The GearJunkie Podcast

In this episode of the Gear Junkie podcast, host Adam interviews Christina Henderson, the Director of The Running Event (TRE). They discuss Christina’s unique living situation on a houseboat, the significance of TRE as a gathering place for the running industry, and the evolution of the event over the years. Christina shares insights on the introduction of SwitchBack, a new initiative aimed at bridging the gap between running and outdoor brands. The conversation also touches on trends in running, the importance of inclusivity, and the upcoming move of TRE to San Antonio in 2025. Christina reflects on her journey to becoming the event’s director and her vision for its future, emphasizing the need for accessibility and community engagement in the running industry. The post Building The Running Event: Christina Henderson on The GearJunkie Podcast appeared first on GearJunkie.

In the latest episode of the GearJunkie Podcast, Yoon Kim, founder of Outdoor Media Summit (OMS), shares his journey through the outdoor industry and discusses the evolution of the Outdoor Retailer show, the state of outdoor media, and the importance of community and collaboration. One of Kim's key projects, OMS has grown into a vital event for fostering collaboration, and is dedicated to bringing together media professionals and brands to share insights, predict future trends, and enhance marketing strategies. The post Gaming the First Algorithm and the State of Outdoor Media: Yoon Kim on the GearJunkie Podcast appeared first on GearJunkie.

Did you know that Patagonia – yes, that Patagonia – has a venture capital arm? If you didn’t, now you do. Tin Shed Ventures is the VC arm of Patagonia, and it invests in startups that provide, or aim to provide, systemic and globally scalable solutions for the land, water, air, and biodiversity. The fund is behind companies you may know, such as Trove, a popular e-commerce platform that many brands (including Patagonia) use for resale, and BUREO, the company that converts plastic fishnets into consumer products (like the brims of all Patagonia’s hats). The focus of Tin Shed Ventures is to support companies that can reduce the environmental impacts of Patagonia’s core apparel business. It invests a portion of Patagonia’s profits, so the fund has no outside investors, and it provides patient capital to give the businesses the time they need to grow. In this podcast, Asha Asha Agrawal, Managing Director of Tin Shed Ventures, provides background on the fund, including investment criteria and how it seeks to generate returns that benefit both the planet and Patagonia’s business. T The post Tin Shed Ventures Puts Patagonia’s Money Where Its Mouth Is appeared first on GearJunkie.

Editor's Note: In this episode of the GearJunkie Podcast, we sit down with Bureo Co-Founder & CEO David Stover. Bureo converts plastic ocean pollution into recycled fibers and consumer goods, with major partners like Patagonia, Trek Bikes, Costa Sunglasses, and more. Whether he was surfing, free-diving, swimming, you name it — David Stover kept finding plastic trash in the ocean. As someone who loves the water, it hit him really hard. “You might just drive by it on the road,” the Bureo Co-founder and CEO said. But as a surfer, Stover often received a daily reminder of the worsening problem. “You take it really personally,” he added. Founded in 2013, Bureo is known for its unique approach to recycling and repurposing discarded fishing nets — a major contributor to ocean plastic — into high-quality products. The company's proprietary material, NetPlus, is currently being leveraged by major brands like Patagonia, Trek Bikes, Costa Sunglasses, and more in a variety of product offerings. (Photo/Bureo) A Mission is Born Stover grew up surrounded by water, on Block Island, Rhode Island. He never considered himself an environmentalist — Being a good steward to the land was just the right thing to do. But as he and his co-founders noticed more and more debris in the water, they felt the need to take action. “Once you start seeing plastic in the ocean, you can’t not see it,” he emphasized. After consulting with leading experts and absorbing many firsthand, anecdotal experiences, it became obvious to Stover that a significant percentage of waste was coming from the fishing industry — especially netting. (Photo/Bureo) Years later, Bureo is converting this type of waste into consumer products, like jackets, sunglasses, hats, shorts, even skateboards. In fact, the brand's first product was the Minnow Cruiser Skateboard. “We were building a niche skateboard company, and to us, that was exciting!” Stover remembered. “One of the biggest takeaways from our first products was that people were more on board with the mission of converting these nets into a product that they were necessarily skateboarding.” Slow and Steady Growth Bureo is on a much more modest growth trajectory than other successful young companies. In its first year, when the brand was just making skateboards, it converted 10 tons of material, which amounts to roughly half a shipping container of nets. A promising start, but not enough to make a serious dent in reducing global waste. However, by 2023, the company was converting over 1650 tons of material, roughly 80 to 100 shipping containers of plastic netting. The scale of the operation is growing exponentially, but it’s still just a drop in the bucket. (Photo/Bureo) As Stover explained, recycling alone will not solve the plastic problem, and a multi-pronged approach is needed, including reducing plastic consumption and exploring alternative materials.“We have to stop making as much new plastic as we’ve been making every year in order to really start winning that battle,” he reiterated. “Once these producers of new plastic are really focusing their investments and facilities and equipment on regenerative materials or alternative materials, the real change will come.” What is NetPlus? Bureo’s focus is on collecting and recycling fishing nets, but they also aim to address the end-of-life disposal of products made from these materials. To that end, in 2014, the fledgling company caught the eye of Patagonia, which took interest in the brand's early technology and mission. With the investment of the much-larger outdoor apparel company, Bureo committed to a path of product-oriented R&D that has culminated in Bureo's proprietary NetPlus material. (Photo/Bureo) Found in some of Patagonia's most popular products (Baggies, anyone?), NetPlus is made from 100% post-consumer recycled fishing nets. And while that seems impressive, the company also partners directly with fishing communities to collect their end-of-life fishing net waste. These partnerships divert a large flow of pollution away from these coastal communities, ultimately preventing substantial amounts of plastic from reaching the open ocean. Working For Change Stover still surfs often, and despite the overwhelming odds against his endeavor, he still feels optimistic during those sessions that he's on the right course and others will take up the cause in the future. Over the years, Bureo has made significant strides in achieving its mission. The company has successfully established partnerships with fishing communities, incentivizing the proper disposal of fishing nets and preventing them from becoming ocean waste. (Photo/Bureo) Moreover, Bureo has expanded its product line to include a variety of sustainable goods, such as skateboards, sunglasses, and other lifestyle products, all made from recycled materials. But more than those things, Bureo’s innovative approach has positioned the company as a trailblazer in the fight against ocean plastic pollution and providing a template for other, future companies that seek to get involved in the mission. “When it’s only doom and gloom — it’s really hard to see what difference you can make,” Stover concluded. ”But when you look at the youth … I see that generation taking [pollution] really personally. … that gives me hope that we’re inspiring the next generation to be more responsible.” The post You Can Use Fishing Nets To Make Rad Gear appeared first on GearJunkie.

Climbing has changed a lot since Chris Sharma came on the scene over two decades ago. Now in his early 40s, Sharma has born witness to an entire generation of climbers come up, including his co-guest on today’s GearJunkie Podcast, 23-year-old pro climber Drew Ruana. In a wide-ranging conversation guest-hosted by GearJunkie’s Seiji Ishii, the young buck and seasoned master discuss how the sport has grown over the last twenty years. Along the way, they touch on project poaching, drinking culture, balancing family with career, fitness, and much more. While addressing his notable longevity, Sharma emphasized the importance of consistency in his training as he’s aged. He also credited taking breaks and devoting that time to other things to avoid burnout. Among the first to represent the USA as an Olympic climber, Ruana offered a younger point of view. But regardless, both are among the elite of the sport and continue to push the state of climbing forward. The post Chris Sharma and Drew Ruana Speak on the State of Climbing appeared first on GearJunkie.

Editor’s Note: In this edition of the GearJunkie Podcast, we sit down with the Co-Founder and CEO of Athletic Brewing, Bill Shufelt, to learn about the brand’s early days and what led him to take an early interest in the then-dormant category. Before Athletic Brewing Company, Bill Shufelt worked long hours at a hedge fund. He spent his days in the office, and often found himself entertaining clients and attending work-related social functions after hours. It was a work hard, play hard lifestyle that perpetuated unhealthy routines. While entertaining clients and attending work functions, Bill noticed that it was hard for him avoid alcohol. He wanted an alternative non-alcoholic option — a drink that he could enjoy socially without the negative side effects of alcohol. At the time, it just didn’t exist. Up to that point, the adult beverage industry had made it really hard to love non-alcoholic drinks. Over the previous decades, there'd been little to no product innovation or marketing support. According to Shufelt, “Non-alcoholic beer was the most boring, dusty part of the grocery store or bar.”Aside from the obvious market vacuum, Bill knew it from his own lived experience. “Alcohol, at the end of the day, is a ‘functional ingredient,'” the Athletic Brewing Co-Founder and CEO told the GearJunkie Podcast. “I wanted to be in all of those social settings, at all of those times, without having to deal with the side effects of that functional ingredient, whether that's health or lost productivity, an ongoing distraction — tough to move around, tough to sleep, tough to work the next day, dietary implications, you name it.” An avid athlete and hard-charging professional, Bill wanted to live that full, cosmopolitan, performance-driven life, without the downsides of alcohol. (Photo/Athletic Brewing) Building the Athletic Brewing Brand Early on, Athletic Brewing Co. identified a stigma surrounding NA beer. For this reason, Bill and his team designed the Athletic brand to be bright, colorful, and reassuring. They wanted a can consumers could hold proud, subliminally communicating a sense of positivity.  Similarly, in those early years Shufelt was a big proponent of in-person tastings and demos, often competing in the very races he was promoting at. Bill knew that drinking NA beer made sense for a lot of people. Historically, NA beer customers skewed older, with a bent on fitness and perhaps a tad more responsibility than their younger peers. But since its inception, Athletic Brewing has largely built out its own category, now appealing to a more generalized, all-age active lifestyle demographic. The Impact of NA Beer on Health and Wellness “It's low calorie,” Shufelt said of Athletic Brewing's beverages. “So it lends itself to busy, healthy people. We just had to let that get out into the world.” The average adult has about four drinks a week, so it tends to be a very specific time-and-place activity, but in Bill's words, Athletic Brewing essentially allows people to feel good about grabbing a beer any night of the week. “When I'm having a really stressful day at work,” he continued, “if I can crack that IPA for the last hour while I work in my home office — or have a beer every night of the week with dinner — it's game changing.” Where in his former life, having a beer would eliminate the likelihood of a workout or continuing work, Athletic Brewing has allowed Shufelt to enjoy his appreciation for beer without it slowing down other aspects of his mental and physical life.      (Photo/Athletic Brewing) Growing Competition in the NA Market Moving forward, Bill feels optimistic about the NA category. Since Athletic’s inception, bigger players in the beverage space have entered. But instead of trying to kill the category's growth, they’re looking to compete.  “This category is very positive sum,” Shufelt explained of the NA beer market. “The tide is going to be coming in for a long time. Health and wellness is one of those things where you can't really put the toothpaste back in the tube. So I'm really glad to have more entrants into the category.” Nowadays, there's over 150 NA beer brands. When Athletic Brewing started, there were six. “Now, you have non-alcoholic Corona sponsoring the Olympics,” he enthused. “I think that progress is so good for the overall category, awareness, and tearing down stigmas.”   The Future of Athletic Brewing With all of the growth, Athletic Brewing has been shortlisted as a prime target for corporate acquisition. But despite the interest from potential buyers, Shufelt insists that they aren’t building to sell. “When there's exciting data points, people pick up the phone to try and get involved in your business,” he explained. ”But we're really excited about being the leader of this category and building for the very long term — I was never interested in selling.” The rise of Athletic Brewing has been consistent and pronounced, but as Shufelt caveats, no small business survives without challenge. To maintain a growth mindset, Bill has adopted a form of mental preparation where he pre-accepts future turbulence.  “Any challenge is tackle-able with that mindset,” he said. “At the same time, all of the opportunists who come for the gold rush, the quick hit, they're not gonna be here in 3-6 months. It's not easy, and I like that it's not easy.” The post Athletic Brewing CEO Bill Shufelt Is Increasing Beer-Drinking Occasions appeared first on GearJunkie.

Hunting big cats can be controversial — just ask GearJunkie Hunt & Fish Editor Rachelle Schrute. In a recent opinion piece, Schrute took infamous big-cat hustler and CEO of Big Cat Rescue, Carole Baskin, to task over her statements and documented “fallacies” surrounding the topic.   In her open letter, Schrute attempts to correct misunderstanding and educate others that Baskin’s statements may have misinformed in an opinion piece published by The Denver Post in October of 2023. The purpose of Baskin’s article was to “shed light” on the issues surrounding big cat hunting and to support Colorado’s ballot initiative to ban trophy hunting and trapping of wild cats. Her arguments center around the idea that hunting mountain lions or bobcats are for trophy hunting and not for the consumption of meat. We sit down with Schrute on The GearJunkie Podcast to digest her disagreements with Baskin and add greater context to the conversation. The post Hunting Big Cats: Baskin’ in Big-Cat Misinformation appeared first on GearJunkie.

Spanning numerous owners, iterations, and identities, Mountain Gazette has had quite a run since its founding in the 1960s. But in recent years, it’s definitively entered its modern renaissance under the guidance and wordcraft of owner/Editor-in-Chief Mike Rogge. Celebrating all things outdoors, the sizable magazine prioritizes art, photography, humor, and long-form editorial over plug-and-play content — notably abstaining from gear reviews and other consumer content. The long-running (off and on) mag just marked its 200th issue. And as Rogge — a ski bum turned editorial mastermind — explained recently on the GearJunkie Podcast, the publication is only gaining steam. The post Print Media Ain’t Dead: Reviving the Mountain Gazette appeared first on GearJunkie.

Adam cracks open a bottle of bourbon with Ray Walker, founder of Saint Cloud. Ray talks about Saint Cloud’s humble beginnings, his early days in the wine-making business, and how he’s rebranding bourbon with Saint Cloud. Adam finds out how to taste, smell, and appreciate his drinks, and finally gets clarity on the difference between whiskey and bourbon. Learn more about Saint Cloud at www.saintcloudbourbon.com. This episode is sponsored by Hammerhead. Right now, our listeners can get a free heart rate monitor with the purchase of a Hammerhead Karoo 2. Visit hammerhead.io right now and use promo code GEARJUNKIE at checkout to get yours today. The post Bourbon Tasting With Ray Walker, Founder of Saint Cloud appeared first on GearJunkie.

What does it mean to be a B Corp? Adam sits down with former GearJunkie editor Sam Anderson to discuss his deep dive on Benefit Corporations, what it means to receive a B Corp certification, and why some companies aren’t recertifying — and why it doesn’t mean what you might think. With the story of Chris King, a bicycle component manufacturer, Sam explains that what started as a means to hold companies accountable to sustainable practices has become a “marketing machine with a fading mission.” From bicycle parts to aluminum coffee capsules, Sam and Adam talk through the dynamics of B Corp certification, and why it might not be the sustainability indicator we once thought it was. The post The Editor’s Take: B Corp Gone Bad? One Company’s Fight Against a Beneficent Giant appeared first on GearJunkie.

Adam speaks with Courtney Dauwalter, two-time champion of the Hardrock 100 ultramarathon, after setting a course record for the second year in a row. Courtney describes running 100 miles in a little over 26 hours, powering through the pain cave, and what it’s like to set back-to-back records at Hardrock 100 and the Western States Endurance Run only a few weeks apart. This episode is brought to you by our friends at Roark. Visit roark.com and use promo code GearJunkie15 at checkout for 15% off. Discount applies for a limited time only. The post Courtney Dauwalter’s Pain Cave and the Hardrock 100 appeared first on GearJunkie.

Are balloons the new plastic straws? GearJunkie’s hunt-fish editor, Rachelle Schrute, walks us through the death, lies, and destruction of balloons, how they harm Earth’s cutest animals, and what will happen when our dwindling supply of helium finally runs out. Editor-in-Chief Adam Ruggiero takes on the comment section — do publishers have a responsibility to respond? Finally, AllGear Editorial Director Sean McCoy rehashes a week at Outdoor Retailer and weighs in on the once mighty trade show giant. What made OR the outdoor industry’s guiding force, and has it entered its final act? Check out all that and more on The Editors’ Take. The post The Editors’ Take: Deadly Balloons, Vicious Comment Sections, and the Fate of Outdoor Retailer appeared first on GearJunkie.

At what point will YETI “out-YETI” itself? According to GearJunkie’s hunt-fish editor, Rachelle Schrute, there’s a good chance it just did — with this $400 cast iron skillet. We give our takes on what the heck YETI was thinking and why this particular product marks a distinct departure from YETI’s past gear drops. Plus — what’s the deal with getting older? GearJunkie’s longstanding editorial director, Sean McCoy, takes us on trail for his latest race (emphasis on late). Nearing 50, McCoy recounts the joys and victories of trail racing as a young man, compared to the aches, pains, and surprising upsides of running as an old— er, less young — man. All that and plenty of laughs on The Editors’ Take. The post The Editors' Take: A YETI Too Far & the Subtle Art of Getting Older appeared first on GearJunkie.

After a career of harrowing expeditions and a lifetime defined by doing things the hard way, Eric Larsen’s greatest challenge awaited him in 2021 in the form of a few words: a cancer diagnosis. Larsen’s ensuing battle with colorectal cancer — initially believed to be stage 4, then downgraded to 3.5 — was followed and reported by almost everyone across the outdoor industry (and beyond). The most unfiltered news came from Larsen himself, who penned candid, painfully honest updates on his progress on social media. But, in true polar-expedition style, Larsen relentlessly pushed forward, day by day, week by week. Today, his story isn’t just one of overcoming hardship; it’s a story of values gained. With a few tears and a lot of laughs — Larsen talks recovery, next adventures, “sexing up” the climate crisis (in a good way), and more! The post Polar Explorer Eric Larsen: The Values That Survive appeared first on GearJunkie.

Sasha DiGiulian is no stranger to fear. Sure, tagging first ascents and pushing the limits in rock climbing — not just for women, but all climbers — sounds scary. But that fear is obvious, and it comes in many forms. Fear can also be facing career-ending surgery — choosing between two painful options. Or, it can be the fear of showing your true self on camera and not knowing how the “comment section” will respond. It can also be starting a business, writing an autobiography, or joining the high-profile political fight against climate change. Fear is all these things, and DiGiulian knows each of them. This episode dives into those fears — and her triumphs. It gets into the truth behind signing a pro contract, becoming a Red Bull athlete, and maturing into a leader within the sport and outside of it. Special thanks to Red Bull Summer Edition Juneberry for helping make this episode possible! The post Moving Mountains With Sasha DiGiulian appeared first on GearJunkie.

Presented by Climbers are daring. Endurance athletes are masochists. So it stands to reason that alpinists, as hungry connoisseurs of both danger and pain, would be … different. Andres Marin — longtime athlete for The North Face — literally climbed his way to the U.S. Along the way, he learned what being a sponsored professional athlete really means. He’s put up numerous first ascents, albeit quietly. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Marin has not sought the spotlight. His Instagram conveys less about the danger and extreme environs in which he thrives and more about quiet reflection and personal growth. Still, danger is real. And Marin, a pillar of perhaps the most prolific brand athlete team on the planet, explains how he manages his ambition with very real fear. Plus, if you’ve ever wondered what life is really like for a sponsored athlete for a major brand like The North Face, Marin pulls back the curtain. A prolific ice climber, Marin also explains how he found his way into the fringe sport — and if it will ever be an Olympic event. Find all that and a whole lot more on The GearJunkie Podcast! The post The Secret Life of Alpinists: Andres Marin appeared first on GearJunkie.

When Cesar Millan speaks, you listen. That’s true whether you’re a dog or a person — host Adam Ruggiero learned that from the moment this episode began. From home to the trail, a successful bond with your pup requires understanding. What does your dog need from you? It all comes down to two words: calm surrender. And, as we learn, that’s not just the key to a happier dog — it’s the key to a happier you. Millan broke out as the host of the wildly successful TV series The Dog Whisperer back in 2004. Spanning nine seasons, the show and Millan himself continue to enthrall audiences with tips and insights to create meaningful, harmonious, and mutually beneficial relationships between humans and canines. While this episode will help anyone looking for insights on being a better dog owner, even those without pups will walk away with an extra hop in their step — thanks to the wisdom of “calm surrender.” The post Cesar Millan: Be Your Own ‘Dog Whisperer’ appeared first on GearJunkie.

Having your dream career — and life — in the outdoors nearly terminated by a genetic roll of the dice would change anyone’s priorities. And that’s exactly the story of Jay Getzel, now the senior director of sales for Nite Ize. Fortunately, Getzel’s tale is one of triumph and hard choices for the better. Not only do we dive into his emotional reckoning with a congenital heart condition, but we also gain insight into how one builds a life centered around the outdoors in the first place. Plus, how do you recreate without lavish and expensive gear? Is Amazon an on-ramp or a dead end for newcomers to outdoor adventure? And what the heck is going on at Nite Ize — the modern-day Willy Wonka of outdoor gear? The post Jay Getzel: Finding Your Path, Facing Mortality, and Keeping Perspective appeared first on GearJunkie.

In a sport of big sends, major milestones, and increasingly difficult challenges, Xavier Abdullahi is all about spreading positive vibes and celebrating simple achievements. Presented by A climbing coach, musician, and the creative genius behind the Instagram persona @daddyxclimbs, Xavier Abdullahi has no shortage of outlets to preach the ups — and laugh at the downs — of the sport he loves. In this episode, we dive into the dos and don’ts of gym climbing, as well as discuss how well the climbing community is welcoming more and different folks into its ranks. Plus, we take a look at what it really feels like to become an influencer overnight — and how to turn your for-fun videos into a brand. The post Xavier Abdullahi: Reel Climbing Talk With @daddyxclimbs appeared first on GearJunkie.

Here’s everything you’ve wanted to know about work life in the outdoor industry! Presented by In just a few short years, Basecamp Outdoors has become a thriving community of industry professionals, passionate adventurers, outdoor-curious individuals, and everybody in between. And a big part of that success has been the drive, energy, and unwavering commitment to the telling-it-like-it-is of its co-founder, Jenna Celmer. Often the face of Basecamp Outdoors’ social media, Celmer has made it her life’s work to not just help folks get a foot in the proverbial door, but to remove the lock, take off the hinges, and create fairer access and transparency to the vaunted outdoor industry. Want to know the biggest mistake employers make today? Curious about how you can make a killer cover letter? And do you realize the power of “no”? Whether you’re exploring what a career in the outdoors might look like, or feeling burnout from the one you have, this is the episode for you! The post Get to ‘No’ Faster: Basecamp Outdoors Co-Founder Jenna Celmer appeared first on GearJunkie.

Steve Tidball helped launch a brand that completely reshapes how people think about the gear they wear, and where it can take them. Presented by If you had to dress to survive on Mars, what would you wear? What about the impending zombie apocalypse — what attire makes the most sense, functionally speaking? It’s questions like this that drive twin brothers Steve and Nick Tidball, founders of Vollebak. If you’ve been under a rock, Vollebak has been the focus of several GearJunkie stories — from an indestructible puffy to a solar-powered glow-in-the-dark rain shell to the potential breakthrough precursor to an honest-to-goodness invisibility cloak. It takes a wild backstory and unorthodox mind to devise such gear — and Steve Tidball did not disappoint. Learn where Vollebak came from and where it — and we — might be going with this “gear from the future.” The post Vollebak Co-Founder Steve Tidball: The Most Extraordinary Gear on Earth appeared first on GearJunkie.

Hop into Leadville Ski Country to rent gear, and you’re likely to run into one of the most interesting shopkeeps you’ll meet. Presented by Get Rad anxiety: This real, if also made up, condition perfectly explains the mind and machinations of Paul Mumford. Better known to friends and strangers alike by just his surname, Mumford runs Leadville Ski Country in Colorado’s eponymous high-altitude township. But while you’re certain to make his acquaintance when gearing up during ski season, you’d be hard-pressed to track him down any other time of year. You see, Mumford is something of a wild man — he races in just about every form of locomotion imaginable. Ski mountaineering? Check. Mountain bike racing? Check. The 6-Day Baja Rally on a motorcycle? Check. Heck, he’s even raced in the world’s largest alleycat bicycle race, Stupor Bowl — it’s all because he has “get rad anxiety.” And it drives him to extremes beyond just racing. Mumford has even spent seasons working in mining — a job he’ll tell you was among his favorites. Needless to say, sit down with Mumford for a conversation, and you’re in for a wild ride. The post Paul Mumford: Leadville’s Resident Wildman appeared first on GearJunkie.

The wild man of thru-hiking has now become the wild(er) man of long-distance bikepacking. Presented by Tom Gathman blew the doors off the GearJunkie podcast back in 2020. Boundless energy, infinite ’80s movie references — obviously, we had to have him back on at some point. But in the last 2 years, Gathman has made some major moves. In fact, the Hiking Viking managed a complete professional makeover (no, not the beard; he still has the beard). Once an icon of thru-hiking, Gathman recently hopped in the saddle and became the Hiking Viking, Now Liking Biking. This year, he completed a 5,000-mile trek south to north, then south again, along the Great Divide. Gathman sits down to describe how he went from walking to wheels, how he stays so muscley on trail, and what wild ideas he’s cooking up for the year to come.

Will Robinson went from couch to thru-hike almost overnight — and in so doing, soon became the first Black man to complete the Triple Crown. Presented by “Hakuna matata” means “no worries” (according to a talking meerkat). But calling Will Robinson a man of no worries would not be correct — a veteran of the Iraq War living with PTSD, Robinson is very familiar with worry. But one night, after watching Reese Witherspoon lace up Cheryl Strayed’s iconic boots in “Wild,” Robinson found a place where worry couldn’t follow: the trail. And there, his name is Akuna — a man of only good vibes, joy, and healing. Akuna discusses hiking through PTSD and its myriad challenges, and how on Earth someone can go from never setting foot on a thru-hiking trail to becoming a record-setting Triple Crowner.

Imagine being at the forefront of the craft beer craze. Sam Calagione has been riding that wave for nearly 30 years. There was a time not long ago that American beer meant nothing more than lager, and cheap was a good thing. But nowadays, envisioning a world of just one beer variety — and a mass-market one at that — seems preposterous. When Sam Calagione founded Dogfish Head Brewery in 1995, “craft beer” was just a hint of a trend. But a young Calagione quickly became enamored of the beer and the possibilities ahead for brews that dared, inspired, and broke the American mold. Find out how Calagione, Dogfish Head, and others helped lift the American palate out of the dark ages of crummy beer. You’ll also learn the best beers you haven’t tried, as well as how to know a great beer when you see it. All that and more (about beer!) on this episode of the GearJunkie Podcast.

Living the dream life with the dream job is no easy task. You might think Chris Burkard is a renowned documentary filmmaker, decorated adventure photographer, and published author. And you would not be wrong. But the 36-year-old man behind the camera is really an acrobat. That is, he’s a great balancer of responsibilities — an agile exploiter of opportunity and a seemingly effortless expert at the game of life. You can’t throw a pebble in the outdoor industry without hitting some of Burkard’s work. He’s traveled to all ends of the globe, from sand dunes to glaciers, from mountaintops to ocean swells. His work has appeared in National Geographic, The New Yorker, and countless outdoor brand videos, photo essays, and documentaries. But he’s also a loving father and husband. And in this episode of the GearJunkie podcast, Burkard acknowledges that his is a dream life, but also one that not many folks are truly cut out for. We discuss his work, his path to success, his challenges and, most importantly, his keys to making all of it come together in a great balance.

The Long Ranger, Justin Simoni, is as much about the journey as the destination. Presented by Justin Simoni’s driveway is one of the loneliest places on Earth. After all, it’s been mostly empty for the last 6 years. See, the “Long Ranger” — Simoni’s nickname — has been car-free for the better part of a decade. And the only real use it sees is for the measly pair of tires that roll away in the wee pre-dawn hours when he rides his bike to his latest objective. See, Simoni views the entirety of an adventure as integral to the endpoint. So getting to the trailhead is as much a part of the fun as ascending it. The Long Ranger sits down to discuss his epic achievements, including the Tour 14er Duathlon (ascending the highest 58 peaks in Colorado, ridden to by bike, summited on foot, and completely self-powered and self-supported), the Longs Peak Project (summiting Longs Peak every month of the year in succession by a different route), and more. But, as we learn, Simoni’s accomplishments are only half the story. It’s his mindset and approach to both life and his endeavors that really set the Long Ranger apart!

The world’s most renowned climber stays grounded and talks about his new objective — world’s greatest dad. Climbing legend: Check. Oscar: Check. Dirty diapers, sleepless nights, and lullabies: Check, check, check! “Free Solo” star and the biggest name in climbing, Alex Honnold takes a (quick) break from fatherhood to talk about … well, everything. The newly christened dad shares the scary first moments of baby June’s life and how it’s impacted travel, work, and his approach to risk. And now, a year out, Honnold also weighs in on what climbing got right in its Olympic debut, and what it can do better in 2024. Plus — does he have a future as television’s premier climbing commentator? We also just had to ask: How does the world’s most famous climber get paid, and how hard are his taxes?! All that and a lot more — enjoy!

She sparked disbelief and much-needed dialogue around the outdoor industry and beyond with a silent, shocking run at the Boston Marathon. Presented by A bright-red handprint covered Jordan Daniel’s mouth across all 26.2 miles of the 2019 Boston Marathon. It was blunt, unnerving, and impossible to ignore. In the days that followed, the meaning behind the letters painted on her arm, “MMIW,” in the same red paint became clear: missing and murdered Indigenous women. Daniel has since become a leader and icon in the push to raise awareness of the women and relatives who go missing on reservations. Why does it happen? Why isn’t it reported? What can we all do? 'Running for Justice': Boston Marathoner Launches Virtual Race for Missing & Murdered Indigenous Relatives Jordan MarieDaniel gained recognition in the running community when she ran the 2019 Boston Marathon with a red handprint over her mouth to symbolize Indigenous women silenced by violence. On May 5, you can join her in a virtual run to further raise awareness of this epidemic. Read more… Daniel makes difficult conversations about race, injustice, and ingrained disinformation simpler, less combustible, and more matter-of-fact. In this episode, she leads us through what it means to “dismantle supremacy,” something that may be as difficult to recognize as it is to unlearn. But progress happens in these conversations. Understanding is the first step. It’s a humbling conversation, but one that enables change, respect, and empowerment.

Being a role model is a weird gig. Backpacker Emily Ford knows this as well as anyone. Presented by A lot of us wanted to get away during the pandemic — just venture out somewhere in a great, quiet expanse. If you’re wondering what that would’ve felt like, Emily Ford can tell you. In winter 2020, Ford set out into the snowy wilds of Wisconsin’s Ice Age Trail, a meandering traverse of the mitten-shaped state — 1,200 miles in total. And if you missed it the first time around, Ford embarked on this journey in winter. Along with her trusty retired sled dog, Diggins, Ford made the full trek, updating her progress on social media. Along the way, she quietly accrued thousands of excited and inspired followers. When she completed the trail, Ford stood as just the second person ever to do so in winter — and both the first woman and person of color to claim that achievement. So a role model she became. But as she explains on this episode of The GearJunkie Podcast, the highs of grand adventures like hers come with a little-known dark side: the post-trail blues. What is it? More importantly, why is it — the blowback and, call it what it is, depression that can consume an adventurer? Ford weighs in on this raw and difficult topic and relives her monthlong winter crossing of the Boundary Waters by ski, boot, and — yes — dog. She gets into the highs, lows, people, and thoughts of both her epic trail hike and follow-up journey in 2022.

You might not expect a polar explorer to hold the secret to true love. But that’s because you haven’t met Jerry Kobalenko. According to Jerry Kobalenko, there are two kinds of people: “those of us who live our lives very logically and methodically, and those who are victims of our obsessions.” By his reckoning, he falls in the latter category. Recipient of Canada’s esteemed Polar Medal, Kobalenko has fallen prey to an Arctic obsession. But in tandem with his numerous multiday subzero expeditions, he has honed his skills as a raconteur and scribe. He’s worked to retrace some of the most iconic polar routes in history. Along the way, he’s stumbled onto some of the most interesting stories north of the 66th parallel (like how polar explorers helped broker a deal to get McDonald’s into Moscow). Kobalenko has also spearheaded outstanding journalism in the world of altitude mountaineering — like news of the first winter ascent of K2. His opinions on gear, travel, and adventure have been the subject of an array of books, and he now oversees GearJunkie’s sister site, Explorersweb. Oh — and his devotion to Arctic adventure may just hold the keys to finding true love.

Name your favorite climbing film. Odds are, Peter Mortimer directed it or showed it to the world. Presented by “Valley Uprising,” “The Dawn Wall,” the Reel Rock film festival, and, most recently, “The Alpinist” — Peter Mortimer is the man behind them all. Obviously, it takes a village. And there’s no shortage of talent and characters that have made each of Mortimer’s projects required viewing in the canon of climbing cinema. We’re diving behind the scenes! Why has climbing become the darling of the silver screen? How do you capture shots 1,000 feet in the air — on rock or ice? Who’s the next big thing in climbing? We bring you all that and a whole lot more! Take a listen. This podcast is sponsored by Erem. Learn more here. 

Matthew Moseley’s open-water swimming feats are so impressive, even the Hunter S. Thompson took notice. “Gonzo swimming” didn’t exist until Matt Moseley combined his quixotic endeavors with Hunter S. Thompson’s unrivaled wit. Far from the merman figure one might conjure when imagining who could swim cage-free across the Caribbean Sea — from the U.S. Virgin Islands to Puerto Rico — Moseley presents the jovial visage of an everyman. But his ruddy cheeks and easy manner belie a man who’s dived headlong into stormy seas not just literally, but also as an agent of social change. From the worsening water crisis choking off America’s waterways to high-profile murder cases, Moseley’s aquatic antics seem very much in line with his everyday convictions. Moseley’s latest feat, swimming the length of the Green River, is part of his ongoing efforts to address the water plight of the rivers of the American West. It’s also the subject of an upcoming film from American Rivers.

Earl B. Hunter Jr. is the founder of Black Folks Camp Too. His business focuses on raising the visibility and viability of underrepresented communities in the outdoors as well as helping brands understand what they’re doing right and how they can better connect with those communities. Why haven’t you seen more Black folks and people of color camping? Are brands doing enough to welcome all people — race, color, class — outdoors? There are complex answers and there are straight answers. Earl B. Hunter Jr. has straight answers. In addition to starting Black Folks Camp Too, Hunter created the Unity Blaze, a physical icon dedicated to making everyone feel more welcome and less alone outdoors. And while conversations around race and class seem to be happening, they often take place in highly controlled environments, riddled with buzzwords and politically correct clichés. Hunter’s approach is different. He believes straight, honest dialogue is the best way to reach the most people and create the most action. Understanding race, business, and human relations is complicated. But Hunter’s take on these topics will save you a lot of B.S. and help grow your understanding of what’s going on.

Surviving when things go wrong is one thing. The real trick is ‘mitigating risk’ and keeping yourself out of those do-or-die scenarios. Long before John Barklow was designing ass-kicking hunting gear for Sitka, he was a retired Navy diver who used his years of knowledge and experience to teach SEALs how to survive in the wilderness. In fact, his website, Knowledge From Storms, offers up (literally) bone-chilling testimonials and how-to videos of survival — including his infamous “How to Survive Hypothermia” tutorial. Barklow not only explains best practices in survival contingencies, but also preparation and the psychology necessary for worst-case scenarios. And if that wasn’t enough, Barklow weighs in on the gear that he — and maybe you — relies on to keep him safe and comfortable almost anywhere.

To bounce back from major back surgery and become an accomplished climber would be a massive achievement for anyone. But to turn it into an Olympic career? That’s legendary. Americans and the world were treated to history’s first-ever Olympic climbing competition this year. And among the sport’s first athletes was Kyra Condie — one of just four climbers on the U.S.’s pioneer team. Unfortunately, these Olympics were remarkable for more than just climbing’s debut. Condie weighs in on not only being one of America’s first climbing Olympians, but also one of the very few who’ve competed in the devastating wake of a global pandemic (harkening back to the 1920 games and the Spanish flu). But Condie’s story is harrowing — and she has plenty to discuss on how climbing was received and how it may change in Olympics to come.

Instagram giveth, and Instagram taketh away — Brianna Madia has lived the full ‘influencer’ lifecycle. And she’s decided to tell the whole story the old-fashioned way: a book. What happens when internet fame turns sour? Brianna Madia hit the Instagram scene in 2012. She quickly attracted throngs of followers with wildly popular posts of her charismatic dogs — who played ersatz children to her and her then-husband’s nomad lifestyle. And it was all capped off with her illustrious desert home: a gargantuan, pumpkin-orange van, outfitted like an off-road behemoth from a “Mad Max” movie. But within the span of a decade, that story changed dramatically. The van no longer stars in Madia’s posts, she’s divorced, and her popularity — though still increasing and inching toward 300,000 followers — has spawned internet threads like /r/MadiaSnark that host growing amounts of criticism toward the 31-year-old. How did this happen? Why did it happen? And will it happen to other “influencers”? Madia’s story is the subject of her new book, “Nowhere for Very Long.” But in this episode of the GearJunkie podcast, she offers up some answers and truths she hasn’t spoken elsewhere.

‘Everyone is literally dying!’ — Adrian Ballinger Presented by Adrian Ballinger does things for fun and for a living that most of humanity wouldn’t dare attempt. He’s done it all, from repeated ascents of the world’s highest and most challenging mountains to summits of the world’s deadliest peaks, and even alpine ski descents from 8,000 m high. He’s toiled through oxygen deprivation, survived avalanches, and climbed volatile, unstable ice walls. But as the last year-and-a-half has proven, there’s a limit. Ballinger has remained outspoken on the dangers of climbing amidst the pandemic. A renowned extreme adventurer and guide, he’s repeated calls for caution, safety, and restraint. And still, he’s hopeful about the future of alpine expeditions.

If you don’t want to touch it or see it, odds are Coyote Peterson has picked it up and been stung by it. Nathanial Peterson — aka “Coyote” on his wildly successful YouTube channel — is perhaps best known for his quote, “AAAAAAAGGGGGHHH!” That’s because, on dozens of occasions, Peterson has been bitten and stung by some of Earth’s most foreboding and frightening creatures: Gila monsters, giant centipedes, bullet ants, and so many others. But the shock videos that made him one of YouTube’s most viewed personalities belie an experienced nature lover dedicated more to educating, not entertaining. Peterson shares his most frightening and painful experiences, but also dives into his life as YouTube celebrity — how did he get there, and is it really all it’s cracked up to be? He also recently partnered with eBay to launch the ReOpen Ready campaign.

Ever wonder why your puffy, or your bike, or your tent, or your — whatever — is the color it is? And why it’s available one year, but not another? We went down the rabbit hole of hues. Speaking with REI’s manager of color, Amanda Russell, we caught a glimpse into the surprisingly complex world of color. Turns out, it’s not just a random selection of what some bigwig in an office thinks looks good for that season. No — the world of colors on outdoor gear spans years of planning, cultural shifts in perception, and even painstaking and meticulous redesigns to use color to help users understand how their gear works! Listen to this and you’ll never wander down the aisles of an REI without noticing the carefully constructed world of color again.

Capping off a year of painful social awakening, John Shackelford, a New York City bike messenger, rode 1,100 miles to retrace the Underground Railroad. On the heels of a tumultuous summer last year, then-25-year-old John Shackelford embarked on an adventure cycling route from Mobile, Ala., to Washington, D.C. Why adventure cycling? Because as he noted, it lacks representation among people of color. Why Mobile to D.C.? Because it retraces “where black people have come from (freedom from slavery) to where black people are today.” And why set out at all? Well, to see — firsthand — just how far this country has come in the last 250 years. Shackelford’s ride wasn’t just a personal quest. His mission became the focus of a new documentary: “Underground Railroad Ride.” After the ride wrapped in October, Shackelford spoke with us about what he saw, what he learned, how cycling changed him, and — after seeing it all firsthand — how far we’ve really come. This episode is sponsored by Polar. Find out more about their heart rate monitors & fitness trackers here. 

From racing across India in a rickshaw, to tagging along on one of the last remaining dogsled mountaineers in America, Scott Yorko tells stories the old-fashioned way — by getting his feet wet (and frozen, and muddy, and sore). I once stood up Scott Yorko for a heavy metal concert — and he’ll tell you all about it. Heck, he asked me about it on my own podcast. And really, that’s Yorko in a nutshell: You can count on him to say yes to just about anything (especially if it’s weird or dangerous). And you can bet he’ll remember it and have it at the ready when it’s time for a good story. An adventure journalist with as many bylines as stamps in his passport, Yorko has written for the usual suspects and then some: Outside, Backpacker, and Bicycling. But he’s also penned the kind of long-form storytelling that has all the twists, conflict, emotion, and grit befitting Playboy, The New York Times, and other heavy hitters. It’s a style that has slowly fallen off as the printed page has given way to infinite scrolling and the always-on news feed. But don’t worry, we’re not bemoaning the loss of good storytelling. In this episode, we sit back and enjoy all the fantastic folly and rugged revelation only a great storyteller can offer.

A lightning strike is more likely than the freak accident that took away months of Eduardo Garcia’s life and most of his left arm. But that fateful accident also left something behind: a second chance. If you haven’t seen the award-winning film “Charged,” watch it before listening to this podcast. The remarkable documentary tracks chef Eduardo Garcia before, during, and after a near-impossible accident in which he unwittingly touched a live, exposed electrical junction box. After 2,400 V entered and exited his body in an instant, Garcia was left on the brink of death. But that story, told so well in the film, was just the beginning. Garcia sat down with us to talk about survival and life after both the initial struggle and surprising fame have abated. Garcia now works with the Challenged Athletes Foundation, owns his own food brand (shout out to Montana Mex), and travels for speaking engagements (see his TED Talk here). He’s also an avid outdoorsman in the hunt, fish, run, hike, and surf spaces. Oh, and he hosts a cooking series. Clearly, nearly dying hasn’t put a stop to his living. That’s the story Garcia wants to share — and it’s a great listen. If you learn nothing else from this episode, remember to up your Cinco de Mayo game: Buy a tortilla press and some heirloom corn and make your own tortillas — Eduardo said so.

Mountains don’t care what you look like. But that doesn’t mean the challenge is the same for everyone. Andrew Alexander King wants you to follow him up the world’s highest mountains. Heck, he’ll even pave the way on Earth’s highest volcanoes. Born in the projects of Detroit, King is no stranger to triumphing over adversity. And while he’s on pace to become the first African American to tackle the Seven Summits and Seven Volcanic Summits, his work is about bringing others with him — so his footprints aren’t the only ones. Now, with big-time brands like Black Diamond, HOKA ONE ONE, and Sea to Summit on board, the surfer-turned-climber-turned-free-diver has serious octane behind his goal. But King — who founded The Between Worlds Project to highlight the unique circumstances of the areas his summit work takes him — isn’t focusing solely on smashing the social and economic barriers that keep so many underrepresented groups from embarking on life-changing adventures (big and small). He also works hard to leave every place he visits better than he found it. That mission includes spending time with the people and institutions in any given country to give back through volunteering and advocacy. Not only will an hour listening to him inspire you, but you’ll also pick up some serious training and nutrition advice to boot! And if you don’t follow his jaw-dropping adventures already, you’ll definitely want to by the end of this episode.

Whatever doesn’t melt you makes you stronger — and Instagram famous. Presented by In 2018, California endured the largest and most destructive wildfire in its history. Allyn Pierce and his Toyota Tacoma — lovingly dubbed “The Pandra” for Pierce’s modest Instagram following — drove into and out of that fire to ferry people to safety. Flames licked the mirrors, smoldering logs baked the tires — but The Pandra kept moving, and Pierce kept driving. An ICU nurse manager, he flipped into crisis mode, knowing there were still people stranded at the hospital where he worked. What ensued became a seemingly apocryphal tale of heroism — and absolutely gnarly truck porn! The devastating Camp Fire erased the town of Paradise, Calif. But it couldn’t stop Pierce or The Pandra.

SEX! Now that we have your attention, let’s talk about SEX! Spending time outdoors is a common prescription to reconnect, destress, and add a little animal to your routine. So it’s no surprise time outside can also provide the perfect backdrop for sex — connection, excitement, and primal nature. But like the outdoors, conversations about sex are both complex and nuanced. It’s more than an act; sex can comprise identity, trauma, uncertainty, and community. On the “Sex Outside” podcast Laura Borichevsky tackles sex in all its messy, beautiful, complicated forms — and she does it through the lens of the outdoors. It’s both serious and fun, provocative and matter-of-fact. And wouldn’t ya know it, there’s even gear to go with it! Take a peek at everything “Sex Outside” has in store and how a GearJunkie fits into the conversation.

GearJunkie all started with an idea — his idea. You’d think building a multimedia empire takes a lot of planning. But in fact, sometimes you just back into it. So it was with GearJunkie, once a paper-and-ink zine called “Vertical Jones,” then a syndicated newspaper column, then a scrappy blog, then a — well, if you’re reading this, you know how the story ends. Or rather, you know how the story continues. As GearJunkie has grown, so too has its founder, Stephen Regenold. For more than a decade, Regenold has pursued the world of gear-based outdoor adventure with both laser focus and childlike enthusiasm. From weeklong races through the jungle to alley cat bike races through the city, Regenold never shied away from a good mental and physical challenge. But now a father of five, and with a staff approaching 20, the OG GJ has had to pass off the reins and find a new focus. Listen in as GearJunkie’s founder reflects on where our publication has been and where it’s going. He even offers up some off-the-page experiences you have to hear to believe.

Last year, Emily Harrington became the first woman to send the Golden Gate route on El Capitan in under 24 hours. It was an impressive feat — almost as impressive as the pain and work it took to get there. Should you ever break a record, that’s most likely what folks will remember. It is, after all, recorded. But what if everything it took to achieve it — including the pain, tears, and partners that came along on the journey — were also recorded? When Emily Harrington sent the first sub-24-hour climb of El Capitan’s Golden Gate route by a woman, most of her fans and followers already watched her previous attempts and training (including two bloody falls and one nail-biting trip to the hospital). And that record of her work to get there paid off: Harrington’s accomplishment blew up across news media — both inside and outside the world of climbing. Even if you’ve watched DangerStikTV, Harrington and fiancé Adrain Ballinger’s adventure YouTube channel, hearing the 34-year-old climber retell her stories of success and near-misses is gripping. And that’s not all: Harrington also gave us her thoughts on the realities of finding health insurance if you’re an elite climber, the Olympics, and the surprising misreporting of her climb.

You know him as an all-star professional football quarterback. But Brett Favre is also an avid hunter, fisherman, and, now, the poster child for the value of pain relief. If you think getting hit by a 300-pound defensive lineman sounds painful, imagine if you were also a grandpa! As it happens, Brett Favre is one of the few people on Earth who doesn’t have to imagine it. He lived it! Nowadays, Favre opts for fewer hits and more fun in his home state of Mississippi. And in his NFL retirement, he’s able to pursue his outdoor passions — hunting, fishing, even the occasional bike ride — thanks in large part to CBD. That’s right, Green Bay’s gunslinger QB now evangelizes the benefits of Green Eagle CBD. And while he had plenty to say on keeping active during the pandemic and finding new joy in a life without pain — or prescription painkillers — Favre took time to tackle some very serious issues. Namely, concussions and the dangers they pose to him and everyone else. But, as Favre hinted, there may be some exciting developments on the horizon.

The MeatEater founder has learned a lot from hunting, but perhaps nothing more important than how to embrace — not just survive — the elements. From Netflix to podcasts and even gear, MeatEater is less a brand than it is a movement. What launched as an education and entertainment resource for sportsmen and women now encompasses the hunt-curious and general outdoor recreation enthusiasts all over the world. And spearheading that charge to preach the backcountry-to-table movement is Steven Rinella, company founder and the host of both the MeatEater podcast and Netflix series. And Rinella’s latest book, “The MeatEater Guide to Wilderness Skills and Survival,” further expands the brand’s scope. Rinella sat down to talk about the skills he picked up from a life of hunting, tracking, and sleeping under the stars. These skills, he said, aren’t just about keeping the wild at bay, but helping anyone enjoy life outdoors. Of course, he also chatted about the ethics and responsibility of hunting game, his relationship with death, and why it’s so important to watch out for a guy in a gorilla suit.

Break it? She’ll fix it. Think it? She’ll say it. Don’t let Nancy Ford’s simple repair and consignment shop, Repair Lair, fool you. She has a story for every occasion, adventures you’ve only dreamed about, and a nice cold beer if you’re willing to listen. To this day, no one knows who really won the first marathon run on the Antarctic ice at America’s McMurdo Station. At least according to Nancy Ford, who admits that there’s disagreement between her and her colleague — the two who devised and ran the never-before-tried McMurdo Marathon. Nowadays, the McMurdo Marathon is an annual mainstay. And still, you’ve probably never heard of Ford — now the proprietor of a small outdoor gear repair shop in Minneapolis. But that’s how it is with her — Big Fish Tales told with a straight face and the sort of matter-of-fact conviction that make you realize they’re actually true. And if it’s gear talk you’re looking for, Ford won’t pull any punches there either. “Stop buying new shit” is a favorite mantra. She knows what breaks, what sells, and what to look for if you really need something that will last, all with minimum B.S. (and a beer if you want to stay and chat awhile). The post Nancy Ford: A Gear Repair Guru and the Fastest Woman on Ice appeared first on GearJunkie.