Running Buddies - Interview w/ Xavier De Le Rue

Here is the verbatim transcript of the interview between Jamie Roberts of Running Scared Media and Xavier de La Rue:

00:00:00 Speaker: You're listening to Running Buddies, brought to you by Running Scared Media, where every step, every ride, every climb has a story. I'm Jamie Roberts and this is the podcast we like to call a jog cast. Whether it's your first time out or you're a seasoned pro running buddies, find stories that are bigger than running. And I always say this what's bigger than running is subscribing to the podcast. Go ahead, just subscribe. It's free, takes two seconds to do, and then you're going to have access to all sorts of really cool, amazing and original content, which kind of is the starting point for me today.

We have a great guest on, and we're kind of moving in a little bit of a different direction. I've talked about this over the last little month, but we're going to bring on Xavier De La Rue. He is a French snowboarder. He is highly decorated. He's been in the Olympics and Freeride world champion, and he's a filmmaker and he's an explorer. And I think when I've been looking around for people that I'd like to speak to, a lot of it's been trail runners and running because that's what I love to do. But I've always been interested in the mindset of the athlete, the adventure athlete, the endurance athlete. And if you've been listening to the podcast, that's exactly what we're exploring. So I love snowboarding as a kid, I love skateboarding, love running, I love doing things outside in nature. And I thought, why don't we just, uh, sort of expand, cast a wider net and see who he can speak to?

And it took a little bit of time to get Xavier on, but man, was it worth the wait. He is a very interesting and I say that a lot, but he's like an introspective, thoughtful, smart person. And I think you'll hear that in the interview when he's describing, um, just some of the things that he goes through in preparation for the run. And, uh, it's just really he took me into his world, you know, in our forty five minutes of our chat. And he's walking around, uh, in Verbier, Switzerland, snow falling on his jacket, uh, sort of the sun peeking just behind the clouds. And it was just really perfect for a conversation when I was just doing a little bit of research. Xavier has been involved in a lot of filmmaking. Swatch's Romer, uh, where he goes around the world and snowboards down faces and sort of documents. The journey is an incredible series that you absolutely need to check out.

I was most intrigued and impressed by his film of a lifetime, which is a film where he goes with his daughter and his brother to Antarctica, and they have like an expedition out there. And just like the juxtaposition of his family, his own personal goals of writing, but then also bringing along his daughter and then seeing her accomplish some of her feats and facing some of her challenges is like, incredible. So we definitely talk about that in the interview. Uh, and, uh, you know, we actually have some, um, some really cool promos. Xavier was really nice enough to share some of his footage. So we're able to, you know, craft our own piece with some music that, um, that we composed over here. So hopefully to kind of put the whole package together. I think you're really going to enjoy this episode.

We also have other episodes coming on. Things are kind of moving quickly. And Soul Sisters is working with, um, an organization, the Cupid's Undie Run, that's coming out at the end of February. So definitely check out Soul Sisters. They just have so many cool, interesting things happening. Fun, but always for a good cause and just so much energy and passion behind the episodes. You know? I love what they're doing and so happy that they're doing it with Running Scared Media.

And we also have Ari, who we actually have a little bit of a, um, show change. It was rocking around. We're actually changing that to Hybrid Horizons, because what we're finding is, is just the world of rocking is so much bigger than just that. It's functional fitness, it's deca, it's high rocks, and there's so many people that are intrigued and getting interested in this sport. And with the increasing amount of events and activities that are happening, we decided that we were going to just sort of change it up so we could bring that into the fold as well. And, you know, I think Ari's going to be going down to some of those events and getting us some firsthand information from those spaces.

Honestly, I'm just so happy that we are bringing content that we find interesting, that we find intriguing to the listener, and we are trying to make every episode its own little package, its own little special thing for the person that's taking their time to to be interviewed and work with us, but also for the listener, just so you can have something that feels unique and special. Thank you for supporting Running Scared Media. We are for sure not stopping and we have so much amazing things that we like to accomplish in the upcoming year, and hopefully we can have some more announcements going forward. Um, but without further ado, let's go to Verbier, Switzerland and go for a little walk with Xavier de La Rue.

On today's show, we are extremely thrilled and it has taken a little bit of time to get him on the show. But this is fantastic and one of the first snowboarders we're having on the show, we're going to be talking with Xavier Leroux. Xavier is an Olympian, a freeride world champion multiple times a filmmaker, a father, an adventurer, an explorer, and most recently a restaurateur. So it is it is amazing to have him to the show. Welcome to the show, Xavier.

Xavier: Uh, hi, Jamie. Hi, everyone. It's super cool to be here.

Jamie: Uh, so just, um, just for starters, uh, one of the things we always do on on running scared is, um, is where are you and and what are you doing there?

Xavier: I'm in Verbier right now in Switzerland, and, uh, well, normally I should be snowboarding, but it's been really dry for over months. It hasn't snowed one bit. And today it started snowing. So somehow I'm outside having a walk.

Jamie: So really what you're saying is really what you're saying is make the interview quick.

Xavier: Well no no no no no I'm kidding. It's a down day. Actually. It's it's kind of nice and it's great to get some fresh air because I was trying to catch up with emails and, you know, all sorts. So it's actually a perfect timing.

Jamie: Perfect. Um, can you tell us, you know, in normal conditions or whatnot, what is something interesting about the space that you live in from a, from a snowboarding and rider's perspective?

Xavier: Um, yeah. What I like about Verbier is like, uh, it's the mix between, you know, like the, the terrain, which is really accessible. So it's like a European alpine, uh, pretty, like pretty, pretty high level terrain, I would say. And it's a terrain. Yeah. As I said, which is really accessible very easily. So it's like a multitude of little valleys, little faces, like with different, uh, you know, different exposures to the sun, different altitudes, different everything. So you always get to find really what you like. And I also like the, you know, like the place where it's situated within Europe. It's really close to France, to Italy to, uh, like Austria and everything. So you really get to play quite a lot with the different conditions, like depending on where the weather systems come from. So I really like that on the, on the freeride aspect. And then for the rest of it. I think I really fell in love with the place, with the the simplicity of the people, the life. Uh, you know, there are a lot of people coming from everywhere. Really passionate about the same thing as I. And, uh, yeah, I think, I feel I feel a pretty good Paradise.

Jamie: How long have you lived there for? When did you move there?

Xavier: Uh, well, I moved here. Well, I came here for the first time in two thousand and two. Uh, I was like the beginning of the Verbier extreme. So which, uh, was kind of the very birth of the whole third world tour thing. And, um. Yeah, I had a lot of friends, good riders that came from here. My film crew was also based here. And so I started coming more and more and, and I decided I would move here, you know, like, because I was living in Chamonix, so. Which is not too far. It's only an hour away. Uh, but yeah, I thought I would go and get some sunshine and and met her. The mother of my daughter. And then, uh. Yeah, the rest is history, as they say.

Jamie: Is, um. It sounds like there's a lot of variation for backcountry novice recreational riders in the area with high level, low level terrain. Is, um, is there a famous mountain face in the area that if you're coming in to Verbier or into the surrounding vicinity, that you that you have to go and ride? Is there a is there one? I don't know if you want to let out like a secret, like a surfer. Let's out the wave secrets. But is there a spot that's just so great that people need to check out?

Xavier: Really makes Verbier famous? Worldwide is the big day. Ross. So as I was saying before, it's the the the face, uh, from the Verbier extreme from back in the days, which is the first real big, like freeride competition, uh, in Europe, you know, like in the nineties. Yeah. And uh, which has transformed into. what it is a farewell to today. And it's, uh. Yeah, I think it's really the face of Verbier. Like, not only because of, you know, what it holds in terms of writing, in terms of terrain and stuff, but also because of the way it's situated within the resort. So when you're in a gondola going to the top of Verbier, you just basically see that wall next to you. And it's put in a perspective where it seems like pretty much unrideable. It seems like really, really steep and full of rocks and, you know, it's in the mountains. You always have this thing where depending on where you are, a mountain will look steeper or, or flatter or more aggressive or less aggressive. And there, you know, it's situated in the most perfect way, the most intimidating way in a way. So when you see it, you're like, oh my God, this is it. So it's always scary, even if you read it a million times . but if you have the chance to go and ride it and the level as well. Because it requires a bit of level. Yeah. You realize, oh, it's actually very doable. So. And there are so many options in it. So I think it's a it's a great, great place for advanced to super advanced riders.

Jamie: Yeah. It sounds like it's there's some movies out there that you can continually watch over and over again. It sounds like it has that characteristics or appeal to it.

Xavier: Yeah it does. Yeah. Yeah it does, it does. And and same also you know with I come every year, the spin.com every year like the best skiers, snowboarders come in. Yeah. And uh, you know like I remember fifteen, twenty years ago saying, ah, come on with the level today and the exposure and everything cannot be cannot get much higher, you know, the, the level. And uh, every year you see stuff happening and like those riders throwing things where you're like, oh my God, I never thought this would happen. So, yeah, it's great for me. It's, uh, where I see the the evolution of the level. It's a it's a really good, uh, like, rating point for me, I would say.

Jamie: You know, talking to you for ten minutes, I can just hear the passion come through your voice and also your experience and referencing what's a career that spans, you know, thirty years like a long, long time. And really to see, you know, you mentioned at the evolution, I want to kind of get into that a little bit later on, but I want to frame my first question a little bit differently. Um, if we if you take us back to the beginning, not like when did you start? But, um, when did you know that you wanted to be a snowboarder and make this your life's passion adventure? Uh, endurance riding. When did you. When did you know? Some people know when they're ten. Some people don't know until they're forty. When did you know?

Xavier: Well, it's kind of funny, but, you know, like, looking back. I know when I knew, but I didn't know that I knew, you know what I mean? I no, no, no. So so now for me, it's very obvious, you know, when I see myself as a kid, I remember being obsessed that like seeing mountains far away, you know, like outside of my resort and seeing them like, you know, looking at them being so unaccessible and, like, dreaming to be there and drawing lines on them. And then, uh, yeah, never having kind of the pretension to be like, oh, one day I'm going to be going and ride them and then be professional and be paid for that and blah, blah, blah, because I grew up in a, you know, in the Pyrenees, it's like, you know, and it's kind of it kind of sounds very exotic. And it is actually I really love it. But, uh, when you grow up there, you know, you you feel you're so separated from where everything happens in terms of the like, professional in the industry and all the buzz going about around, you know, those sports. When you grow up in the Pyrenees, you you think like that any kind of professionalism or success or, or being good at is not for you. So. So yeah, when I was that little boy, I just dreamt of going there, but yeah. Didn't imagine ever. It could it could become a reality.

Jamie: Yeah. It's, um it's amazing. Like when, you know, we lived near a resort called Upland Ski Resort, and when they, you know, they closed down a night, we would go there, the lights would be off, and we'd take our boards and go up and make our own jumps and do all that, you know, we thought we were we were we didn't live in by mountains, but we wanted we we love that the allure of just kind of the freedom and the creativity that came with it. We didn't become professionals like you did, but the, the ascension in terms of where your career has taken you. You've gone to the Olympics and then, um, you know, inaugural Freeride World Tour and the championships, like riding must have kind of supercharged for you during that time. And I'm wondering, you just talked about it in your previous answer. How does it how does the adjustment to the buzz and more fame and notoriety, because you go from somebody who, again, is a little boy wanting to ride to all these pressures that come with people paying you for it. And, um, when snowboarding was just like becoming so, so popular, how did you adjust to that? How did that affect you? Because I'm curious as to how athletes deal with that, that progression.

Xavier: Well, I'm like, I'm really far from that little boy. The little boy has grown like very old. No, no, no. And I've got a lot of white hair now. And so everything has happened over a very long period of time. And, um. Yeah, I don't know. I think it really happened naturally because I, I started doing a few competitions locally and then nationally, and then it just just worked and it just felt that I was made for it. It was really challenging me. I really always loved that aspect. And, uh, and I, you know, I was giving me a goal to just get better, learn skills and, and, uh, you know, like, while having that process, I really, you know, my main motivation was not necessarily competition, but it was like to become as good as a snowboarder as I could be so that I could take everything and take it up into those mountains that I was dreaming of always.

Jamie: So, yeah. No, you know what? You've, um, you've seen kind of like that, Uh, I guess the, the professionalization of, of snowboarding come from, from the nineties and, you know, the X-Games. And just when the Olympics came or when snowboarding came into the Olympics. Can you talk about like where is where is snowboarding right now? In its kind of in its in its pantheon, in its journey. Has it plateaued? Is it is it still on the Ascension? Because I know in research for our conversation today, I know you've taken more of like a filmmaker exploration rather than just trying to, you know, have big drop ins and do kind of like the get the one massive ride. I'm wondering, I'm wondering your perspective on where the sport is right now.

Xavier: Well, it's really hard to say because also snowboarding, you can see it in many different ways. But uh, but I think, yeah, I've lived through quite a few eras of that snowboarding, you know, like between the nineties where, you know, it was just like exploding completely, coming from an unknown sport to to really something really global to making it into the Olympics, you know, in in pretty much a decade, it went from nothing to the Olympics and to touching all the countries in the world, having different disciplines and stuff. So it went really from yeah, there was so much going on. And I remember that, yeah, there was quite a lot of professionals. There was like a lot of companies putting like actually even chucking money into athletes into trying to get anyone out there. And there was like exponential growth like left, right and center. But then eventually, you know, like after like early two thousand, you know, it did actually plateau. Uh, and especially in the European countries, I would say, and like people started being like, oh, snowboarding is dead. Oh, snowboarding is not growing anymore. People just want to go skiing. And, uh, there's always been a bit that kind of a dilemma between the two. But I remember being, you know, bummed about it at the beginning. And then, you know, quickly, I realized that it was like such a luck that snowboarding would not fall into the trap of trying to become, uh, to mass market in a way, and trying to get just everyone doing it. And, you know, snowboarding is more than a sport. It's just a way of being, a way of living, a way of dressing a culture. It's, uh, you know, it's a way of life. And and like, I think the fact that it stayed kind of in a way, uh, like a bit niche. Well, not as niche as some sports, of course, but it is still, you know, not the, the global thing that, you know, some people would dream of seeing it at the beginning, the way it was exploding. I think it's been a blessing, and I think it has kept, uh, this kind of core aspect that is really dear to all the. to all the snowboarders, I would say.

Jamie: You know what? That's a that's an incredibly kind of interesting and, um, kind of mature perspective on it, because we talked to a lot of, uh, you know, mountain runners, trail runners and running in general is having a massive explosion. And, you know, there's, again, the same sorts of things, right? There's lots of sponsors coming in, there's lots of money pouring in. And I and I wonder if you know what the not that you're going to give advice, but I wonder what the future holds, right if it still holds on to that core being, which is not a sport, but like getting out and getting on a trail in the mountains and and running. But I guess we will see, um, in the future. I'm going to paraphrase you, um, from an article that you that you talked about, I think, uh, you know, you were addressing AI and I'm not going to spend a whole time getting into that. But you talked about how with the advent of so much technology and AI infused in kind of culture, it might drive people more towards nature, less technology, and kind of reconnecting with their own spirit. You know, that's a paraphrase of something that you said. Do you think that could potentially drive the next not even just snowboarding, but getting people out again into their local communities, into their kind of local regions? Um, I feel like we're at an inflection point now with the world and how technology and nature and climate are all kind of colliding together in this big kind of intersectionality. Right. What do you think about that?

Xavier: Yeah, I think that's a good point, which could go in many directions, but for sure, um, if I see for myself, like if I'm not out in the nature, you know, like for two or three days, I just go crazy. I feel straight away that I'm not feeling healthy. I'm not good in my head. I'm not feeling good in my body. Uh, everything starts to hurt. I become anxious And. Okay. I'm not, uh. I don't have a normal life. And, you know, I have the luxury of being able to having discovered, you know, that connection with nature. You know, that feeling. And I think a lot of people don't necessarily have it, but my feeling is that, yes, with the acceleration of life, of technology, of, you know, like that rhythm that we all have, all the social media, I think social media is probably the worst part of it at the moment. You know, like that because it completely drives that like screen addiction and that attention addiction. And, and it just takes us away from what we are originally. And we're just humans. We're, you know, like for us, nature is part of us. And, uh, yeah, anyone you know that has touched a little bit can can feel that straight away. And it just makes you stronger. It just makes you a better person. So. So I think the crazier the world is going to be. I am convinced that the more people are going to be driven into all those nature sports. And as you said, it could be snowboarding, it could be picking up mushrooms, it could be walking your dog, it could be anything but just being out there forgetting stupid day to day, like business and problems and and all of that and just become an animal again.

Jamie: Yeah. That's right. I feel the same way. I think one point it's, you know, talking to, to athletes, I always think it's it's nice when you, um, acknowledge that you don't you're not living a normal life. Right. And that you've, you've become you've ascended to the highest levels of your sport, and then you can get paid for it, and then you can live the life that you want and still enjoy nature. I think that's always good. And many of the athletes that I speak to, um, acknowledge that which I think is important. And the second thing is, and I'm not just saying it because you brought it up, but I always felt like I love media and I love talking to people, and that's what we do here at our little organization. But I wanted to get it off screen, and I wanted people to listen to the content that we're creating here while doing what they want to do, which is why we have you on a walk in Verbier in the snow, which is why we want to get people out doing what they want to do. So we've tried to kind of thread that needle, not always successfully, but it's something that it's something that we definitely want to do. And the third point, I see it in my own communities and I'm not near a mountain. I'm not near, you know, these beautiful peaks. But I find people with just life like almost like a vise closing in, are just looking for run groups or looking for skating groups or just anything to come back to something that is, in a word that you used earlier in the interview is just simple. I think that's that's so important.

Xavier: Yeah, we need simple, that's for sure. Yeah.

Jamie: So something that's not simple and I want to dive into just your your clear passion and talent. Um, when you're on the mountain. So I'm curious, when you are on the mountain, is it instincts that kick in? Um, in terms of if you are ready to take on a challenge, I know you've had some incredible tragedies in your in your career, but what have you learned through the years in terms of avoiding mistakes? Are there subtle signs that you pick up because you are a backcountry rider? You're going on some of the craziest, you know, mountains the world has to offer in Antarctica and all over the planet. Have you? What are you looking for now? Are you so in tune with your mind and your body in terms of what you can feel when you're up there? What are you thinking about? What are you feeling? What are you looking for?

Xavier: Um, yeah, it's a it's a very deep question, I guess, but.

Jamie: We go for that?

Xavier: No, no, but I like it because it really speaks to me. And this is one of the sides of the sport that I really, really like because, you know, it puts you in a place where you're not meant to be and you have to deal with it. You have to deal with your emotions. You have to think rationally as well, which doesn't go hand in hand normally. And eventually. I think what I did over the years from doing mistakes, from doing it over and over, from, you know, missing things and from doing some stuff good. You know, I kind of found my own way to kind of make it happen. I have a bit of my own procedure, which came naturally over the years and which made me progress and get better and go deeper and deeper into the exposure and the possibilities in a way. So I think that if I could analyse the way I do it, I would say that I always, you know, like, you know, I have this procedure, you know, I can take you through it. But basically when I want to write a face, yeah, I have a I will really force myself to pose myself in front of it to stop, you know, to shut down everything in my head and, and look at the face and try to analyze, you know, in a really rational kind of way, all the possible dangers, all the possibilities, all the things that I want to do. And I try to link all of that together. But thinking really kind of like, all right, I can do this. I can do this. Not without involving any feeling at all. And and then later on, once I have that, I would say that I switch my brain in a way and I move to the other side of my brain, if I could say, and then I'll go and just just analyze it with my feelings in a way, you know, I've kind of chosen a line that is feasible. Possible where all the dots align. And then there's a moment where I decide, okay, this is good, this is doable. I know what I need to do. What do I feel about it? Do I have a good feeling? Do I have a bad feeling? Uh, if I have a bad if I'm scared, is that, uh, for a good reason or bad reason? You know, it's just I let my emotions. And then at the end, I kind of way the whole balance of everything. And then I decide if I go or not. It's kind of the way it works. That's for me.

Jamie: That's an incredible answer. Um, I wrote, I wrote, I wrote something down just as like a little note on that question, and I kind of. And you just led me right there. It's almost like a pilot taking off where you need to think about, are you going or are you not? Are you rotating into the air? And it's interesting you you talk about having a process. It's almost like a checklist. And then switching it off and then the emotional side of it. I'm just curious. Not on my notes. How long does that take? Could that be 20s or could that be twenty minutes? Does it just depend on the day?

Xavier: It could take days. Sometimes. It could be days, you know. Yeah. Sometimes it's like very obvious. You feel it. It's your day. Everything is there. Boom. It's very obvious that, you know, everything works. You know all the you can check all the flags. And sometimes it's way more complicated. You're going into something super massive, super tricky with conditions that are really hard to analyze. And then yeah, you could spend days you need to check the terrain around you. You need to think about it. You need to study it. You need to see the face through different angles to see if it's possible. Then you need to climb it, potentially into it, to see if those passages you thought about are go or not. So yeah, it could be a long, long process.

Jamie: Was was Antarctica like that? Um, well, the bigger phase is within Antarctica. Yeah, well, they didn't take days, but yeah, we definitely put quite a lot of energy into it. And we even tried two times and, uh, it didn't work. And then we were like, we're waiting for the right moment and boom went and and boom, it works. Yeah.

Xavier: Yeah. But, uh, but yeah, I think you mentioned, uh, the instinct before and that's, uh, that's something really, really important. That's a word that's really precious because, you know, like trying to listen to those emotions. You know, you get into that field of, uh, you know, feeling what your instinct and your instinct is so powerful. And, uh, and I think that, you know, like, being in that place where you have access to that instinct is, is, you know, it doesn't happen often. It's something that is, uh, quite rare and, and so magical at the same time. And I really, really like being in a place, being in a place and feeling something, feeling an instinct and following it and and realizing that it was the right choice. And all you did was just, yeah, as you say, like just follow your nose and such thing. Yeah.

Jamie: You know, AI and data and collection and it's important. It can do lots of things. But that instinct is just, you know, the ability to kind of juxtapose it all together and just pull it in and, and make a choice. Um, it's interesting you made a choice or I don't even know if this choice was made for you, but I had to ask you this question as a kid, one of my favorite movies was Point Break. I just need to know, how did you get involved in Point Break in twenty fifteen? And my extension is, did that make you want to get into filmmaking a little bit more? Did that did that springboard into, um, into your videos or how did that all come about?

Xavier: It's a it's a funny question. Yeah. Because I, um yeah. So that was in twenty when I started. We started filming in twenty fourteen and, uh, it was a friend of mine who is like kind of, uh, working a lot with the North Face since many, many years, who's been setting up quite a lot of the team throughout the years. Jim Ellis, who used to be a snowboarder, actually, he was in charge of um, of, you know, like managing all the, uh, all the stunts, really. And like, he put up a group together of snowboarders, uh, was, uh, Lucas di Bari, Mike Bacich Mitch told her, and I and Tom Burr as well. So, yeah, quite a cool crew. Yeah. And then, uh, yeah, they were filming in Europe. So yeah, I was super happy to jump on that. And like, same as you. I grew up in the nineties, so Point Break was like, you know, it set so many values into my life. Almost like it was really, uh, yeah. Such a cool film.

Jamie: It is. It is a very cool film and honestly, Johnny Utah Bodie. But the subtext of it, like he's a he's a bank robber, but the subtext is, uh, connecting with nature. And, you know, there's even a clip like, you know, you'll never get a Johnny Utah like, it's it's a state of mind. It's a way of life. Right. And I think there was truth in there. So I'm sure that was a very cool experience to, to be part of.

Xavier: Um, no, but well, to, to come back to that like the, the number two. So they made it like the remake where they were taking all the best athletes in the world in base jumping, snowboarding, big wave surfing and doing real performances, which was freaking amazing. And they filmed it in such an incredible way. But the end result was, um, a bit too Hollywood ized, I would say so compared to the first, uh, version, which was like really raw with good values, like really true. Cool. Uh, cool. Everything that was, like, over the top of everything. Lots of, like, special effects, which kind of, in a way killed a lot of the performances because some of the performances, uh, like that, all of the athletes did were mind blowing, like, even groundbreaking. Yeah. And so the end result was not definitely not like the first one. But yeah, it was still a really cool experience. And like, discovering Hollywood and everything, uh, was very interesting, but that definitely not why I started doing any film projects, because working with two hundred people in the mountains is not my cup of tea at all, because it doesn't work.

Jamie: I can just see it, right?

Xavier: It took it took them like months and months and actually millions until they finally, at the end, let us go with our filmer that we had to bring in. They gave us the cameras and they were like, please, can you just go and do your thing? And we're like, okay, thank you. Instead of bringing like, helicopters with like people with sandwiches, with those things, with everything. And then the light has gone on the face. So you need to wait until the next weather window, which is a week later. And yeah, that was the story of the shooting.

Jamie: That's crazy. Is that right? So eventually they just they just let you film it yourself with your own people?

Xavier: Yeah, yeah. The action. Not. Not. Yeah. No.

Jamie: And did you I know you consulted on it. You did some of the. You did the writing, didn't you?

Xavier: Yeah, I did the writing. I had a small cameo. And then yeah, I went a little bit also, uh, in the editing room, which was, uh, super interesting as well.

Jamie: Yeah. You know, it's that was a moment, a fork in the road. You could have become a Hollywood actor in twenty fifteen. Yeah, but it sounds like you're where you need to be and where you want to be. I think I am. Yeah. And, uh, you know, honestly, it just leads me to my last couple of questions. So I'm curious. Um, your career is incredible, and there is, um, there's definitely a lot to to discuss about it. How do you see yourself now? A writer? Storyteller? Filmmaker. Because you've got Romer. You've got of a lifetime. Like there's some big pieces that you're that you've done. And I'm sure I'd like if you can share anything that you have in the future. But how do you see yourself now? Like you mentioned, you're getting older. You're not that old. Um, what's your what's the focus now?

Xavier: Yeah. Well, I think I've never wanted to be a filmmaker or storyteller, but it's just for me, I think a great way to being able to make those dreams come true for me. And the dream has always been for me to experience new things, to discover new areas, new ways of, uh, approach new ways of functioning in the mountains. New, you know, like new toys. New, new everything. And, uh. Yeah. So so I guess that it's kind of worked out really well for me. And I think this is why I'm probably. I've had such a long career because I've had the chance, you know, compared to sports where you'd be practicing the same move for twenty or thirty years. I've had the chance to have so many variation into my career and so many things that would be really interesting, where I would be learning and things and and I quickly realized that if I didn't have that, I would quickly lose the interest kind of in a way. And, you know, you quickly would fade out and just lose your energy and your fire and everything. So, yeah, for me, it's always nice to find a new angle into whatever I do. And I find that movies and, and series and like, yeah, the video format is kind of the best to allow all that exploration, you know, because that's an exploration at the end.

Jamie: Yeah. I'm curious, um, what have you learned about just a real quick kind of add on filmmaking? Like filmmaking, athletes, snowboarding? Or is there anything, any techniques or tricks that you've learned, things that that you had no idea that you thought would be important, that you realize are just essential now?

Xavier: Uh, it's hard to say because there are so many different styles, so many different ways to tell a story, to write, to picture it, and so many different factors that you have to put together so that there's not one single recipe, I would say. And, and I think that the one thing that I take out of everything is that, you know, you need to understand who you are, trust who you are, trust yourself, you know, following your instinct and your vision and make it happen. And eventually, you know, if you're true to yourself and if you're passionate and if you put your talents into into the mix, you know, you can make great things happen. So I think, uh, this is what I would take away from myself and like, as an advice to whoever wants to get in there.

Jamie: Yeah, it leads me to, um, of a lifetime. Xavier. It was an incredible piece. Okay. And the dynamic between your family is exhilarating. It's beautifully shot. Like just the the boat ride through the Drake. It's. It was amazing. Like, it was very, very, very well done, uh, with yourself and the film crew, but I'm, you know, I'm a father myself. Um, I have a sister. I don't have a brother, but family. Like, how do you straddle the line between pushing a daughter, um, a brother and sort of engaging with your own fears and expectations, like as a parent and as a brother. But then, but then also wanting them to do their very best. To me, that is one of the hardest things I see with my own kids. How how do you do that when it's a film and it's going to be shown to the world? Like, how are you dealing with that? Um, yeah. Sorry.

Xavier: Do I deal with that? It's a it's a good question because that was, uh, definitely a first for me. Like, so, yeah. When we went, uh, for that expedition. So Mila was sixteen to be seventeen. So the trip would happen at the end of her seventeenth. So the trip was, like to cross the Drake Passage on a little sailing boat to go to Antarctica from South America to Antarctica and to write some lines there and make a film out of it and write some of the. Yeah, some of those incredible terrain that. And, uh, yeah, my daughter had never done, uh, any big film trip. She had really very, very little experience in filming, and she had never done a big trip like this. So, yeah, I remember we were all very nervous. Her mother, myself, herself. I think that was really the hardest thing, because it was not a problem because Victoria has been doing that forever and he's charging he's touched on the peak of his career. So that was actually almost him pulling me rather than the opposite. Well, actually it was a very good combination of the two of us together. But, uh, yeah, I guess that with my daughter, I kind of decided to try and see what happens, and I really had a good confidence in the place. It's, uh, it's a very strong place, you know, like, there is there's an incredible energy, you know, you're in those fjords, like, surrounded by so much. It's like getting into the ocean and you and right line left, right and center. So in any way you look, it's like, which is very aggressive, but at the same time, which is feasible, which is rideable and which is actually which like really speaks to me in terms of what's possible. And. Yeah. Anyways, sorry, I'm just. Going all over the place.

Jamie: But yeah, I don't know if you were asked that question before, but for me that would be one of the hardest things, especially because it's an unknown spot for you. It's your family, it's on film. And I just, um, you know, in some of the episodes she's being filmed, you know, going through that process that you talked about earlier, right? Like I'm scared. I don't know if I want to do this. I decided not to do it. Like it's a very raw piece. And that's from that's from someone who doesn't know you or the family. You know, we're just viewing it as, um, as, as a viewer. But to be on the outside looking in when, when you're actually. This is your blood, right? It's it must be really hard, but also extremely fulfilling to see the accomplishments.

Xavier: Yeah, well, I think there are two parts. So first of all, there's the part of writing, you know, like the risk, you know, being her, you know, like like seeing her feeling pushed to get into exposure and to hurting herself. And that part has never been too scared of because since she's been a kid, I've always really, uh, you know, always trusted really a lot of her writing. And I've never been scared, which always surprised me because I remember before she was, uh, any good at skiing, like when she was a very little girl. Like the idea of putting, like, kids into freeriding was nonsense, because I thought it was so dangerous and they could never cope with it. And like, when she was around seven, I took her into a pretty steep bar in Verbier for the first time, and I remember being amazed how she was really reacting really well to to the pressure and listening exactly what I was saying, doing the right moves at the right place, you know, not letting the emotion take over and do and make her do stupid things and, um, yeah, no, but, uh, laugh about it. But even really good skiers, adults that I know that I could go with sometimes they if they start to freak out, they lose their, their abilities to do anything and they become so, you know, like, you get so scared to to just watch them. And with her, I've never had that. And even when I watch her on competitions doing like double backflips or anything, I'm not scared one bit. So that part was cool. But for me, what was scary was the pressure that she would feel from the whole trip, from the duration, from the fact of being so far away from anything from her family, from civilization, the fact of being with a crew of like seven guys that are, like fully dedicated into their film projects and, you know, like with the whole tension that it can bring. And I was really nervous that she would lose it on that point, actually. And she did a little bit. But eventually she put herself back and realized the luck she had and, and got more and more comfortable and, and started to be really good and really, uh, finding her place. Yeah. I was really proud of her.

Jamie: Yeah. You could see the growth through this, through the series and how much she listens to. I know my kids don't listen to me very much, but in that kind.

Xavier: Well, they kind of do listen to them. I know as much as we try and as much as we want to, you know, download Instill wisdom. Right. And let them kind of spread their wings.

Jamie: But, you know, I just thought that that whole piece was just so, um, it was so unique. Um, not just in snowboarding, but just in sport in general. It really is something that, um, that people really should see, uh, because it is, it is. Yeah, it is, it is fantastic. Um, Xavier, that brings us to the end. This has been like an amazing conversation. And just hearing you talk about your career and your perspective on writing and just even adventure sports, exploration, filmmaking, uh, has been amazing. So I just want to thank you on behalf of Running Scared Media for making the time for us today.

Xavier: Well, thanks a lot, Jamie, and thanks everyone for listening. It's been nice to share that.

Jamie: Yeah. Real quick. Um, 30s what is the future hold for Xavier Leroux? Is it what's what are you doing in the next twelve months? Can you tell us or is it secret or?

Xavier: Well, I know I am working on a, like, polar exploration project, kind of in a way where I would be not on the boat, but on the fully autonomous kind of way, on the apart from everything. For for a month or so. And I might not happen this year, but it will happen next year.

Jamie: Yeah. So that's my next. That sounds incredible. I'll definitely be checking back in to see if we can chat before or after that. But, uh, again, Xavier, thanks a lot. Um, have a good one.

Xavier: Cool. Thanks, Jimmy. Take care.