ICONS UNCOVERED with Stefan Garlicki

Remy Metailler (French MTB rider based in BC, Canada) discusses how the mountain bike sport remains popular while the industry struggles with high prices, excess stock, discounts, and shrinking marketing budgets that reduce opportunities for athletes and media. 

He explains why 2024–2025 have been especially tough for contracts, the stress caused by delayed sponsor communication, and why longer (2–3 year) deals matter for stability and performance. Remy describes pro riding as entrepreneurship with constant workload, time-zone pressures, and difficulty switching off, often reducing riding time—especially during contract season. 

Remy recounts his path from France to Whistler in 2013, early support and first pay in 2014, and growth through trail-bike content and consistent social media. He compares World Cup, urban downhill, and Rampage demands, reflects on Rampage safety debates, shares a gnarliest Utah slab ride, notes regrets like starting YouTube later, and defines success as being proud of what you’ve done.

00:00 Intro
01:44 Contracts and Budget Crunch
08:25 Sponsorship Horror Story
10:22 Entrepreneur Life
16:42 How Sponsors Scale Work
21:39 From France to Whistler
29:52 Turning point
32:25 Social Media 
34:52 Racing Background 
41:34 World Cup Speed Is Different
45:49 Urban Downhill 
49:20 Rampage Versus Racing
53:37 Rampage Safety 
01:11:45 Gnarliest Forbidden Line
01:15:51 Regrets 
01:19:38 Sponsorship Value 
01:23:36 Life After Riding
01:24:22 Defining Success
Watch on Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAP6gUL-Aws
Follow Rémy:
https://www.instagram.com/remymetailler/
Follow me:
https://linktr.ee/stefangarlicki74

The episode is with MTB slopestyle legend Nicholai Rogatkin. It covers how he started riding bikes before age five, began competing around age seven in skatepark contests, and how his father coached him by placing him in the highest categories to push his level. Rogatkin describes his gradual switch from BMX to mountain biking due to more contest opportunities and support from Martin Söderström and Specialized, while still achieving major BMX results like winning BMX Worlds in Cologne at 17 and winning an ASA Triple in Miami. 

We discuss BMX vs MTB culture and perceived one-sided BMX animosity, along with positive crossover moments at Swatch Nines. The conversation shifts to making a living in action sports, the lack of public salary/contract transparency in mountain biking, and how that can leave riders with less negotiating power. 

Rogatkin explains why he hasn’t returned to Rampage in recent years, describing his notable cliff crash, the fact he was largely uninjured, how Rampage’s structure changed after that year (including detaching from FMB), and how Utah requires extensive familiarity due to exposure and technical terrain. They discuss the emotional difficulty of watching friends crash at Rampage (including the year’s major incidents involving Adolf and Emil), how certain life-risk moves can’t be motivated by money, and how athletes manage intrusive fear thoughts. 

The episode also addresses whether Rampage can be made safer, with Rogatkin suggesting a new site would reduce the escalation that comes from repeated venues. They talk about slopestyle crash training and durability, riders’ differing injury luck, and whether there’s an ideal body type for elite riding. Rogatkin shares moments of throwing tricks without full confidence, including landing a “cashy whip” under pressure at Innsbruck, and identifies his most memorable competition moment.

We discuss how judged events can be confusing compared to racing, Rogatkin’s crowd-pleasing style versus technical judging priorities, and the supportive camaraderie among slopestyle competitors. He names riders who impressed him most, highlighting Emil Johansson’s dominance and technical level, Cam Zink’s determination, and Thomas Genon’s longevity and Rampage progression. Rogatkin talks about his regrets around occasional reckless partying before contests (including the night before Joyride 2022), and his interest in future hosting/commentary and a “Drive to Survive”-style series for mountain biking. 

00:00 Intro
02:30 Growing Up on BMX
06:19 Switching to MTB
09:11 Turning Pro for Real: Crankworx Breakthrough
12:54 BMX vs MTB Culture 
16:20 Slopestyle vs BMX, Money, and Pay Transparency
23:49 Risk vs Reward in MTB
28:06 Rampage Crash, and Why He Stepped Away 
33:49 Watching Rampage as a Friend
35:21 Adolf Silva crash
38:14 Emil’s crash
40:33 Mental Strength 
46:37 Can Rampage Be Made Safer? 
50:32 Why Slopestyle Riders Crash So Much 
57:15 Is There an ‘Elite’ MTB Body Type? 
01:00:44 Sending It Without 100% Confidence
01:07:20 Career Highlight
01:11:38 Riding for the Crowd vs. for the Judges
01:13:47 Sportsmanship 
01:18:13 Best riders ever 
01:24:22 Worst injury
01:28:37 Regrets
01:33:58 What’s Next
01:39:29 Defining Success 
01:42:21 Future Collab
Watch on Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDkKm6czEms
Follow Nicholi:
https://www.instagram.com/nicholirogatkin/
Follow me:
https://linktr.ee/stefangarlicki74

In this episode, we dive deep into the journey of Sebastian Bauer AKA NRML MTBER, also known as  C-Bass, who has become a social media sensation through his unique mountain biking content. We explore his background, his rise to fame, his experience dealing with online negativity, and his ambitious future plans, including the launch of his new company, Filthy. Sebastian shares candid insights into the realities of being a social media influencer and discusses the challenges and rewards that come with it. Tune in to learn about his incredible journey, his thoughts on OnlyFans in the sports industry, and much more!
Watch on Youtube:
https://youtu.be/VpPMcHI_Ebw
Follow C-Bass:
https://www.instagram.com/nrml_mtber/
https://www.tiktok.com/@nrmlmtber?lang=en
https://www.youtube.com/@nrmlmtber
Follow me:
https://linktr.ee/stefangarlicki74

Join us for an in-depth conversation with Andreas Kolb, one of the top World Cup downhill racers, as he shares his journey from privateer to podium, overcoming injuries, and the mindset shifts that led to his first World Cup win. This episode covers:

Andreas' early days and breakthrough moments
The realities of racing, injuries, and recovery
Insights on bike setup, training, and mental coaching
The evolution of World Cup racing and the future of the sport
Personal stories, favorite tracks, and what success means to a pro athlete

Whether you're a mountain biking fan or just love stories of perseverance and growth, this episode is packed with inspiration and behind-the-scenes insights.

Watch on Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5brU9-jgBM
Follow Andy:
https://www.instagram.com/andreas.kolb66/
Follow me:
https://linktr.ee/stefangarlicki74

In this captivating episode, we dive into the world of downhill mountain biking with Benoit Coulanges, a French World Cup Downhill star and 2x national champion. Benoit reflects on his journey, highlights from his career, and the challenges faced along the way. He shares insights into his early struggles, his unique training methods, and the pivotal moments that led him to victory. Benoit also discusses the evolution of the sport, the importance of team dynamics, and his thoughts on the future of downhill biking. Join us for an inspiring conversation with one of the sport's finest, and don't forget to like, subscribe, and drop a comment with your thoughts and guest suggestions.

00:00 Intro
03:24 The New Format and Its Impact
12:36 How Benoit started
18:38 Rising Through the Ranks
31:36 The Road to the First World Cup Win
38:26 Pre-Race Nerves and Warmup
40:05 Celebrating Victory: The Afterparty
41:17 Second World Cup Win: Challenges and Triumphs
47:26 Prize Money in Downhill Racing
52:58 The Importance of the Team 
01:06:23 Future of Downhill Racing
01:12:00 Reflections on a Racing Career
01:17:30 Defining Success 
Watch on Youtube:
https://youtu.be/_WBupfEj4Kw
Follow Benoit:
https://www.instagram.com/benoitcoulanges/
Follow me:
https://linktr.ee/stefangarlicki74