Chris Thornley: Squirrel’s Nut Butter Co-founder, River Runner, UltraRunner, Climber, Lube Legend #4
Episode description
Today’s guest is a solo river runner, rock climber, ultra marathon runner, outdoor enthusiast, and entrepreneur. He is the co-founder of Squirrel’s Nut Butter, a company based in Flagstaff, Arizona that makes the world’s best all-natural, anti-chafe and restorative skin salve.
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Amazing Products/Companies I Use
Squirrel's Nut Butter - https://squirrelsnutbutter.com/discount/ENDURANCE15 Use code "Endurance15" for 15% off!
Kahtoola - https://kahtoola.com
Dispersed Bikepacking Gear - https://Dispersed.bike
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https://www.instagram.com/theendurancestudio/
Interested in sponsoring or advertising on the podcast? Contact me at: TheEnduranceStudio@gmail.com
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(00:00:00) Intro
(00:00:58) Amazing Company & Product: Squirrel's Nut Butter
(00:02:44) Amazing Company & Product: Kahtoola
(00:03:39) Amazing Company & Product: Dispersed
(00:04:37) Chris Thornley Bio
(00:05:58) SNB Facility; Ingredients
(00:07:48) My first experiences with the product; SNB Origins; Saddle sores and usage
(00:11:36) The SNB Team; Manufacturing process and automation; Applications
(00:17:46) Origin story; Early days; Naming
(00:21:53) Chris' younger days; Cycling Criterium and Touring; Family influence
(00:29:05) Discovery of Western States Ultra running race; Running as a young man; Flow state; Family exercising
(00:38:14) Camping under the stars; High School track; 5 minute mile; First Marathon; First Ultra Marathon
(00:44:29) Heat Training; Embracing the unknown; Heat Strategies
(00:49:50) College years; Boston Marathon; End of running career
(00:55:42) Rock climbing; 48 hour solo fast; Running out of water; Sleeping on ledges
(01:07:06) Solo rafting trips; Boating origins; Relationship with Dad; Kayaking
(01:15:12) Flipping the boat in Lava Falls; Meeting Bruce Cline; Safety in numbers; 2010 first solo trip
(01:21:08) Safety protocol and systems during solo rafting trips
(01:31:04) Magic of solo trips; Camping logistics; Beaches in the Grand Canyon; Flow rates
(01:36:35) Tinkering; Embracing Boredom; Transitioning between solo trips and regular life; Empowering a team at work
(01:44:17) Putting your ego in check; Climbing Denali
(01:48:29) Upcoming solo trip using a Dory
(01:57:35) Commercial trips; Dealing with fear
(02:05:54) Information saturation; Finding solitude; Letting go of the rat race
(02:10:54) Manipulation of time; Being present; Clearing the mind for new ideas
(02:17:26) Whats the deal with the purple hat?
(02:22:22) Timber the Squirrel costume
(02:25:55) SNB Marketing; First big order with REI; International reach; Issues during covid
(02:34:06) Humanizing the product and brand; Challenges with natural ingredients
(02:38:40) Sustainability options and challenges; Using plastic vs. aluminum and paper
(02:47:41) Regulations; First international sale; Social media upsides
(02:52:49) Ambassador program; Grassroots Marketing; Newsletter; Imposter syndrome
(03:04:39) Rapid fire questions
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