Sponsored, Episode 5: Chris Benchetler

On this episode of the "Sponsored" podcast, presented by Powder Radio, host Mike Powell interviews Chris Benchetler, one of the most successful athletes in skiing, who is known for his style. The two discuss food, marriage, and tragedy. When Benchetler was 15, his dad died of cancer.

"He was from Hungary and he never taught us Hungarian because he escaped during the revolution. He would be in crazy pain, and scared and sick and start talking to me in Hungarian and there was just a lot to deal with that I didn't quite know how," says Benchetler. "He was scared of dying and [Mom] was scared that she wasn't going to be able to take care of us financially. I had to grow up very quick. I dealt with a lot."

Powell also discusses the keys to Benchetlers long and productive career.

"It's a lot of who you know and the opportunities you can create for yourself and success comes from—you don't get what you don't ask for," says Benchetler. "If you put yourself out there a lot of times you'll surprise yourself."

2:02 Is Chris going to have kids? 3:10 Chris and his family 6:15 Early days skiing 10:35 Rory Silva 11:45 Healthy lifestyle 15:15 Losing his father 20:35 Getting sponsored 22:00 Injured at Parkasaurus 26:00 Atomic 32:00 Money to play with 33:40 Getting sponsors to help with projects 36:35 The proposal 38:45 Crazy travel experiences 42:20 Where do you see yourself in 20 years?