Falling Off The Floor

The Mental Battle of Recovery: with skier Jess Hotter

In this episode of the Falling Off The Floor Podcast, Jess Hotter, a professional freeride skier from New Zealand, shares her journey through injury, mental resilience, and life beyond skiing. We explore her recovery process, passions outside of skiing, and her perspectives on sobriety and mental health in action sports. Jess has an awesome story and is an INCREDIBLE skier. Find her on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/jesshotterski/

The Unexpected Power of Authenticity in Ski Culture and Business Success with Ski Town All Stars Founder, Chris Bivona

From Ski Town to Mental Health Advocate: The Journey of Chris Bivona In this episode, we sit down with Chris Bavona, founder of Ski Town All Star and owner of a thriving ski shop in Vail. Chris shares his inspiring story of transformation—balancing entrepreneurship, sobriety, and advocating for mental health—all within the mountain town culture we all love. Key topics covered: * Chris's transition from construction management to starting a ski apparel and equipment business * The importance of authenticity in content creation and brand partnerships * How sobriety and mental health advocacy are reshaping mountain town culture * Providing personalized, exceptional customer service in the ski industry * Building a loyal community through storytelling and genuine connections * The impact of social media in shaping ski culture and business growth * Navigating industry challenges: competition, authenticity, and brand loyalty * The significance of supporting small brands and staying true to your values Timestamps: 00:00 - Welcome and podcast intro with Chris Bavona 02:30 - Chris's background: from construction to ski business 05:00 - Founding Ski Town All Stars: the story behind the brand 08:15 - The evolution of ski apparel and retail in Colorado 11:00 - Creating authentic content and build loyalty 14:45 - Embracing sobriety and mental health advocacy in mountain culture 17:30 - The importance of personal connection in customer service 20:15 - How social media influences ski industry trends 23:20 - Supporting small brands and staying authentic 26:45 - Industry challenges: competition and brand loyalty 30:00 - Chris’s passion outside of skiing and giving back to youth 33:25 - The power of storytelling and community impact 36:50 - Final thoughts: mindset, authenticity, and pursuing passion

From Addiction to Empowerment: Stevie Mayer's Journey

In this episode of the Falling Off the Floor podcast, host Austin Becker speaks with Stevie Mayer, a reinvention and fitness coach who helps women transform their lives through hiking and outdoor experiences. Stevie shares her personal journey from struggling with addiction and mental health issues to finding healing and purpose in the outdoors. She discusses the importance of authenticity in content creation, the launch of her coaching program, and her goals for the future, emphasizing the need for connection and presence in life. Stevie's Social Media Handles: https://www.instagram.com/stevieewander/ Tons of new Falling Off The Floor Merch available. Every purchase supports mental health non-profits! https://www.fallingoffthefloor.com/store Takeaways Stevie Mayer is a reinvention and fitness coach. She helps women transform their lives through hiking. Stevie struggled with addiction from a young age. A turning point in her life was a suicide attempt. She found healing through hiking and outdoor experiences. Stevie lost 150 pounds through hiking and backpacking. She launched Mountain Beast Performance to empower women. Authenticity in content creation is crucial. Setting realistic goals and being present is important. Stevie plans to try freediving and explore new activities. Keywords addiction recovery, hiking, fitness coaching, mental health, personal growth, women empowerment, outdoor therapy, authenticity, content creation, reinvention Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Stevie Mayer and Her Journey 01:16 Stevie's Early Struggles with Addiction 04:00 Turning Point: From Addiction to Recovery 07:43 Embracing the Outdoors: Hiking as Therapy 09:41 Launching Mountain Beast Performance 12:01 The Importance of Authenticity in Content Creation 14:12 The Mountain Beast Program: Empowering Women 16:28 Personal Growth Through Outdoor Challenges 20:19 Finding Balance: Running and Addiction 36:49 Setting Goals for 2026: Embracing the Present 45:25 Final Thoughts: Learning Through Experience

Breaking Barriers: Inclusivity in the Ski Industry with Cooper Johnson

In this episode of the Falling Off the Floor podcast, host Austin Becker hosts Cooper Johnson as he shares his journey of creating Outpst, a brand focused on making fleece beanies while promoting inclusivity in the ski community. After facing multiple injuries during his pursuit of becoming a professional skier, Cooper found solace in sewing and decided to create a product that not only catered to his needs but also addressed the barriers many face in the ski industry. He emphasizes the importance of community and accessibility, aiming to inspire others to break into the skiing world despite financial and social challenges. Throughout the conversation, Cooper discusses the evolution of Outpst, from its humble beginnings to its current mission of fostering a supportive environment for aspiring athletes. He highlights the significance of collaboration within the community, sharing how he has built an athlete program and a platform for storytelling through the brand. The episode also touches on the challenges of the ski industry, the importance of mental health, and the need for inclusivity, making it a compelling listen for anyone interested in skiing, entrepreneurship, or community building. How to learn about Coop and Outpst: https://outpst.co/ https://www.instagram.com/mr.coopj/ https://www.instagram.com/outpst.co/

Uncle E: The Voice Behind Skiing's Evolution | A story of resiliency and growth

In this episode, Chris Ernst, "Uncle E", a legendary figure in the ski world, shares his journey from being the voice of the X Games to overcoming personal challenges and finding sobriety. The conversation delves into the evolution of skiing culture, the impact of the X Games, and the importance of integrity and personal growth. Uncle E, X Games, skiing culture, sobriety, personal growth, ski industry, integrity, recovery, ski cross, freestyle skiing, cortina olympics, 2026 olympics * Uncle E's journey from X Games announcer to sobriety. * The evolution of skiing culture and its impact. * The role of integrity in personal and professional life. * The challenges and triumphs of recovery. * The influence of the X Games on modern skiing. * "Integrity: No Right Way to Do Wrong" * "The voice of the X Games" * "Skiing's evolution through my eyes" * "From addiction to recovery" * "Ski culture's impact on life" Chapters: * 00:00:00 Introduction to Uncle E * 00:03:00 The X Games Era * 00:09:00 Skiing Culture Evolution * 00:15:00 Personal Challenges and Recovery * 00:21:00 Lessons in Integrity and Growth The best outerwear in the GAME: https://akovagear.com/ The best outdoor and fitness watch of 2025 goes to the Polar Grit X2: https://www.polar.com/us-en/grit-x2?srsltid=AfmBOorIT9IWohYbAaczhZsEv4sBc-tj-ne3865XSBBa-s9jth7274s4The Story Behind the Birth of Skier Cross