Elsa is a former alpine ski racer turned videographer and the founder of Fall-Liners , a YouTube channel dedicated to telling the untold stories of competitive alpine ski racing. After six years inside the sport, she stepped away from competition to document it from a new perspective, capturing the realities, personalities, sacrifices, and culture that exist beyond podium finishes. Having lived the athlete experience herself, she now uses film to spotlight the grit behind the gates and give ski racing the visibility it deserves.
Expect to learn why she transitioned from racing to media, what most people misunderstand about alpine skiing, how storytelling can grow niche sports, and the real challenges athletes face with funding, pressure, and identity. We also discuss life after competition, building a YouTube channel in a niche sport, creating authentic content in high-performance environments, and why the future of alpine ski racing may depend just as much on media as medals.
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Get in contact below:
YouTube: Richie O'Brien - YouTube
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richieobrienx/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@richieobrienx
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richieobrienx/
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Find Elsa below:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elsa-powell-dooley-078a14234/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fallliners
YouTube: @FallLiners
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Timestamps:
(00:00) Introduction to Ski Racing Misconceptions
(02:56) Understanding Alpine Ski Racing Events
(05:59) The Ski Racing Season Explained
(08:57) Starting Ski Racing at 18: A Unique Journey
(11:59) The Impact of School on Learning Styles
(17:46) Realizations About Education and Learning
(22:49) Choosing a Path Outside of University
(26:59) Transitioning from Competitive Skiing to Media
(30:06) Creating Exposure for Ski Racing Through Media
(38:43) Funding the Dream: Early Challenges
(41:59) The Growth Journey: From Struggles to Success
(45:44) Navigating the Content Creation Landscape
(50:13) The Algorithm Dilemma: Balancing Authenticity and Strategy
(55:34) The Future of Content Creation: Trends and Predictions
(01:01:42) Crafting Stories: The Art of Videography
(01:04:18) Future Aspirations: Where Will Full Liners Go?
(01:06:13) Merchandising: The Journey of Selling Hats