This week we’re going deep on PEDs. I opened up a Q&A on IG and got a ton of great questions about TRT, Peptides and PEDs. I start by sharing my personal experience with these compounds over the last 10 years, then do my best to answer as many questions as possible. I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. Jay Nichol jay@mindfulhunter.com https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https://www.mindfulhunter.com/ Forged In The Backcountry https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ Merch https://www.mi...
Aug 15, 2025•1 hr 45 min•Ep. 251
Not a lot needs to be said about this one. Buckle up for the story of how we got Vance his first Billy in the mountains of BC after a year of struggle and failure. Jay Nichol jay@mindfulhunter.com https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https://www.mindfulhunter.com/ Forged In The Backcountry https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ Merch https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop Newsletter https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact IG https://www.instagram.com/mindful_hunter/ Podcast https://www.mindfulhunter.com/podc...
Aug 07, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 250
In this special on-the-road episode, Vance and I hit record while driving deep into goat country. With the truck packed and tags in our pockets, we tackle a pile of listener questions ranging from ethical shot distances and when to use a tripod, to the age-old debate of who gets first shot. We also break down whether a 6mm Creedmoor has any business being pointed at a moose. Jay Nichol jay@mindfulhunter.com https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https://www.mindfulhunter.com/ Forged In The Backcountry...
Aug 01, 2025•2 hr 27 min•Ep. 249
The My First Elk Series is focused on conversations with elk hunters who have killed their first elk in the last couple of years. The goal is to break down their experience and see what changed that allowed them to end their losing streak and finally put an elk on the ground. This second episode features my buddy Tim and dropped a ton of useful insights that will come in handy this September. Jay Nichol jay@mindfulhunter.com https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https://www.mindfulhunter.com/ Forged ...
Jul 25, 2025•1 hr 37 min•Ep. 248
The My First Elk Series is focused on conversations with elk hunters who have killed their first elk in the last couple of years. The goal is to break down their experience and see what changed that allowed them to end their losing streak and finally put an elk on the ground. Up first we’ve got my buddy Bo Scott Campbell and this episode is full of helpful insights for the up and coming elk slayer. Bo Scott Campbell https://www.instagram.com/boscottcampbell/ Jay Nichol jay@mindfulhunter.com http...
Jul 18, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 247
While I’m out in the mountains scouting for an upcoming mountain goat hunt, I didn’t want to leave you hanging. So in this episode, I’m sharing the audio from two recent YouTube gear reviews: the Argali Absaroka Tent and the Prime RVX 34 Bow. Jay Nichol jay@mindfulhunter.com https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https://www.mindfulhunter.com/ Forged In The Backcountry https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ Merch https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop Newsletter https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact IG https...
Jul 11, 2025•58 min•Ep. 246
I sit down with the boys this week to discuss our upcoming archery elk hunt in Montana. We go over how we drew the tags, what our strategy is, how that’s changed along the way and what gear we are planning to bring. Jay Nichol jay@mindfulhunter.com https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https://www.mindfulhunter.com/ Forged In The Backcountry https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ Merch https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop Newsletter https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact IG https://www.instagram.com/mindfu...
Jul 04, 2025•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 245
I just got back from the intro 600 yard course from Shoot2Hunt and it absolutely blew my mind. In this episode I go over the entire experience, provide my critique and then I answer listener questions. Shoot2Hunt https://www.instagram.com/shoot2hunt/ https://shoot2hunt.com/ Jay Nichol jay@mindfulhunter.com https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https://www.mindfulhunter.com/ Forged In The Backcountry https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ Merch https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop Newsletter https://www.mi...
Jun 27, 2025•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 244
I just wrapped up six intense weeks of guiding and outfitting bear hunts here in British Columbia. It was my first season running a full-time outfit in this new territory, and it delivered everything I hoped for—hard lessons, great people, and unforgettable adventures. A lot of you had questions, so I dropped a Q&A post on Instagram and used this episode to dive into your biggest asks. I break down what I learned, what surprised me, and how I’m already planning to level things up for next ye...
Jun 23, 2025•1 hr 41 min•Ep. 243
This week I’ve got my hunting partner Vance on the show, and we’re digging into last year’s goat hunt that didn’t go as planned. We talk about what went wrong, the key lessons we took away from the experience, and how we’re changing things up for this season. We also walk through our updated gear lists — what worked, what didn’t, and what’s getting replaced. From layering systems to optics and boots, we break down what we’re packing and why. It’s a raw, honest chat about failure in the mountains...
Jun 13, 2025•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 242
In this episode, I sit down with Ben and Anthony, two recent clients of Mindful Hunter Outfitting, to walk through their successful spring bear hunt in the mountains of British Columbia. We talk about how the hunt played out — covering the tough terrain, the glassing strategy, some key decision points, and what it took to get it done in rugged country. It was a classic mountain hunt with a good mix of hard work, quiet moments, and a few unexpected twists along the way. If you’re interested in th...
Jun 09, 2025•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 241
In this episode, I sit down with Blake, who succeeded on his bear hunt with Mindful Hunter Outfitting this week. We dive deep into the full story—how we planned the hunt, the gear we relied on, and the moment it all came together with a mature black bear. This isn’t just a hunt recap. It’s a candid conversation about mindset, learning curves, and what it’s like to put trust in a guide for the first time. We also break down the specific strategies we used to locate bears in remote country, the ca...
May 23, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 240
In this no-holds-barred Q&A episode, I dive into your hunting-related questions straight from Instagram. I give my unfiltered take on the worst supplement brand in the hunting industry and why I think it’s time we stop falling for influencer-driven hype. I also share an update on my latest tattoo—what it means and why I got it. And yes, we get into the weeds on the always controversial topic of shot placement on black bears, especially under real-world hunting conditions. No fluff, no BS—jus...
May 09, 2025•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 239
In this episode, I sit down with Ryan Avery — founder of Rokslide and Shoot2Hunt — for a candid conversation about the evolution of hunting media, rifle culture, and how gear reviews have changed over the past decade. Ryan shares his journey from building one of the most trusted backcountry hunting forums on the internet to launching Shoot2Hunt , a platform built to cut through marketing noise and focus on real-world rifle performance. We dig into the rise of gear-centric hunting content, the pi...
May 02, 2025•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 238
In this episode, we sit down with Tanner Danish, founder of Frontiersmen Gear, to talk about what it really takes to build a hunting business with integrity. From navigating the hype-driven world of outdoor marketing to staying grounded in craftsmanship and customer trust, Tanner shares hard-won insights from his journey creating gear that stands up to real backcountry use. We dig into the early challenges of launching a brand, the importance of saying “no” to shortcuts, and how staying true to ...
Apr 25, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 237
In this episode, we sit down with Monte Clarke for a raw and reflective conversation on the deep self-awareness forged through solo hunting, the quiet rhythm of fly fishing, and the ongoing challenge of fatherhood. Monte shares stories from the backcountry and the riverbank, weaving in lessons learned from time spent in solitude and the parallels between being a mindful hunter and a present father. It’s a grounded, no-BS look at how nature sharpens not just our skills, but our character. Monte C...
Apr 18, 2025•1 hr 39 min•Ep. 236
My good buddy Brandon had the opportunity to go down to Argentina and hunt Red Stag, so I had him on the podcast to share the story of his trip. Brandon Roth https://www.instagram.com/brandon.roth.hnh.bc/ Jay Nichol jay@mindfulhunter.com https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https://www.mindfulhunter.com/ Forged In The Backcountry https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ Merch https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop Newsletter https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact IG https://www.instagram.com/mindful_hunter/ P...
Apr 10, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 235
I met Sean 15 years ago when I was the sales manager for a high-end health club, and he was a full-time MMA fighter. It’s safe to say we have both lived a lot of life since then. We went deep on this one. I thoroughly enjoyed the conversation, and I hope you do too. Sean Zubor https://www.instagram.com/seanzubor/ Jay Nichol jay@mindfulhunter.com https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https://www.mindfulhunter.com/ Forged In The Backcountry https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ Merch https://www.mindfulh...
Apr 04, 2025•1 hr 40 min•Ep. 234
This week, I sat down with the founders of Oryx Outdoors, a new apparel company focused on designing durable, technical training gear for hunters. We dive into their personal hunting stories, what pushed them to start an apparel company in a saturated market, and the real challenges of designing clothing that works when it matters most. Oryx Outdoors https://oryx-outdoors.com/ https://www.instagram.com/oryxoutdoors_official/ Jay Nichol jay@mindfulhunter.com https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https...
Mar 28, 2025•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 233
Time for another Q&A episode. This week I answer questions about both my archery and rifle setups for 2025. 🎯 GIVEAWAY ALERT! Every $5 you spend on merch at https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ gets you 1 entry to win a Swarovski 85mm Spotting Scope. No purchase required. Contest begins on February 1, 2025 at 12:01 a.m. PST and ends on April 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. PST. There is a total of 1 prize available to be won consisting of: (i) 1 previously owned Swarovski ATX 85mm Spotting Scope (app...
Mar 21, 2025•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 225
Time for another Q&A episode. This week I answer questions about sleep systems, archery setups, new packs and much more! 🎯 GIVEAWAY ALERT! Every $5 you spend on merch at https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ gets you 1 entry to win a Swarovski 85mm Spotting Scope. No purchase required. Contest begins on February 1, 2025 at 12:01 a.m. PST and ends on April 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. PST. There is a total of 1 prize available to be won consisting of: (i) 1 previously owned Swarovski ATX 85mm Spotti...
Mar 14, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 232
The Wild Sheep Society of BC asked me to speak at their Sheep Hunter University again this year at the Mountain Hunter Expo in Penticton. I absolutely love this event. It’s the only true conference solely focused on mountain hunters here in BC and is growing every year. I spoke about how to have an integrated approach to gear systems and more specifically how that applies to a couple of sleep systems I have put together lately. WSSBC https://www.wildsheepsociety.com/ Jay Nichol jay@mindfulhunter...
Mar 07, 2025•39 min•Ep. 231
In this episode, we sit down with Hunter McWaters—host of a popular hunting show on the Sportsman Channel, podcast creator, and a man deeply rooted in faith. Hunter shares his journey from the outdoors to the screen, discussing how his passion for hunting, storytelling, and personal growth has shaped his career. We dive into the highs and lows of producing a hunting show, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and how his faith keeps him grounded in an industry that’s always evolving. Hunter Mc...
Mar 01, 2025•1 hr 17 min•Ep. 230
If you want something done right, sometimes you have to do it yourself—and that’s exactly why I created the Forged Base Series. A complete redesign from the ground up, this next-to-skin base layer system was built for unmatched comfort, durability, and performance in the backcountry. 🔥 Why I Built It: For years, we searched for the perfect pair of base layers—especially boxers—that could withstand the grind of multi-day hunts. After brands cut corners and changed fabrics, I decided to create my...
Feb 21, 2025•20 min•Ep. 229
Aziak Equipment has been making waves in the hunting industry with their innovative, lightweight designs that are built for hardcore backcountry hunters. Rydell’s approach to gear isn’t just about cutting weight—it’s about maximizing efficiency without sacrificing durability. Today, we’ll get into the story behind Aziak Equipment, the challenges of designing high-performance hunting gear, and what’s next for the brand. Plus, we’ll pick Rydell’s brain on his own hunting experiences and the lesson...
Feb 14, 2025•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 228
Timmy has spent years guiding hunters through some of the most extreme conditions Alaska has to offer—chasing giant moose, Dall sheep, and brown bear in remote backcountry that few ever get to experience. We’ll talk about what it takes to be a successful Alaskan outfitter, the toughest hunts he’s been on, and what hunters need to know before stepping into the last frontier. Plus, we’ll get into my archery brown bear hunt planned for spring of 2026 and the mindset, gear, and preparation required ...
Feb 07, 2025•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 227
It’s no secret I am a big fan of small innovative companies that produce great products and MTN Gear is definitely one of those. Matt made a big splash with his ultralight bipods a few years ago and has continued to improve their design until recently selling the rights to MDT. We had a great chat covering ground from his humble beginnings to what he plans to do with the new found funding from the sale of the bipod. MTN Gear https://www.mtngear.nz/ https://www.instagram.com/mtngear.nz/ Nick http...
Jan 31, 2025•1 hr 51 min•Ep. 226
Winter goat hunting isn’t for the faint of heart, and this trip proved why. From 60mm of freezing rain to failed sleep systems and broken snowshoes, this hunt was a brutal test of both gear and grit. As miserable as it was, I learned a ton and put some new gear through its paces—some of it held up, and some didn’t. In this episode, I break down the highs and lows of the trip, share what worked (and what didn’t), and offer tips for planning your own winter hunt. Tune in for hard-earned insights a...
Jan 24, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 225
Dylan is well-known in the hunting community in Vancouver for his generous spirit and endless drive to help foster growth in the newer hunter community. We had a great chat about Dylan’s history, how Eat Wild got started and even squeezed in a few good hunting stories. Dylan Eyers https://eatwild.ca/ https://www.instagram.com/eatwild/ Jay Nichol jay@mindfulhunter.com https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https://www.mindfulhunter.com/ Forged In The Backcountry https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ Merc...
Jan 17, 2025•1 hr 40 min•Ep. 224
I was able to get in two late season hunts before the close of 2024 for mule deer and whitetails. In this podcast I go over the gear I took with me on those two hunts and share the results of testing the new Sevr 1.5 Ti Hybrid out in the field. Jay Nichol jay@mindfulhunter.com https://www.mindful-reviews.com/ https://www.mindfulhunter.com/ Forged In The Backcountry https://forgedinthebackcountry.com/ Merch https://www.mindfulhunter.com/shop Newsletter https://www.mindfulhunter.com/contact IG htt...
Jan 10, 2025•44 min•Ep. 223
