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Described as a proper ‘snowboarder’s snowboarder’, meet the man who describes being kicked off the Swedish national team as one of the best things that ever happened to him.

Kevin Backstrom was a snowboarding prodigy. He was early on the circuit, winning contests and getting noticed by the industry. He was selected for the national team and was on the road to the 2014 Sochi Olympics. However, it didn’t quite pan out as you would expect…

‘The best thing that could have happened to us is getting fired from the national team.’

Kevin Backstrom is a Swedish snowboarder, content creator and founder of Beyond Medals. One of his sponsors, Monster Energy, describe him as in word - stylish - and it’s that style that has helped him retain his crown as one of the best in the business, despite not having an ultra-conventional route to success. Just before the Sochi Olympics in 2014, Kevin was fired from the Swedish national team - something he describes as one of the best things that could have happened to him, his brand Beyond Medals and his teammate Tor Lundstrom who walked in solidarity with him.

‘You can make it as a snowboarder these days not only doing competitions’

When Kevin was starting out on the circuit, he had to be competing in order to be noticed. He reckons that’s shifting today though - crediting social media and the rise of content creators as alternative ways for kids to get people’s attention and attract sponsors. In a world where social gets a bad rep, it’s refreshing to hear of instances where it’s giving people an alternative route to success in sports - particularly as the standard these days is so high that only the best of the best ‘make it’. 

Watch Kevin’s episode of Pack Heavy, Chase Light now.

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