Sam In Cham with Samantha Ryder
24 episodes - English - Latest episode: 11 months ago - ★★★★★ - 1 ratingChamonix is one of Europe’s oldest ski resorts and a playground for adventure both winter and summer alike. While it may sit in the shadows of Mont Blanc, this small alpine village is brimming with life. So, join Sam Ryder (International journalist, producer, and lover of all things sport) as she chats with athletes, thrill-seekers, those who live in Chamonix, and those who just can’t stay away. Search Sam in Cham with Samantha Ryder wherever you get your podcasts.
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Episodes
Alpinist and Activist Nasim Eshqi on climbing in and out of Iran - literally and metaphorically!
August 15, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 74.6 MBJoining me this week is Iranian alpinist Nasim Eshqi. Kickboxing champion of Iran, many times over, Nasim left the sport in her early 20’s because of the pressure to ‘cover up’. Climbing mountains gave her the chance to be outside, and away from prying eyes. Since she started climbing aged 23, Nasim has established many new routes in countries including Iran, Turkey, India, and across Europe. She left home on a climbing expedition in 2022, but following the death of Mahsa Amini, she never...
Falkiner and friends - John talks 50 years of fun bringing energy and action to the Alps!
July 07, 2023 07:00 - 1 hour - 73.1 MBJohn Falkiner, Professional ski bum, stunt man, telemark skier, and now mountain guide, there seems to be little he cannot conquer when it comes to mountains. At 18, lured by the prospect of deep powder skiing, he moved from the snowy mountains of Australia to the Swiss resort of Verbier – and it didn’t disappoint. A chance meeting on the slopes with fellow skier Ace Kvale and photographer Marco Shapiro – next stop, the front cover of Powder Magazine. From here, sponsorship deals and lifel...
Freeriding with Megane Betend as the French speed queen prepares for this year's World Tour
November 25, 2022 14:00 - 1 hour - 57.8 MBThis week freeride skier Megane Betend joins me for a chat. The French speed queen started skiing at the age of 2 and soon joined the ranks of the local alpine ski club. It gave her all the essentials - discipline and great technique - but her heart was never really in it. After she qualified as a ski instructor, she started to freeride, skiing often in the wild mountains of the Chamonix valley. It was fast, steep, and exciting and in her first competition she made the podium … the rest, a...
Straight from the archives - a lesson on life from one of Chamonix's original skilebrities - Gary Bigham!
October 05, 2022 13:00 - 1 hour - 79.7 MBChamonix legend Gary Bigham is about as original as you can get. Luckily, he had some free time...and was available for a chat! From the ski bum era of the 70s, 80s, and 90s, we take a trip down memory lane to some of the wild times here in the valley, when beer was cheap, and work was a dirty 4 letter word… Gary travelled the world with his skills as a photographer and filmmaker – films including ‘Life’s a beach in the Alps’ and ‘I’d rather be skiing than happy with you’. During this time,...
From the ocean to the mountains - we delve into the many lives of Carly Van-Evelingen
August 25, 2022 17:00 - 1 hour - 66.4 MBJoining me this week is Carly Van-Evelingen – groom/ equestrian/ climber/ ski bum/ van lifer… yes, it’s been a mixed bag…even for her. Having delved into all kinds of professions, she says she never really fit…then one summer, decided to come to Chamonix to climb…it may have been a fleeting visit, but she knew she’d be back, And within months, Carly had returned – this time for good. Carly has not only had her fair share of jobs, but also life’s hurdles. She talks about mental health with...
Ultra-runner Emily Schmitz talks mountains, art and why planning ahead is SO yesterday!
July 29, 2022 12:00 - 1 hour - 52.9 MBJoining me this week is ultra-runner Emily Schmitz. Born in Wisconsin, Emily studied art at university there but says she didn’t realise how little it was going to prepare her for life in the real world. After finishing, she waited tables before a friend of hers suggested heading to Colombia. With few plans on the horizon, she boarded a plane to a country she had never been to with a language she didn’t speak. Determined to learn Spanish, her plan was to stay in Colombia for a few months –...
Life in a day with Mountaineer Fay Manners – Hold onto your harness, it’s quite the ride…
June 30, 2022 06:00 - 1 hour - 51.1 MBFay Manners has had quite the year so far. In her ‘spare time,’ the UK-born Data Analyst likes to play in the mountains here in Chamonix. In fact, not just here in Chamonix, but in any mountains. For Fay - it’s been a year of firsts so far. Along with climbing partner Lina Van den Berg they got Phantom Direct’s first female ascent of the Grandes Jorasses. Then, a few months later, crossed the pond to the US where she joined expedition partner Michelle Dvorak to become the first female p...
Ultra-runner Emmanuel Ocampo talks all kinds of sport!! And why NOW is the time to be honest about mental health.
June 02, 2022 20:00 - 1 hour - 59.4 MBEmmanuel Ocampo is dedicated, determined, and incredibly disciplined. He’s also an ultra-runner who lives in Chamonix. Growing up in a small town in Argentina, he was always very sporty – competing mostly in team disciplines, hockey, football, swimming, and the like. In his early 20’s he ran a 10km road race – he didn’t like it. Then he discovered a trail race of the same distance…he completed it…and the rest, as they say, is history. Since then, he has completed numerous ultra-marathon...
Tamsin Gay talks sh*&…well it was her idea! The brilliantly funny, brutally honest International Mountain Guide bares all
April 27, 2022 17:00 - 1 hour - 69.6 MBTamsin Gay may not have known what she wanted to do with her life growing up, but she has certainly found her niche. The International Mountain Guide and TV Safety Location Advisor spends the majority of time at home in the mountains – whether it’s guiding people around some of the most stunning peaks in the French and Swiss alps, trad climbing in the Scottish Highlands, or ensuring the safety of TV crew in some of the world’s most remote locations. In this week’s podcast, Tamsin bares ...
An unlikely hero – Victor Saunders talks The Eiger, Everest, and why it’s shape, more than size that really matters!
March 30, 2022 17:00 - 2 hours - 82.5 MBBritish and world-renowned mountaineer and author Victor Saunders has not only reached six of the seven summits but has also made SIX ascents of Everest – however, he still won’t agree he’s a good climber. Instead, he’s happy to play down his MASSIVE achievements and focus on his ‘failures’ – which you and I would be happy to have even considered. He spent his adolescence in Lossiemouth, Scotland, where he developed a love of exploring, and while academia was more of a chore, he did mana...
Camille Jaccoux: An original Crow - The story so far...
February 16, 2022 18:00 - 1 hour - 62.6 MBJoining me this week is Chamonix native, mogul master, freeride phenomenon, and although he may not always admit…total lover of fashion, and unmistakable style...yes, it’s Camille Jaccoux – oh, I forgot to mention, he started this brand here in Chamonix called Black Crows, apparently, they make pretty good skis. Throughout his life, Camille has attempted to do exactly what makes him happy – even down to creating his own skis so the mountain adventure is more enjoyable… and it seems to have...
She’s back!! Minna Riihimaki on literally surviving life in the mountains and why focus really does determine reality!
January 31, 2022 10:00 - 1 hour - 61.9 MBMinna Riihimaki – says the human body is capable of recovery in an incredible way, but it all depends on the mind. She knows first-hand what it’s like to suffer life-threatening injuries and not know whether recovery is even possible? Growing up in Finland, Minna’s childhood was spent happily exploring the great outdoors, but at age 20, she packed a car and drove to Grenoble to study – she already knew the Alps would become her home. However, it came to a crashing halt one perfect day i...
Where giants dare to roam - the climbing legend Andy Parkin on literally NEVER giving up!
December 27, 2021 17:00 - 1 hour - 62.5 MBAndy Parkin is a giant in the world of climbing. An exemplar of the purest form of ascent and descent – and a champion of the solo expedition. A Sheffield lad through and through, Andy was able to perfect technique on the rocky peaks and cliffs the length and breadth of the British Isles before his nomadic lifestyle took him to wider horizons. In this week’s podcast, Andy talks about the importance of Chamonix where he arrived almost 4 decades ago, and how this small mountain town becam...
From the Highlands to the High-er-lands - Ross Hewitt talks mountain guiding, biking, steep skiing and in his 'spare' time, being an engineer
December 01, 2021 16:00 - 41 minutes - 28.2 MBRoss Hewitt grew up in Scotland. He started skiing at the age of seven, and never looked back. Ross began mountaineering in the harsh climate of the highlands until he discovered the Alps that offered the same adventure but with steeper slopes and more temperate surroundings. In this week’s podcast, Ross talks about dividing his time as an engineer and in the winter season, as a guide, taking those who dare, on their own Alpine adventure. Skiing may have taken him around the world, but ...
Chamonix's new generation of ski patrollers - Tim Moniot talks avalanches, explosions, and surviving a mountain bike crash...
November 19, 2021 11:00 - 1 hour - 41.5 MBAt 27, Chamonix local Tim Moniot is part of a new generation of Ski Patrollers, looking after the mountains for the thousands of skiers that descend upon the valley each year. With a long-standing history of mountain guides and patrollers, it seemed only natural that Tim would continue the 'family business.' Working solely at La Flagere for the past 8 years, his work involves mountain rescue, maintenance, and keeping the valley safe from the possibility of avalanches - yes - he quite literal...
Who were the ‘Conquistadors of the Useless'? Antoine Terray gives us a glimpse into the life of his famous father the mountaineer Lionel Terray
November 04, 2021 18:00 - 36 minutes - 24.8 MBAntoine Terray is a skier, a runner, and a businessman here in Chamonix – he is also the son of one of the greatest alpinists of his time, Lionel Terray. Adopted at the age of 4, Antoine spent just a few months with his father before his tragic death while climbing in the Vercors near Grenoble. Devastated at the loss, Antoine’s mother Marianne was left to raise him and his brother alone. In this week's podcast, Antoine talks about how, over the decades, he has been able to piece togethe...
Snowboarding to No-Boarding - Swedish DJ and music producer Magnus Asberg talks 4 decades of Chamonix
October 27, 2021 20:00 - 46 minutes - 31.8 MBMagnus Asberg started coming to Chamonix from the age of 13 - first on a school trip, then making the 24-hour journey by bus every year. He grew up on skis, but being an avid skater, transferred his passion onto the snow. 40 years later, Magnus has gone from snowboarding to No-Boarding – riding the Chamonix slopes on a surfboard style snowboard – no fuss, no muss! In this week’s podcast, the Swedish born DJ and music producer talks to me about how Chamonix has changed over the last few d...
Disability, dyslexia but determined - Alpine Runner Matthew Breakell on refusing to stay silent.
October 20, 2021 15:00 - 42 minutes - 29.5 MBMatthew Breakell was born with clubfoot and spent months in plaster. Doctors said he may never run. A couple of weeks ago in Switzerland, he completed his 20th ultra-run by finishing the Ultra Tour Monte Rosa – his 6th 100-miler. He has severe dyslexia and cannot read or write but his drive to succeed and not be left behind has been instrumental and helped him achieve a 2:1 for his degree in Outdoor Leadership. In this week’s podcast, Matthew talks about the struggles he has faced becaus...
Top South African ultra-runner Meg Mackenzie on finishing her first 100km race, marmots, and her next big challenge - winter in Chamonix.
October 13, 2021 15:00 - 39 minutes - 27.3 MBMeg Mackenzie is one of South Africa’s top female ultra-runners. Growing up along the famous Comrades route – a 55 mile stretch of road between Durban and Pietermaritzburg – not to mention being born into a family of sports enthusiasts, it was almost inevitable that she would fall into the running community. But it didn’t happen overnight - her journey to becoming a professional runner and coach was deliberate and considered. In this week’s podcast, Meg talks about how lucky she feels ha...
Catherine Poletti on UTMB brand expansion, and what the future holds for trail running, one of the worlds fastest growing sports.
October 06, 2021 15:00 - 58 minutes - 40.5 MBCatherine Poletti is the President and Co-Founder of the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc – one of the most important and indeed iconic events in the ultra-running calendar. From music to psychology to IT, Catherine dabbled in all sorts before landing firmly on the start line in Chamonix. Just over 700 people ran in the first official UTMB event back in 2003 – this year, 32 thousand people applied for a chance to race – just 10,000 were successful. “Now we make more frustrated people than happy p...
Colombia’s top ultra-runner Jhon Barrera on TDS success and why the body can only achieve what the mind believes.
September 29, 2021 10:00 - 30 minutes - 21.3 MB“Competing in Chamonix was a dream come true”, says Colombia’s top ultra-runner Jhon Barerra. The 36-year-old biologist turned professional trail runner placed 13th in his debut European ultramarathon. While happy with the result, it’s not a position Jhon is familiar with, having run numerous races to date, and always finished in the top 3. In this week’s podcast, Jhon tells me why he gave up a successful career to pursue his dream of becoming a trail running great, how his background in...
Marta Wenta on ‘The climate crisis vs. an ultramarathon’ – it’s possible to conquer both, if we have the courage to step up.
September 22, 2021 13:00 - 37 minutes - 26 MBPolish ultra-runner Marta Wenta has been racing for almost a decade. This year, as part of the UTMB week, she completed the TDS, the ‘Sur les Traces des Ducs de Savoie’ - 150km from Courmayeur in the Aosta valley back to Chamonix. She was the 7th woman to finish, 46th overall in a field of hundreds of incredible athletes. As an atmospheric scientist, Marta’s love of the mountains drives her passion at work and her Ph.D. focusing on the influence of sea ice fragmentation on the weather ha...
Rachel Kerr on breaking gender barriers within the ski industry and empowering women to feel more at home in the mountains.
September 15, 2021 15:00 - 41 minutes - 28.8 MBRachel Kerr trained for 5 years to become a qualified ski instructor with French equivalence. She is an avid cyclist, kite surfer, runner, and one of 3 SheEO’s of the Women’s Mountain Club in Chamonix where she lives. Growing up on the banks of Loch Lomond in the Scottish Highlands, Rachel is no stranger to the great outdoors. Despite massive snowfall, the ski industry was hit hard in 2020 with the COVID pandemic putting a halt to global travel and wiping out almost all bookings. For the W...
Introducing: Sam in Cham with Samantha Ryder
September 09, 2021 11:00 - 1 minute - 1.37 MBChamonix is one of Europe’s oldest ski resorts and a playground for adventure both winter and summer alike. While it may sit in the shadows of Mont Blanc, this small alpine town is brimming with life. So, join Sam Ryder (International journalist, producer, and lover of all things sport) as she chats with athletes, thrill-seekers, those who live in Chamonix, and those who just can’t stay away. For more, you can follow me on Instagram and Facebook @Samincham_thepodcast