The Red Bulletin April/May 2023

Winning is great, but it’s not the only thing—even at the highest level of sport. This issue highlights a few pro athletes who have pursued passion projects or catalyzed social impact. Like cyclist Payson McElveen, who sought (and found) an emotional test crossing Tasmania in 32 hours. Or skater Jake Wooten, who helped uplift skate shops in the South during the pandemic through a one-of-a-kind event at an empty airport terminal. Our cover profile of Zeb Powell examines one athlete making an impact beyond championship wins. As you’ll learn, the groundbreaking pro snowboarder shines as an ambassador of awesomeness, finding broad cultural relevance by inspiring millions with his credo of inclusion on the slopes and spreading joy wherever he goes. That, perhaps, is the biggest reward in sports—not to win,…

LAUREL GOLIO The Brooklyn-based photographer shot pro snowboarder Zeb Powell inside and nearby Red Bull’s new office in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District. “Zeb’s energy was really great the entire day on set,” says Golio, who has shot for The New York Times, The Atlantic and brands like Nike, H&M and Puma. “He was down for anything and brought so much enthusiasm and positivity to anything we tried to capture.” Page 24 NORA O’DONNELL The Red Bulletin’s deputy editor, who wrote our cover story on Zeb Powell, traveled through a Rocky Mountain snowstorm to watch the snowboarder in action at the X Games. “Zeb is a joy magnet,” says O’Donnell, who worked at Playboy and Chicago magazine before coming to Red Bull. “Spend a few moments with him and you’ll want to…

In Latin, the word nimbus refers to a “dark cloud” known as the nimbostratus, a low-hanging formation guaranteed to make it rain or snow. It’s a fitting name for freestyle hip-hop dancer Derrick Judkins, aka Kid Nimbus, who brings a certain level of unpredictability when he battles on the dance floor. “You never see the same cloud twice,” he explains. “They can be gentle; they can be ominous. They can be violent; they can be peaceful. It really just depends on what type of day and weather. That’s my dance. Some days are impactful and super energetic. Other days can be smooth and easygoing.” Judkins is somewhat of an underdog in the dance world. Unlike other dancers with storied careers and prominent followings, the 27-year-old two-time Red Bull Dance Your…

There are some things that Giannis Antetokounmpo would rather not talk about. For instance, the charismatic star with the Milwaukee Bucks isn’t particularly keen to discuss the individual honors he’s earned in nine NBA seasons. Which is surprising, since the cosmically versatile 7-foot-tall power forward has basically earned them all—he’s a two-time league MVP, NBA defensive player of the year, a seven-time all-star, the MVP of the NBA finals (in a series in which he led Milwaukee to its first championship in 50 years). “I will think about my legacy more later, when I’m closer to stepping away from the game,” Antetokounmpo says, a few minutes after the Bucks notched a home win against Toronto. “When I have grandkids, I can have barbecue and talk about it all day. Right…

Working with a friend has its merits: There’s the companionship, the camaraderie, the suffocating familiarity … (jk!) Wisconsin-born photographer Noah Wetzel and pro snow-sports athlete Conor Pelton have skied together for more than a decade, and from this friendship great things have sprouted. Like this image—a “RAW by Leica” semifinalist in Red Bull Illume. “Aspen trees are my favorite,” Wetzel says, “and utilizing wireless flashes allows one to create compelling and unique imagery. On point as always, Conor aired through the tight gap in darkness—and fogged goggles—and skied cleanly out of the frame.” noahdavidwetzel.com; redbullillume.com…

Forget Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic—the wonders of the cosmos can be seen without ever leaving Earth. Priscilla Mewborne proved this during downtime from her day job inside Yosemite, where she works to support her true calling as an aerialist and photographer: “I was following the movements of the visible comet Neowise. It was expected to peak in the middle of my work week, but luckily a motivated group of fellow employees was keen to experience it, too.” Before work they caught the sunrise, and she caught this shot—selected as a Red Bull Illume “Lifestyle by COOPH” finalist. Instagram: @adventurous.aerialist; redbullillume.com…