Derek Wolfe with Louie Vito
Today, Louie Vito joins Derek in the booth. Louie starts by reflecting on his humble beginnings in Ohio, a place devoid of mountains or a snowboarding culture. He reminisces about his introduction to snowboarding alongside his dad at the modest Mad River Mountain, where his love for the sport first took root. From there, he recounts his trajectory, transitioning from a background in gymnastics to summers spent at Wendell’s snowboard camp, followed by enrollment in a snowboarding school in Vermont, culminating in his journey to becoming a professional snowboarder.
Olympic Experiences
Louie recounts his remarkable journey at the Olympics, reflecting on his participation in both the 2010 Vancouver Games and the 2022 Beijing Games. He delves into the tough qualification process, security protocols, and the vibrant atmosphere of the Olympic Village, where he enjoyed camaraderie with fellow athletes. Louie shares his pride in representing Italy in the 2022 Olympics, a nod to his cherished Italian heritage.
Training, Injuries, and Mindset
Louie and Derek discuss the intricacies of his training routine, underscoring the significance of functional exercises, core stability, and attuning to his body’s signals.
He describes the array of injuries he’s endured over his career, from fracturing his femur to tearing his meniscus and contending with disc problems. Louie opens up about the mental battles he confronts when weighing the decision to persevere through discomfort or prioritize rest. Derek and Louie discuss strategies for navigating training, including the balance between recovery and pushing boundaries, as well as the techniques he uses to maintain focus amidst the intensity of competition.
Hunting, Functional Training, and Managing Rage
The dialogue transitions to the topic of hunting, as Derek underscores the significance of tailored training for hunting. Louie and Derek engage in a discourse about the advantages of honing skills that align with the rigors of hunting, including adeptness in bearing heavy loads, enduring long treks, and maintaining precision while under physical strain.
Nothing is more crucial role of nutrition and hydration in optimizing performance. Addressing the need to manage the intense emotions often associated with their sports, both Derek and Louie candidly share their insights and strategies for coping with anger and aggression.
Post-Snowboarding Career Plans
Louie reflects on the uncertainty surrounding his post-competitive snowboarding endeavors, and shares that he’s considering various avenues, including coaching, hosting talk or game shows, and even establishing his own snowboarding camp. He plans to focus on the prospect of launching a podcast and commits to personal branding.
His primary aim is to discover an outlet that can harness his passion and dynamism, just like he had with snowboarding.
