Monster Factory – Episode 1: “Waste”
“If I don’t try, I’ll never know.”
Episode 1 opens the series not with tricks or peaks, but with raw honesty. In Waste, the Mountain Athlete freeskiers confront the uncomfortable question: Is chasing this dream worth it?
They’re not just skiers—they’re waitresses, finance grads, Harvard art students, former bankers—young athletes at the crossroads between security and commitment, facing families who want them to pursue grad school, law school, or “real” careers.
Key Themes:
- Sacrifice and Doubt: The athletes share what they’ve walked away from—New York finance jobs, academic paths, predictable futures—in order to gamble on a chance at professional skiing.
- Training as Purpose: Rob Shaul, founder of Mountain Athlete, provides structure and demand: “Do you want this or not? Then take it or leave it.” For these athletes, the Monster Factory becomes a crucible—physically and mentally.
- Dual Identity: They’re not “ski bums”—they’re educated, ambitious individuals redefining what it means to pursue mountain sport at a professional level.
- Creative Grit: Art meets performance. These athletes bring creativity and intelligence to their skiing—choosing lines not just for danger, but for meaning.
Quote Highlights:
- “Being a professional athlete is more than just being a ski bum.”
- “I don’t want to look back and wonder what could’ve been.”
- “Strength, skiing, the business side—it all has to come together.”
Why “Waste”?
The title is intentionally sharp. It asks the hard question: Is all this a waste of time, money, potential—or is not trying the real waste? This episode answers without flinching.
Monster Factory – Episode 2: “Business”
“Being a good skier isn’t enough. You have to be a brand.”
In Episode 2: Business, The Monster Factory strips away the romance of pro skiing and digs into what it actually takes to sustain a career in the sport. It’s not about gear hookups. It’s about contracts, networking, and putting your name—and face—on the line.
The athletes go inside the world of sponsorships, trade shows, magazine shoots, Instagram metrics, cold emails, and rejection. The reality: if you want a career in freeskiing, skiing is just the start.
Key Themes:
- The Sponsorship Hustle:Athletes hustle for meetings at Outdoor Retailer, chase reps through crowded booths, and pitch themselves over and over—often getting turned down for years before anyone says yes.
- It’s a Sales Job:The best athletes aren’t always the most supported. Those who succeed understand they are marketing assets—expected to represent brands, generate ROI, and embody a company’s ethos both on the hill and on social media.
- Social Media as Leverage:“What have you already done?” becomes the metric. Brands aren’t gambling—they’re scouting athletes who’ve already created value through content, reach, and public visibility.
- Rejection, Grit, and ROI:Several athletes share raw stories of rejection from companies like The North Face—over and over again—until persistence, business plans, and timing finally pay off.
- Being Professional ≠ Selling Out:The film challenges the stereotype that professionalism kills authenticity. Instead, it’s framed as essential for athletes to advocate for themselves and maintain integrity in how they’re portrayed.
Quote Highlights:
“You can’t just be a great skier anymore. You have to promote the brands that promote you.”
“We’re employees of our sponsors. If we’re not creating value, why would they invest?”
“There are world-class skiers riding every day in Jackson. The only difference? Some don’t want to do the work to be sponsored.”
Why “Business”?
Because this isn’t a hobby—it’s a career path that demands deliberate work, branding, and relentless follow-through. For freeskiers chasing legitimacy, learning how to sell themselves without selling out is non-negotiable.
Monster Factory – Episode 3: “Work”
“The grind doesn’t guarantee success—but without it, you’ve got nothing.”
In Episode 3: Work, the façade of freeskiing glamour finally drops—and what’s left is reps, routine, fatigue, and grit. The camera captures the physical toll of training at Mountain Athlete, but more importantly, the mental shift that comes with showing up, day after day, without guarantees.
Key Themes:
- The Shock of Serious Training:First impressions of Mountain Athlete? Fear. Fatigue. Total depletion. But that’s the point—the athletes are tested early, broken down, and built back into something more capable, confident, and mission-focused.
- Professional Mindset:The “work” isn’t just physical—it’s lifestyle. Training is planned. Nutrition is fuel. Sleep is non-negotiable. Sponsorship outreach, email follow-ups, and brand-building become daily habits.
- Delayed Rewards:No one’s getting instant deals. No one’s being handed podiums. Veteran skiers like Griffin Post reinforce the truth: years of grinding, performing, and showing up are the real currency in this world.
- The Shift Toward Game Time:As snow starts to fall and winter approaches, there’s an emotional pivot—from preparation to performance. The mountains are no longer abstract. They’re visible. Tangible. The work has meaning now.
Quote Highlights:
“The first two sessions left me dead. I thought, how am I going to survive six months of this?”
“I went from a lanky noodle to having muscle. And my whole approach changed.”
“You can see what you’re working toward now. In the mountains. That’s the reward.”
Why “Work”?
Because without it, nothing else in the sport is possible. Episode 3 doesn’t celebrate big lines or big wins—it honors what comes before them. The sweat. The soreness. The sacrifice.
This isn’t hustle-porn. It’s just the truth: if you want the payoff, you show up and do the work—long before anyone’s watching.
Monster Factory – Episode 4: “Perseverance”
“It’s not the wins. It’s how long you’re willing to keep grinding.”
In Episode 4: Perseverance, The Monster Factory shifts its focus to the long game—the years of sacrifice, self-doubt, rejection, and rebuilding that make up a real ski career. This is where dream meets discipline. It’s not about raw talent. It’s about what you do when it’s not working out.
Key Themes:
- Endurance Over Spotlight:Pro skier Griffin Post reflects on the grind that took him from contests to filming with Teton Gravity Research to finally skiing alongside legends in Alaska. The point? None of it came easy. Years of competition, rejection, and personal funding preceded the invite.
- Self-Doubt and Reinvention:Crystal Wright and others reveal what happens when the cameras fade and the question becomes: Now what? Many are pivoting away from comps toward ski mountaineering, trip planning, and new identities. It’s not a fallback. It’s a progression.
- Rejection as Fuel:“I’ve heard ‘no’ more than I’ve ever heard ‘yes.’”The episode doesn’t glorify resilience—it shows it. Athletes recount being turned down by sponsors again and again and learning to turn those rejections into grit. Into fuel.
- Fear of the Unknown:Athletes discuss the pressure to always have a plan—especially when transitioning out of competition—and the internal tension between doing it for themselves or for the expectations of others: sponsors, fans, the ski community.
Quote Highlights:
“Even the best wait for conditions to be right. They don’t push it when it’s not time.”
“Planning my own expeditions is scary. But that’s what comes next.”
“It’s about being willing to suffer a little more than everyone else.”
Why “Perseverance”?
Because nothing separates lifers from tourists in the ski world like the ability to keep showing up when it stops being fun, glamorous, or profitable. It’s not about headlines—it’s about staying in the fight when nobody’s watching.
This episode is the soul of the series. No hype. Just raw commitment.
Monster Factory – Episode 5: “Craft”
“You don’t rise to the occasion. You fall to the level of your preparation.”
In Episode 5: Craft, The Monster Factory zooms in on the high-skill edge of freeski competition—where athleticism meets coaching, terrain reading, and precise line execution. This isn’t about charging blindly. It’s about skiing smart, adapting on the fly, and refining your game to the point where instinct and discipline are one.
Key Themes:
- Coaching at a Professional Level:Longtime pro skier and coach Rob DesLauriers brings decades of film and freeski experience to on-snow coaching. He teaches the athletes how to see terrain like pros—breaking down comp venues, identifying risks, and teaching how to ski aggressive lines on purpose, not just on feel.
- Simulated Competition Runs:Athletes practice comp lines in Casper Bowl, learning to inspect, choose, and ski them with intent. They get a first run, analyze the result, and go again—emphasizing repeatability and mental preparation.
- Tactical Decision-Making:From how to approach a rock feature (head-on vs airplane turn) to managing terrain trap speed—every choice matters. Athletes learn the importance of control, fluidity, and hitting features cleanly.
- High-Level Mistakes & Accountability:Falls happen. Getting lost in a line happens. But it’s all part of refining the craft. Episode 5 showcases the thin margins in competition skiing—and how even a near-perfect run can fall short due to missed features or scoring criteria.
- Real Competition Outcomes:We follow the crew into a live comp at Snowbird, where weather delays, limited inspections, and unpredictable conditions force athletes to adapt. Crystal Wright continues to dominate. Monica and Khaki earn top finishes. Others fall short—but the process is transparent and respected.
Quote Highlights:
“It’s all a matter of knowing your envelope. Better he does that here than in competition.”
“We don’t fall. That’s rule number one. Fluidity is rule number two.”
“At some point, you’ve got to adapt. And that went well.”
“I pushed myself, caught my tips, and totally ate it. But it felt great—because I pushed the women’s field.”
Why “Craft”?
Because this is where skill becomes refined and purposeful. No more gut runs. No more luck. Craft is what separates the consistent performers from the athletes still guessing. It’s the culmination of training, experience, and self-awareness under pressure.
Monster Factory – Episode 6: “Rookies”
“This isn’t the end of their story. It’s the beginning.”
In Episode 6: Rookies, The Monster Factory shifts its focus to the youngest athletes in the crew—Morgan and Sam. Just 18 and 19 years old, they’re at the inflection point where skiing stops being just a passion, and starts becoming a path. This is about sacrifices, breakout moments, and the unshakable belief that they belong here.
Key Themes:
- Young Athletes, Big Decisions:Morgan walks away from a full-ride academic scholarship at Middlebury to focus on skiing. Sam puts his college career on hold to chase backflips and big lines. Both are choosing uncertainty over safety—for a shot at something more.
- Athlete Origins at MTI:Sam and Morgan didn’t drop in out of nowhere. They trained with Rob at Mountain Athlete before they were even freeskiers—starting with football sessions and general strength. Their evolution from gym rats to sponsored skiers is full circle.
- Coaching and Technical Development:With Rob DesLauriers as their on-snow coach, both athletes refine the small technical details that separate a good skier from a great one: linking features with speed, sticking airs cleanly, and dialing in comp strategy.
- Competition Breakouts:Morgan lands a podium spot at just her fifth competition. Sam racks up multiple top‑10s. Both athletes are quickly proving they’re more than just rookies—they’re contenders.
- Parental Support and Real Stakes:Sam’s mom speaks openly about what it means to watch your child give everything to a dream. No guarantees—just drive, joy, and the kind of confidence that can shape a life.
Quote Highlights:
“You can always go back to school. But you can’t always chase this dream.”
“It’s the little things that take you from amazing skier to professional skier.”
“They’re young, smart, driven—and they’re really good.”
Why “Rookies”?
Because it takes guts to start. Especially when you’re walking away from stable paths—college, scholarships, structure—and toward a career with zero handrails. Morgan and Sam aren’t just rookies in the sport. They’re rookies in a lifestylethat demands discipline, adaptability, and vision.
This episode is a reminder that talent needs opportunity—but it also needs courage. These two brought both.
The Athletes
HADLEY HAMMER
“Cowboy”
SPONSORS: Mountain Athlete, Marmot, Smith Optics and Helmets, Line Skis, GU Energy, Runa, AION, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, backcountry.com
FAVORITE TRAINING CYCLE: I enjoy each of the training cycles. Work Capacity because it tests my mental strength and I have an odd love of sprinting, Strength because it fills you with confidence knowing how much your body can lift, push, pull, and of course Sport Specific because it means skiing is right around the corner.
CAREER HIGHLIGHT: This years highlight was at the Freeride World Tour stop in Snowbird Utah. It ended up being my lowest score of the season and I missed qualifying for the finals in Verbier as a result…but I felt like I had finally found a line that challenged me and showed my growth of the past three years.
WEBSITE: http://hammerski.wordpress.com/
SAM SCHWARTZ
“Jovi”
SPONSORS: Mountain Athlete, K2 Skis, Discrete Headwear, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
FAVORITE TRAINING CYCLE: Stamina and Work Capacity both really get into your head and provide a huge mental challenge. Mental game is one of the most important things in skiing.
CAREER HIGHLIGHT: 1st Ski Men Junior World Championships at Snowbird in 2013, 1st JFT in North America 2013, and any time being upside down on skis.
Crystal Wright
“Bunny”
SPONSORS: Mountain Athlete, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Arc’teryx, Pro Bar, Scott
FAVORITE TRAINING CYCLE: My favorite type of training is Work Capacity, because I push myself more then I ever think my body can work.
CAREER HIGHLIGHT: Winning the Freeskiing World Tour in 2014. Angel Collinson and I were tied for the over all title and it came down to the finals run. I ended up winning the final stop and the overall title so it was a pretty amazing feeling!
Tess Wood
“Riggens”
SPONSORS: Mountain Athlete, Salomon
FAVORITE TRAINING CYCLE: I like the sport specific workouts we do because that is when my motivation is highest. I like to see and feel the direct correlation of an exercise to a movement I’d make on snow. Some of the jumping and hopping exercises I feel are my weakness, so it’s fun to see myself getting better at something (especially something so obviously applicable to skiing)
CAREER HIGHLIGHT: My 6th place finish in Crystal. I was close to home, both my parents got to see me compete, it was my best finish yet and it was really exciting and motivating to start the season off with such success.
Griffin Post
“Dragon”
SPONSORS: Kästle Skis, The North Face, SmartWool, Smith Goggles and Helmets, Backcountry.com, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Lange Boots.
FAVORITE TRAINING CYCLE: Sport specific because you know that the season is right around the corner and all the other training you’ve been doing is about to pay off.
CAREER HIGHLIGHT: Every year it just gets better.
WEBSITE: www.griffpost.com
Monica Purington
“Marine”
SPONSORS: Mountain Athlete, Rossignol, Smith Optics, Backcountry.com, Discrete Headwear, Bridgedale Socks, CW-X, United By Blue
FAVORITE TRAINING CYCLE: Work capacity because I think it is the most mentally challenging cycle and my mental game needs the most training.
CAREER HIGHLIGHT: Having the opportunity to film with Hadley Hammer, Sasha Dingle and Aj Cargill last season at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.
WEBSITE: www.monicapurington.com
Forrest Jillson
“Ranger”
SPONSORS: Volkl skis, Marker bindings, Mountain Athlete, backcountry.com
FAVORITE TRAINING CYCLE: Sport Specific Training near the end of the fall as we transition into our Season. Quadzillas are one of the most demanding exercises I’ve ever done but they get the job done and require some serious preparation both mentally and physically. They help make it very satisfying during the winter when I can ski all day for a month straight with no fatigue or soreness afterwards.
CAREER HIGHLIGHT: Standing at the top of the Podium at Big Sky was the most rewarding but when I think about it my favorite memory and highlight for me would be skiing with Kent Krietler (skiing hero since I can remember). While riding Sublette I pointed out 2 very spicy zones that I had only skied once in my life but they looked like they were skiable and he expressed interest in skiing them. So at the end of the day we went for them and while standing at the top of the line I managed to get my skiing idol to admit that he was the most gripped that he had been in awhile. After we skied the 2 lines he said that those were 2 lines he’s been looking at for years but never had the chance ski. Major success in my book. Ten years ago Kent was opening up movies for TGR because of the his dominant style in the terrain park and on big AK lines, he had a lot to do with progressing the sport by bringing tricks to big, backcountry lines.
WEBSITE: www.forrestjillson.com
Morgan McGlashon
“Ulysses”
SPONSORS: Mom and Mountain Athlete
FAVORITE TRAINING CYCLE: Sport Specific because it usually happens when ski season is getting super close so there is an awesome vibe in the gym as everyone gets stoked for it to snow.
CAREER HIGHLIGHT: Climbing and skiing the Grand in May with my good friend Sawyer Thomas and his bad-ass dad Charlie
Iris Lazz
FAVORITE TRAINING CYCLE: Strength because I love the mental discipline of having to focus on form when the weight is more then you thought you could do. I also really like work capacity even though it feels like my weakness because I’m the slowest but again I like to do each movement with correct form, and set a pace that is mentally challnging enough to strengthen me but within my limits enough that I can finish the whole work out nonstop.
SPONSORS: O’Neill, Jones Snowboards, Smith Optics, Runa, Mountain Athlete, Celtek
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: All 3 NorthFace Masters First places that earned a real Katana for a trophy.
WEBSITE: www.irislazz.com
Liza Sarychev
SPONSORS: Flylow, DPS skis, Mountain Athlete, I/O Merino, Smith Optics.
FAVORITE TRAINING CYCLE: My favorite cycle is the sport specific cycle because I can feel my ski muscles engage. It’s fun to feel my quads burn the way they do during fast tram laps!
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Getting to film for Norrona’s “Lyngen” edit in the Lyngen Alps of Norway. That trip took me out of my comfort zone on so many levels. From winter camping, to crossing bergschrunds, to technical and roped ascents; it was all very new to me.
WEBSITE: www.lizasarychev.com
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