From tearing it up on the World Cup circuit to juggling tennis balls on the start line, Max Drion brings a whole new level of skill, strategy, and fun to SKIMO racing. In this episode, hosts Travis Macy and Cam Smith sit down with the Belgian champ to talk about his journey from discovering ski mountaineering in Switzerland to becoming an 11-time World Cup medalist and Olympic hopeful.

Max shares what it takes to compete at the highest level—his first World Cup win in 2021, the mental coaching techniques that help him push past limits, and his fueling strategies. He also opens up about the balance between training and adventure, the unique camaraderie among World Cup athletes, and his vision for growing ski mountaineering in Belgium.

Plus, Travis and Cam dig into Max’s unconventional race prep, his YouTube channel packed with training insights, and—yes—the story behind his pre-race juggling routine. This episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and a whole lot of stoke. Let’s go!

Max on Instagram | YouTube

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Skimo Gold is produced by Palm Tree Pod Co.