Text the show! In this episode, I sit down with Tia Banks, a former professional athlete turned mountaineer, resilience expert, and motivational speaker. Tia’s journey is one of resilience, self-discovery, and mental toughness, and in our conversation, she shares how learning to manage setbacks helped her transition into a new passion. From growing up in Nebraska to inspiring thousands through her speaking tour, her story is proof that adversity can be a stepping stone to something greater. Tia ...
May 08, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 177
Text the show! In this episode, I sit down with Tayson Whittaker, founder of Outdoor Vitals, to dive deep into fastpacking—what it is, why it works when time is tight, and how to cover more ground in less time. Whether you’re a backpacker looking to move faster and lighter, or someone trying to maximize limited time on the trail, this episode is packed with tons of insights on how to make fastpacking a practical tool in your outdoor adventures. Tayson shares his personal fastpacking strategies, ...
Mar 17, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 176
Text the show! In this episode of the By Land Podcast , I sit down with Bria Ruben, co-founder of Ruck Evolution, to explore the benefits of rucking—a simple yet powerful way to build fitness, mental resilience, and community. Rucking is walking with weight, and it’s one of the most accessible, low-impact ways to increase endurance and strength. Bria shares how she discovered rucking, why it became such a key part of her life, and how Ruck Evolution is making rucking more accessible with innovat...
Mar 10, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 175
Text the show! In this episode, I sit down with Kevin Timm, founder of Seek Outside, to discuss the intersection of hunting, backpacking, and innovation in outdoor gear design. Kevin shares his thoughts on bridging the divide between recreational users and hunters, the role of durability in product design, and the stories behind Seek Outside's tents and backpacks. We dive into the evolution of his minimalist, high-performance shelters and why they’ve become a staple for serious adventurers aroun...
Jan 23, 2025•1 hr 44 min•Ep. 174
Text the show! In this episode, I sit down with Chad to dive into his journey from a beginner hiker to a seasoned thru-hiker, ultra-runner, and outdoor content creator. We explore the moments that shaped his path, including his first 100-mile hike, overcoming mental and physical challenges, and his leap from a 9-to-5 job to full-time content creation. Chad shares his insights on balancing passion with work, avoiding burnout, and how endurance sports like ultra-running have influenced his approac...
Jan 11, 2025•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 173
Text the show! Acclaimed author Kevin Fedarko, joins the podcast to discuss his new book, A Walk in the Park , which details the epic journey he took across the length of the Grand Canyon. Kevin reflects on the grueling physical and emotional challenges he and his hiking partner, Pete McBride, faced and how the landscape humbled them. He shares the powerful lessons learned from the wilderness and the close-knit Grand Canyon community that helped them along the way. Our conversation touches on th...
Dec 22, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 172
Text the show! Alex Rich of Mystery Ranch shares his journey from the production floor to the design team, where he now focuses on creating outdoor and hunting gear that prioritizes load carriage and comfort. We dive into the brand's unique approach to pack design, including the revolutionary overload system, which allows users to carry heavy loads more efficiently. Our conversation then turns to the technical aspects of Mystery Ranch packs, the balance between weight and durability, and the evo...
Oct 25, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 171
Text the show! Andrew Cottrell is the lead designer of the Radix series of backpacks at Mystery Ranch, an innovative line of ultralight backpacks that combines comfort, durability, and weight-saving features. Andrew shares insights into his hands-on approach to design, the importance of balancing load-carrying capacity with ultralight performance, and how the right gear can impact a hiker’s endurance and comfort on the trail. We also explore the key materials used in the Radix Series and the imp...
Oct 10, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 170
Text the show! Barefoot Ted is widely known for his role in the book Born to Run, but that's just a small part of who he is. In this episode, Ted discusses his approach to life and how to maintain a regular connection with the flow state in everyday life. Show Notes and Links The Connection Between Movement, Music, and Ideas Barefoot Running and the Rediscovery of Natural Movement The Philosophy Behind Luna Sandals Barefoot Ted's Experience Running a Marathon Barefoot The Pursuit of Personal Cha...
Aug 03, 2024•1 hr 39 min•Ep. 169
Text the show! Jack McClure and his wife hiked southbound on the PCT in 2023 with their 9-month-old baby and joins the show to share their journey and lessons learned along the way. We discuss what life is like as a SOBO, preparing for the hike, relationship challenges along the way, hitting the SOS button, and what it all means in the end. Show Notes and Links Preparing for the PCT with a Baby Outdoor Background and Experience Living in the Arctic and Outdoor Learning Judgment and Concerns abou...
Jun 05, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 168
Text the show! Will Cockrell joins the podcast to discuss his recently published book detailing the history of Mount Everest, his perspective on the draw of mountaineering, and the connection between suffering and achievement. Will also explains the need to tell the full story of Everest, as well as the misconceptions and negative narratives surrounding the mountain. He challenges the idea of who deserves to climb Everest and questions the romanticism and judgment associated with mountaineering....
Apr 16, 2024•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 167
Text the show! Brad Brooks joins the podcast to compare notes on our recent backpacking trips with our kids and discuss the importance of exposing children to the outdoors. We share our experiences and challenges while planning and executing our trips, emphasizing the value of involving children in the decision-making process and building their confidence in doing hard things. We also discuss the unique benefits of backpacking, such as disconnecting from technology and experiencing raw, uncurate...
Apr 08, 2024•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 166
Text the show! Aaron Owens runs “Backcountry Foodie,” a one-stop shop for backpackers and long-distance hikers who want to level up their food game in the backcountry. From ultra-light food recipes and meal planners to a robust calorie calculator and resupply service, Aaron has you covered. She loves backcountry food so much that she’ll even pack your food bag for you and ship it to your home so all you need to do is toss it in your pack and head out the door! Key Takeaways: Food plays a crucial...
Mar 08, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 165
Text the show! Robbie Kroger of Blood Origins joins the show to discuss the complex relationship between hunting and conservation. We cover a range of topics, including the reintroduction of wolves, the function of wetlands, what would happen if we stopped hunting altogether, and finally, the impact social media has had on hunting. We also discuss the responsibilities brands have in shaping narratives and the importance of a respectful approach to hunting as a part of conservation. Robbie is a w...
Feb 18, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 164
Text the show! Janelle Smith is the strategic communications team lead at rec.gov and is responsible for spreading the word about the myriad of offerings the platform has for outdoor enthusiasts. As the summer season approaches, many of us are deep in the planning mode for camping trips, making this conversation with Janelle and her team a no-brainer. If you're not yet familiar with rec.gov, think of it as your ultimate planning companion for camping and various outdoor activities. Janelle walks...
Jan 15, 2024•55 min•Ep. 163
Text the show! Dr. Dan Wildcat joins the podcast to discuss his new book "On Indigenuity" and how we can reframe our relationship with the natural world in both a personal and global way. Dan is a Yuchi member of the Muscogee Nation of Oklahoma, PhD, and teaches at Haskell Nations University. He's a wealth of wisdom and knowledge and offers a refreshing approach to long-debated topics. Show Notes and Links Getting to know Dan Dan’s early years Relationships with the land Our disconnection with t...
Dec 08, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 162
Text the show! Jen Loofbourrow is the Owner and Founder of Alpine Fit, a baselayer-focused brand that offers multiple fit options in a custom odor-resistant fabric. Jen joins the show to talk about her background in the outdoors, why she launched a baselayer clothing brand, why proper fit is so important, and much more! Show Notes and Links PCT Days recap Getting involved with the long-distance crowd Seeing products in the wild for the first time Why start a base layer brand? Jen’s custom fabric...
Oct 13, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 161
Text the show! Bill Stoker is a retired Army Veteran with a passion for teaching others how to master the art of fieldcraft and land navigation. In this episode, Bill joins the podcast for a deep dive into how to gain the correct mindset and perspective when in the field, the importance of situational awareness, and how his childhood years impacted how he views the world today. Show Notes and Links Getting to know Bill How Bill got into land nav and fieldcraft The importance of changing perspect...
Sep 08, 2023•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 160
Text the show! In this episode, it's just you and me hanging out for a bit. We'll catch you up on life and why I've been missing from the podcast for a couple of months. Don't worry, the show still goes on, but I had some growing to do, and you're going to hear all about it. I love gear and trail stories as much as the next person, however, I think it's equally important to talk about life off the trail. What we learn in the field makes us better at home, and vice versa. I've been in the throws ...
Aug 25, 2023•25 min•Ep. 159
Text the show! Michael "Einstein" Gelfeld is an accomplished backpacker and bikepacker. He's logged thousands of miles doing both, but when you ask him what matters most after all of that, he'd tell you it's not the stats but instead, whether or not you enjoy what you're doing. Einstein joins the podcast to discuss current backpacking culture, how he escaped the thru-hiking mentality, and how he rediscovered his love for backpacking. Show Notes and Links Einsteins backpacking backstory A shift i...
Jun 12, 2023•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 158
Text the show! Andy Wynne is the CEO of Nuyarn®, a Merino wool textile manufacturer that has reinvented the way Merino is spun so it can unlock its natural characteristics while enhancing performance. The result is a material that can outperform synthetics while maintaining the benefits of natural fiber. Nuyarn® is stronger, stretchier, softer, more abrasion resistant, and as you’ll learn here in a minute, is spun on machines that have a reduced impact on the environment. Long story short, the M...
May 22, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 157
Text the show! Exo Mountain Gear specializes in load-hauling backpacks designed for hunters. Steve Speck and Mark Huelsing join me for a behind-the-scenes look at Exo's newest K4 pack design. After more than 3 years in development and over a decade of pack-building experience, the K4 is a finely tuned design and the best pack Exo has designed to date. This episode is loaded with insight into the principles of pack design, the mechanical function of load carry (this is HUGE), and how Steve decide...
Apr 24, 2023•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 156
Text the show! Dan Becker is a backpacker from Wisconsin who turned his passion into his full-time profession. If you’ve poked around YouTube for backpacking, you’ve no doubt seen his videos a time or two. He’s grown a massive following and for good reason - he’s just a great guy. Dan is genuine, sincere, funny, and just loves to backpack. I didn’t know much about him before we spoke, but sincerely enjoyed getting to know him and now have a fond appreciation for what he’s been able to accomplish...
Mar 27, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 155
Text the show! The Hexatrek is a 3000 km long-distance trail across France that begins at the border of Germany, traverses the Pyrenees Mountains, and ends at the Bay of Biscay. Thomas works for the Hexatrek organization and spent the summer and fall of 2022 hiking and documenting the trail. Thomas is able to recognize the realities of hiking a long and share all sides of that reality. He can describe the trail as an epic adventure that includes vineyards, castles, and mountains, but he’ll also ...
Mar 08, 2023•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 154
Text the show! Andrew Skurka is known throughout the backpacking industry as someone who knows what they’re talking about when it comes to spending time in the backcountry. He was thru-hiking before it became popular and has hiked well over 20,000 miles across both long and short expeditions. Andrew now operates a backpacking guide service. Andrew is a wealth of knowledge for all things backpacking but also has great insight into the mindset the backcountry requires. If you enjoy learning from t...
Feb 13, 2023•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 153
Text the show! Katie O’mara is the driving force behind Trail Magik, an outdoor brand whose mission is to make hiking and backpacking with toddlers efficient and more enjoyable. Once kids grow out of their backpack-style carriers, parents are forced into deciding how far their little ones can hike before needing to be picked up, but oftentimes riding in a backpack is too much trouble because all the toddler really needs is a small break from walking. That’s where Trail Magik comes in. Katie is t...
Jan 18, 2023•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 152
Text the show! Tommy Corey’s eye for outdoor portrait photography landed him front and center in the hiking community during his 2018 PCT thru-hike when he began posting fashion-esque portraits of fellow thru-hikers under the project name “Hiker Trash Vogue.” The photo project captured the attention of major outdoor brands and was even featured in Outside Online . Tommy received high accolades for his work, but it was also pointed out that his subjects did not represent a range of diverse backgr...
Dec 21, 2022•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 151
Text the show! This is the second part of a two-part mini-series with Marketa and David Daley who in 2022 hiked 1300 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail with their 3 young kids. David and I dive into the more holistic side of hiking the trail and explore the meaning behind the struggle and process of a thru-hike. For anyone who enjoys the non-technical side of a thru-hiking discussion, you’ll enjoy this, especially if you’re a parent yourself. David and I dive into what it was like to hike as Fathe...
Oct 18, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 150
Text the show! Marketa and David Daley backpacked 1300 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail in 2022 with their 3 kids and proved to themselves that yes, it was possible to hike the PCT as a family. At times they moved at a snail's pace, questioned their own sanity, and were forced to find creative ways to motivate their kids to continue moving down the trail. Together as a family, they experienced the highs and lows of trail life, strengthened their family bonds, and in the end, found what they were...
Sep 19, 2022•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 149
Text the show! Evan Guzik is a Public Affairs Officer for the US Forest Service out of the Bridger Teton Forest and joins the podcast to walk me through the basics of wildfires. Not only am I honored to have the US Forest Service represented on my show, but it’s made even more special because Evan and I served together in the Marine Corps nearly 20 years ago. We cover what prescribed burns are and why they’re useful, how fires are managed from beginning to end, what to do if you see a fire or yo...
Aug 31, 2022•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 148
