Sponsored, Episode 21: Aaron McGovern

Aaron McGovern was known for sending it. Violent crashes were known as "McGoverning." In the bar, he was known for getting wasted and picking fights. McGovern was constantly flirting with "the edge of destruction." Sometimes it worked—he filmed over 20 segments and appeared on 15 magazine covers. And sometimes it didn't—he has a long list of injuries and arrests. Now sober for 10 years and a freeskiing coach at Squaw, McGovern has a newfound joy of coaching, which he says gives him as much happiness as anything. On this episode of the "Sponsored" podcast, Aaron McGovern shares his never boring story with host Mike Powell. McGovern is candid about his past. The two talk about why he was always pushing it. "You really can't learn unless you're there, on that edge of destruction," says McGovern. "Anyone can ski down a groomer, but to learn what you can possible handle and ski through and live, you have to send it. If you're not falling, or not on the edge of destruction, you're not learning." Powell and McGovern also talk about the state of professional skiing and McGovern's love of working with kids. "I just love coaching. I get the same feeling when a kid makes the podium doing a freeski comp than if I was on the podium," says McGovern. "I've banged myself up so much doing this stuff that at least I can pass it on to someone else hopefully."

You can listen to Sponsored, Episode 21: Aaron McGovern online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Sponsored, Episode 21: Aaron McGovern is an episode from Sponsored: The stories behind the skiers by Audioboom.

This episode is 23:51 long.

This episode was published on Jan 24, 2017.

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