In this episode, we explore the incredible journey of Jimmy Smith, who is an extremely versatile & passionate cyclist. From growing up on the big island of Hawaii & relocating to the mainland as a teenager in Springfield, MO & spending summers in Colorado, where he had the tough choice of choosing to pursue BMX or baseball. After making the choice to go all in on BMX, Jimmy realized that he could build a career for himself on the bicycle & began to fully apply himself through ...

Join us as we dive into the flavorful world of Phunbar with founder Jason Cartwright, as he shares the story behind his journey from crafting bars as a side hustle to building his vision into a full fledged business which he founded in 2022 when he turned adversity into opportunity after being laid off. Throughout this episode we chat about what makes Phunbar unique from the marketing strategies to their strong wholesale partnerships! Jason also shares his beautiful philosophy of entre...

In this episode of Scared Of Normal we cover why the podcast has been dormant, what we've been up to day to day here at Traction, what's to come, & some of the big moves we've made over the last 6 months. We're also stoked to to formally introduce our Director Of Roastery Operations Ricky Aughenbaugh - we do a deep dive into Ricky's history with BMX & career in coffee, & much more. We're stoked to share this episode with you, stay tuned for episodes dropping every other Tue...

In this episode we sat down with the founder & builder of Bender Bicycle Co., Will Bender to talk about how he came to starting his business & how he sets Bender Bicycle Co. apart through thoughtful design & utilizing 3D pricing technology. This episode covers so many rad topics from the operational side of his business to how he aims to grow it while keeping it as fun as possible. Check out Bender Bicycle Co. at https://www.benderbicycles.com _________________ Enjoying the podc...

We sat down with Max McManus, a co-founder of J-Walker Apparel which is a brand that was founded with to create specialized products focused toward body builders & serendipitously found themselves making a name in the action sports world after being discovered by some of the biggest names in the BMX industry. We chat in depth about the sacrifice involved to start J-Walkers from it's humble roots to how the start up was financed, the hustle required to keep growing the brand & h...

In this episode, we embark on a journey into the art of waiting & how it intertwines with the profound virtue of patience. Join us as we explore the challenges & rewards of embracing patience in a world that often races towards instant gratification. We focus on the beauty of having patience in times we feel obligated to rush, the connection with delayed gratification, how the emotional challenges of waiting can be managed & turned into a fresh outlook on daily life. Whether you'...

Join us in this inspiring episode as we dive into the life and mindset of Robert Barranco, famously known as the ‘Homeless BMX Legend’, a remarkable individual whose quiet humility belies a passion for BMX, travel, and photography that has taken him on an extraordinary around the world. Robert's unique path is a testament to his unwavering dedication to pursuing his passions and embracing new experiences, even in the face of challenges and societal expectations. Robert's journey began in a q...

Join us in this captivating podcast episode as we dive deep into the remarkable life & career of Anton Krupicka, renowned ultra athlete. In this engaging conversation, we explore the highlights of his professional journey & discover how Anton's unwavering mindset & relentless pursuit of growth have propelled him forward in sport & life. We delve into Anton's unique outlook on individuality, which has set him apart in the world of ultra athletics as well his minimal appr...

In this episode, we had the pleasure of sitting down with the multifaceted creator Richard Krumm also known as Veesh. He’s has had a remarkable career as a professional BMX filmer & spent nearly a decade working full time for Cult BMX documenting riding & creating all time BMX videos which helped shape the brand & recently he’s decided to make a transition into his own creative endeavors. We explored Richard's early days growing up in Fullerton, CA & his journey into bec...

We sat down with Shyanne Orvis, a trailblazing angler who has defied expectations and shattered stereotypes in the world of fly fishing as a passionate fishing guide and advocate for women in a traditionally male-dominated sport. Growing up, Shyanne found solace in the Michigan woods, straying from traditional hobbies, however, it was the time spent fishing with her that sparked her deep-rooted passion for the sport. After taking a leap of faith after graduating high school & relocating ...

In this episode we sit down with Elliot Wilkinson-Ray, the founder of Ripton and Co., an apparel brand specializing in performance denim products. Started in Aspen, Colorado, the company was launched in 2019 and has recently relocated to Boulder, CO. Over the last couple of years Ripton has grown in popularity with their purposed designed products which are created to shape to the wearer's body while allowing freedom of movement. This episode is packed full of back story about the Ripton br...

On this Scared of Normal episode we were fortunate enough to sit down with Charlie Weisel, a seasoned traveler who has ridden his custom-built Harley-Davidson chopper over 265,000 miles across29 countries, and through all 48 contiguous United States. Charlie didn't grow up around motorcycles, but his passion for traveling and wheels led him to explore the world on his Harley. He's constantly modifying his motorcycle and has built a close relationship with it as he’s traveled the world. Char...

We sat down with longtime BMX entrepreneur Ronnie Bonner to chat about his tenure in the BMX industry & his roots of starting his first business in high school. Ronnie has started some of the most well known & respected BMX brands in the world & leads with an intentional, forward thinking mindset. Ronnie talks about where inspiration comes from for him, how he likes to create, & lends some motivating words for those looking to pursue business for themselves. We have conversati...

In this episode we sat down with longtime friend Kyle Wade for a thrilling ride as he shares his journey from a young boi tinkering with remote control cars/aircraft, being passionate about scootering, his transition to cars & the process of becoming an automotive YouTuber - now with over a million subscribers. He shares the sacrifices he’s had to make, the challenges he’s faced, and the hard work and determination it took to build his brand from the ground up. Kyle's passion for cars an...

We had the pleasure of sitting down with musician, artist, creator, & educator Seth Beamer. Seth is an artist who is creating waves with his recently released music under his new self-titled project. In this episode, we dig into how he found his passion for music, how he's gone about approaching being a professional artist, his recent win in Channel 93.3 KTCL's Hometown for the Holidays competition against 100+ local bands with his first single, "The Runaround", creating music vide...

Join us as we sit down with Anthony Mikrut who is the VP of Sales & a Partner at Eminent Cycles - in this episode, we discover what sets them apart from the competition, explore their unique approach to product design, and learn how they came up with the idea for a collaboration coffee that benefits trail organizations nationwide. Collaboration Coffee: https://traction.coffee/building-grounds/ Learn more about Traction or purchase coffee: https://traction.coffee Instagram: Mike Murfit...

On this episode of Scared of Normal we discuss the art of being scrappy, and how it can help you achieve your goals. Being scrappy means being determined, adaptable, and resourceful. It's not enough to have big goals and dreams, you must also have the drive and determination to see them through. Success is often determined by the ability to stay scrappy and push through obstacles, resistance, and competition. We'll be sharing tips on how to be scrappy, like committing to a result, disregardin...

In this episode of Scared of Normal, we sit down with Chase Hawk one of the most influential BMX riders in the world as he shares stories of his journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of the most respected professionals to have ever touched a bike. Chase gives us a deep dive look into his decorated professional career, his plans to continue riding and progressing well into the next decade, the importance of taking mental health seriously, being a dad, adopting a growth mindset, and so...

In this episode of Scared Of Normal, we sat down to chat about the importance of having intention with the types of content you're consuming on the internet & how can positively or negatively affect your days. Learn more about Traction or purchase coffee: https://traction.coffee Instagram: Mike Murfitt: https://instagram.com/mikemurfitt/ Cheyanne Murfitt: https://www.instagram.com/cheyannerae/

In this episode of Scared Of Normal we sat down with Aaron Ross, a professional BMX icon and entrepreneur. Join us as we dive into the mind of this one of a kind, creative individual and explore his journey from BMX pro to becoming a successful business owner. Aaron has made a name for himself in the world of extreme sports and has used his passion and drive to branch out and make an impact in other ventures & industries. Whether you're a fan of BMX, interested in entrepreneurship, or jus...