Joining me this week is Iranian alpinist Nasim Eshqi. Kickboxing champion of Iran, many times over, Nasim left the sport in her early 20’s because of the pressure to ‘cover up’. Climbing mountains gave her the chance to be outside, and away from prying eyes. Since she started climbing aged 23, Nasim has established many new routes in countries including Iran, Turkey, India, and across Europe. She left home on a climbing expedition in 2022, but following the death of Mahsa Amini, she n...

John Falkiner, Professional ski bum, stunt man, telemark skier, and now mountain guide, there seems to be little he cannot conquer when it comes to mountains. At 18, lured by the prospect of deep powder skiing, he moved from the snowy mountains of Australia to the Swiss resort of Verbier – and it didn’t disappoint. A chance meeting on the slopes with fellow skier Ace Kvale and photographer Marco Shapiro – next stop, the front cover of Powder Magazine. From here, sponsorship deals and li...

This week freeride skier Megane Betend joins me for a chat. The French speed queen started skiing at the age of 2 and soon joined the ranks of the local alpine ski club. It gave her all the essentials - discipline and great technique - but her heart was never really in it. After she qualified as a ski instructor, she started to freeride, skiing often in the wild mountains of the Chamonix valley. It was fast, steep, and exciting and in her first competition she made the podium … the res...

Chamonix legend Gary Bigham is about as original as you can get. Luckily, he had some free time...and was available for a chat! From the ski bum era of the 70s, 80s, and 90s, we take a trip down memory lane to some of the wild times here in the valley, when beer was cheap, and work was a dirty 4 letter word… Gary travelled the world with his skills as a photographer and filmmaker – films including ‘Life’s a beach in the Alps’ and ‘I’d rather be skiing than happy with you’. During this time, ...

Joining me this week is Carly Van-Evelingen – groom/ equestrian/ climber/ ski bum/ van lifer… yes, it’s been a mixed bag…even for her. Having delved into all kinds of professions, she says she never really fit…then one summer, decided to come to Chamonix to climb…it may have been a fleeting visit, but she knew she’d be back, And within months, Carly had returned – this time for good. Carly has not only had her fair share of jobs, but also life’s hurdles. She talks about mental health ...

Joining me this week is ultra-runner Emily Schmitz. Born in Wisconsin, Emily studied art at university there but says she didn’t realise how little it was going to prepare her for life in the real world. After finishing, she waited tables before a friend of hers suggested heading to Colombia. With few plans on the horizon, she boarded a plane to a country she had never been to with a language she didn’t speak. Determined to learn Spanish, her plan was to stay in Colombia for a few mont...

Fay Manners has had quite the year so far. In her ‘spare time,’ the UK-born Data Analyst likes to play in the mountains here in Chamonix. In fact, not just here in Chamonix, but in any mountains. For Fay - it’s been a year of firsts so far. Along with climbing partner Lina Van den Berg they got Phantom Direct’s first female ascent of the Grandes Jorasses. Then, a few months later, crossed the pond to the US where she joined expedition partner Michelle Dvorak to become the first f...

Emmanuel Ocampo is dedicated, determined, and incredibly disciplined. He’s also an ultra-runner who lives in Chamonix. Growing up in a small town in Argentina, he was always very sporty – competing mostly in team disciplines, hockey, football, swimming, and the like. In his early 20’s he ran a 10km road race – he didn’t like it. Then he discovered a trail race of the same distance…he completed it…and the rest, as they say, is history. Since then, he has completed numerous ultra-maratho...

Tamsin Gay may not have known what she wanted to do with her life growing up, but she has certainly found her niche. The International Mountain Guide and TV Safety Location Advisor spends the majority of time at home in the mountains – whether it’s guiding people around some of the most stunning peaks in the French and Swiss alps, trad climbing in the Scottish Highlands, or ensuring the safety of TV crew in some of the world’s most remote locations. In this week’s podcast, Tamsin...

British and world-renowned mountaineer and author Victor Saunders has not only reached six of the seven summits but has also made SIX ascents of Everest – however, he still won’t agree he’s a good climber. Instead, he’s happy to play down his MASSIVE achievements and focus on his ‘failures’ – which you and I would be happy to have even considered. He spent his adolescence in Lossiemouth, Scotland, where he developed a love of exploring, and while academia was more of a chore, he did ma...

Joining me this week is Chamonix native, mogul master, freeride phenomenon, and although he may not always admit…total lover of fashion, and unmistakable style...yes, it’s Camille Jaccoux – oh, I forgot to mention, he started this brand here in Chamonix called Black Crows, apparently, they make pretty good skis. Throughout his life, Camille has attempted to do exactly what makes him happy – even down to creating his own skis so the mountain adventure is more enjoyable… and it seems to ...

Minna Riihimaki – says the human body is capable of recovery in an incredible way, but it all depends on the mind. She knows first-hand what it’s like to suffer life-threatening injuries and not know whether recovery is even possible? Growing up in Finland, Minna’s childhood was spent happily exploring the great outdoors, but at age 20, she packed a car and drove to Grenoble to study – she already knew the Alps would become her home. However, it came to a crashing halt one perfec...

Andy Parkin is a giant in the world of climbing. An exemplar of the purest form of ascent and descent – and a champion of the solo expedition. A Sheffield lad through and through, Andy was able to perfect technique on the rocky peaks and cliffs the length and breadth of the British Isles before his nomadic lifestyle took him to wider horizons. In this week’s podcast, Andy talks about the importance of Chamonix where he arrived almost 4 decades ago, and how this small mountain tow...

Ross Hewitt grew up in Scotland. He started skiing at the age of seven, and never looked back. Ross began mountaineering in the harsh climate of the highlands until he discovered the Alps that offered the same adventure but with steeper slopes and more temperate surroundings. In this week’s podcast, Ross talks about dividing his time as an engineer and in the winter season, as a guide, taking those who dare, on their own Alpine adventure. Skiing may have taken him around the worl...

At 27, Chamonix local Tim Moniot is part of a new generation of Ski Patrollers, looking after the mountains for the thousands of skiers that descend upon the valley each year. With a long-standing history of mountain guides and patrollers, it seemed only natural that Tim would continue the 'family business.' Working solely at La Flagere for the past 8 years, his work involves mountain rescue, maintenance, and keeping the valley safe from the possibility of avalanches - yes - he quite literall...

Antoine Terray is a skier, a runner, and a businessman here in Chamonix – he is also the son of one of the greatest alpinists of his time, Lionel Terray. Adopted at the age of 4, Antoine spent just a few months with his father before his tragic death while climbing in the Vercors near Grenoble. Devastated at the loss, Antoine’s mother Marianne was left to raise him and his brother alone. In this week's podcast, Antoine talks about how, over the decades, he has been able to piece ...

Magnus Asberg started coming to Chamonix from the age of 13 - first on a school trip, then making the 24-hour journey by bus every year. He grew up on skis, but being an avid skater, transferred his passion onto the snow. 40 years later, Magnus has gone from snowboarding to No-Boarding – riding the Chamonix slopes on a surfboard style snowboard – no fuss, no muss! In this week’s podcast, the Swedish born DJ and music producer talks to me about how Chamonix has changed over the last few...

Matthew Breakell was born with clubfoot and spent months in plaster. Doctors said he may never run. A couple of weeks ago in Switzerland, he completed his 20th ultra-run by finishing the Ultra Tour Monte Rosa – his 6th 100-miler. He has severe dyslexia and cannot read or write but his drive to succeed and not be left behind has been instrumental and helped him achieve a 2:1 for his degree in Outdoor Leadership. In this week’s podcast, Matthew talks about the struggles he has faced beca...

Meg Mackenzie is one of South Africa’s top female ultra-runners. Growing up along the famous Comrades route – a 55 mile stretch of road between Durban and Pietermaritzburg – not to mention being born into a family of sports enthusiasts, it was almost inevitable that she would fall into the running community. But it didn’t happen overnight - her journey to becoming a professional runner and coach was deliberate and considered. In this week’s podcast, Meg talks about how lucky she feels ...

Catherine Poletti is the President and Co-Founder of the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc – one of the most important and indeed iconic events in the ultra-running calendar. From music to psychology to IT, Catherine dabbled in all sorts before landing firmly on the start line in Chamonix. Just over 700 people ran in the first official UTMB event back in 2003 – this year, 32 thousand people applied for a chance to race – just 10,000 were successful. “Now we make more frustrated people than ha...