Sports + Outdoor Mentors
Join our community as we build the definitive content source to inspire and motivate sports and outdoor industry leaders, providing practical career and business insights.
We started with a podcast and YouTube channel, and in 2025, we’ll be adding the following:
✳️ Webinars
✳️ Newsletters
✳️ And much more!
Click the follow button to keep updated and join the community.
You can watch the podcast on YouTube and Spotify or listen to it on your favourite podcast platforms, including Apple and Spotify.
Thanks for your support, and see you soon. 🙏
Episodes

Mar 24, 2024
Mar 24, 2024
57 min
Step into the empowering world of Ruth Oberrauch, the trailblazing Vice President of the Oberalp Group, as we explore her remarkable journey across various domains of marketing, HR, sustainability, and brand management.
Our latest episode unveils Ruth's story, from her initial uncertainties to her profound impact on the outdoor industry. Hear about her transformative experiences from fashion retail to leading sustainability efforts, and how she spearheaded the launch of a groundbreaking brand amidst the global pandemic.
Ruth's narrative is a powerful showcase of leading with empathy, the changing role of women in outdoor pursuits, and the critical importance of sustainability.
Her insights are invaluable for those looking to make a lasting difference in the outdoor sector or seeking inspiration to navigate their career paths with energy and passion.
Subscribe or Follow to join us on this motivational journey, and let Ruth's dedication to innovation, empathy, and the great outdoors inspire your next adventure!
#SportsTech #GlobalLeadership #CulturalInsights #TeamTrust #subscribenow
Join us every Sunday for a new episode.
Ruth's Book Recommendation:
📌 A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari - https://amzn.to/3TMpa7A (Amazon Affiliate Link)
Follow Ruth https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruth-oberrauch/
Follow Oberalp Group and LaMunt
https://www.linkedin.com/company/oberalp/ https://www.youtube.com/@oberalpgroup2799 https://www.linkedin.com/company/lamunt/
Follow Dan
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantrapp/
Follow Sports + Outdoor Mentors
https://www.linkedin.com/company/sports-and-outdoor-mentors/
Watch Sports + Outdoor Mentors
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@S_OM1
#sportsandoutdoormentors
00:00 - Introduction
01:30 - Early days
05:00 - Challenges and uncertainties
08:45 - Transitioning and lessons learned.
13:20 - The importance of empathy and overcoming gender stereotypes
18:00 - Insights into the launch of a new brand during the pandemic
23:40 - The role of sustainability
29:15 - The evolution of women's participation
34:00 - Strategies for balancing work, passion, and family life
39:20 - The impact of empathy
44:05 - Advice for aspiring leaders.
49:30 - Importance of experience and cultural exposure

Mar 17, 2024
Mar 17, 2024
1hr 17 min
Dive into an enriching conversation with Markus Hupach, CEO of ARION, and explore the vast terrain of leadership within the sports and outdoor industry.
With an expansive career that includes pivotal roles at Runners Point, Sport 2000, and ASICS, Markus brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for sports that started in his childhood. This episode not only tracks his professional evolution but also delves into his transformative experience in Japan, where he embraced cultural depth, learning the importance of trust and respect in all aspects of business and leadership.
Markus discusses the delicate art of decision-making, highlighting that not every decision will be right but avoiding decisions slows down progress. He emphasizes the power of trust, both in the personal development journey and in empowering teams to achieve greatness. From the challenges of maintaining a balance between personal and professional life to navigating through the complexities of a tech startup, Markus shares insights that resonate with leaders at all levels.
Learn about Markus’s journey from playing handball at a competitive level to leading a sports tech startup that's at the forefront of innovation. His story is not just about the successes but also the learning from every twist and turn. If you're intrigued by the intersection of sports, leadership, and technology, and how cultural experiences shape business strategies, this episode is for you.
Please subscribe to our channel to support our mission of bringing you more stories like Markus's. Your subscription helps us continue to elevate the content and bring insights from leaders across the sports and outdoor industry. Thank you for joining us, and don't forget to share your thoughts in the comments below.
#SportsTech #GlobalLeadership #CulturalInsights #TeamTrust #SubscribeNow
Join us every Sunday for a new episode.
Markus' Book Recommendations:
📌 Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success by Adam Grant - https://amzn.to/3v7IG4S (Amazon Affiliate links)
📌 Culture Map: Decoding How People Think, Lead, and Get Things Done Across Cultures by Erin Meyer - https://amzn.to/43fXI56 (Amazon Affiliate links)
Follow Markus https://www.linkedin.com/in/mhupach/
Follow ARION https://www.linkedin.com/company/ato-gear/
Follow Dan https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantrapp/
Follow Sports + Outdoor Mentors https://www.linkedin.com/company/sports-and-outdoor-mentors/
Watch Sports + Outdoor Mentors
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@S_OM1
#sportsandoutdoormentors
00:00 Intro
01:22 Defining moments
02:52 Studies & sports
04:51 Competitive spirit
08:50 Mentors
10:37 Blind Spots & Strength Journey
14:05 Importance of coaches
14:57 What I would do differently
18:38 Admitting
20:35 Japan journey
30:34 Balance & wise advice
38:35 Empowering the team
42:18 Driving leadership change
48:22 Digital transformation and learnings
01:00:34 Network Importance
01:03:55 Social Media
01:07:06 Failure
01:09:45 Favourite piece of gear
01:12:12 Book recommendation
01:13:28 Best piece of advice
01:13:49 Last message to the team
01:14:32 Advice to future leaders
01:49:00 Additional comments

Mar 10, 2024
Mar 10, 2024
1hr 33 min
Join us for an inspiring episode of "Sports+Outdoor Mentors," where we delve deep into the captivating journey of Andrew Denton, CEO of the UK Outdoor Industries Association.
With nearly four decades of experience, Andrew shares his remarkable story from aspiring zookeeper to a leading figure in the sports and outdoor industry.
Discover how his passion for the outdoors, relentless persistence, and visionary leadership transformed brands like Rohan, Mountain Equipment, and many others, shaping the landscape of outdoor recreation.
Learn about the challenges he faced, the triumphs he celebrated, and the wisdom he gained along the way.
Whether you're a budding entrepreneur, an outdoor enthusiast, or someone seeking motivation to pursue your passions, Andrew's insights on leadership, industry growth, sustainability, and work-life balance are bound to inspire.
Tune in to hear how one man's journey can inspire us all to live more connected, active, and meaningful lives outdoors.
Remember to hit the Subscribe button to join our community and explore more stories of amazing leaders from the sports and outdoor industry.
You can join us every Sunday for a new episode.
Andrew's Book Recommendations:
📌 The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey - https://amzn.to/3VboXfi (Amazon Affiliate links)
📌 Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of NIKE by Phil Knight - https://amzn.to/4cajF9V (Amazon Affiliate links)
📌 Steve Jobs: The Exclusive Biography by Walter Isaacson - https://amzn.to/4c9EaTW (Amazon Affiliate links)
Follow Andrew
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-denton-8120344
Follow Outdoor Industries Association (OIA) https://www.linkedin.com/company/oiauk/
Follow Dan
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantrapp/
Follow Sports + Outdoor Mentors
https://www.linkedin.com/company/sports-and-outdoor-mentors/
Watch Sports + Outdoor Mentors
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@S_OM1
#sportsandoutdoormentors
00:00 Intro
01:27 Key events
02:38 Environmental studies
04:49 Transition to sales at Rohan
08:05 US move and nomad life
12:01 Persistence & hard work
17:10 Building trade business
25:39 Transition, successes and failures
40:39 Training himself, coaches & mentors
47:16 Autistic Spectrum Disorder focus
53:27 Balance
59:36 The Outdoor Industries Association (OIA)
01:10:14 David Cameron and bringing outdoor awareness
01:18:18 Favourite piece of gear
01:24:23 Most valuable piece of advice received
01:28:18 Three pieces of advice for future leaders

Mar 3, 2024
Mar 3, 2024
1hr 11 min
Join us in an enlightening conversation with Juan Vargues, the dynamic President and CEO of Dometic Group, on this episode of Sports and Outdoor Mentors. Delve into the compelling story of a leader who transformed an industrial heavyweight into a trendsetting outdoor lifestyle brand, making waves across the globe.
In this deep dive, Juan Vargues shares the pivotal moments that shaped his leadership ethos, from early personal challenges to strategic career transitions that prepared him for the mammoth task of reimagining Dometic. Discover how embracing change, prioritizing customer engagement, and harnessing the power of strategic acquisitions propelled Dometic to new heights, transforming the perception of the brand from a traditional manufacturer to an outdoor lifestyle pioneer.
This episode is a treasure trove for anyone passionate about the intersection of leadership, innovation, and the great outdoors. Whether you're climbing the corporate ladder, leading your own venture, or simply fascinated by transformative business strategies, Juan's journey offers invaluable insights and inspiration.
Thank you for listening. Hit the Follow button, share your feedback in the comments, and stay tuned for more insightful episodes on Sports and Outdoor Insights.
#Innovation #OutdoorLifestyle #DometicTransformation #SportsAndOutdoorInsights #Subscribe
Juan's Book Recommendations:
📌 Good to Great by Jim Collins - https://amzn.to/3Sxlh4z (Amazon Affiliate link)
Follow Juan
https://www.linkedin.com/in/juan-vargues-9367639/
Follow Dometic
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dometic-group/ https://www.youtube.com/@DometicOfficial
Follow Dan
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantrapp/
Follow Sports + Outdoor Mentors
https://www.linkedin.com/company/sports-and-outdoor-mentors/
Watch Sports + Outdoor Mentors
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@S_OM1
#sportsandoutdoormentors
00:00 Intro
01:30 Key events
04:59 Military discipline
07:08 Manufacturing to business
09:58 Studies vs work theories
12:40 Regional and global differences
14:01 Observing & listening competitors
16:25 Leadership approach
21:55 Career path in No1 companies
24:34 Hiring leaders
31:27 Most important focus
34:06 Following up 35:50 Balance
38:46 Frustrations more than failure
44:37 Bosses as mentors
46:23 Brand transformation 58:20 Opportunities vs risks
1:00:26 Outdoor run love
1:02:42 Book recommendation 1:04:35 Best piece of advice
1:06:28 Message to the team

Feb 25, 2024
Feb 25, 2024
39 min
In this captivating second episode of our two-part series on Sports and Outdoor Mentors, we dive deep with Franco Fogliato, the visionary CEO and President of Salomon.
Starting from humble beginnings in junior sales roles, Franco quickly ascended to leadership positions at industry giants like The North Face and Columbia Sportswear, bringing a wealth of experience and insights.
This episode not only uncovers Franco's unique philosophy on leadership and the vital role of failure in personal growth and success but also explores his passionate commitment to sustainability and expanding outdoor sports participation.
Join us as Franco shares his transformative journey, emphasising the importance of embracing challenges and learning from setbacks to drive forward not just in sports but in life itself.
From insights on making the business of sports more sustainable to personal anecdotes of resilience and recovery, this episode is a treasure trove for anyone looking to be inspired by a leader reshaping the future of the sports industry.
Hit the subscribe button to support our channel and continue discovering wisdom from remarkable leaders like Franco.
Franco's Book Recommendations:
📌Dan Carter: The Autobiography of an All Blacks Legend by Dan Carter - https://amzn.to/3UHmUiF (Affiliated Account)
Follow Franco
https://www.linkedin.com/in/franco-fogliato-23a9531/
Follow Salomon
https://www.linkedin.com/company/salomon/
https://www.youtube.com/@SalomonTV
Follow Dan Trapp
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantrapp/
Follow Sports + Outdoor Mentors
https://www.linkedin.com/company/sports-and-outdoor-mentors/
Watch Sports + Outdoor Mentors
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@S_OM1
#sportsandoutdoormentors
00:00 Intro
01:09 Responsibility to drive the change
08:31 Get more people outside
13:54 No finish line for the planet
16:52 Professional & Personal tough challenges
19:43 Failure and recovery
22:14 Favourite Piece of gear
26:11 Message to the team and future leaders
29:30 Passion and excitement
31:21 Book recommendation
36:22 Final word and advice

Feb 18, 2024
Feb 18, 2024
40 min
In this gripping first episode of a two-part series of Sports+Outdoor Mentors, we dive deep into the life of Franco Fogliato, a luminary in the sports and outdoor industry and the visionary CEO and President of Salomon.
From humble beginnings in a small Italian town, Franco shares his transformative journey through pivotal moments, from rejecting a lucrative banking career for the love of the outdoors to leading Salomon to achieve a billion euros in sales.
Franco reflects on the essence of hard work inherited from his father, the thrill of embracing outdoor sports, and the invaluable lessons learned from navigating cultural differences and challenging times.
His story is not just about climbing the corporate ladder but about his passion for outdoor sports, the importance of family support, and the impact of mentors.
This episode shows how pursuing what you love with determination and respect for work can lead to unparalleled success.
Don't miss this inspiring tale of leadership, passion, and resilience that transcends boundaries and industries.
Hit follow to support our channel and get insights from more incredible leaders in the sports and outdoor world. Join us next Sunday for Part 2 of this inspiring episode.
Follow Franco
https://www.linkedin.com/in/franco-fogliato-23a9531/
Follow Salomon
https://www.linkedin.com/company/salomon/
https://www.youtube.com/@SalomonTV
Follow Dan Trapp
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantrapp/
Follow Sports + Outdoor Mentors:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/sports-and-outdoor-mentors/
Watch Sports + Outdoor Mentors
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@S_OM1
00:00 Intro
01:20 Key moments
04:35 Love for the Outdoors & Sports
05:55 Work ethics
08:58 Military service
11:52 Life at Billabong
16:25 EU & US Columbia Sportswear experience
20:15 Salomon call
23:26 Balance
29:41 Great influencers
37:08 Dealing with stress

Feb 11, 2024
Feb 11, 2024
1hr 44 sec
Dive into an inspiring Sports+Outdoor Mentors episode featuring Nick Giles, Managing Director of Ordnance Survey Leisure.
Despite audio challenges, this interview at their headquarters is a goldmine of insights on overcoming personal adversity, leading digital transformation in a traditional map-making company, and the crucial role of passion in leadership.
Discover how Nick's early experiences and love for the outdoors shaped his visionary approach to digital innovation and customer-centric product development. Learn about his leadership philosophy, the importance of embracing failure, and how technology is redefining outdoor experiences.
This episode is essential for anyone interested in innovation, leadership, and making an impact in the outdoor industry.
👉 Like, share, and subscribe for more episodes filled with leadership wisdom and innovation stories. Leave your thoughts and what you'd like to see next in the comments below!
#Leadership #Innovation #OutdoorIndustry #NickGiles #Subscribe
Nicks' Book Recommendations:
📌 How to Be Like Walt: Capturing the Disney Magic Every Day of Your Life by Pat Williams - https://amzn.to/3SEVEA8
📌 Start With Why: The Inspiring Million-Copy Bestseller That Will Help You Find Your Purpose - by Simon Sinek - https://amzn.to/3SkcXVs (Amazon Affiliate link)
Follow Nick
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickgiles/
Follow Ordnance Survey
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ordnance-survey/
https://www.instagram.com/ordnancesurvey/
https://www.youtube.com/@ordnancesurvey
Follow Dan
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantrapp/
Follow Sports + Outdoor Mentors
https://www.linkedin.com/company/sports-and-outdoor-mentors/
Watch Sports + Outdoor Mentors
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@S_OM1
0:00: Intro
1:21: The urge to maximise his career
03:30: Passion and transmission
07:30: Financial services
09:26: what customer wants
13:13: Outdoor Industry Association
16:42: Balance
18:04: Hybrid approach
20:39: Influencers
23:02: Most important Task
26:45 Passion first
29:32: OBE honor
32:07: Awarding people
33:07: Leading approach
34:25: Politics & organisation
36:27: Coachs and mentors
38:16: Handling failure
44:11: Digital transformation
50:35: AI
54:01: What i’d do differently
55:07: Favourite piece of outdoor gear & technology
56:36: Book recommandation
58:28: Valuable pieces of advice

Feb 4, 2024
Feb 4, 2024
1hr 4 min
Discover the Art of Leadership and Cultural Innovation with Noa Perry-Reifer, Chief People Officer at On
Join us with Noa Perry-Reifer, the visionary Chief People Officer at On, the renowned sports and outdoor brand making waves worldwide. Noa reveals the secrets behind fostering a thriving culture of innovation, driving exponential growth, and leveraging failures to fuel success.
**What You'll Learn:**
- Leadership in the Sports Industry: Gain insights into effective leadership practices that have helped On become a global powerhouse.
- Cultural Transformation Strategies: Understand how On has crafted a culture that supports innovation, encourages risk-taking, and embraces failure.
- Driving Growth: Explore Noa's approach to steering On through rapid expansion while maintaining core values.
- Innovation and Failure: Learn why embracing failure is crucial for innovation and long-term success.
Perfect for aspiring leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in the intersection of sports, business, and culture, this interview offers valuable lessons on navigating the challenges of the modern business landscape.
Noas' Book Recommendations:
📌 The Tao of Coaching: Boost Your Effectiveness at Work by Inspiring and Developing Those Around You by Max Landsberg - https://amzn.to/48Tw7ZB (Amazon Affiliate link)
📌 Becoming by Michelle Obama - https://amzn.to/3Om3bky (Amazon Affiliate link)
📌Atomic Habits: the life-changing million-copy by James Clear - https://amzn.to/47UvM7u (Amazon Affiliate link)
**Follow and Stay Ahead:**
Don't miss out on insights from industry leaders. Subscribe to our channel, hit the notification bell, and stay updated with cutting-edge strategies and inspirational stories.
Follow Noa
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noa-perry-reifer-3772981b/
Follow ON
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/on-ag/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/on/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@On-Running
Follow Dan
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantrapp/
Follow Sports + Outdoor Mentors
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sports-and-outdoor-mentors/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sports_outdoor_mentors/
Watch Sports + Outdoor Mentors
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@S_OM1
#sportsandoutdoormentors
00:00 Intro
01:29 Defining events
03:05 Passion for People
04:37 Psychology and Business
08:01 Ambition
08:58 Failure
16:16 Challenges
20:14 Adaptation
24:03 Recovery
25:50 Balance
29:50 Tips
33:38 Empowering Approach
40:13 Influences
44:06 Diversity and inclusivity
48:14 Mentors
50:35 Inclusion group
53:21 Fear of disappointment
55:43 Favourite piece of gear
57:01 Book recommendations
58:03 Valuable pieces of advice
1:02:27 Relationships

Jan 28, 2024
Jan 28, 2024
1hr 12 min
Sports + Outdoor Mentors is a source of inspiration, motivation, practical career, and business lessons for future and existing sports and outdoor industry leaders.
Join us every Sunday for a new episode.
In this episode, Icebug Co-Founder & CEO David Ekelund talks about the challenges of founding and running a family business, his people leadership approach but also his commitment to sustainability, and much more.
David Ekelund's Book Recommendations:
📌 The Inner game of Tennis: One of Bill Gates All-Time favorite books by W. Timothy Gallway - https://amzn.to/4b8PKh
📌 Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies - by Jim Collins - https://amzn.to/3vSR9Zr
📌 Good To Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't - Jim Collins - https://amzn.to/3u7bREz
📌 Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts - by Brené Brown - https://amzn.to/3HuHz1K
📌 Everyone Culture: Becoming a Deliberately Developmental Organization - by Robert Kegan - https://amzn.to/3S7IABF
📌 Half-Earth: Our Planet’s Fight for Life - by Edward O. Wilson - https://amzn.to/3OdaMC4
📌 The Tree of Yoga: The Definitive Guide to Yoga in Everyday Life - by B.K.Iyengar - https://amzn.to/3u2YGEA (Amazon affiliate link)
Follow David Ekelund
https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-ekelund-53a0264/
Follow Icebug
https://www.linkedin.com/company/icebug-ab/
https://www.instagram.com/icebugofficial/
https://www.youtube.com/@IcebugOfficial
Follow Dan Trapp
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantrapp/
Follow Sports + Outdoor Mentors
Instagram: https://bit.ly/SOMentors_Instagram/
Linkedin: https://bit.ly/SOMentors_Linkedin/
Watch Sports + Outdoor Mentors 🖥️
Youtube: https://youtu.be/Nrl8m2N8r4Y
#sportsandoutdoormentors
00:00 Intro
01:27 Defining events
05:05 Lessons from Philosophy, Military & Journalism
10:51 The Million Dollar Project
13:00 Footwear and technology
14:06 Best and worst memories
16:15 Culture and accountability
20:32 Potentials
22:56 Future is now
29:43 Sustainable approach
38:39 Recognition
40:50 Values
42:59 Power of Collaboration
45:59 Balance
49:37 Philosophy 51:50 Book recommendation
53:59 Most important task
57:07 People development
1:06:46 Favorite piece of gear
1:07:15 More book recommendations
1:08:53 Last advice

Jan 21, 2024
Jan 21, 2024
51 min
Sports + Outdoor Mentors is a source of inspiration, motivation, practical career, and business lessons for future and existing sports and outdoor industry leaders.
Join us every Sunday for a new episode.
Peak Performance President & CEO, Sara Molnar shares insights into her journey from law to leadership, finding the right balance as well as the importance of diversity and much more.
Sara Molnar's Book Recommendations:
📌 Legacy: What the All Blacks Can Teach Us about the Business of Life by James Kerr - https://amzn.to/48Xb7km (Amazon affiliate link)
Follow Sara Molnar
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-molnar-00a347/
Follow Peak Performance
https://www.linkedin.com/company/peak-performance/
https://www.instagram.com/peakperformance/
https://www.youtube.com/@PeakPerformance1986
Follow Dan Trapp
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantrapp/
Follow Sports + Outdoor Mentors
Instagram: https://bit.ly/SOMentors_Instagram/
Linkedin: https://bit.ly/SOMentors_Linkedin/
Watch Sports + Outdoor Mentors 🖥️
Youtube: https://youtu.be/Nrl8m2N8r4Y
#sportsandoutdoormentors
00:00 Intro
01:27 Defining events
03:40 Lessons from Sport
04:59 Early career
09:32: Values & community
12: 32 Finding the right balance
16:16 Diversity in leadership
22:07 Most important tasks
27:01 Culture and passion
34:08 Navigating crisis
37:52 What I'd do differently
40:37 Work and life coach
43:33 Leadership type
45:24 Favorite piece of gear
46:54 Book recommendation
47:46 Advice for future leaders








