CORONA, Calif., Nov. 29, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Talk about a
rider who's seen it all, done it all! Monster Energy is proud to
welcome snowboard icon and Olympic gold medalist Sage Kotsenburg on Episode 19 of the sports and
pop culture podcast UNLEASHED with The Dingo and Danny.
Released today across Monster Energy's social media channels,
this latest one-hour episode interviews the 28-year-old from
Park City, Utah, who made history
as the world's first snowboarder to win a gold medal in the
slopestyle discipline at the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Sochi,
Russia. Considered a real
'snowboarder's snowboarder', Kotsenburg then pursued his own vision
of progressive snowboarding on backcountry terrain, which he
continues to document in award-winning video parts.
"I like to go into that mindset. If you're going to compete at
anything, at the end of the day everyone goes in and says, 'I'm
going to try to win this! I'm going to prove myself!' I love going
into these mindsets," said Kotsenburg about his approach to
competition on the UNLEASHED episode.
Fans can now listen to Kotsenburg's inspiring journey as a
pacesetter of snowboarding's progression in the competitive arena
and the unexplored backcountry. Released today, the new podcast
featuring Kotsenburg is streaming on all major platforms, including
Spotify, iTunes, and YouTube.
Kotsenburg chose a road less traveled and blazed a new trail in
professional snowboarding. As a top competitor, he not only won
Olympic gold, but several X Games medals in the early 2010s. He
then caused an upset by walking away from competitions and focusing
on critically acclaimed video parts, including his gold
medal-winning X Games Real Snow 2021 segment. Decorated as 'Rider
of the Year' at the 2020 Snowboarder Magazine Awards, Kotsenburg
continues to evolve and push the boundaries of the sport.
Tune in for a must-listen episode for all snowboard fans filmed
at Studio M at Monster Energy headquarters! Speaking to the two
UNLEASHED podcast hosts, Australian action sports personality Luke
"The Dingo" Trembath and professional snowboarder Danny Kass, Kotsenburg provides a front-row
perspective of competing at the highest level – and meeting
President Barack Obama after winning
gold for Team USA.
Kotsenburg grew up in a family of snow sports enthusiasts. He
started snowboarding In Park City at age 5 alongside his older
brother, Blaze. In conversation, Kotsenburg also remembers watching
UNLEASHED podcast host Danny Kass
compete in the 2002 Winter Olympic Games – where Kass won snowboard
halfpipe silver – when he was 8 years old. "My whole family was
there! It was so rad," said Kotsenburg on the show.
As a young prodigy, Kotsenburg earned a major milestone at age
16 by winning the overall slopestyle title in the 2009-10 Winter
Dew Tour. Kotsenburg's big moment arrived at the 2014 Winter
Olympics in Russia, when
slopestyle snowboarding was contested for the first time as an
official discipline – with him as the gold medal winner.
"I went into it that day trying to ride my best but also
thinking, how would I like the world to perceive snowboarding? At
the time I thought this isn't figure skating! This isn't
bobsledding! Snowboarding should be fun, and everyone should be
able to do it," said Kotsenburg, who won gold on the strength after
a never-been-done trick in the final.
After the event, Kotsenburg's fame skyrocketed, starting with an
appearance on the Good Morning America TV show and all the main
late-night shows. "It was crazy! I was in New York and my PR agent kept getting calls. I
was living the dream. I did all the shows," said Kotsenburg, who
also appeared on a cereal box and met President Barack Obama at the White House in 2014.
But although he was winning at the top of the field, Kotsenburg
viewed a professional future outside of the competitive arena. "I
was really intrigued by riding backcountry. Just really exploring
that realm of snowboarding. I always had this plan that, after the
Olympics, I would just go do that."
In a move that shocked the snowboard world, Kotsenburg walked
away from competitions and began filming video segments in the
backcountry. "I told all of my sponsors and was fully expecting to
get dropped… and everyone's been super supportive. Monster's been
there for me the entire time," said Kotsenburg, who also said that
specializing on one style of riding is key in face of the sport's
progression. "Snowboarding is at a level now where you really need
to focus on what's in front of you – and that only!"
Since then, the pioneer has proven his focus in several
award-winning videos that raise the bar with never-been-done tricks
at legendary spots in the wild, including Chad's Gap in Utah's Wasatch Mountains. And although he's no
longer competing in stadium events, major awards kept coming in.
Recent honors include Slush Magazine's Men's Rider of the Year for
the 'Halcyon' video and the 2021 gold medal in the X Games Real
Snow video competition.
Speaking on his approach to filming for X Games Real Snow with
filmer/editor Jeremy Thornburg for
six long weeks in Wyoming,
Kotsenburg said: "It was a grind, but we came out with the win! I
told my filmer that we're not going into Real Snow unless we come
out winning!"
For more keys to winning at snowboarding (and life), better
listen to the full episode with one of the most accomplished snow
sports athletes of his generation. Visit the landing page to access
Episode 19 of the UNLEASHED with The Dingo and Danny Podcast
featuring Sage Kotsenburg.
Episodes of UNLEASHED are filmed on a special set inside Studio
M at Monster Energy headquarters in Corona, California. The podcast is hosted by
the dynamic duo of Australian action sports personality Luke "The
Dingo" Trembath and professional snowboarder Danny Kass. Known for their deep roots in action
sports culture, the two starred in the beloved cult TV show 'The
Adventures of Danny and The Dingo' on Fuel TV for five
action-packed seasons in the early 2010s. Both hosts have walked
the walk as pro snowboarders and possess the interview skills to
find common ground with guests from any type of background – sports
and pop culture. Always look out for new episodes dropping
bi-weekly on Mondays.
Download photos for editorial use.
The UNLEASHED with The Dingo and Danny Podcast is here to
celebrate the personalities behind the Monster Energy lifestyle.
With each episode dedicated to a unique guest or topic, listeners
learn about living on the edge and advancing the state of the art
in the world of high-energy sports as well as music, games, and pop
culture from individuals at the top of their game. More than a
drink, Monster Energy is a way of life lived by athletes, sports,
bands, believers, and fans – and the podcast is an extension of
this unique DNA.
For more on Sage Kotsenburg and
our team of snowboard athletes visit http://www.monsterenergy.com.
Also follow Monster Energy on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
and TikTok for exclusive content and athlete features.
###
About Monster Energy
Based in Corona, California,
Monster Energy is the leading marketer of energy drinks and
alternative beverages. Refusing to acknowledge the traditional,
Monster Energy supports the scene and sport. Whether motocross,
off-road, NASCAR, MMA, BMX, surf, snowboard, ski, skateboard, or
the rock and roll lifestyle, Monster Energy is a brand that
believes in authenticity and the core of what its sports, athletes
and musicians represent. More than a drink, it's the way of life
lived by athletes, sports, bands, believers, and fans. See more
about Monster Energy including all of its drinks at
http://www.monsterenergy.com.
Media Contact
Kimberly Paige Dresser, Indie
Agency, Inc., (949) 300-5546, kim.dresser@indiepragency.com
SOURCE Monster Energy