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 grea...

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 strategie...

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 wit...

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 aro...

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 appro...

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 t...

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 e...

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 i...

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 LinksThe Connection Between Movement, Music, and IdeasBarefoot Running and the Rediscovery of Natural MovementThe Philosophy Behind Luna SandalsBarefoot Ted's Experience Running a Marathon BarefootThe Pursuit of Personal Challen...

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 LinksPreparing for the PCT with a BabyOutdoor Background and ExperienceLiving in the Arctic and Outdoor LearningJudgment and Con...

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 mountain...

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, uncura...

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:Fo...

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....

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. ...

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 LinksGetting to know DanDan’s early yearsRelationships with the landOur disconnecti...

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 LinksPCT Days recap Getting involved with the long-distance crowd Seeing products in the wild for the first time Why start a base layer brand...

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 LinksGetting to know BillHow Bill got into land nav and fieldcraftThe importance of changing pers...

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. ...

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 LinksEinsteins backpacking backstory ...