Sponsored, Episode 6: Michelle Parker

Sponsored, Episode 6: Michelle Parker

Author: Powder Radio October 11, 2016 Duration: 39:51

On this episode of the "Sponsored" podcast, presented by Powder Radio, host Mike Powell interviews Michelle Parker, one of the most well-rounded skiers in the sport and an eternal optimist.

"Skiing is the most fun thing in my life. It is my biggest passion. I love it so much," says Parker. "The second that it starts to become not fun, I'm doing something wrong and I need to reevaluate. My whole thing was no pressure, have fun with it, always smile."

Parker retains her positivity despite the number of difficult injuries and tragedies she has experienced among her Lake Tahoe community.

"I don't think it's normal for someone my age to have lost more people than I can count on both hands that I consider to be close to me," says Parker. "Every death I personally deal with it differently, and the most recent one that affected me super deeply was Timy Dutton, and he was my best friend since day one and we were like babies together and our moms were super close... I haven't had the nerve to delete his name from my phone. When I think about him, I have to laugh."

Michelle Parker Show Notes

1:50: What has Michelle been up to? 2:37: Knee injuries and positivity 3:35: Mike Powell Story 4:50: Life as a ski racer and the transition into free skiing 6:00: The scene in Squaw while Michelle was coming up, getting sponsored and more 9:45: Contest mentality 11:26: The fine line between being a great skier and a professional skier 13:06: Creepy things photographers do and strange photo shoots 16:08: Contests and learning sportsmanship from her Pro Tennis Player dad 17:55: The Pain McShlonkey and growing up with Shane 19:12: Coping with death in Squaw Valley 21:24: The community of Squaw Valley 22:35: Black Panther and other call names 23:18: Winning the 2013 Female performance of the year at the Powder Awards 23:48: Losing her sponsors and then kicking ass 26:10: What does Red Bull do differently? 29:00 Michelle talks about her first time going to Burning Man 30:22: Michelle plays her Ukulele and sings us an original song. 35:50: Safe As 37:44: When will Michelle be back on snow


There's a whole world of experience waiting just off the groomed trails, and Sponsored: The stories behind the skiers from Powder Radio is your ticket to it. This isn't just about technique or gear reviews; it's about the people who live for the mountains and the unique lives they've built around them. Each episode pulls up a chair in the lodge or sits on a ski lift next to someone fascinating, exploring how skiing shapes identity, community, and adventure. You'll hear from athletes, guides, artists, and locals whose personal journeys are deeply intertwined with the snow and the slopes. The conversations naturally delve into the culture of mountain towns, the thrill of discovering remote places, and the societal threads that bind this passionate community together. By focusing on the human element behind every turn, this podcast captures the spirit of the sport in a way that feels both intimate and expansive. Tune in for authentic stories that go far beyond the finish line, reminding us why we're drawn to these wild, beautiful places in the first place.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 34

Sponsored: The stories behind the skiers
Podcast Episodes
Sponsored, Episode 24: Skogen Sprang [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:42
This week on the "Sponsored" podcast, freeskiing legend Skogen Sprang stops by to talk with host by Mike Powell about his career as a competition and film skier, his style and versatility. "I did look at it as you should…
Sponsored, Episode 23: Elyse Saugstad [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:35
Over the past 10 years, Elyse Saugstad has been one of the most influential skiers in the sport. In 2008 she won three out of four Freeride World Tour stops and was the overall champion. In 2013, she won Best Female Perf…
Sponsored, Episode 22: Lexi duPont [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:07
On this episode of the "Sponsored" podcast, host Mike Powell interviews Lexi duPont, a Sun Valley, Idaho, native, film skiing regular, and a 17th Annual Powder Awards "Best Female Peformance" nominee. The two discuss gro…
Sponsored, Episode 21: Aaron McGovern [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:51
Aaron McGovern was known for sending it. Violent crashes were known as "McGoverning." In the bar, he was known for getting wasted and picking fights. McGovern was constantly flirting with "the edge of destruction." Somet…
Sponsored, Episode 20: David Lesh [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:07
Pro skier David Lesh is known for his controversial promo videos. To say he is misunderstood may be an understatement. This week on the "Sponsored" podcast, host Mike Powell has an honest conversation with Lesh about his…
Sponsored, Episode 19: Frank Raymond [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:29
One of the original rail skiers, Frank Raymond joins "Sponsored" to discuss all he learned through skiing and what he's up to now. Show Notes 2:30: The real world 4:00: Getting into skiing 6:00: Focusing on skiing 7:00:…
Sponsored, Episode 18: Caroline Gleich [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:39
Once labeled a ski model, Caroline Gleich is open and honest about all she has done to become a respected ski mountaineer. 1:11: Busy early season 2:00: Getting into skiing in MN 3:40: Small in stature 7:12: Moving to Ut…
Sponsored, Episode 17: Karl Fostvedt [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:20
On this episode of the "Sponsored" podcast, Karl Fostvedt talks to host Mike Powell about pursuing his dream of being a professional skier at all costs. "I always wanted to be a pro skier. I've always wanted it and have…
Sponsored, Episode 16: Clayton Vila [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:00
Clayton Vila is one of the hardest working and most accomplished street skiers in the world. On this episode of the "Sponsored" podcast, Vila and host Mike Powell discuss how he got into street skiing as a kid from Rhode…
Sponsored, Episode 15: Glen Plake, part three [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:36
On this episode of the "Sponsored" podcast, Glen Plake comes on for the third and final part of his conversation with host Mike Powell. The two talk about the dawn of snowboarding and how it was pitted against skiing as…