Ep. 171: He Left Med School to Live Wild in Alaska

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The Silvercore Podcast with Travis Bader

Travis Bader

172 episodes

5 days ago

The Silvercore Podcast explores the mindset and skills that build capable people. Host Travis Bader speaks with hunters, adventurers, soldiers, athletes, craftsmen, and founders about competence, integrity, and the pursuit of mastery, in the wild and in daily life. Hit follow and step into conversations that sharpen your edge.

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Ep. 171: He Left Med School to Live Wild in Alaska | Rick Matney of Chrome Chasers

The Silvercore Podcast with Travis Bader

1 hour 2 minutes

4 weeks ago

Ep. 171: He Left Med School to Live Wild in Alaska | Rick Matney of Chrome Chasers

When Rick Matney walked away from a medical career to build Chrome Chasers with his wife Dori, he wasn’t chasing money, he was chasing meaning.

From guiding in the Alaskan wilderness to cooking world-class meals from what he catches and forages, Rick lives a life that blends science, survival, and soul. In this episode, Travis Bader travels to Wrangell, Alaska to discover what makes this place—and this guide—so special.

They dive into:

Rick’s drastic right turn from med-school valedictorian to bush guide
What it takes to thrive in the Alaskan backcountry
Lessons from years of hunting, trapping, and foraging
Working with MeatEater and building a business rooted in conservation
How food becomes the bridge that connects people to nature

👉 Subscribe for more conversations that explore the outdoors, mindset, and mastery.
🎧 Listen to The Outpost—Silvercore Club’s private members-only podcast—for deeper, personal stories and tips.
🎯 Silvercore Club members get discounts on top optics through Armament Technology and more: https://silvercore.ca

Follow Rick and Dori at Chrome Chasers Lodge:

https://www.instagram.com/chromechaserslodge

https://www.chromechasers.com/

https://www.instagram.com/wildgamechef

https://www.wildgamechef.com

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Silvercore Club - https://bit.ly/2RiREb4
Online Training - https://bit.ly/3nJKx7U
Other Training & Services - https://bit.ly/3vw6kSU
Merchandise - https://bit.ly/3ecyvk9
Blog Page - https://bit.ly/3nEHs8W

Host Instagram - @Bader.Trav https://www.instagram.com/bader.trav
Silvercore Instagram - @SilvercoreOutdoors https://www.instagram.com/silvercoreoutdoors

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⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters

00:00 – Intro & Armament Technology sponsor
01:00 – Welcome to Alaska and Chrome Chasers
03:00 – The reality of Wrangell and life in a temperate rainforest
07:15 – From valedictorian to fishing guide: the moment everything changed
10:45 – Trading med school for a life of wild purpose
13:00 – Generations of hunters, trappers & foragers
16:30 – Cooking as a survival skill turned artform
19:55 – From field to fine dining and global recognition
21:00 – Guiding style and the pursuit of perfection
23:15 – Working with MeatEater and sharing the love of food
26:00 – Guiding is psychology: reading people in the wild
28:50 – Failure as a teacher and the importance of letting clients learn
33:40 – The perfect guest and embracing discomfort
36:00 – Bears, storms & real Alaskan wildlife
40:20 – Growing up skiing, racing, and learning risk
42:25 – Reloading, precision rifles & finding calm in focus
45:30 – Why he guides today and what he’s truly chasing
48:20 – Favorite fish to catch and client stories
55:00 – The future of Chrome Chasers and ethical harvest
1:01:00 – Final thoughts & closing