Jaxon is a second-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu who owns, runs, and teaches at his own academy. Turns out getting choked for fun is pretty good preparation for a career in radio.

That career started in 1993 in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, where Jaxon was living the ski-bum life and teaching skiing and snowboarding when the local rock station handed him the night shift. Somehow, it stuck. He’s worked just about every shift since, mostly mornings and afternoons, across rock, alternative, and classic rock, with some early detours into country and Top 40.

Along the way, he’s been part of a two-time Marconi Award-winning air staff, picked up honors from the March of Dimes Achievement in Radio Awards, and won Best Afternoon Show four times. But the résumé only tells you so much. On the air, Jaxon is authentic, irreverent, and conversational. Less “radio guy,” more the guy next to you at the bar who happens to have a microphone.

A Rocky Mountain West kid at heart, Jaxon would rather be outside than almost anywhere else. Surfing, snowboarding, camping, fishing, hiking… if there’s no roof, he’s probably interested. At home, Scout, his shepherd, and Roxy, his pit bull, help keep things appropriately chaotic. He’s also a longtime supporter of animal rescues and veterans’ organizations.

Musically, Tool, Incubus, and Deftones live near the top of the pile. Def Leppard was his first concert, and Foo Fighters’ “Everlong” and Incubus’ “Anna Molly” remain permanent no-skips.

The essentials? Tacos, coffee as black as coal, loud guitars, and preferably somewhere outside.