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In the late 2000s, two French mountain athletes set out to build a running shoe that captured the feeling of flying. Jean-Luc Diard and Nicolas “Nico” Mermoud had spent decades inside the innovation engine at Salomon—where product was obsession. In 2007, as Nico recovered from a brutal ultramarathon around Mont Blanc, the founders fixed on a problem that Big Footwear didn't care about: downhill running was destroying bodies. Their solution: make the shoe bigger, softer, and shaped like a rocker.At first, their prototypes looked like clown shoes. Runners who preferred minimalist footwear laughed at them. Retailers said no. But the founders kept doing the one thing that they knew could reverse things: they made people try them.HOKA went from under $3M in sales in 2012 to more than $2B a year—and in this episode, you'll hear how it happened: the risky design, the early cash crunch, and the strategic partnership that helped them win the U.S. market.What you'll learn:How to think of a shoe as a machine, not just a piece of apparelThe go-to-market weapon that worked: relentless demo-ing Why outside money can't always solve a cash flow bottleneck (and what does)How HOKA used performance proof to avoid being dismissed as a gimmickWhy HOKA partnered with Deckers—and why it wasn't just about capitalHow to keep a “rebel” mindset as competitors start copying youTimestamps:(Timecodes are approximate and may shift depending on platform.)[07:12] George Salomon's leadership lesson: the CEO who sought advice from an intern[11:11] Nico's first day at Salomon: testing ski prototypes on a glacier[18:42] The ultramarathon race where Nico's legs crumbled (and why)[21:29] A breakthrough insight: performance changes with surface (leaves, lava, snow)[31:25] Designing a sneaker as if it were a car: engine, tires, seat[40:00] The “clown shoe” prototype—and the first successful run [47:22] Elite runners kickstart the brand [49:02] The hard part nobody glamorizes: factory minimums, bank demands, anemic cash flow[53:31] Deckers enters: the minority investment that unlocks the U.S. (without killing the brand)Hey—want to be a guest on HIBT?If you're building a business, why not get advice from some of the greatest entrepreneurs on Earth?Every Thursday on the HIBT Advice Line, a previous HIBT guest helps new entrepreneurs work through the challenges they're facing right now. Advice that's smart, actionable, and absolutely free.Just call 1-800-433-1298, leave a message, and you may soon get guidance from someone who started where you did, and went on to build something massive.So—give us a call. We can't wait to hear what you're working on.***This episode was produced and researched by Rommel Wood with music composed by Ramtin Arablouei.It was edited by Neva Grant. Our engineers were Patrick Murray and Kwesi Lee. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Go to my sponsor https://aura.com/hammer to try 14 days and let Aura go to work protecting your private information online! #sponsored *FINAL WEEK* - I am personally paying for your Hammer *ELITE* subscription for the first month ➡️ https://bit.ly/chpostshow Sign up for *ELITE* and I'll send you a digital gift card covering the $10 cost. Today's post show is crazyyyyyyy- okay, we dig way way way deeper into his hiding of p*rn from her, and it's the most insane thing I've ever witnessed in my life. Oh, it's a gooooddddd post show- I make him call his dad and finally confess EVERYTHING. Absolutely incredible... Watch here: ➡️ https://bit.ly/chpostshow
In this episode of The Sharp End Podcast, Ashley interviews the Executive director of Trek for Trevor, a charity formed in memory of his son Trevor, who tragically died while attempting to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. Doug shares Trevor's story, the importance of outdoor safety, and the mission of Trek for Trevor to educate hikers about safety gear and decision-making in the wilderness. The conversation also delves into the profound grief of losing a child and how Doug has found purpose in honoring his only son's legacy through advocacy and education. This podcast is produced by Ashley Saupe. This podcast is sponsored by Rocky Talkie, American Alpine Institute and onX Backcountry. Learn more and consider supporting the Trek For Trevor Foundation: https://www.trekfortrevor.org/ → 10% off Rocky Talkie radios at RockyTalkie.com/SharpEnd → 30% off onX Backcountry Premium or Elite, valid through December 31, 2026 using code SHARPEND → 15% off SWOOP. garments with code SHARPEND → 10% off any wilderness med course with Desert Mountain Medicine using code SHARPEND → Use code SHARPEND to waive the activation fee on ZOLEO → Global Rescue Insurance: https://partner.globalrescue.com/thesharpendpodcast/index.html → 20% off First Aid contents at MyMedic.com with code SHARPEND20 → 20% off American Alpine Club membership with code sharpend20
Most riders spend their first year in the Elite ranks just trying to find their feet, but Riley Amos was determined to be different. He had good reason for it. Not only did he have a dominant final season as a U23 in 2024, but he also finished 7th at the Paris Olympics, the highest an American male has ever finished in the Olympic XC race. Looking back on his mindset coming into 2025, though, he admits that he might have pushed himself a little too hard. Riley sat down with Payson in Girona this week to talk about how overtraining and back pain led to a somewhat disappointing 2025 and how observing fellow riders like Nino Schurter and Chris Blevins has changed his entire approach this year. Then, they get nerdy about product testing, specifically Riley's relationship with Trek product development grandmaster Travis Brown and his years-long obsession with suspension. Instagram: @withpacepodcastYouTube: Payson McElveen Email: howdy@withpace.cc
The Girlife Academy is open for enrollment until February 05/26. This only happens once a year and we have added 2 accessible options to join the program and become a girls empowerment coach.One path is the Essentials ($2999) and the other is the Elite ($4999) - Learn more here:https://melodypourmoradi.com/academyJoin me on a zoom open house to learn more and have your questions answered: www.melodypourmoradi.com/openhouseIf you would like a customized payment plan, reach out to melody@getgirlpower.comLet's Stay Connected!As an empowerment coach, author, twin girl mom, and the creator of the GiRLiFE Academy, my mission is to help every woman and girl discover her voice and live a life that lights her up from the inside out.I'd love to connect with you and continue this beautiful journey together!
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Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-buckeye-scoop--4429642/support.Thank you for being part of the Scoop Family!
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-buckeye-scoop--4429642/support.Thank you for being part of the Scoop Family!
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Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-buckeye-scoop--4429642/support.Thank you for being part of the Scoop Family!
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-buckeye-scoop--4429642/support.Thank you for being part of the Scoop Family!
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-buckeye-scoop--4429642/support.Thank you for being part of the Scoop Family!
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-buckeye-scoop--4429642/support.Thank you for being part of the Scoop Family!
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-buckeye-scoop--4429642/support.Thank you for being part of the Scoop Family!
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-buckeye-scoop--4429642/support.Thank you for being part of the Scoop Family!
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Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-buckeye-scoop--4429642/support.Thank you for being part of the Scoop Family!
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Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-buckeye-scoop--4429642/support.Thank you for being part of the Scoop Family!
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-buckeye-scoop--4429642/support.Thank you for being part of the Scoop Family!
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-buckeye-scoop--4429642/support.Thank you for being part of the Scoop Family!