The Action Sports Podcast

Send us a textOn this week's podcast, we're diving into summer sled projects and how we're getting ready for winter. It's the hottest day of the year, so we figured we'd focus on some cool things to do in the garage. Winter's less than 6 months away, and we're already itching to get back on the gas. 

Send us a textBig News: We Finally Have Cameras!This week we're taking a look at the 2026 snowmobile lineups from Polaris and Arctic Cat, breaking down what stands out. We dive into the mountain sled segment, which is outside our usual cross-country world here in the East, and give our take on what works, what's wild, and what we'd love to try. We also just leveled up with our first-ever video episode. We're working through a few technical difficulties. It looks like Lucas' camera mic picked up the audio instead of the podcast mic, so the sound quality is a little off this time. Thanks for bearing with us as we get the setup dialed in.

Send us a textThis week, we take you behind the scenes of our content creation process. From strapping GoPros on sleds to editing vlogs late at night. We break down the gear we use, how we plan our shoots, and what it's like trying to balance racing with creating content. Whether you're looking to start your own snowmobile channel or just curious how it all comes together, this episode pulls back the curtain on how we film, vlog, and post our rides for the world to see.

Send us a textThis week's episode is all about your personal brand. We dive into what a personal brand really is and how you can use it to your advantage through social media. We share some of the challenges we've faced along the way, as well as the positives we've experienced while building our own presence online. 

Send us a textWe explore the origins of snowmobiles, how they've evolved over the years, and how the big three brands (Polaris, Arctic Cat, and Ski-Doo) came to be. Plus, we throw in some fun and surprising facts from the early days of the sport. 

Send us a textOn this week's episode, we dive into the best add-ons we put on our sleds this season. From simple tweaks to game-changing upgrades, we break down what made a real difference on the snow. We also talk about what we're hoping to add for next season, always looking for that competitive advantage. 

Send us a textThis week's episode dives into our offseason training. We break down what worked, what didn't, and how we're planning for next season. From nutrition to recovery to pushing our bodies to stay at the top year after year. It's all about building the foundation now to perform when it counts. WWR Intro #1 W/ Music

Send us a textWe recap the final race of the season at Saddleback Mountain in Maine, where one rider earned the ultimate title of King of the Mountain. The cross-country crew dominated the weekend, taking home the majority of podiums across nearly every class. We reflect on the highs, the challenges, and the grit it took to close out the 2025 season.WWR Intro #1 W/ Music

Send us a textThis week's episode we recap the lessons we learned from the 2025 racing season. We reflect on the progress we made and the challenges we faced along the way. With one final race left, we're excited to see who will be crowned King of the Mountain this weekend at Saddleback, Maine. WWR Intro #1 W/ Music

Send us a textThis week's episode dives into the many different directions the snowmobile industry could go. From teams and record books to fresh formats and new perspectives, we explore what it might take to grow the sport to the next level. Our hope is that this episode sparks some thought about where we're heading and how we can keep pushing forward. Change isn't always easy but it always means progress.WWR Intro #1 W/ Music

Send us a textMike Young jumps on with TJ Leach for this weeks episode as Lucas Vaadi has been sick all week. We talk about the last race coming up at the end of April in Saddleback Maine, some favorite race memories from the 2025, and then go over some funny social media posts and comments. Thanks for listening!WWR Intro #1 W/ Music

Send us a textThis week, we dive into the highs and lows of the season. We reflect on the lessons learned, the challenges we faced, and our goals for the future. It was a long but rewarding season, and we're excited to see how we can grow from here." WWR Intro #1 W/ Music

Send us a textWe had Buddy Collins on this week. He has only recently come into the world of snowmobile racing, but the impact he has had on New England cross country and the snowmobiling world is immense. His influence extends beyond Maine and reaches across the entire industry. He created North Star Motorsports to promote these races. Not only did he win the semi-pro class, but he did it while hosting multiple events. His personality is infectious, and he is a joy to be around. In this episode, you can hear the true passion that he and his family have gained for this industry.WWR Intro #1 W/ Music

Send us a textThis week's episode, we dive into the final COR race in Ironwood, Michigan, and the last NEXC race in Sinclair, Maine. Both events brought unseasonably warm weather, creating some wild conditions. The COR race was held on terrain and turned into a mudfest, while the Maine race took place on a lake, where standing water made for its own set of challenges. Overall, it was a great season. TJ finished 3rd in Pro Stock, and Lucas wrapped up Semi-Pro Stock with a 4th place finish! WWR Intro #1 W/ Music

Send us a textThis week's episode recaps TJ's race weekend in Portage Lake as the season comes down to the final weekend. TJ is currently sitting second in Pro Stock points, while Lucas is gearing up for the Triple Crown Championship. We're ready to leave it all on the track! WWR Intro #1 W/ Music

Send us a textThis week's episode dives into the final ice Le Mans of the Cor Powersports series, with the last Triple Crown event just two weeks away. TJ took on the nostalgic West Glover, VT race. Tune in for more adventures! WWR Intro #1 W/ Music

Send us a textThis week, Lucas raced in Walker, MN, while TJ took on Lincoln, ME. Both events were on frozen lakes but featured very different conditions. Walker had a plowed Le Mans-style course, while Lincoln brought the bumps on an icy track. We're both focused on maximizing points.WWR Intro #1 W/ Music

Send us a textThanks for tuning in this week as TJ Leach chats with his racing team mate Mike Young, a Vermont native who caught the XC racing bug back in 2017/2018. Mike has been around racing most of his life, most recently in stock car racing. Now he finds that his addictive personality has latched onto snowmobile racing and we are all for it! I hope you enjoy the laughs, stories and snowmobile chit-chat in this weeks episode!WWR Intro #1 W/ Music

Send us a textOn this week's episode, we break down the Greg Nichols Memorial 150 in Oquossoc, ME. This is one of the biggest cross-country racing events in the East. For the second year in a row, a Pro racer from Minnesota made the trip. This episode is packed with coverage from two full days of racing! WWR Intro #1 W/ Music

Send us a textOn this week's episode, we get an update on TJ's injury and hear about his experience in his first-ever MIRA race. We also break down the SOO, recap Lucas's race with ADXC, and look ahead to the upcoming NEXC 150-mile race. Tune in for all the latest! WWR Intro #1 W/ Music

Send us a textThis week, we break down all the action from Park Rapids, including the challenges of racing on a tight and technical course. Plus, we look ahead to the next rounds and share key takeaways from the weekend. Tune in for all the latest in cross country racing!WWR Intro #1 W/ Music

Send us a text This week, we dive into the Star City 100 and the official kickoff to cross-country racing in the East! We're breaking down the course, the incredible turnout, and all the excitement from the start of the season. We're hyped to be racing again! WWR Intro #1 W/ Music

Send us a textWe dive into the cross-country race at Ottertail, where the race faced some challenges with snow dust, high winds, and fresh snow that almost put the event in jeopardy. Despite the uncertainty, the race went ahead in a time trial format. Next week, Lucas and TJ head to the first NEXC race of the series, and the excitement is just getting started! WWR Intro #1 W/ Music

Send us a textOn this week's episode, we kick off the 2025 season and reflect on how the holidays went while diving into the latest snowmobile activities we've been up to. We gear up for an action-packed weekend with races happening across the board East and West Cross Country, Snocross, and even Supercross are all making their return. The season is just getting started, and there's already so much to talk about! WWR Intro #1 W/ Music

Send us a textThis week, we dive into Lucas' adventure at the first cross-country race of the year, Pine Lake 2024. The excitement builds as we gear up for the first Eastern race at ADXC Saranac Lake on January 11th. Plus, Snocross is in full swing, and TJ shares his anticipation for his debut at the legendary SOO I-500. WWR Intro #1 W/ Music

Send us a text This week, we dive into last year's semi-pro races and reflect on the action-packed season. With Pine Lake just around the corner, the Vaadis are in full race mode, ironing out every last detail to secure a spot on the podium this year. Meanwhile, Snocross is back, and everyone's getting the itch to race! WWR Intro #1 W/ Music

Send us a textIn this week's episode, we're joined by Ernie Bouthiette III and Kyle Such from DS Racing!  We dive into their journey, the challenges they've faced, and their unique approach to snowmobile racing. From the track to the shop, Ernie and Kyle share their insights on what it takes to make it in the sport and what's on the horizon for DS Racing. WWR Intro #1 W/ Music

Send us a textIn this week's episode, we dive into the importance of health and fitness in snowmobile racing. Some of the top athletes in the world compete in this sport, and they understand that reaching the peak of their performance means focusing on every aspect of their training and lifestyle. We discuss how supplements can play a crucial role in enhancing your diet and improving your overall snowmobile racing experience. Tune in as we explore how to fuel your body for success on and off the track! WWR Intro #1 W/ Music

Send us a textOn this week's episode, we chat about the excitement surrounding the upcoming season. We dive into some of last year's cross-country racing results to get everyone hyped for the return of some big names to the cross-country scene. WWR Intro #1 W/ Music

Send us a textThis week, Chip Vaadi joins Lucas to discuss the upcoming season and the Polaris sleds we'll be riding. We take a deep dive into the Polaris 600R we're converting into a cross-country ice LeMans mod sled. From initial setup to the custom modifications, we share our plans for getting ready to race.WWR Intro #1 W/ Music

Send us a textOn this week's milestone 10th episode, we're joined by the man, the myth, the legend: Chip Vaadi. Starting his racing career in the early nineties but riding sleds since he was a kid, Chip has done it all—from snocross to the 500, and even owning his own racing circuit, the Big East Snocross Tour (B.E.S.T.). We dive into his diverse snowmobiling background, but there's too much knowledge and experience to fit into just one episode! We're so proud to already be on our tenth episode, with many more to come!4oWWR Intro #1 W/ Music

Send us a text On this week's episode, we dive into the upcoming season with a strong focus on ice racing. We discuss the versatility of cross-country snowmobiles and the different types of racing we'll be tackling this year, including cross-country, pure ice, and even some hillcross action. Tune in for all the details as we gear up for a diverse and exciting season! WWR Intro #1 W/ Music

Send us a textOn this week's episode, we dive into TJ and Molly's experience at the Epping/Fremont NH snowmobile event. TJ had the honor of representing cross-country racing at the factory Arctic Cat booth! We also catch up with Molly Nichols, discussing her past seasons and what's coming next for her and Jackwagon Racing. WWR Intro #1 W/ Music

Send us a textOn this week's episode, we dive into the upcoming winter season and break down the differences between East and West cross-country snowmobile racing. While there are many similarities, it's great to see the unique variations between the circuits, all while keeping the focus on the riders.4oWWR Intro #1 W/ Music

Send us a textOn this week's episode, we welcome New England professional racer Eric Gleich. Eric has been a well-known face on the racing scene for as long as we can remember. He shares his unique approach to cross-fit training and his extensive knowledge of snowmobiles. Eric's excitement for the upcoming season is electric, especially with all the new sleds he'll be rolling out of the trailer this year! 

Send us a text On this week's episode, we dive into the incredible support we've received from our sponsors and talk about some of the awesome products they offer. We share fun stories and experiences that come to mind when we think about each of them! 

Send us a textThis week, we're excited to have pro racer Dylan Thompson on the podcast! It's always inspiring to hear from a fellow passionate East Coast pro cross-country rider. Dylan shares his journey from growing up around snowmobiles to rising through the ranks in cross-country racing. Not only is he a skilled rider, but he's also a great guy and someone everyone should meet. Tune in for some valuable insights and a few laughs as we dive into his story! 

Send us a textIn this week's episode, TJ shares his experience traveling from Maine to Minnesota for Hay Days. He met with key players in the snowmobile industry, including fellow podcasters Spencer from The Carbide Podcast and the boys from The Shop Talk Podcast. TJ also got to witness the exciting snowmobile grass drags, pit bike, and ATV racing! Tune in as we recap some of his weekend adventure and dive into some great fan questions from Facebook.

Send us a textWelcome to the Why We Ride Podcast! I (Lucas Vaadi) start out by interviewing TJ Leach so that both you, the audience, and I can get to know him a bit more and learn about his history in the snowmobile industry. Thanks for listening!

Welcome to the first episode of the Why We Ride Podcast! I (TJ Leach) start out by interviewing Lucas so that both you, the audience, and I can get to know Lucas more and learn about his history in the snowmobile industry. Thanks for listening!

"I started spending more time in the mountains where all I did was ride". We all want to spend more time riding. To go out to the park, track, lake, or mountains and spend most of our time doing what we love. As often as we can, we make it happen, that is just what we do! Brandon spends his hard earned time in the mountains when the ground is frozen and work is slow. He has figured out like so many others to work hard when he can, put money aside and use it for what he loves to do. He's also found a career that will give him the time he needs to be out in the mountains progressing on his sled. Though not all of us are as fortunate with our careers, however there are enough backcountry athletes that make it happen, we see that it is possible to make it a reality.Join The Action Sports Club at ASCARMY.COM/PODCAST so you too can land sponsors and spend more time riding.

Really excited for today's episode. This is a refresher episode from 2021 with Skidoo Ambassador Pro Backcountry Sledder Cody McNolty. The conversation with Cody was so good, I spent around 3 hours with the guy and learned a ton. It was tough to break down which bits and pieces I felt were needed to share for 2023, but this episode is basically just that. If you have not already listened to the original episodes 34 and 35 from 2021, head back there and take a listen. Great value without a doubt. So this episode Cody does break down some amazing thought processes when it comes to being sponsorable. I mean why not learn from an individual that works hard on his passion. And yes... he is rewarded for his efforts. Enjoy!Join The Action Sports Club at ASCARMY.COM/PODCAST so you too can land sponsors and spend more time riding.

"I truly believe I can do it. Which other people may not think that... but I have faith in myself. I know if I work hard enough, I can!" I am truly convinced that once you set your mind to something, you can achieve it. Whatever goal it may be, whatever dream you desire, whatever outcome you crave, you are capable of making it a reality. The truth is, it takes a little bit of faith and a fair amount of hard work and anything is possible. The mindset of today's guest is a winner's mindset. Jayden is only 18, and in high school when this episode was recorded. This rockstar believes he has what it takes to become number 1! In today's episode we get a chance to dive into this dude's mind and dreams. With many wins under his belt, he is pushing the envelope in his industry and I am stoked to see how his future unfolds. This is a good one. Enjoy!Join The Action Sports Club at ASCARMY.COM/PODCAST so you too can land sponsors and spend more time riding.

I believe one of the most overlooked opportunities in an Action Sports career is relationship building. I have fallen short so many times in my career with relationships. From missed opportunities because I didn't believe (at the time) there was value in spending my time with individuals to completely leaving a door wide open and not stepping through because I didn't know how to overcome a personal challenge.Today my hope is that this episode will help move the needle in your life. I KNOW if it wasn't for building a relationship with certain individuals, my career would look very different today. It's because of others in my life and me taking action, I have built some amazing relationships that will be lifetime long and continue to serve me in the coming decade and further. The flip side is true too, I KNOW if I mess it up, my career could be over quickly. Fortunately I have a good feeling about the future.Join The Action Sports Club at ASCARMY.COM/PODCAST so you too can land sponsors and spend more time riding.

"Fort Hall Casino jumped on board and sponsored the film one year!" The opportunity to do more of what we love doing is closer than ever! Today's guest hops on and we get to learn more about the good old days previous to social media and what they had to do as a brand to create the content we so easily have at our fingertips, let alone in our pockets! What an advantage we have living today and being able to accomplish so many amazing goals and dreams. Duncan Lee is a crusader looking to enjoy his passion for riding snowmobiles and mountain bikes as often as possible. As we dive into this episode we get a glimpse of his life and what struggles and successes he's had as an Alpine Assassin.Join The Action Sports Club at ASCARMY.COM/PODCAST so you too can land sponsors and spend more time riding.

"I always knew I was going to be doing some things, in a specific niche". We all have a passion for the industry. We absolutely love doing what we do. And so many of us are chasing the rush of adrenaline, getting that dopamine hit as often as we can. That is what makes our industry so unique! So knowing what direction you want to take your life and even creating a career doing what you love is so awesome. Not many people really know what they want in life or they will chase different careers without knowing where they want to end up. That is why it's awesome to have Kyle with Snow Bike Nation hop on today's show and really talk about his drive for Snow Bike Nation, how it has consumed his life, in a good way. Tons of knowledge dropping in todays episode!Join The Action Sports Club at ASCARMY.COM/PODCAST so you too can land sponsors and spend more time riding.

"Someone recommended I try riding a Snowbike in 2011 and I laughed in their face!" It's funny to see what happens when we say one thing and then later in our life it ends up happening anyways! If we could just short cut the journey, I think we'd find ourselves more successful quicker! However, without learning how to pivot and make changes I don't believe we'd learn and grow. So watching JT's life continue to unfold and change each year has been awesome. Becoming friends with the once Timbersled Ambassador and now a Fox Rep and MTN.Top Snowbike Ambassador was a great idea. I've seen what happens when I leave a door closed, I usually miss an opportunity. But when I leave it slightly open, the world is my opportunity. And today we learn more about JT leaving the door open slightly and getting to reach his goals he's set for himself.Join The Action Sports Club at ASCARMY.COM/PODCAST so you too can land sponsors and spend more time riding.

"I ride pit bikes more than I ride big bikes".  It's awesome to learn more about a rider and their background. So many things that otherwise are left unknown to a majority and yet they may be local legends. Quinn is one of those guys. On today's episode we get a better look at Quinn's life and how it began. Some funny stuff has gone on in that dude's life and it's still in the beginning. He has been influenced like most of us, from a sibling or parent to push ourselves and reach goals we set. Some of the best feelings in the world come from crushing it in your life and then helping others do that same. Quinn is a stellar dude and can't wait to have him back on the podcast in the future.Join The Action Sports Club at ASCARMY.COM/PODCAST so you too can land sponsors and spend more time riding.

"I did wheelie a Harley". Now that is not something most have ever seen let alone done in their lifetime! Greg though is not the typical MX rider either. A drive of passion and love for the industry has helped Greg shape his current career. Today you can see him blowing it up on social media with his content around bike builds, primarily 2-strokes. A bunch of us older guys and gals remember when 2-strokes were the only bikes you would consider buying. However, with demand in our economy and certain advantages, 4-strokes are now the bike to buy and race on the MX or SX track. There are tons of two strokes out there and Greg has found a passion picking them up, restorings them back to the way we saw them on the big screen, racing around the track, bringing back some nostalgia for each one of us and why we started riding in the first place. I'm stoked to hang with Greg and learn more about his lifestyle and career in the industry and cannot wait to see what comes next for this awesome dude.Join The Action Sports Club at ASCARMY.COM/PODCAST so you too can land sponsors and spend more time riding.

We are ready to rock today's episode. We've got a return guest ready to drop some great perspectives and thoughts about the industry. Passion runs deep with Josh. His drive to pursue a career inside the action sports industry is very transparent. This guy eat, sleeps, breathes all things action sports. From deep ruts climbing up hills to crushing it at the bmx park or jamming at the skatepark, Josh isn't one to sit around for long! He admits though that life isn't always blue skies and perfect weather. You've got to do your best with what you have and make up the rest when you can. He's the dude that can make things happen when he puts his mind to it and won't stop till he's happy with his results.Join The Action Sports Club at ASCARMY.COM/PODCAST so you too can land sponsors and spend more time riding.

I'm stoked to make a pivot in the podcast right now.There will always be days when you will need to make a change.I just hope those that do make a change, it is the right thing to do!I've been paying attention to our industry more and more each year. Though I still might not know everything about the community, I can tell you that one thing is for sure. Nothing is guaranteed. So how do we prepare for seasons like that? Jim Rohn taught that "winter always comes after fall and spring always comes after winter, it's been that way for at least the last 6,000 years!" So preparing for the winters (metaphorically) are always necessary in business. Just make sure it's the right thing for you.I'm stoked to discuss some awesome changes in the podcast. It's been an awesome run for the last almost 150 episodes in the span of a couple years. The time has flown by and so many things have developed and changed. Change in my opinion is a great thing as more doors will open up for each of us that embrace the change. In this episode I break down what are the changes that are to be expected and where the podcast is heading. I'm stoked to be sharing this episode with all of you, and can't wait to see what is next!Join The Action Sports Club at ASCARMY.COM/PODCAST so you too can land sponsors and spend more time riding.