Falling Off The Floor – Details, episodes & analysis

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/

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

Hey everyone! Austin Becker here, host of the Falling Off the Floor podcast. This week, I had an incredibly honest and inspiring conversation with Matt Kovatchis, a mental health speaker, life coach, and a true example of what personal growth really looks like. Matt's journey from a high-stakes corporate job to helping others navigate their own struggles is nothing short of amazing, especially how coming out of his shell fundamentally transformed his entire life.

If you've ever wondered about how coming out transformed me or thought about giving up my career for my dreams, Matt's story offers powerful insights. Let's dive into some key takeaways from our chat.

Matt started our conversation by openly sharing his struggle with high-functioning depression. From the outside, he seemed to have it all: a lucrative banking career, a great social life, and a seemingly perfect background. But internally, he felt "miserable and alone," burdened by the societal expectations of success. This internal conflict created immense guilt, as he felt he should be happy but simply wasn't.

He realized this internal battle stemmed largely from a deep insecurity and a struggle with self-acceptance, particularly concerning his identity as a bisexual man. Growing up, he internalized homophobic messages that made him believe being anything other than straight was "wrong." This deeply ingrained shame led him to try and deny who he truly was, resulting in unhealthy behaviors and being perceived as "the dick" in college. It’s a powerful example of how external pressures and a fear of not fitting in can manifest in unexpected ways, especially within bro culture environments.

The turning point for Matt was the courageous act of coming out to his closest friends and family. He described sending a long text to his sisters, who initially thought he was joking because he'd hidden his true self so well. Their "incredibly supportive" response, along with a close friend's words of "pride and respect," flipped his world upside down. This marked the beginning of his painful but ultimately liberating journey towards self-acceptance and healing.

His story resonated deeply with me. I shared my own experiences with struggling while presenting a perfect facade, and the journey of realizing that true strength comes from authenticity. It reminded me of professional skier Gus Kenworthy's story of coming out in the very "bro" world of skiing, and the love he received for being true to himself. These stories truly highlight how coming out transformed me and countless others, leading to profound personal peace and freedom.

Matt's personal transformation directly fueled his career shift. He realized he was living "totally unauthentically" in the corporate banking world and couldn't stay. He became passionate about personal growth and self-help, hiring coaches and diving into learning about coaching and mindfulness.

His decision to leave corporate banking, a move he described as the "second hardest thing" after coming out, is a testament to his commitment to his passion. He weighed the "worst-case scenario" – returning to corporate life – and found his appetite for risk was different after his personal journey. This willingness to take a chance on his dreams, despite the uncertainty, is a common theme for many looking to become a mental health professional or life coach. It speaks to the courage required to pursue a career that aligns with your true self, especially when it means stepping away from comfort and privilege.

Hey everyone! Austin Becker here, host of the Falling Off the Floor podcast. This week, I had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Connery Lundin, a true legend in the big mountain skiing scene from Palisades Tahoe, California. Our chat was a deep dive into what it takes to be a professional skier, the evolution of the sport, and some really honest talk about the life of a professional athlete and mental health.

Connery and I connected through the ski world, sharing roots in California skiing. Hearing his story, from the competitive circuit to navigating the complexities of a pro career, was truly inspiring. Let's get into some of the highlights from our conversation!

Connery and I bonded over our similar paths, both starting in ski racing. He's a classic "weekend warrior" from the Bay Area who moved to Palisades Tahoe at 16 to pursue ski racing. He quickly realized that the discipline and fundamentals learned in ski racing are incredibly valuable for tackling big mountains.

I can totally relate! Growing up in Southern California's Big Bear area, ski racing was my foundation too. When I transitioned into the freestyle scene after an injury, those race techniques surprisingly prepared me for the daunting world of big mountain skiing. It’s wild how those early skills can be so versatile later on!

Connery made a significant mark early in his career, winning the American Freeskiing World Tour in 2015. Back then, there were actually two separate global tours, but his victory was a huge stepping stone. He openly shared how that win became a pivotal moment, shaping the trajectory of his career as a big mountain skier.

This kind of early success often raises the question: What does it take to be a professional skier at that level? It's not just talent; it's dedication, intense training, and a willingness to push boundaries.

One of the most fascinating parts of our chat was discussing how the life of a professional athlete in skiing has drastically changed. Connery reflected on how when he started, success was measured by magazine features, major ski movie appearances (think MSP, TGR, Warren Miller), and competition wins.

Fast forward to today, and while those avenues still matter, the game has fundamentally shifted. Social media and content creation have become massive platforms. Connery and I agreed that this change has opened up new ways for skiers to sustain their careers, even well into their 30s and 40s, offering a second wind for many outside the traditional competition circuit. It’s cool to see how athletes are adapting and finding new ways to connect with fans and sponsors.

Connery Lundin showcasing his big mountain skills.

After his big win, Connery faced a common dilemma for many athletes: What's next? He candidly admitted that competitive skiing, especially big mountain, is incredibly dangerous. He chose to step away from competition to pursue his dream of filming with major production companies.

This transition wasn't easy. Despite being a world champion, Connery found himself working two restaurant jobs in Jackson, Wyoming, just to make ends meet. He was "stressed" and "blowing it" – feeling like he wasn't filming or competing. It highlights the often unseen financial pressures of the life of a professional athlete. His big break came with a trip to film "Monumental" for Powder Magazine, leading to more opportunities with Matchstick Productions. This really shows that success isn't always a straight line; it's often a winding road with unexpected challenges.

Connery's recent season saw him splitting time between Canada and various film projects, including a Toyota commercial that aired during the Super Bowl – a pretty massive achievement! At 35, his focus is on staying healthy and finding the fun in skiing, even when motivation might dip.

Back by popular demand, Annabelle Santerre. Following her part 1 episode, many of you reached out in excitement about her episode, and we decided to continue the conversation and record a part two! We dive deep into her recent travels to my hometown in CA, more Arctic expedition stories, more info about her fashion brand, and so much more! This one was fun! We were both exhausted after a long day but made the pod happen! Thank you FOTF fam!

#fashion #clothing #street22 #skiing #mentalhealth #adventures #expeditions #arctic #ski #snowboard #bigbearca #bigbearski #bigbear #bearmountain

What's up, FOTF audience? This week, I traveled down to SLC, UT, to chat with my friend Annabelle Santerre. This woman has a RAD story. She's done everything from arctic expeditions to world travels and competing in X-Games! She is also a fashion designer and clothing brand owner, Street 22. Annabelle is a third-generation seamstress and has an eye for creating one-of-a-kind & unique outerwear that the ski world has been desperately needing. We also discuss her journey of being an immigrant and the struggles she has faced there. This was one of my favorite episodes that I have done in a while, and it was a pleasure having Annabelle on the Falling Off The Floor Podcast..

You can connect with her here:

https://www.instagram.com/annabscooby/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/streetwentytwo/?hl=en

https://streetwentytwo.com/

This week I traveled down to SLC to chat with an old friend of mine, JM Fabrizi. JM and I go way back! We grew up skiing together and competing together back in Big Bear and have stayed close ever since. JM was there the day I broke my back and we dive into the full story behind that day. JM is an incredible mountain athlete from skiing, to trail running and cycling, this dude excels in it all. He recently completed an awesome achievement of skiing every line in the Wolverine Cirque in one day and Backcountry made an awesome doc about the project, which can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3ha46RfUgY

Join us for this awesome episode where we get into the weeds of the canyon crisis in Utah, our past/present achievements/downfalls, and more!

https://www.instagram.com/mistafabrizi/?hl=en

This week, Austin traveled down to Salt Lake City, UT, and sat down with Dan, the founder of "Hug Your Homies" for an awesome discussion. Dan has created an incredible movement with Hug Your Homies and is helping to continue the conversation of mental health awareness and hugging your homies! We dive deep into his story, background, and how he got to where he is today. Hug Your Homies has some awesome merch as well and it goes to an amazing cause! You can find more info, merch, and socials in the links below! Love you all, see ya next week!

https://www.instagram.com/hug.yourhomies/?hl=en

https://www.hugyourhomiesworldwide.com/

#podcast #mentalhealth #skiing #ski #mentalhealthawareness #hugyourhomies

Summary

In this episode of the Falling Off the Floor podcast, host Austin Becker welcomes back Noah Dines, who recently set the world record for the most human-powered vertical feet skied in a year. Noah shares insights into his incredible journey, including the preparation, nutrition, and community support that fueled his success. He reflects on the mental challenges faced during the year and discusses his future plans in the skiing world, emphasizing the importance of enjoying the experience and the connections made along the way. In this conversation, Noah Dines shares his experiences and insights from his skiing journey, discussing the challenges and joys of ski touring, memorable moments, and the importance of mindset and goal setting. He emphasizes the significance of enjoying the process and encourages listeners to pursue their passions without hesitation.

Noah Dines, skiing, world record, mental health, community, nutrition, preparation, adventure, athlete, vertical feet, skiing, ski touring, mindset, goal setting, outdoor adventure, personal growth, motivation, memorable experiences, skiing journey, backcountry skiing

takeaways

• Noah Dines achieved 3.59 million feet of human-powered skiing in a year.
• Preparation involved both physical training and business logistics.
• Nutrition was key, focusing on high-carb intake to fuel his body.
• Community support played a significant role in his journey.
• Mental health awareness is crucial, especially after achieving a major goal.
• The friendships made during the journey were the most rewarding aspect.
• The experience of the year is more important than the numbers.
• Noah is open to future opportunities in skiing and speaking engagements.
• He emphasizes the importance of enjoying the process, not just the outcome.
• Noah hopes to inspire others to pursue their own goals. Skiing is not just about the destination, but the journey.
• Mindset plays a crucial role in enjoying outdoor adventures.
• It's important to prioritize fun and excitement in skiing.
• Ski touring can be done safely with the right approach.
• Planning routes can enhance efficiency in skiing.
• Memorable experiences often come from spontaneous decisions.
• Goal setting is essential for personal growth and achievement.
• You can achieve your goals if you make time for them.
• Sharing experiences can inspire others to pursue their passions.
• Every day is an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and challenge yourself.

Back by popular demand, solo episodes with host Austin Becker. In this episode we start where we left off, Austin's horrible, and worst run that nearly took his life in Boston, MA. We begin with his story of resilience, recovery, and overcoming life’s hardest challenges. Through hard work and focus, you can overcome any of life’s hardships… If Austin can do it, so can you. We also reveal information about the film, “Streets to Peaks” which begins production later this month. A mental health and action sports documentary aimed at driving awareness towards long ignored topics, featuring Austin Becker, Jenna Henry, Alex Schlopy, Drew Petersen, Connor Nelson and many guest stars. We can't wait to share this project with the world!

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"How to overcome life's hardest challenges"

• "Inspiring stories of addiction recovery"
• "Mental health and action sports documentary"
• "Overcoming homelessness through resilience"
• "Austin Becker's journey from homelessness to success"
• "Learn from Austin Becker's story of overcoming adversity"
• "Watch the Streets to Peaks documentary trailer"
• Austin Becker Boston Run
• Austin Becker Recovery Story
• Streets to Peaks Documentary
• Mental Health Documentary
• Action Sports Documentary
• Jenna Henry
• Alex Schlopy
• Drew Petersen
• Connor Nelson
• Addiction Recovery Documentary
• Homelessness Documentary
• Austin Becker Podcast
• Resilience Podcast
• Overcoming Adversity Podcast
• Mental Health Podcast
• Addiction Recovery Podcast
• Life Challenges Podcast
• Motivation Podcast
• Inspiration Podcast