁠⁠⁠Learned from Snowboarding⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Brian Donovan⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Larson⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠Chris Rogers⁠