The Gnar Stool Podcast

In this episode of The Gnar Stool, we sat down with Desiree Melancon, a pro snowboarder, artist, grad student, and mental health advocate whose impact on the action sports world goes far beyond the mountain.

Desiree shares her personal journey from growing up in Riverside, California to becoming a driving force for mental health awareness in the outdoor community. She opens up about her own experiences with mental health, including ...

On this episode, we hang with the unstoppable Madison Ostergren—a pro skier with serious style and a deep love for the mountains. From growing up on the icy hills of Northern Michigan to chasing big lines in the Tetons, Madison’s journey is all about grit, growth, and going big.

We get into it all: her switch from ski racing to freeride, the mental and physical work behind showing up strong, and the real talk around body image in mo...

In this episode of the NARSTOOL podcast, we welcome back professional skier Johnny Collinson, who shares his journey through injury and recovery. After suffering a significant knee injury that resulted in a torn ACL and meniscus, Johnny discusses the challenges and triumphs of his rehabilitation process. He dives into the importance of prehab, the mindset required to overcome setbacks, and the role of nutrition in recovery.

Join hos...

In this episode of the Gnar Stool Podcast, we sit down with legendary skier Ingrid Backstrom. Known for her powerful style and trailblazing presence in the ski film world, Ingrid shares her journey from growing up in the rugged Cascades to becoming one of the most respected names in the sport.

She talks about her early days on skis, the shift from racing to freeskiing, and the defining moments that shaped her career. Ingrid reflects...

Collagen: Hype or Help?

In this episode of The Gnar Stool Podcast, hosts Shannon O'Grady, Jason Morgan, and Taylor Carr take a deep dive into the world of collagen. With Taylor’s background in sports nutrition and strength and conditioning, the trio unpacks what collagen is, the different types, and how it functions in the body.

They tackle common misconceptions, marketing claims, and the science behind collagen’s use for joint healt...

In this episode of The Gnar Stool podcast, we sit down with legendary ski filmmaker Scott Gaffney, a pioneer in ski storytelling known for his unique mix of humor, heart, and high-energy action.

Scott takes us through his journey from skiing in the Adirondacks as a kid to becoming one of the most influential voices in the ski film world. He shares how classic movies like Blizzard of Aahhh's ignited his passion and shaped his creativ...

In this episode of The Gnar Stool Podcast, we sit down with Bryon Friedman, former World Cup ski racer, musician, and entrepreneur, for a deep and honest conversation about transformation.

Bryon takes us from his early days on the slopes of Park City to a life reshaped by a career-ending injury. He shares how that pivotal moment shifted his relationship with competition and sparked a journey into music, surfing, and sustainable busi...

In this episode of The Gnar Stool, Shannon O'Grady and Jason Morgan catch up with pro mountain biker Sam Soriano, a rising force in freeride who is rewriting what’s possible on two wheels. Sam takes us through her journey from BMX racing at just four years old to finding her place and style in freeride, with a few crashes, podiums, and pivots along the way.

We get into the highs and lows of competition, what it’s really like to navi...

In this episode of The Gnar Stool podcast, we sit down with Blake Cason—a certified professional life coach and climber with a background in psychology and anthropology. Blake shares her winding journey into coaching, from facilitating intimate conversations around sexual health during the height of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in South Africa, to helping individuals and teams navigate growth through presence, resilience, and curiosity.

We...

In this episode of The Gnar Stool podcast, we sit down with the wildly talented Nikki Smith, a climber, photographer, artist, writer, and all-around force in the outdoor world. From her early days in Moab to becoming a leading voice in climbing culture, Nikki brings a deeply personal and refreshingly honest perspective to the conversation.

She shares how a fear of heights evolved into a love for climbing, eventually leading to over ...

Professional climber. Bouldering coach. Guy who moved to Salt Lake chasing rocks and a dream. In this episode of The Gnar Stool Podcast, Shannon O’Grady and John Perry sit down with USA Climbing National Champion Ben Hanna for a wide-ranging conversation about pressure, passion, and what it takes to stay psyched in a sport that’s as mental as it is physical.

Ben walks us through his early days growing up in New Mexico, learning to c...

This week on The Gnar Stool, Shannon O’Grady and John Perry sit down with Molly Mormon—a mom, stripper, and club owner with a seriously powerful story. Raised in the LDS community, Molly takes us through her journey of walking away from the church and stepping fully into her identity as a performer, entrepreneur, and unapologetically herself.

We talk about how the name Molly Mormon came to be, the athleticism and artistry of pole da...

In this episode of The Gnar Stool podcast, Shannon O'Grady and co-host John Perry sit down with Nordic combined legend and Olympic gold medalist Billy Demong for a deep dive into the gritty, rewarding world of endurance sports. Billy unpacks his epic journey spanning five Olympic Games, revealing the gnarly highs and tough lows that defined his career. He takes us behind the scenes of Nordic combined, sharing how training methods h...

In this inspiring episode of The Gnar Stool Podcast, we sit down with Roy Tuscany, founder of the High Fives Foundation, for an intimate conversation about resilience, community, and the transformative power of adaptive sports. Roy candidly shares his remarkable journey—from a passionate skier whose life dramatically changed following a spinal cord injury in 2006, to becoming a dedicated advocate helping others reclaim their lives ...

In this episode of The Gnar Stool podcast, we sit down with Jeanette Padilla Vega, founder of the Food Justice Coalition, to explore the power of food as a tool for change. Jeanette shares her journey in building a nonprofit dedicated to providing nutrient-dense meals to those experiencing food insecurity in Salt Lake City, tackling challenges like transportation barriers and limited access to healthy food.

She discusses the Coaliti...

In this episode of The Gnar Stool Podcast, hosts Shannon O'Grady and John Perry sit down with Becca Rick—an ultra runner, registered dietitian, and educator. Becca takes us through her journey from running her first half marathon at just 11 years old to tackling the grueling Moab 240, a race that pushes the limits of both body and mind.

She shares her unique approach to training, the role of strength work in ultra running, and how s...

In this episode of The Gnar Stool podcast, we sit down with professional skier Rachael Burks—known for her infectious stoke and fearless approach to the mountains. Rachael takes us through her journey from weekend warrior to competitive skier, sharing the pivotal moments that sparked her passion and the path that led her to the big leagues.

They dive deep into what it’s like navigating a male-dominated sport, the evolution of women’...

In this episode of The Gnar Stool Podcast, Shannon O'Grady and John Perry sit down with Alex Hugo, a trailblazer in women’s baseball. As a roving instructor for the Oakland Athletics and a standout on the USA Women’s Baseball National Team, Alex shares her inspiring journey from playing softball at the University of Georgia to carving out her place in professional baseball.

Alex opens up about the challenges and triumphs of navigati...

In this episode of The Gnar Stool podcast, we welcome the inspiring Tanqueray "Tango" Towns—a former University of Utah football player, firefighter, EMT, and performance coach. Tango shares his extraordinary journey from the streets of South Central Los Angeles to playing Division I football, highlighting the challenges he faced and the mentors who helped shape his path.

Tango reflects on how football became an essential outlet for...