Ambassadors

Favorite OB Beer and why?
All of them? I’m still working through trying them all out, but I love the Mutant X IPA. I wouldn’t call myself a beer connoisseur by any means, but this beer is citrusy goodness and the hops aren’t overpowering. I also enjoy the Oskar’s Lager as a perfect refresher for tailgating after a long day in the mountains; it’s light and easy to drink, and having a few doesn’t knock you on your ass.

Who do you look up to? Who are your heroes?
Ooh, this one’s tough. I wouldn’t say I’m much of a heroes guy, but both my Mum and Dad have been huge influences in my life especially as I’ve gotten older. Through my Dad’s progressive Multiple Sclerosis and his positivity towards life, and Mum being the cornerstone of the family keeping everyone in line(ish), I realize how lucky I’ve been.

You have a whole day off. What are you doing?
Usually I’m pretty zonked from a solid week of training, and unfortunately the free time goes towards emails and working on Rocket Sloth (my merch company working to raise awareness for MS). That said, if I have time for it, I love getting out in the mountains, whether it’s getting up to a high-country lake in the summer or getting out on the skis in the winter and probably bringing a few beers along 😉

If you weren’t biking, what do you think you’d be doing?
Probably something in engineering. I went to school for Exercise Physiology thinking I’d go into Physical Therapy, but I think combining engineering and biomechanics would be a really cool career. Maybe when I’m done racing bikes…

Tell us about the jorts. What’s up with those?
We used to do collegiate races in old cut off jean shorts which was a ton of fun, both on the mountain bike and racing on the road. In 2021 I decided to race in a set of Handup jorts at a World Cup Short Track, dubbed the “Jort Track,” and it was an instant hit! Since then, I’ve done more big races in them and always laugh to myself at how much people love it – I get called out if I’m not wearing them haha

Where did your passion for biking come from?
I always wanted to race BMX and Motocross when I was younger but my parents thought they were too dangerous, so mountain biking was the next best thing. I remember my dad taking me out on the local trails in Alice Springs, Australia, and then finding out there were actually races and other people in town who did it. For me, the bike is a gateway to freedom and to get out of the regular hustle and bustle of life while pushing my body to its limit. Riding has brought me close to so many other people who love it for the same reason, and it’s an awesome community to be a part of!

Tell us about your passion for raising awareness of MS. Where did that come from and what do you like to do to promote awareness?
My dad was diagnosed with MS about ten years ago. Early on it didn’t seem like a big deal (to me at least) but as the disease progressed, he slowly lost the use of his legs, landing him in a wheelchair and unable to do a lot of the outdoor things he’d brought us up doing. I decided to start participating in the Utah Bike MS event in 2019 to raise money for the National MS Society who use the funds for research and support of those affected by MS. With the support of some sponsors, we’ve been able to do auctions and giveaways each year since then to continue raising money. Along with the fundraiser, I started a little company earlier this year called Rocket Sloth Co and donate a portion of the proceeds. The Rocket Sloth was kind of how I saw my dad – slowing down with the effects of MS (the sloth) and continuing his career in aerospace (the rocket), while incorporating my outlook on life of going fast and being chill.

Favorite OB Beer and why?
Dale’s. It’s just a great tasting, anytime, anywhere beer.   Who do you look up to? Who are your heroes? Leonardo da Vinci, Rube Goldberg and Pee Wee Herman

You have a whole day off. What are you doing?
My wife and I are pretty active so it might be a long bike ride, kayaking or just going to a local festival or bar to listen to some live music.

If you weren’t woodworking, what do you think you’d be doing?
I like to think that I’d be playing guitar in a band.  I’ve been playing since I was a kid but never became all that great at it. But I still like to think that’s what I’d be doing.

Where did your passion for woodworking come from?
When I was 20, I got a job with a cabinet maker. That’s where I learned how to use tools. I remember making a coffee table for myself and just looking at it and appreciating the fact that I took a bunch of raw materials and turned them into a piece of furniture.

Do you have a favorite piece you’ve made? If not, give us a top two or three.
It would have to be my beer chair.  That’s what really triggered something in my mind to start thinking differently. It made me realize that I could come up with a big idea and actually bring it to life.

Tell us about your backyard bar. What inspired that?
It was the beginning of the covid lockdowns, so I had extra time on my hands. I needed a shed but also wanted an outdoor bar. I drew a sketch of what I wanted it to look like and went to work on it. It took most of the spring and summer before I finally finished it. When I did, I couldn’t believe what I had built. I didn’t want to limit its use to just part of the year, so I added a gas heater and enclosed it with clear vinyl for the winter months so that I can sit and watch the snow fall. I’m out there just about every night having a beer.

Favorite OB Beer and why?
Mama’s Little Yella Pils because I’ve always been a fan of pilsners.

Who do you look up to? Who are your heroes?
Townes Van Zandt and Cliff Burton. Two of the best musicians to ever live.

You have a whole day off. What are you doing?
Drinking Mama’s Yella Pils.

If you weren’t riding, what do you think you’d be doing?
I would be doing my own thing in nature. Mostly just riding deep bowls in the mountains and trying to read and write as many books as I can.

Do you have a favorite park or spot to ride? Why?
The Pacific Northwest. The best bowls and scenery are up there. What is something not a lot of people know about bmx riding? They’re not little kids’ bikes. There’s a lot of traveling and mental battles to overcome that help build the better self. How do you overcome any fears when trying a new trick? Only do the ones that are fun.

Favorite OB Beer and why?
My favorite OB beer: Mamas Little Yella Pills. Always refreshing, and to me it’s the perfect beer for any occasion! Dinner, skating, chillin, pool, wherever I’m at, crackin one of those never sounds like a bad idea.

Who do you look up to? Who are your heroes?
In skateboarding, I look up to a professional skateboarder named Blake Carpenter. I love his style and skating, and he’s also from my small hometown in Florida!

You have a whole day off. What are you doing?
Whenever I have a day off, I’m usually going to the beach if the weather is good or doing something fun out in nature – stretching and physical therapy to keep my body in tune. Drawing, too.

If you weren’t skateboarding, what do you think you’d be doing?
Before skateboarding was my full-time job, I was actually a motorcycle mechanic, so maybe something in that field! I’m not too sure actually, I kinda hated that job haha. So, if I wasn’t skateboarding for work I’d probably try and pursue something with artwork; I do love drawing a lot and making cool things.

How would you explain your sport to someone who knows nothing about it?
What are the best and hardest parts? I would explain skateboarding to a person who knows nothing about it as the best therapy you could possibly get. Best parts: all the happiness it brings me, all the amazing friends I’ve made from it, the fact if I’m ever having a bad day, I can just go roll all my problems away. Hardest parts: injuries when they happen, nothing worse than not being able to leave your house at all and being in a lot of pain.

Do you have a favorite park or spot to skate? Why?
I don’t have a particular favorite park or spot to skate, I’ve been to so many it’s hard to choose. I would just say wherever all my friends are at having a good time, that’s my favorite place to be!

How do you overcome any fears when skating?
I think anyone in action sports gets some kind of enjoyment from the fear… like the fear from skateboarding, it reminds me I’m alive and gives me that good adrenaline rush. And rolling away from something that you were scared to try is a dang good feeling and gives me a better feeling of accomplishment than anything else in life.  If skateboarding gets too scary for you, you weren’t meant to skateboard!!

Favorite OB Beer and why?
It’s a hard toss up between Dale’s Pale Ale and Oskar’s Lager I’d say. Dale’s being the original and first craft beer in a can is a complex ale that I love with most foods. The lager on the other hand is a working souls can of beer that I could enjoy anytime of the day.

Who do you look up to? Who are your heroes?
I look to my family and mentors as my heroes. Of course dear ol dad, my grandfathers and mothers and my brothers but my son and my wife come first and foremost. They are the ones who drive me everyday to be a better person, dad or husband than I was yesterday.

You have a whole day off. What are you doing?
The first thing I think of would be taking my son somewhere. Days off don’t really exist in my world. Or at least the type of days off most people on the planet relate to with that phrase. There are days where I am getting paid and there are days I am not. No matter what is happening, I’m always maintaining the life we lead. I may be on the boat fishing, scouting, studying or hosting friends or family. I may be tending to our orchard or property. Working on the boats, the motors, the trailers. Dead limbing, pond maintenance, garden prep, etc.  when I walk the property or set foot in the boat barn or music studio, everywhere I look is a chore or multiple duties to attend to.  With that in front of me 24/7 it’s very rare that I make the time to not deal with any of it.

If you weren’t fly fishing what do you think you’d be doing? 
If we’re talking occupations and passions it would most likely be hunting, growing/raising food, music or woodworking.

What is your favorite part about fly fishing? What are some of the hardest parts?
My favorite parts are the places it brings us and the people we meet along the journey. There’s a focus within it that I feel is now an important part of my life. The process of casting, process of the hunt, the process and challenges of playing and fighting fish with our hands. It’s a true connection with the animal. The hardest parts are easy to deal with if we have patience and an understanding that most of this is muscle memory. Learned behavior if you will as well as staying in tune with the cycles of Mother Nature.

How do you balance fishing, your band, family life, and other hobbies/passions?
I have to plan and book a year or so in advance. Sometimes more sometimes less.  Everything I’m doing today was either booked last year or at least place held on a calendar. With how far ahead shows and tours must be planned and with so many other moving pieces and people in the mix, we have to lay it out well ahead for it to work. Even then it imposes challenges as things always shift here and there. As an independent worker and contractor in the fishing industry and music world, planning and preparation is really the only job security we have.

Tell us about your passion for cooking. What are some favorite meals/recipes you like to share with others?
Since we started the Dandy Sauce Company, a lot of what we cook has our sauces or rubs incorporated in with it. We always love spicing it up! I’m a big fan of smoked meats on our Traeger, cooking over open fire, fresh fruit and veggies.  I grew up with a Cajun family and much of the cooking was very simple.  The older I get the more I appreciate simple recipes. We can do a lot with some fresh fish or meat, good veggies, some oil and a handful of seasoning.

Favorite OB Beer and why?
My favorite beer depends on the season. Lately I’ve been loving the Hazy Blues IPA. It has such a smooth hop and is dangerously delicious.

Who do you look up to? Who are your heroes?
There’s quite a few people in the fly fishing space that have truly inspired me with their passion for the sport, incredible angling abilities and involvement in various conservation initiatives. A few of those people are Joshua Flohr-Crumpton with Spoke Hollow Outfitters, Meredith McCord, Patrick Duke, Courtney Despos, and Beckie + Steve Brown, the list is truly endless. Lucky to be surrounded by so many inspiring individuals.

You have a whole day off. What are you doing?
A day off is typically spent adventuring with my little boy, Colter, my wild dogs Papa and Hootie, and my amazing fiance Aaron DiNapoli. We love off-roading in the Bronco, finding new rivers to explore and spending quality time together.

If you weren’t fly fishing what do you think you’d be doing?
I always hoped that I would find a career in helping children in foster care systems. I hope to get to a place eventually where I could foster kids. As a child I never really felt I had a home or a consistent family. I hope that someday I can take in as many children as possible and give them the love and the home they deserve.

What is your favorite part about fly fishing?
When I’m fly fishing in the mountains, the river is this grounding and calm place to be fly fishing, yet when I fly fish in the ocean, I get this sense of adventure and thrill. I love how fly fishing can serve different purposes depending on the location and species I’m targeting.

What is the hardest part about fly fishing?
I think the hardest part about fly fishing is how much knowledge it requires depending on the species. You can be dialed as a trout angler but then it’s completely different when targeting other fish. The hope is that you’re always learning and always striving to become a more well-rounded angler. You can never really master this sport.

Where did your passion for teaching come from?
I’ve always had a passion for sharing the sports I love. I know what it feels like to not have guidance, or to feel intimidating trying something new. So it’s my hope that by teaching others I can give them the tools they need to build confidence within the sport.

What’s it like being a new mom and balancing everything going on?
Being a mother has truly been such a gift. I’ve always had a love for children, so it felt natural when I had one of my own. I was beyond excited to share this outdoorsy lifestyle with him and I can’t wait to watch him grow into a curious, adventurous little human. When things inevitably feel overwhelming as a new parent, I just remind myself to stay present, to take a deep breath and to appreciate every step of this new journey. It’s challenging but rewarding and beautiful and everything in-between.

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Who do you look up to? Who are your heroes?
I look up to so many people I can’t name just one or a few people. My heroes are constantly pursuing their passion, always learning, and pushing their limits. A lot of my heroes are my friends, family, and people I get to learn from every day! You have a whole day off.

What are you doing?
The whole day off?! I’m headed into the mountains with my sled, skis, food, brews, and friends off to cause some trouble! Followed up with a nice homemade dinner and some hot springs with my lady!

You have a whole plethora of hobbies and passions where did they all come from?
Haha, I blame ADD and growing up surrounded by the coolest people in one of the coolest places in the world! I’ve been so blessed to have amazing opportunities for adventure and work. The key has been to just jump in and not limit myself. Life is so precious and I want to experience as much as I can with the one shot we’ve got!

How did you initially get into making guitars?
Music has been a huge part of my life, I played music in the same band from 4th grade graduating high school. One of our favorite classes we went to together was wood shop. I watched a few friends make guitars in class, so I had to also of coarse! I’ve been doing it ever since!

Favorite OB Beer and why?
My favorite OB beer is the new Hazy Blues IPA! Its bold and hoppy but not overwhelming. It’s my go to beer for any activity or downtime.