At some point or another, we all have to make a choice in life that's not as easy as we think. For professional snowboarders, the decision to step away from getting paid to travel the world can be a hard one to make. Some athletes leave the industry bitter about how everything ended (usually not on their terms), while others stay involved and get a job within the very same industry that supported them throughout their professional career. When the news surrounding TJ Schneider taking on a different role with his sponsors trickled out, I didn't know what to think. As soon as I heard that he was moving into a marketing position with No Limits Distribution for Holden Outerwear, Home Watches, C3 Brands (Capita, Coal, Union Bindings) and Obey Clothing, I could already see the smile on the existing team riders faces. Could it be true? The very person they all looked up to in snowboarding was actually going to be their team manager? You see, it's people like TJ that the industry needs: people that "get it" and have the power to guide proper Canadian marketing. You know: great brands doing great things! One thing is for sure, without people like TJ staying involved in the industry, things couldn't to be as good as they are.

TJ, what's new these days? Word on the street is that you got a new job?
That's about it, new job, semi-new lifestyle.

How'd you end up making the decision to finally take a desk job?  I say "finally" with all due respect! Your snowboard career lasted longer than most of the people you grew up riding with, right?
It was all just timing. If it was up to me, I would continue making videos and shredding for the rest of my life. Banks and credit cards don't accept number of views and nose presses as payments though.

Speaking of snowboarding, where and when did you start?
I started snowboarding in December ‘93 in Red Deer, Alberta. My mom gave me a snowboard for Christmas - well, actually, I started snowboarding in ‘87 when my sister gave me a Black Snow Mogul Monster. I rode it a few times on the local hills, froze my ears and continued playing hockey. That was my main focus up until I started really skateboarding when I was around 12 years old. When I was 13, my mom gave me a 160cm Kemper Intruder; the board was way too big for me, but I fell in love. I remember that Christmas day I was playing some shinny with my friend Klynt, his older brother somehow stepped on my leg giving me a huge gash on my shin. I had to wait until New Year's Eve before the swelling went down and was able to ride. My first jump on my board was as the fireworks blasted in 1994.

TJ's Defenders Of Awesome teaser:

How long were you pro for?
I think I started getting a little bit of loot when I was 19 or 20, so maybe 2000-2012. I don't remember when I got my first little bit.

What was it about your shredding that you think got you hooked up? I'd say it was your approach to riding and making things look fun. What do you think?
I think that at the time there weren't too many good shreds, I had a lot of determination and wasn't afraid to walk up and talk to people. I was always a part of team sports. Shredding gave me that DIY drive. I really felt like I was doing something I loved and maybe people wanted to be a part of that.

During your time as a professional snowboarder, where was the best place that you traveled to and why?
I think the people you're with are what make the trip more so than where you go. I was pretty lucky to have a good crew for the last few years. Season one of The Snowboard Realms, which was after the year we filmed First Kiss, was my introduction to travelling and spending a lot of time with photographer Joel Fraser.  From then things just got weirder and weirder. Joel and I have a lot of the same interests and weird little quirks, which made us perfect travel companions. If I had to nail one trip down as "the best", I'd probably have to say the Euro trip in season 3.  I brought along one of my best friends, Tyler Morten, as our "filmer". The crew was Joel, Tyler, Sebi, Pete and I. We rode backyards, old towns, dead ski hills, ice, pow, we hung out in cities and on farms, played music, made videos...the trip was amazing. I think that trip made Sebi, Sandy, Pete and the rest of the dudes at Deeluxe like family.

The Snowboard Realms, Season 3, Episode 12 (Euro trip)

(keep reading for more on TJ's transition away from the sponsored life)